Are you waking up with unexplained bites on your body? Are you seeing tiny red spots on your sheets? It’s possible that you have bed bugs on your mattress. Bed bugs are tiny, parasitic insects that feed on human blood.
Contrary to a common belief, having a bed bug infestation doesn’t mean the place lacks sanitization or hygiene. But these pesky creatures can get onto any surface.
They survive on human blood. Since the mattress is the closest they can get to their human host, they tend to hide inside it and come out at night for feeding.
If you suspect you have bed bugs in your home or your mattress, keep reading to know the early signs of the infestation and effective ways to get rid of them.
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like on a Mattress?
Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects. They are excellent hiders and tend to live inside the crevices, seams, and small openings inside the mattress.
Owing to their size and nocturnal nature, spotting them on your mattress is difficult, especially during the day.
You may see tiny brownish-red spots on your sheets, which are their excrement. You may also see shed skins or eggshells, which are a sign of an infestation.
How to Check for Bed Bugs on a Mattress?
If you think your mattress is infested with bed bugs, here’s what you should do. Start by stripping your bed and examining the seams, folds, and crevices of your mattress, box spring, and bed frame.
Look for live bed bugs, dead bed bugs, shed skins, and fecal spots.
You can also use bed bug interceptors, which are small plastic cups that you place under each leg of your bed. They will climb up the sides of the interceptor and become trapped inside.
Can You See Bed Bugs on a Mattress?
Yes, you can see bed bugs, but they are very small and can be difficult to spot.
Plus, they usually come out at night, so there’s a flat chance you’ll catch one scurrying along the mattress during broad daylight.
You can, however, conduct a thorough inspection to check for them and find live bugs or eggs inside the seams, headboard, or other hidden areas around the mattress.
Signs of Bed Bugs on a Mattress
Here are some subtle signs indicating your mattress could be infested with bed bugs.
- Reddish-brown spots on your sheets or mattress, which are bed bug fecal matter
- Shed skins or eggshells
- Blood stains on your sheets or pillowcases
- Unexplained bites on your body, especially in a linear pattern
| Aspect | Bed Bugs Signs on Mattress |
|---|---|
| Stains | Small, dark stains on mattress |
| Odor | Sweet, musty odor |
| Exoskeletons | Shed exoskeletons |
| Blood Spots | Tiny, rust-colored blood spots |
| Live Bugs | Presence of live bugs |
| Prevention | Regular inspection and cleaning |
| Treatment | Professional pest control |
| Health Risk | Can cause allergies and anxiety |
| Economic Impact | Costly to eradicate and replace |
| Emotional Distress | Can cause psychological distress |
How to Kill Bed Bugs on a Mattress
It’s a difficult task to kill bed bugs on. but it’s not impossible.
For starters, they cannot survive in the heat. So you can use a combination of heat and insecticide spray to kill them.
Start with your bedding, and carefully strip off the sheet, pillowcases, and mattress pad. Soak them in, and then use the highest heat setting on your dryer to dry them out. This will kill any of them or eggs that may be present.
Next, vacuum your mattress, box spring, and bed frame thoroughly, paying special attention to seams and crevices. Dispose of the vacuum bag immediately after use.
Another way to kill these creatures is by using insecticide spray. Although you cannot use the insecticide directly on your mattress, you can use it to kill off bed bugs hiding in other places around the room.
Just ensure you read and follow all the instructions on the box carefully.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs on a Mattress
Bed bugs are resilient creatures. So getting rid of these creatures on a mattress or anywhere around the house can get challenging.
However, here are some very effective techniques that can help you eliminate the infestation before it spreads further.
- To begin with, ensure you wash and dry your bedding using hot water and heat.
- Vacuuming your mattress and using a steam cleaner can also help kill bed bugs and their eggs.
- Encase your mattress and box spring in bed bug-proof covers to prevent future infestations.
- If you fear the infestation is widespread, call professional exterminators. They have all the necessary equipment and chemicals to eliminate the problem.