How to Safely Treat a Mattress for Bugs

Bedbugs can live in mattresses and other types of furniture. Their bite is not particularly dangerous, but it can irritate the skin or cause a rash.

Bedbugs are a common type of household parasite. They are prevalent in densely populated areas, such as New York City, but they can survive almost anywhere. The bugs burrow into furniture, particularly mattresses, and survive for months without sustenance. To safely treat a mattress for bedbugs, you must sterilize and clean the entire room. All of the mature bugs and their eggs must be killed at the same time to prevent the infestation from recurring.

Things You'll Need

• Large plastic bags
• Vacuum cleaner
• Plastic or woven mattress case

Instructions

1. Remove all of the blankets and sheets from the infested mattress. Place them on the floor and vacuum them. Do the same with any clothing that may have been exposed to the bed. The bugs spread quickly, so grab anything that might have bugs or eggs on it.

2. Immediately place vacuumed clothes and bedcovers into plastic bags, then tie them shut. Take the infected garments to a washing machine as soon as possible. Wash them and dry them on maximum heat. Store the clean garments outside of the infested room until it has been completely sterilized.

3. Vacuum the mattress and the room it is in. Press the vacuum hose firmly against the mattress and clean out any cracks or tears carefully. Clean under and around the bed. Run a steam cleaner over the room if it is completely carpeted.

4. Purchase a sealed case for the mattress. Plastic and woven cases are widely available; be sure to buy one that is bug-proof. Plastic is more effective, but it may be uncomfortable to sleep on. Measure the size of your mattress before buying a case.

5. Seal the mattress inside the case according to the instructions. Zip it tight to prevent remaining bugs from escaping into the cleaned room. Do the same with the infested bed's pillows. Buying new pillows is a safer, and possibly cheaper, alternative to sealing them in cases.

6. Contact an exterminator if the bedbugs persist. Some infestations are impossible to treat without a professional and special equipment. If the bugs do not reappear, leave the mattress and pillows in the sealed cases for at least a year. Replace a case immediately if it tears or breaks.

References

• University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Managing Bed Bugs
• University of Kentucky: Bed Bugs