Your mattress is one of the most susceptible places in your home for pest infestation — including bed bugs, dust mites and fleas. And because it’s warm and gets used every single day, and full of fabric folds and seams, pests can take up residence and thrive there unnoticed on your butt. The good news? With the right habits and behaviors, you can prevent your mattress from becoming a welcome habitat for unwanted guests. Here are six ways you can protect your mattress from further infestations as explained by United Pest Solutions.
Try a Good Mattress Encasement
But one of the best tools to help prevent infestations is a zippered, bed-bug proof mattress encasement. These encasements are constructed of strong, durable, 100-percent polyester fabric that prevents bed bugs and other pests from entering or escaping your mattress and box spring. Search for encasements that are “certified bed bug-proof” and make certain it fits the mattress and box spring and has no rips or openings. “They don’t just keep pests from coming in, but they trap whatever pests are already in, they cut off their food source and the pests eventually die off.
Have Bedding Washed Regularly and Thoroughly
Bedding should be laundered once a week in hot water (at least 130°F) to eliminate any remaining insects or eggs. Everything from sheets to pillowcases, blankets, mattress protectors. For extra safety, dry your sheets on high heat, as heat is great at killing bed bugs and mites. If you can, wash the stuffed animals and decorative pillows that spend time on the bed every so often, too — particularly if children sleep in the bed.
Vacuum Your Mattress and Room on a Schedule
Vacuuming is a simple yet effective preventive measure. Clean surface, seams and edges of your mattress with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter and an upholstery attachment. Nor should you forget the bed frame, the headboard and the floor under the bed — all places insects like to hide and wait for a meal in the middle of the night. After vacuuming, dump the vacuum canister or bag right away into a sealed plastic bag and throw it away outside of your home.
Reduce Clutter Around the Bed
Clutter is a pest insurrection, providing them with countless hiding and breeding spots. By removing clutter from around your bed, you get rid of hiding spots and can more easily notice any early signs of infestation. Don’t store boxes, clothing, or shoes under the bed, and keep nightstands and headboards free of extraneous stuff. The more exposed your sleep site, the greater the likelihood something audacious will stare you in the face.
Check Secondhand Furniture and Luggage
Even secondhand couches, let alone used mattresses and bed frames, can serve as hiding places for critters. Always check used furniture if it’s good condition. Search for very small reddish or brownish spots, live insects or black specs (which may be pest feces). If you have traveled recently, clean your luggage and launder all your clothes, as soon as you are back home. Bed bugs are well-known hitchhikers and can hitch a ride from a hotel into your own bedroom.
Keep Pets Clean and Treated
If your pets sleep in or near your bed, this can be a source of fleas or mites. Bathe and apply veterinarian-approved flea and tick medication to your pets on a regular basis and during the warmer months. Launder their bedding often and vacuum around the areas they sleep. Try offering your pets their own place to sleep to reduce the possibility of pests moving into your bed.
There’s a lot you can do to lower the likelihood of an infestation as well, including investing in mattress encasements, keeping things clean, de-cluttering, and being vigilant about pest control.
