Bed Bug Mattress Treatment for Homeowners

Do you suspect a bed bug infestation inside your property? If so, what is your bed bug treatment plan? Many homeowners are often hesitant to reach out to pest control. These tiny parasites are in all fifty states of the U.S. Also, the discomfort of a bed bug infestation from itchy red bed bug bites to musty house odors should be enough grounds for seeking help. To get rid of bed bugs, you’ll need to target the most infested areas, particularly your mattress and bedding. For this reason, we’ve prepared this article on bed bug mattress treatment and prevention.

Bed bugs, true to their name, are blood-sucking insects that dwell where humans sleep. Their hiding spots include mattress seams, cracks and crevices of your bed frame and headboard, and mattress box springs.

How to Confirm a Bed Bug Mattress Infestation

Bed bugs are notorious for their sneaky nature. To spot them, you’ll need a flashlight and, if possible, a magnifying lens because these insects are as tiny as apple seeds. Here are a few signs of a bed bug mattress infestation.

• Spotting actual bed bugs. These insects are roughly between 1mm and 6mm, reddish-brown and oval-shaped
• Bed bug eggs (pale yellow/pearly white)
• Dark bed bug droppings and blood spots on sheets and the mattress
• Molted translucent skin from bed bug nymphs

Should an infested mattress worry you?

The short answer is yes! First, even though bed bug bites pose no significant health risk, there are exceptions. Some people have ended up with anemia and insomnia.

Secondly, the real terror of a bed bug infestation is bed bug eggs. Therefore, even if you manage to kill bed bugs, you must also eradicate their eggs to feel at ease.

So, what kills bed bugs eggs?

Two home remedies effectively kill bed bugs and eggs, namely diatomaceous earth (DE) and rubbing alcohol. DE works by dehydrating bed bugs for two weeks hence killing both the insect and eggs.

It may also cut the shells of bug nymphs which kills them instantly. Rubbing alcohol deters bed bugs from feeding on you. Also, spraying it along your mattress seams and springboards kills their eggs. While these options work, we recommend calling a pest control company who can target all infested areas, including crevices and other hard-to-reach areas.

Is It Okay to Throw Out an Infested Mattress and Beddings?

Despite the assumption that disposing of your mattress is an effective bed bug treatment, the reality is that it is an awful idea.

• Throwing your mattress away does not solve your bed bug problem. Here’s the thing, if these parasites have infested your mattress, chances are they have marked their territory in other parts of your house, such as furniture and wall hangings.
• Since bed bugs lay eggs after every feed, unless you’ve gotten rid of bed bug eggs, you’ll suffer another infestation after two weeks when they’ve hatched.
• Disposing of your mattress means dragging it across several rooms before it’s outside. If you do this, you’ll most likely spread out the infestation to all rooms, thereby worsening your bed bug problem.

Bed Bug Mattress Treatment

Locate the infested areas

It would help if you determined all areas of infestation before you begin the bed bug mattress treatment. Therefore be sure to use your flashlight plus comb the entire property, including closets and dressers, and all other areas where you and your family sleep.

Wash all bedding

Take out all bedding from your mattress and place it in an airtight trash bag. Using a brush and vinegar solution, scrape your mattress, then vacuum to remove all bed bugs and eggs. Don’t forget to clean your carpets and all other surfaces around your bed.

Now do not attempt to treat your bedding with insecticides. Remove them from the trash bag and place them in the washing machine. Ensure you also put your sofa cushions and pet bedding in the washer. Use the highest heat setting (about 130oF) and wash them for about 90 minutes.

Sanitize non-washable items

Treating your beddings alone isn’t sufficient. You must sanitize all non-washable items, including stuffed animals, purses, pet toys, and sleeping bags. You could also place these items in the freezer at low temperatures, about 0oF, for four days to exterminate the bed bug population. Once this is complete, clean all rooms thoroughly.

Call a Pest Control Company

Only pest control companies can treat all infested areas completely. These professionals know where bed bugs hide and the most effective bed bug treatment that’ll prevent a future infestation. Remember, while you may have treated beddings and other smaller non-washable items, you lack the equipment used in treating furniture and other bulky items. Pest Control companies know which insecticides are EPA-approved and have the right heat treatment devices that could treat furniture and luggage.

Protecting Your Treated Mattress from Future Bed Bug Infestations

If you’ve suffered an infestation before, you definitely wouldn’t want to experience this pest problem in the future. Below are the different things you could do to prevent bed bug infestation.

• Clean your beddings and other sleeping areas to make it harder for bed bugs to reproduce. These include your bedroom carpets and furniture.
• Seal all cracks and openings on walls and baseboards.
• Place bed bug interceptors under furniture legs and bedposts to trap these pests hence prevent an infestation.
• Consider using glue traps in dark areas such as behind-wall hangings and headboards. Check these traps regularly to detect bed bugs early.
• Reduce the potential bed bug hiding spots by decluttering your entire house.
• Use a mattress encasement. We recommend buying treated encasements from pest control companies.
• Always inspect sleeping areas when traveling and check luggage before you bring it inside your house. Ensure you clean all clothing on high heat immediately after returning from your holiday trip
• Avoid bringing second-hand items such as furniture and clothing inside your house before cleaning and sanitizing them

McDonald Pest Control Offers Rigorous Bed Bug Mattress Treatment in Clearwater

We strongly advise against taking shortcuts when experiencing a bed bug infestation in your Florida home. McDonald Pest Control offers comprehensive bed bug heat treatment in Clearwater and the entire Pinellas County.

Our bed bug treatments include a thorough house inspection, effective bed bug heat treatment, and preventive measures to safeguard you from future bed bug infestations. We also offer a wide range of pest control services such as termite and rodent control.

View our coupons and affordable packages. Got a question? You can reach us at 727-734-0963 today!