How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs in A Mattress?

Are you feeling itchy and uncomfortable on your mattress? If your skin feels irritated after lying on your mattress, you might be dealing with bed bugs. These tiny reddish-brown bugs love to mess with your sleep by biting you all night. They are common in Australia’s urban areas and can turn your cozy bed into a nightmare.

But it’s possible to remove them. With the proper steps, you can kick them out and keep your bed safe and bug-free. And that’s what we are going to learn in this post. So, let’s get into it!

Quick Note: Bed bug infestations can be stubborn and might take months to remove with DIY methods. If you need instant assistance, it’s best to call a professional pest control company.

Understanding Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are tiny, flat, reddish-brown insects that feed on human and animal blood. They are sneaky travellers, hitching rides on luggage, clothing, or second-hand furniture.

Once inside your home, bed bugs find cozy spots like mattress seams, bed frames, and furniture cracks to settle in. They come out at night to feed, leaving behind itchy, red bites. Even though they are tiny, bed bugs multiply quickly and can infest multiple areas of your home if not tackled promptly.

Step-By-Step Guide to Remove and Prevent Bed Bugs

Step 1: Spot the Signs of Bed Bugs

First, are you sure it’s bed bugs or something else? Here is how to check and confirm their presence:

• Itchy Bites: Small, red, and itchy bumps on your skin, often in lines or clusters. These are usually the first giveaway.
• Rust-Colored Stains: These could be crushed bugs or droppings on your sheets or mattress.
• Tiny Black Dots: It’s their poop. It may smell and look gross, but finding their infestation is helpful.
• Shed Skins or Eggshells: Bed bugs shed their skins as they grow, leaving tiny shells behind.
• Live Bed Bugs: Adult bed bugs are minor but visible – about the size of an apple seed. Look for them in mattress seams, cracks, and crevices.

Check along mattress seams, under the headboard, inside bed frames, and nearby furniture. They love hiding in tight spaces where it’s dark and undisturbed.

Step 2: Deep Clean Your Bedding and Mattress

Have you got proof of the pests? It’s time to roll up your sleeves and get into the removal process:

• Strip the Bedding: Toss sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and mattress protectors straight into a plastic bag to prevent the spread of bugs to other areas.
• Hot Wash and Dry: Wash everything in hot water (at least 60°C) and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Bed bugs can’t handle the heat, and this step is crucial to kill them at every stage of life.
• Vacuum like a pro: Focus on the mattress seams, corners, and edges. Remember the bed frame, skirting boards, and nearby furniture. Use the crevice attachment for hard-to-reach spots.
• Steam It Out: Bed bugs die at temperatures above 120°C. Use a steam cleaner to hit every seam, edge, and floor around the bed. Go slow to let the heat penetrate deeply.
• Please dispose of the Vacuum Bag: Seal it in plastic and throw it out. You don’t want any survivors crawling back.

Step 3: Treat the Mattress

Cleaning is a great start, but ensure those bugs don’t return.

• Bed Bug Spray: Use a chemical-free spray designed for bed bugs. Apply it generously along mattress seams, cracks, and bed frames. Let it dry completely before replacing the bedding.
• Diatomaceous Earth (DE): This natural, non-toxic powder dehydrates and kills bed bugs. Sprinkle a thin layer along mattress seams, corners, and any cracks. Leave it for a few days, then vacuum it up. Be cautious while applying to avoid inhaling the dust.
• Mattress Encasement: Wrap your mattress in a high-quality, bed bug-proof cover. This traps any remaining bugs and stops new ones from sneaking in. Keep the cover on for at least a year to ensure all trapped bugs are dead.

Step 4: Clean and Declutter the Room

Bed bugs are sneaky. They hide in places you wouldn’t expect.

• Vacuum Everything: Think rugs, curtains, furniture—even cracks in the walls. Bed bugs love small, tight spaces.
• Declutter: Clutter offers endless hiding spots for bed bugs. Keep the room tidy to reduce these hiding places.
• Seal the Cracks: Use caulk to block off cracks in walls, floors, and furniture. The fewer hiding spots, the better.
• Bed Bug Traps: Place these under your bed and on the legs of your furniture. They trap bugs trying to climb up and offer a good way to monitor activity.

Step 5: Prevent Future Infestations

Now that you have kicked them out let’s keep it that way.

• Inspect Second-hand Items: Love a good thrift find? Great, but always inspect furniture, mattresses, and textiles for signs of bed bugs.
• Travel Smart: When staying in hotels, check beds and furniture for signs of bugs. Keep your luggage off the floor and inspect it before bringing it home.
• Regular Cleaning: Vacuum and wash bedding regularly. Pay attention to corners, seams, and crevices.
• Protective Covers: Use bedbug-proof mattresses and pillow covers. It’s a small investment that pays off big time.
• Stay Alert: After travelling, unpack in a garage or outside if possible. Inspect items before bringing them inside.

Expert Advice

Let’s be honest – getting rid of bed bugs isn’t a one-and-done deal. It takes effort, patience, and some serious cleaning. We reached out to our pest control expert, Sarah, to shed some light on dealing with bed bugs effectively. Here is what she had to say:

“Bed bugs can be a real nightmare. They are stubborn, multiply fast, and are experts at hiding. The key to tackling an infestation is a combination of deep cleaning, consistent monitoring, and targeted treatments.”

So, while a DIY approach can work, persistence and dedication are crucial. If you need an extra hand, don’t hesitate to reach out to our pros. Remember, Alpha Pest Control is always there to safeguard your space from these nasty bugs.

We are highly experienced, well-trained local pest controllers who can remove and prevent bed bugs from commercial and residential spaces. So, if you are ever in doubt or the infestation feels too overwhelming, our professional bedbug control is the safest bet to ensure complete removal. Contact us now to avail a free quote!