Bed bugs are a serious nuisance that can be difficult to get rid of. They can live in any area where humans sleep, including mattresses and bed frames. Using a mattress cover that fully encases the mattress is an important part of controlling bed bugs. But do mattress covers really help or just provide a false sense of security?
What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are small, flat, oval-shaped insects that feed on human blood. An adult bed bug is about the size and shape of an apple seed. Bed bugs are reddish-brown in color, although they can appear more brown or even black after feeding.
Bed bugs hide during the day and come out at night to feed. They can squeeze into tiny cracks and crevices, making them very difficult to locate. Female bed bugs lay hundreds of eggs during their lifetime, allowing infestations to grow rapidly.
When bed bugs bite, they inject an anesthetic so the host does not feel them feeding. However, they leave behind itchy welts that can be painful. Bed bugs do not transmit disease, but their bites can lead to infection from excessive scratching. Severe infestations can also cause anxiety, sleeplessness, and embarrassment.
Why use a mattress cover for bed bugs?
Mattress covers are commonly recommended as part of bed bug control for several reasons:
- They encase the entire mattress, trapping any bugs inside.
- The fine zipper holes prevent bugs from escaping.
- The vinyl or plastic material cannot be penetrated by bugs.
- They eliminate hiding spots in mattress seams and tufts.
- They make it easier to inspect the mattress for bugs.
When used properly, mattress covers can contain infestations and prevent bed bugs from multiplying. They can also prevent any bugs already inside the mattress from biting sleepers. Mattress covers are an important first step before other eradication methods.
Key features of bed bug mattress covers
Not all mattress covers are equally effective against bed bugs. Here are some key features to look for:
- Completely encases mattress – The cover must wrap all 6 sides of the mattress to trap bugs inside.
- No holes or gaps – Covers should not have any seams, tufts, or punctures that provide access points.
- Tight zipper seal – Zippers should seal tightly around the entire perimeter of the cover.
- Small zipper holes – The holes around the zipper should be small enough that bed bugs cannot squeeze through.
- Vinyl or plastic material – Avoid cloth or permeable materials that bed bugs could potentially bite through.
It is also beneficial to get a cover that is puncture-proof and has a non-skid bottom. Look for quality materials and workmanship as flimsy covers can tear easily.
Where can bed bugs hide on a mattress?
Bed bugs can hide in many areas of an untreated mattress, including:
- Fabric cover seams
- Button tufts on the mattress surface
- Along and under mattress piping or edging
- Under mattress tags and labels
- Inside air vents if the mattress is adjustable
- Folds and creases if the mattress is worn or sagging
- Cracks and gaps between mattress layers
- Inside box spring if mattress and box spring are infested
This is why encasements are so useful – they seal off all potential hiding spots on the mattress edges, surface, and interior. Bed bugs trapped inside eventually die from starvation.
Do all mattresses need a bed bug cover?
Encasing both the mattress and box spring is recommended in most situations where bed bugs are present. The covers trap bugs inside and prevent any new bugs from getting into the mattress.
Box spring covers work the same as mattress covers but may be more challenging to install. Encasements should also be used on infested futon mattresses, air mattresses, and other sleeping surfaces.
The key exceptions would be:
- New mattresses and box springs just removed from factory packaging do not need encasements. However, it is smart to install covers proactively in case of future infestations.
- Mattresses being disposed of due to heavy infestations do not need covers. It is safer to destroy severely infested mattresses so bugs do not disperse during disposal.
For mattresses being kept in a bed bug treatment, covers are strongly advised. It is an inexpensive safeguard compared to replacing a mattress later.
When should you install a mattress cover for bed bugs?
It is best to install mattress and box spring encasements as soon as possible after discovering bed bugs. The covers prevent the infestation from worsening before treatment begins. Quick action also reduces the chance of bed bugs spreading to other areas in the home or to other apartments.
Covers are the first protection step to take along with isolating the infested bed. Other control methods can then be implemented such as professional heat treatments or chemical control products. Mattress covers amplify these treatments by containing the infestation.
Encasing mattresses before signs of an infestation appear is another option. Mattress covers used proactively can help prevent bed bug introductions when traveling or receiving used furniture.
How long should you keep a mattress cover on?
Mattress encasements should be left on for at least 1-2 years after the last signs of bed bugs. Keeping the covers on helps ensure any surviving bugs eventually die inside. The covers also continue preventing new infestations during this time.
