Key Takeaways:

• An encasement mattress protector with micro-zipper, traps and kills bed bugs and other insects living in your mattress. And it prevents any new bugs from getting in.
• Comprehensive guide helps you recognize the signs of a bed bug infestation, because early detection makes eradication faster and easier.
• Non-chemical heating and freezing treatments can be just as effective as chemical methods.
• Maintain a clean and clutter-free environment to prevent future infestations.

Introduction

Anyone who says that bed bugs are a “nuisance” has never had to deal with them. They attack your children while they sleep, suck their blood, and create itchy welts where they bite, and leave an icky trail of feces on your sheets and mattress. Most DIY concoctions that promise to eradicate bed bugs just don’t work. And all the while the little beasts continue to breed and burrow into your mattress. It’s like a Stephen King horror show!

Enclose Your Mattress in an Encasement Style Mattress Protector

One of the most effective ways to safeguard your family against bed bugs is to enclose your mattress in an encasement protector with a micro-zipper. This design feature makes the cover impenetrable to bugs, because the spaces between the teeth in a micro-zipper are too tiny to enter or exit. Any bugs that are already in your mattress will be trapped inside and die. And any bugs on the outside will be kept out and eliminated by your exterminator.

Choose a high-quality, encasement-style protector that’s specifically labeled for bed bug protection. The zippered design encloses all 6 sides of the mattress. It eradicates bed bugs, and protects your family from itchy, annoying bites and allergic reactions. Two of our favorites are ALLEREASE Maximum and SAFEREST Premium Mattress Encasement.

Recommendation: Award Winning Encasement Mattress Protectors

Two encasement mattress protectors we feel comfortable recommending are ALLEREASE Maximum and SAFEREST Premium Mattress Encasement. Both protectors won the Good Housekeeping 2024 Top Choice Award. And both offer outstanding protection against bed bugs at a reasonable price.

1. ALLEREASE Maximum

• ALLEREASE is America’s best-selling brand of hypoallergenic bedding products. Their products are loved for their unmatched comfort, quality, convenience, and value.
• Features premium materials and expert construction.
• Prevents 99.9% of unhealthy household allergens like bed bugs, dust mites, pollen, and pet dander.
• Soft waterproof top layer protects from spills and stains.
• Moisture wicking finish keeps you cool and dry.
• Machine washable and dryable.
• Lifetime warranty.
• Sizes range from Twin to California King.
• $39 price.

ALLEREASE Maximum has earned an outstanding 4.5-star rating from more than 3,950 verified Amazon customers.

2. SAFEREST Premium Mattress Encasement

• SAFEREST customers love the soft feel, performance, fit, and value they get from their mattress covers.  
• Secure micro-zipper protects mattress from bed bugs, fluids, dust mites, and bacteria.
• Organic cotton fibers make it breathable, cooling, and hypoallergenic.
• OEKO-TEX organic certification.
• No vinyl, phthalates, flame retardants, or PVC forever chemicals.
• Machine washable and dryable.
• 10-year warranty.
• Sizes range from Twin to California King.
• $51 price.

SAFEREST Premium Mattress Encasement has earned an outstanding 4.7-star rating from more than 4,840 verified Amazon customers.

Bed Bugs: A Comprehensive Guide to Detection & Eradication

Chapter 1: An Ounce of Prevention

When it comes to bed bugs, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. These tiny critters multiply fast, so the sooner you detect their presence, the easier it is to send them packing.

Signs of Bed Bug Infestation

Spotting a bed bug infestation requires a keen eye. Check regularly for signs like tiny rust-colored spots on your mattress, which could be their droppings. The spots are about the size of an apple seed and have a sweet musty odor. Watch for the bugs themselves. They like to hide in the crevices of your bed frame or mattress seams. And if you wake up with itchy bites in a line or cluster, it’s time to inspect your bed more closely.

Reduce Clutter to Limit Hiding Places

Bed bugs love to hide, and clutter gives them plenty of places to do so. By reducing clutter, you eliminate their potential hideouts. Keep clothes off the floor, tidy up stacks of magazines or papers, and declutter your space regularly. This not only makes it harder for bed bugs to hide but also makes it easier for you to spot them.

Chapter 2: Non-Chemical Treatment Options

For those wary of chemicals, some non-chemical treatments can be equally effective. Heating and freezing treatments are the most popular. Always follow safety guidelines when using these methods.

Heating & Freezing Treatments: Technique and Safety

With a heating treatment you raise the temperature to at least 115°F for a sustained period, which can be achieved with specialized equipment. With a freezing treatment you lower the temperature to at least 0°F for four days.

With both heating and freezing it’s essential to monitor the temperature closely. It needs to be extreme enough to kill the bed bugs, but not so hot or cold that it creates a fire risk or damages your belongings.

