If the idea of bed bugs crawling around your mattress makes your skin crawl, you’re certainly not alone. Bed bugs are uninvited guests that no one wants, especially in a place as personal as your bed.
Knowing how to check mattresses for bed bugs will give you peace of mind and help you nip any infestation in the bud. So, let’s go over the easy steps to inspect your bed and ensure these little pests don’t get too comfortable.
Why Are Bed Bugs Such a Big Deal?
Why should you care about learning how to check for bed bugs in your bed? Besides the obvious, these tiny critters can cause major disruptions to your life.
Not only do they leave you with itchy bites, but they can also turn your peaceful nights into sleepless ones. And while bed bugs aren’t known to spread diseases, they can still trigger allergic reactions or skin infections from scratching.
Bed bugs multiply quickly, so catching them early is key to stopping a full-blown infestation. Plus, getting rid of them the right way (that’s where EasyPM comes in) is essential for keeping your sanity intact.
How to Check Mattresses for Bed Bugs
Ready to get started? Here’s how to check mattresses for bed bugs, step by step.
Grab a Flashlight
The first thing you’ll need is a flashlight. Bed bugs love to hide in dark, hard-to-reach places, so a good light will help you see into those sneaky spots.
Remove Your Bedding
Strip your bed down to the bare mattress. We’re talking sheets, pillowcases, mattress protectors—everything. Make sure to put them straight into the washer on a hot cycle if you suspect bed bugs.
Inspect the Seams and Edges
Bed bugs are tiny, but they leave signs behind. Start by checking the seams and edges of your mattress. Look for small, reddish-brown bugs. They’re about the same size as an apple seed), and their eggs are even smaller. The latter are white and about the size of a pinhead.
Check the Box Spring
Bed bugs love hiding in box springs, too. Flip your mattress over and shine your flashlight into the cracks, corners, and folds of the box spring. You might also find bed bug droppings, which look like dark, rusty spots.
Look for Shells and Casings
As bed bugs grow, they shed their skin, leaving behind small, translucent shells. These are often found near the seams of the mattress or in the crevices of your bed frame.
Examine the Bed Frame
Don’t forget to check the bed frame and headboard—bed bugs love hiding in cracks and joints. If your frame is made of wood, inspect any seams or screw holes for evidence of bed bugs.
Look for Blood Stains or Fecal Marks
Spot any small red or rust stains on your bedding? That could be dried blood from bed bugs getting crushed while you sleep. Bed bugs also leave behind dark brown or black stains from their droppings.
How to Find Bed Bugs on a Mattress
If you’re in a hurry and need to know how to find bed bugs on a mattress ASAP, focus on the mattress seams and edges. Bed bugs typically hide close to their food source (yep, that’s you), so these areas are prime real estate for them. Run a plastic card or something thin along the seams to expose any bugs hiding out.
What to Do If You Find Bed Bugs
So, you’ve done the inspection and found evidence of bed bugs. Now what? First things first, don’t panic. Bed bugs are annoying, but they can be dealt with.
If you catch them early, you can stop them from taking over your space. Your best bet is professional treatment, and that’s where EasyPM comes in. Here’s why you want EasyPM on your side:
- Our heat treatment kills bed bugs at every stage of life—eggs, nymphs, and adults.
- It’s also chemical-free, so you won’t have to worry about your family or pets being exposed to anything harmful.
- Our treatment works in one go, with no need for repeat sessions.
Plus, we back up our work with a bed bug-free guarantee. If the bed bugs return, so do we—at no extra charge.
How to Prevent Future Bed Bug Infestations
Now that you know how to check mattresses for bed bugs and deal with them if they show up, let’s talk prevention. Nobody wants to go through this more than once, right? Here are a few easy steps to keep bed bugs from coming back:
Use a Mattress Encasement
A protective cover can be a game-changer. Mattress encasements are designed to keep bed bugs from getting in or out, so if they do show up, they’re trapped and can’t get to you.
Regular Vacuuming
Make it a habit to vacuum around your bed regularly, especially your mattress and box spring’s crevices and seams. Bed bugs hate clean spaces.
Careful with Secondhand Items
If you love thrifting, just be cautious. Always inspect secondhand furniture or bedding before bringing it home. Bed bugs can easily hitch a ride on these items.
Be Vigilant After Traveling
Bed bugs are notorious for hitching rides in luggage. After traveling, make sure to inspect your bags and wash your clothes on a hot cycle as soon as you get home.
Choose EasyPM for Effective Bed Bug Treatment
Learning how to check mattresses for bed bugs isn’t rocket science, but it can save you from a huge headache (and itch). Regular inspections and a little prevention go a long way in keeping your bed a safe, peaceful place to rest.
And if bed bugs do find their way in, EasyPM is just a call away. Our discreet heat treatment is proven for effective bed bug removal, and we guarantee you’ll be sleeping soundly again in no time.
Don’t wait until the problem gets out of hand—schedule your free estimate with EasyPM today and say goodbye to bed bugs for good.
