Home AllergyStore.com | Helpful Information to Help You Live Better How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs in a Mattress

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs in a Mattress

How to get rid of bed bugs in a mattress, step by step

Finding bed bugs in your bed is one of those moments that makes your skin crawl. Your first instinct may be to drag the mattress to the curb and spray everything in sight. Please don't, at least not yet.

We've talked with a lot of people in exactly your spot, and here's the reassuring part. You usually don't have to throw your mattress away. With a steady plan, you can learn how to get rid of bed bugs in a mattress and get your sleep back. These steps follow the EPA's do-it-yourself bed bug control guide.

Step 1: Make Sure It's Really Bed Bugs

Many small bugs look alike, and the EPA says carpet beetles are often mistaken for bed bugs. Bites alone can't tell you, either. Check the mattress piping, seams, and tags for rusty stains, tiny dark spots, pale shed skins, eggs, or live bugs.

If you're unsure, collect a sample. The EPA suggests showing it to your local extension agent, who can identify it at no cost. For a closer look at what to watch for, see What Are Bed Bugs? How to Identify Them and Why They Spread.

Step 2: Make a Plan (and Tell Your Landlord)

Treating bed bugs can take weeks to months. The EPA suggests writing down a schedule and keeping notes on where and when you find bugs. That record shows you whether the plan is working.

If you rent, tell your landlord right away. Nearby units may need to be checked, and the EPA notes that landlords may have a responsibility to help with treatment depending on local housing codes.

Step 3: Keep Bed Bugs From Spreading

Before you start killing bugs, box them in. The EPA recommends these steps:

  • Strip the bed and put sheets, pillowcases, and blankets straight into sealed plastic bags. Don't carry loose bedding through the house.
  • Reduce clutter around the bed, since clutter gives bed bugs more places to hide.
  • Seal cracks and crevices near the bed with silicone caulk.
  • Bag items you can't treat and leave them sealed for up to a year.

Step 4: Use Heat on Bedding and Clothes

The EPA says a clothes dryer on high heat can kill bed bugs. Run bagged bedding and clothing through the dryer, then move items straight into clean bags. If you use a shared laundry room, the EPA suggests using a new bag for the trip home and folding clothes at home.

Freezing can work for small items, but only if your freezer reaches 0°F. The EPA says to leave items sealed in the freezer for three days and check the temperature with a thermometer, because many home freezers don't get that cold.

One note on your allergy covers: once a bed bug encasement is on the bed, care for it the way the maker intends. Our cover care guide explains how to wash and dry AllergyCare covers on low or medium heat.

Step 5: Vacuum Thoroughly

Vacuuming won't get every bug, but it lowers the numbers. The EPA suggests carefully vacuuming the mattress seams, bed frame, rugs, floors, upholstered furniture, and the cracks around the room. Afterward, seal the vacuum bag in a plastic bag and put it in an outdoor trash bin.

Step 6: Steam the Mattress and Frame

A steam cleaner can reach into fabric, seams, and cracks without chemicals. The EPA says steam can treat mattresses, baseboards, bed frames, and furniture. Use gentle airflow with a diffuser, because a strong blast can scatter bed bugs instead of killing them. Follow the EPA's minimum steam temperature, and don't soak the mattress, since dampness can lead to mold.

If you're shopping for a portable steamer, see our Steam Cleaners collection.

Step 7: Seal the Mattress in a Bed Bug Encasement

This is the step that protects all your hard work. The EPA recommends covers that seal mattresses and box springs, because bed bugs trapped inside can't feed and eventually die. A sealed cover also removes the seams and folds where bed bugs like to hide, and its light color makes any stragglers easy to spot.

The EPA says to leave encasements on for a year, and to choose one tested for bed bugs that won't tear. That's why we recommend only AllergyCare Stretch Knit (BedBug Solution Elite) covers for bed bugs. The polyester knit is fused to a urethane membrane, the fabric was independently tested against bed bugs, and it blocks dust mite allergens too. Check the cover regularly for holes, and cover the box spring and pillows as well.

Wondering about cheaper cotton covers? Bed Bugs are Bad. Don't Get Bitten by Cover Costs Too explains what to look for.

Be Careful With Pesticides

It's tempting to reach for the spray can, but the EPA says to try other steps first. If you do use a pesticide, choose an EPA-registered product with bed bugs listed on the label, and follow the label exactly. Never spray a product on a mattress unless the label says it's safe for that use.

The EPA also warns against a few things:

  • Foggers (bug bombs) don't reach the cracks where bed bugs hide. Improper use can harm your health or cause a fire. Never rely on them alone.
  • Rubbing alcohol, kerosene, and gasoline can hurt your family and can catch fire from a spark.
  • Turning up the thermostat or using space heaters or a fireplace doesn't work and isn't safe.
  • Pool or food grade diatomaceous earth can harm you when inhaled. Use only EPA-registered desiccant products.

When to Call a Professional

Some infestations need expert help, especially large ones or those in apartments and dorms. The CDC recommends a pest control company experienced with bed bugs. The EPA suggests choosing one with a good reputation that uses integrated pest management (IPM), an approach that combines non-chemical methods with careful pesticide use. Professionals can also heat whole rooms or homes, which isn't safe to try yourself.

Step 8: Check Again, and Keep Checking

Look for signs of bed bugs at least every 7 days, since eggs can hatch after treatment. The EPA suggests bed bug interceptors, which are small cups placed under bed legs to catch bugs climbing up. Keep checking for at least a year. Knowing how long bed bugs live explains why.

Once you're in the clear, our guide to preventing bed bugs at home and when you travel will help you keep them from coming back.

What If the Mattress Can't Be Saved?

If a mattress is torn or too far gone, the EPA asks you to discard it responsibly. Rip the cover or mark it "Bed Bugs" so no one takes it home, and have it picked up quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to throw away a mattress with bed bugs?

Usually not. The EPA says not to discard furniture you can safely treat, because throwing it out is costly and can spread bed bugs to other homes. Treat the mattress and seal it in a bed bug encasement instead.

How long should a bed bug mattress encasement stay on?

The EPA recommends leaving it on for a year. Bed bugs can survive months without feeding, and any sealed inside will be trapped until they die.

Does a clothes dryer kill bed bugs?

Yes. The EPA says a clothes dryer on high heat can kill bed bugs in bedding and clothing. Carry items to the laundry in sealed plastic bags.

Are bug bombs good for bed bugs?

Not on their own. The EPA says foggers don't reach the cracks where bed bugs hide, and improper use can harm your health or cause a fire. Use them only with extreme care, only if bed bugs are on the label, and never as your only method.

When should I call a pest professional?

If the infestation is widespread, keeps coming back, or you live in shared housing, hire an experienced professional who uses integrated pest management. The CDC recommends a pest control company experienced with bed bugs if you think you have an infestation.

You Can Get Through This

Bed bugs test your patience, but a steady plan works. Contain them, treat them, seal the bed, and keep watching. Need help choosing the right cover size? Call us at (800) 771-2246. We've helped people with allergies since 1989, and we're glad to help you through this.

Want the complete picture? This post is part of our free Practical Guide to Allergy-Free Living, built on allergy expertise we've been sharing since 1989 and covering dust mites, pet dander, air quality, laundry, and more.

Sources

Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider — such as an allergist or your primary care physician — before making changes to your allergy management plan, starting new treatments, or if you have questions about a medical condition. In the event of a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately and use an epinephrine auto-injector if one has been prescribed.