Bed Bugs On Mattress | What To Do & Not To Do

We have had a few reports of bed bugs being found on mattresses in the past few weeks. Here are some things you can do to help prevent and control them.

How To Tell If Your Mattress Has Bed Bugs?

Check for signs of bed bugs such as rusty or reddish stains on your sheets or mattress. These are usually from their blood being sucked. You might also see small dark spots on your mattress which is their excrement. Bed bugs can also leave a musty smell in the room.

Signs of Infestation Include:

• Blood stains – seem on your sheets and pillowcases
• Bed bug excrements – on your bedding or clothing, there might be a black or rusty spot that looks like dirt and may easily be confused with it
• Unpleasant musty odour – that smells like coriander or mouldy clothes or shoes
• Several red spots – bites seen on your skin caused from bedbugs

Should I Throw My Mattress – Not Recommended

It is recommended NOT to throw your mattress out. In addition, it will not solve the problem; instead, it will just help spread the infection further – that will not help to contain or eradicate the infestation, but rather it may contribute to the bedbugs infestation to spread elsewhere.

Should I Use Pesticide On My Mattress – Not Recommended

If you think you may have bedbugs, don’t try to treat your home with pesticides. Pesticides are not effective against bedbugs, and using them could make your infestation worse. If you are worried about bedbugs, call a pest control professional to get rid of them.

However, you must exercise extreme caution since pesticides can swiftly become dangerous. They also have the potential to be hazardous if used incorrectly. You should carefully read all of the instructions and ensure that they are intended for such usage before using any bed bug treatment. Confirm that the pesticide is genuine and licensed, then follow all of the labelling conditions precisely.

Chemical treatments would help to increase your chances of successful extermination.

Should I Use a Vacuum Cleaner – Not Full Proof

The short answer is no, you should not use a vacuum cleaner to remove bedbugs. This is because they will just end up getting stuck in the filter and eventually die. However, this does not mean that vacuuming is completely ineffective. If you vacuum regularly, it will help to keep the problem at bay and make it easier to spot any bedbugs that may have made their way into your home.

If you do decide to use a vacuum cleaner, make sure that you empty the bag or canister after each use to prevent the bedbugs from just ending up back where they started.

Can I Get Bed Bugs Out Of A Mattress (The DIY Way) – Do It With Caution

The only way to get rid of bed bugs from your mattress is to steam clean it, which will kill all the bugs and their eggs. You can either hire a professional to do this for you or you can rent a steamer and do it yourself.

The DIY Way:

• Remove all bedding items: pillowcases, sheets, covers, and stuff them in a sealed plastic bag
• Throw all the infested fabric in a treated washer at a hot temperature
• Scrub all corners of your bed and mattress, including the seams and foldings, using a stiff brush to drive out bed bugs and expose their eggs
• *Expose your mattress to 113°F for 90 minutes (A MUST DO TO KILL BEDBUGS)
• Vacuum and steam clean every corner and part of your mattress
• Clean and empty your vacuum cleaner
• Zip up the box spring and mattress in tight encasements to prevent bed bugs from escaping or entering
• Vacuum the floors after thoroughly sealing all gaps and cracks on your bed and drawers

It is crucial to note that vacuuming alone will not entirely eliminate bed bugs and their eggs. Bed bug egg shells are difficult to remove, even with a vacuum. This is because bed bug eggs would stick to the surface on which they’re deposited.

Should I Still Store Things Under My Bed – Not Recommended

Dirt or grime, on the other hand, is something that bed bugs avoid.

Clutter beneath your bed, on the other hand, will undoubtedly offer more hiding places for bed bugs.

Bed bugs are frequently discovered hiding within a number of objects tucked away under your mattress.

To prevent providing them with undisturbed places that may be overlooked during cleaning, make sure you are not storing things beneath your bed.

Should I Still Wash My Clothes – Yes

It is critical if you are a frequent travellers to wash and dry your clothing with the highest heat settings possible when you arrive home.

Avoid leaving your dirty clothes in your luggage for days on the laundry basket. Because this will only enable bed bugs to spread throughout the house, and they will undoubtedly crawl to your bed and bite you at night.

Should I Wash My Blankets – Yes, With High Heat

Bed bugs do not live in blankets. They can, however, hide in the seams of mattresses and other furniture. So, if you have bed bugs, it is important to wash all of your bedding in hot water and dry it on high heat. You should also vacuum any areas where you think the bugs might be hiding.

What Is The Main Cause Of Bed Bugs?

There are many reasons why bed bugs might invade your home. Some of the most common include:

– Having guests stay over who may unwittingly bring them in

– Buying second-hand furniture or mattresses that could be infested

– Staying in a hotel or Airbnb that has bed bugs

Bed bugs are expert hitch hikers and can quickly spread from one place to another. So, even if you have taken all the necessary precautions, there is always a chance that you could end up with an infestation.

Remember What Kills Bed Bugs Permanently

To kill bed bugs permanently on your mattress, you need to do more than just clean it. You need to expose it to extreme heat, preferably 113°F for 90 minutes. This will kill all the bed bugs and their eggs instantly.

It is recommended to hire a pest control company  that offers reliable bed bugs control services to carry out this treatment for you. They will have the necessary equipment and knowledge to do the job properly.