How to Check Bed Bugs in Mattress: A Comprehensive Guide

Bed bug invasion is a nightmare, and you’ll need to visually inspect your mattress regularly. Discovering how to check bed bugs in mattresses early saves money and time. When you learn about the infestation early, you’ll understand the severity and how best to handle it.

Unfortunately, the discovery process for bed bugs isn’t always easy because they hide in small cracks and crevices during the day and only come out at night while you’re asleep. The obvious sign of a bed bug infested mattress is the presence of bites on your body when you wake up. 

However, this may not be the case for everyone since some people don’t have a skin that reacts. Want to learn more? Read on to find out how to check bed bugs in the mattress!

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are reddish-brown pests that resemble the size of a poppy seed and feed on human and animal blood. Bed bug infestations are a common problem around the world. These creatures can spread from house to house and survive for a long time without eating.

People usually get them from infested items like clothes, backpacks, or furniture. Also, bed bugs can spread across rooms in the same compound or hotel. Since they’re small, they can hide in pockets, folds, and seams, and you can move them into your home without your consent. Once they get in, they find your sleeping spot and take cover.

Do Bed Bugs Live in Foam Mattresses?

Generally, bed bugs can live on foam mattresses, even on memory foam. But due to its compact design, anti-dust and dust mites on memory foams, it became quite difficult to live in the foam.

However, bed bugs can still live on the surface, edges, and underneath the mattress. If the mattress has aged, it’s likely to have tears and bed bug holes that allow bed bugs to live inside the mattress.

As earlier mentioned, the discovery process for bed bugs isn’t always easy. This is because they hide in small cracks and crevices during the day and only come out at night while you’re asleep

Signs of a bed bug infested mattress

Controlling bed bugs is expensive and complicated, so always pay attention to the warning signs. Once you spot an indication of their presence, act immediately.

Besides the itchy body bites, other common signs of bed bug infested mattress are: 

Live Bed Bugs: 

If you ever see bed bugs in your home, that’s a clear sign of an infestation. Adult bed bugs are reddish-brown, while the young ones are clear or white. You’ll find them in your mattress, box spring, headboard, and bed frame cracks. These creatures are so small and can comfortably sit in small openings and discreet spots.

Blood or Fecal Marks:

Dark spots on your mattress or bed sheets may indicate bed bug infestation. The black or dark brown stains are their excreta. You may also notice rusty, red blood stains, indicating that you probably crushed the bed bugs at night.

Odor:

Often, a musty, sickly, but sweet odor akin to the smell of mold signifies a bed bug infestation. If you ever notice any unusual smell in your home, check for other disturbing signs and fix the situation.

Eggs

These eggs are always in the form of white ovals. Although they’re almost invisible and more difficult to spot than bed bugs, they signify an infestation.

Shell Casings:

The shed skins also indicate the presence of bed bugs. You’ll mostly find them in hollow, translucent shells in your furniture corners or mattress seams.

Bites:

If you wake with itchy skin and red marks, carefully check your mattress and other bedding for bed bugs.

Where Do Bed Bugs Hide?

Bed bug infestations mainly occur in the bedroom. The next possible place you’d find them is in couches. They settle in these places because they offer them a good blood meal feast at night. 

Also, bed bugs love the warmth of human bodies and the carbon dioxide we breathe. Their other hideouts include:

• Wardrobes
• Beneath Carpets
• In Between Mattress Seams
• Headboard Crevices
• Drawers and Cupboards
• Beside Cabinets and Tables
• Skirting Board Cracks
• Timber Floorboards
• Behind Wallpapers

How to Check Bed Bugs in Mattress

Besides the earlier signs mentioned, look out for the following:

Step 1:

Inspect your blankets, pillowcases, and bedsheets carefully. Search for marks that resemble fecal stains or blood spots from bed bugs. You’ll mostly find these markings on your mattress top or along its seams.

Step 2:

Move your mattress away from the wall. This will help you easily find bed bugs between the wall and the mattress. Also, it’s an avenue to perform an in-depth inspection.

Step 3:

If you don’t find any markings on the mattress top, check underneath the mattress. Remove the bed sheets carefully. If you notice any bed bugs hiding in the sheets, don’t shake them so they don’t litter around the bedroom.

Step 4:

Carefully inspect the seams and folds of your mattress. You can run a card along the seams to push out the skin casings, eggs, or bed bugs. Ensure you guard your hands with gloves during the inspection. 

Step 5:

After the inspection, flip the mattress over and lean it against a wall to check the underside. Repeat the same thing you did on the top side of the bed, paying extra attention to the seams and corners.

Step 6:

If your mattress is in a bed frame, take it out and inspect the box spring, too. Check for markings along the seams and folds. Also, flip the box spring over as you could find bed bugs crawling in the dust. 

Step 7:

Lastly, inspect the bed frame. You may find bed bugs inside the crevices, cracks, or underneath the frame. In some cases, you can find them hiding inside tiny screw holes.

How Do Bed Bugs Spread?

Bed bugs are transmittable. You can carry it into a workplace or another home. They smuggle their way into furniture, clothing, and luggage. Bed bugs spread in the following ways:

Overnight Stays in Hotels

If you lodge in a hotel room infestation with bed bugs, they’ll most likely find their way into your clothing, luggage, and body. Before settling in, look for blood stains on the bed sheets and other common indications.

If you notice anything abnormal, contact the hotel management immediately. Also, if you have been exposed to an infestation at the hotel, fumigate your house and launder all washables.

Used Furniture

Sometimes, bed bugs are present in second-hand furniture, and they can spread if you move the item to your home. So, before taking any furniture home, look carefully for possible infestation signs.

