Do Bed Bugs Come From Mattresses & Crevices?

Bed Bugs

• According to the Mayo Clinic's website, "bed bugs have feasted on sleeping humans for thousands of years." For a time, after World War II, these little pests were pretty much eradicated in most developed nations. However, with the rise of globalization and international travel, they're making a comeback. And your risk of meeting up with them increases the more often you spend time in places like hotels and hospitals.

Mattresses

• Bed bugs find mattresses and beds themselves to be welcoming environments because they're able to hide within them easily. Bed bugs in mattresses will settle in the crevices and seams that border their edges. The same goes for box springs and other foundations and even bed frames. Anywhere a crack or crevice can be found, these tiny little blood-sucking pests can take up residence. They prefer mattresses because those are nearest to the people and animals they feed off of.

Evidence

• Check mattress seams and crevices for the bugs themselves or look for bite evidence on your body to determine if you have an infestation. When bed bugs take a blood meal from a human, the saliva they excrete while feeding has a small amount of anti-coagulant in it. As with a mosquito bite, the saliva tends to cause slight itching. Humans will scratch, even while sleeping, leaving reddened bumps wherever bites exist.

Solutions

• Bed bugs aren't disease carriers, fortunately. Unfortunately, chemical treatment is often ineffective. However, if you have a lot of patience, you can simply seal up your mattress and pillows with plastic coverings. The pests will eventually starve to death. Also, wash all bedding and linens and then hot-air dry them for about 20 minutes. Or you can freeze the items at below 23 degrees F for five straight days. Replacing infested mattresses is the most effective measure.