What Material on a Mattress Will Help Prevent Bed Bugs?

Mattress Cover Effectiveness

• Michigan’s Department of Health recommends using a zippered mattress cover for the box springs and mattress. The department states that mattress covers labeled “dust mite proof” or “hypoallergenic” will stop new bugs from inhabiting the top of the mattress, and trap existing bed bugs in the mattress. However, since the zippered part of the cover has a small hole, cover this section with a piece of tape to prevent the bugs from crawling through it.

Mattress Cover Ineffectiveness

• Not everyone is an advocate of using mattress covers to prevent bed bugs. MSNBC states that mattress covers do nothing to prevent bed bugs since they can easily climb on top of the cover, and they can also hide in other parts of the bed and frame. However, the site agrees that if you already have bed bugs, a mattress cover can trap the bugs beneath it, as they cannot chew through the cover.

Other Problem Areas

• The University of Nebraska promotes the use of zippered mattress covers that are tightly sealed. However the university also warns that beds are not the only areas in which bed bugs congregate. They may also be found in areas near the bed, such as in bedside furniture, clothes closets, telephones and books. In addition, they may crawl into sofas that are frequently slept on, and congregate near the edge of carpets and alongside walls.

If You Have Bedbugs

• Aside from encasing your mattress, be sure to wash your bedding in hot water, and dry it on hot settings to kill bed bugs. Vacuum the mattress, box springs, headboard, carpet, sofa and other areas near the bed. Dispose of the vacuum bag immediately to prevent the bugs from crawling out. In addition, commercially steam cleaning these areas will also kill bed bugs. Insecticides are also effective, but since they pose health hazards, only use products that that are approved for use in sleeping quarters.