DIY Treatment Options

Sometimes it’s as simple as vacuuming regularly to remove bed bugs from your floors, furniture, and mattress. And then sealing and disposing of the vacuum bag right away before they can spread or re-infect. Other DIY options include insecticides that are safe for family and pets.

Select the Right Insecticides

Only use products that are EPA-registered and specifically labeled for bed bugs. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application. Common types of insecticides include pyrethrins, pyrethroids, desiccants, and insect growth regulators, each with its own application method and precautions.

Insecticide Resistance

It’s important to note that some bed bug populations have developed resistance to certain insecticides, making them less effective. If you find that one type isn’t working, you may need to switch to another or combine treatments for better results. Always use insecticides safely and responsibly to prevent harm to your health and the environment. And you may need to apply multiple treatments to eradicate all the bugs.

Chapter 3: It’s Time to Call a Professional Exterminator

If your bed bug problem persists despite your best efforts, it might be time to call in a professional exterminator. They have access to more potent tools and have the expertise to ensure that the bed bugs are completely removed from your home.

Benefits of Professional Treatment Methods

Professional exterminators offer several treatment options, such as commercial-grade heat treatments and fumigation. They can also help identify the source of the infestation and prevent re-infestation. Their experience allows them to tackle bed bug problems more efficiently and effectively.

Preparing Your Home for Professional Extermination

Before the professionals arrive, you need to prepare your home to ensure the extermination is as effective as possible. Start by washing all your bedding, curtains, and clothes in hot water and drying them on the highest dryer setting. Move your furniture away from the walls, and vacuum your home thoroughly, paying special attention to the edges of rooms and upholstered furniture. Seal any cracks in the walls and eliminate clutter where bed bugs can hide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How do I keep bed bugs out of my house?

When traveling inspect hotel rooms for signs of bed bugs and keep your luggage off the floor. When out of the house always place purses, backpacks, and other bags on a chair. Never put them on the floor where bugs can crawl in while you watch a movie or dine with friends. At home encase your mattress with a zippered waterproof mattress protector and reduce clutter to minimize hiding places for these pests. Regularly inspect your bed and surrounding areas for signs of an infestation.

2. Can I exterminate bed bugs myself? Or should I hire a professional?

Yes, you can exterminate bed bugs yourself using heating and freezing treatments or DIY insecticides. However, if the infestation is widespread or if you’ve tried and failed to eliminate them on your own, you may need to hire a professional exterminator. They have the expertise and equipment to deal with the problem more effectively.

3. Will treatment chemicals make my family or pets sick?

When used according to the label directions, EPA-registered insecticides for bed bugs should not be harmful to humans or pets. However, it’s always a good idea to vacate the treated area until the recommended time has passed and to ensure the area is well-ventilated upon return. If you have concerns about chemical sensitivity, discuss non-chemical options with your exterminator.

4. Can a waterproof mattress protector for bedwetting keep bed bugs out of my bed?

A waterproof mattress protector can indeed keep bed bugs out of your bed. These protectors encase the mattress completely, preventing bed bugs from entering or escaping. Make sure the protector is specifically designed for bed bug protection. One of our favorite waterproof mattress protectors for bed bugs is ALLEREASE Maximum, which is a zippered encasement that surrounds top, bottom and every side of the mattress.

Sources

1. “Bed Bug Prevention and Control Strategies: A Review of the Scientific Literature” by Stephen L. Doggett, Dini M. Miller, and Chow-Yang Lee. Published in the journal Insects in 2011.
2. “Effectiveness of Encasing Mattresses and Box Springs to Prevent Bed Bug Entry” by Richard S. Cooper, Susan C. Jones, and Joshua L. Bryant. Published in the journal Journal of Economic Entomology in 2015.
3. “Bed Bugs: Clinical Relevance and Control Options” by Jerome Goddard. Published in the journal Clinical Microbiology Reviews in 2012.
4. “Evaluation of a Reduced-Risk Insecticide Treatment Method to Control Bed Bugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)” by Changlu Wang, Richard Cooper, and Susan Jones. Published in the journal Journal of Economic Entomology in 2013.
5. “Bed Bug Infestations in an Urban Environment” by Warren D. Tidwell, Robert J. Raab, and Phillip E. Kaufman. Published in the journal Florida Entomologist in 2019.
6. “Bed Bug (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) Attraction to Baggage: A Laboratory Study” by Raj K. Saran, Stephen A. Kells, and Richard S. Bradbury. Published in the journal Journal of Medical Entomology in 2011.
7. “A Comprehensive Review of Bed Bug Management Strategies” by Brittany F. Campbell, Michael F. Potter, and Kenneth F. Haynes. Published in the journal Clinical Microbiology Reviews in 2015.
8. “Bed Bug Control: Challenges and Opportunities” by Changlu Wang, Stephen A. Kells, and Michael F. Potter. Published in the journal Pest Management Science in 2017.