Visiting Friends

If your home is bed bug infested, take the necessary steps to avoid spreading it to another person. Avoid taking your clothes, luggage, or furniture when visiting a friend.

Also, when there’s an infestation in an adjoining property, the insects can spread to your home through the floor cavities or walls. If you ever discover any signs, inform your neighbors immediately and take steps to fix the problem.

Canine Bed Bug Inspections

If you’ve been unable to find the bed bugs feasting on your blood every night, consider getting a canine bed bug inspection. Bed bug sniffing dogs are trained to find the exact location of bed bugs, eggs, casings, and other signs that human eyes may not pinpoint.

During a canine bed bug inspection, the dog is guided by a professional handler to walk through all the rooms and sniff out bed bugs, even a single live one. When the dog finds something, it signals the handler, who’ll then perform a visual inspection for confirmation.

This inspection process is 96% accurate and reliable. The dogs and their handlers undergo a rigorous training and certification process.

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

There’s no need to beat yourself up when you discover bed bugs in your home; there are many methods to get rid of bed bug infestation in your mattress. You can combine two or more techniques for more effectiveness, and they’ll be gone forever. 

Steam Cleaning

The high heat from steaming is a reliable way to kill bed bugs without using chemicals. All you need is a high-quality steamer. It’s advisable to rent commercial steamers since clothing steamers are less powerful.

Move it slowly over all the areas where you found the bed bugs or think they could be hiding. Wash all your bedding and clothes at a high temperature.

Professional Extermination

Licensed bed bug extermination is the best way to eliminate bed bugs. During this process, the professionals first inspect your home. Then, they customize treatments to suit your situation. Usually, they use a combination of heat, vacuuming, and pest control chemicals to eliminate the insects.

Unfortunately, this option is the most expensive. You could first try home remedies if you’re on a budget.

High Heat

High heat is similar to steaming and can completely remove bed bugs from your bedding and clothing. Run all contaminated items through your dryer on high heat for 30 minutes or more. 

Also, you can use portable heating devices specially designed to eliminate bed bugs and apply heat to your belongings. Ensure the temperature reaches at least 113°F for 90 minutes to kill all bed bugs.

Vacuuming

Another method to get rid of bed bug infested mattress is vacuum cleaning. Use a vacuum cleaner with the most potent suction and a crevice tool attachment to easily access all the corners and folds where the bugs could be hiding.

After vacuuming, immediately remove the vacuum bag from your home and dispose of it so the bed bugs won’t crawl back into the house.

Mattress-Safe Insecticides

There are numerous mattress-safe insecticides at walk-in stores and online. To effectively kill bed bugs using these insecticides, tidy your room, flip your mattress over, and spray underneath quickly, targeting the bed bugs before they escape. You can also continue spraying into the crevices and fold for the best results. 

How to Prevent Bed Bugs in Your Mattress

Below are several measures you can employ to ensure bed bug infestation never occurs in your home.

• Carefully inspect all second-hand furniture before purchasing.
• Clean your mattress and bedsheets regularly. 
• Always keep your home neat so bed bugs see no hiding place.
• After traveling, check your bags and clothing for any bed bugs. If you find any, launder the items immediately.
• Frequently vacuum to eliminate any bed bugs hiding in the corners.
• Use an encasement or protective cover for your mattress to prevent bed bugs from harboring.

Dealing With Bed Bug Anxiety

Although bed bug infestations are worrying, they’re a common occurrence. Most times, people who experience an infestation experience psychological effects like anxiety, insomnia, nightmares, and flashbacks.

Here’s some advice – if you’re caught up in a web of these effects after an inspection, speak with a therapist.

A significant component of bed bug anxiety is the stigma around having an infested home. Poor hygiene doesn’t cause infestations. They can happen to anyone. Many people have experienced this situation, and they’ve successfully dealt with it.

If you’re too anxious to stay home, move in with a family member or friend while making arrangements to eliminate the bed bugs. Remember, infestations are easily manageable if caught early.

FAQs

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are reddish-brown pests that resemble the size of a poppy seed and feed on human and animal blood. Bed bug infestations are a common problem around the world. These creatures can spread from house to house and survive for a long time without eating.

People usually get them from infested items like clothes, backpacks, or furniture. Also, bed bugs can spread across rooms in the same compound or hotel. Since they’re small, they can hide in pockets, folds, and seams, and you can move them into your home without your consent. Once they get in, they find your sleeping spot and take cover.

What Attracts Bed Bugs?

Body odor and heat. Bed bugs are attracted to the odor molecules that human and animal bodies produce. Body odor is the reason these insects are also attracted to dirty laundry. Also, bed bugs have sensory structures on their antennae that they use to detect body heat.

Can Bed Bugs Affect My Health?

Bed bugs aren’t known to transmit diseases to humans, but their bites are disturbing. When bitten, you’ll find small, itchy, red marks on your body. While some people have allergic reactions, others develop skin infections from itchiness. If you ever notice such a thing, contact your doctor immediately.

How Do I Keep Bed Bugs Away Naturally?

Essential oils come in handy. Oils like lemongrass, thyme, lavender, cinnamon, eucalyptus, tea tree, and peppermint fight away bed bugs. They’re most effective when mixed with an atomizer and used in a spray bottle to repel bed bugs.

Final Words

If you feel an infestation in your home, it’s crucial to thoroughly check your mattress and furniture. Inspect all the crevices, folds, and seams carefully for reddish-brown stains, translucent egg shells, or brown bugs. If you find any bed bugs in the mattress, call for professional extermination. 

If that’s too expensive, try other elimination methods like vacuuming and steam cleaning. The best way to ensure your home is bed bug-free is to regularly inspect it for signs and take steps to prevent infestations.