Continuing to use covers after the initial treatment period has benefits too. They reduce future infestation risks and make regular mattress inspections easier. Periodically check encasements for tears or openings nonetheless.
If bed bugs are detected again down the road, having covers already installed avoids an extra step. Just be sure to check that the zippers and any seams are still completely sealed.
Can bed bugs bite through a mattress cover?
High-quality bed bug mattress covers made of vinyl, plastic, or other impermeable materials cannot be penetrated by bed bugs. The bugs’ mouthparts are not able to pierce through these types of solid barriers.
However, bed bugs potentially could bite through lower-quality covers made of permeable fabric like cotton. Any small gaps or tears in cheaper encasements also provide biting access points for hungry bugs.
To ensure bed bugs cannot bite sleepers through the mattress, avoid covers with cloth exterior surfaces. Carefully inspect covers for holes before use and replace if you find any openings.
Do mattress covers prevent bed bugs from spreading?
When installed prior to treatment, mattress encasements contain infestations and restrict bed bugs from migrating off the mattress to other areas. The protective barrier keeps bugs trapped inside until they eventually die.
Covers stop bed bugs from infesting box springs, bed frames, and other bedroom furniture too. Reducing spread is critical for preventing widespread home infestations.
Make sure to inspect encasements regularly to ensure the seals remain intact. Look for potential tears, holes, or gaps around zippers that could allow wandering bugs to escape.
Can bed bugs get through zippers in a mattress cover?
Most bed bugs cannot squeeze through properly designed zippers on high-quality mattress encasements. Here are some features that help prevent bugs escaping through zippers:
- Very tight zipper coils
- Zipper is sealed with flaps of fabric
- Zipper teeth are very close together
- Zipper is tightly cinched together near edges
Cheaper covers sometimes have larger zipper coils or teeth spacing that could potentially allow the smallest bed bugs to escape. Thoroughly inspect zippers and replace any covers with poorly sealing zippers.
Do bed bug mattress covers work if you have a box spring?
Encasing just the mattress alone is not sufficient if bed bugs have also infested the box spring below. Leaving box springs uncovered gives surviving bed bugs a refuge to continue multiplying and feeding.
Box spring encasements are essential for successful bed bug elimination. Like mattress covers, they seal in bugs and prevent migrations between the bed components.
Box spring covers are installed the same way but may take more effort to tightly enclose the rigid wooden frame. Zippers must fully close without any gaps.
Can bed bugs get inside a mattress cover?
Installing a high-quality bed bug mattress cover before signs of infestation appear should prevent bugs from gaining access in most cases. Well-sealed encasements do not provide any entry points for wandering bed bugs.
However, bugs potentially could enter a cover in certain situations:
- Tears or holes in the cover material allow access.
- Poorly sealing zippers provide gaps.
- Bugs are inadvertently sealed inside during installation.
- Infested bedding is enclosed inside the cover.
Carefully inspect for rips, gaps, and bed bugs when installing covers. Leave infested bedding outside. Regularly check encasements for any openings that could let bugs penetrate inside.
Can bed bugs bite through a mattress cover if it has holes?
If a mattress encasement has any small holes, tears, or gaps, bed bugs can potentially bite through these defects in the protective barrier. Even tiny openings provide access for the slender bugs.
Common locations where holes or gaps appear include:
- Zipper area if zipper is broken or unzipped
- Fabric seams or folds
- Areas where mattress tags or handles were removed
- Sections deteriorating from age or heavy use
- Punctures from sharp objects
Thoroughly inspect covers top and bottom before installing. Avoid using damaged covers with any openings. Check periodically for new holes and replace covers whenever defects appear.
Will mattress covers suffocate bed bugs?
Bed bugs can survive a surprisingly long time without feeding – up to 6-12 months in some cases. So unfortunately, mattress encasements do not suffocate bed bugs quickly by cutting off their air supply.
Instead, the impermeable covers trap bugs inside and prevent them from reaching hosts to feed. Eventually the enclosed bugs die off from starvation, but this process can take many months.
Rather than suffocating bed bugs, mattress covers confine and isolate them until the infestation inside the casing dies out completely. Regularly verify covers are still tightly sealed during this time.
Do bed bug mattress covers work on memory foam?
Memory foam mattresses infested with bed bugs can be effectively protected using high-quality encasements. The covers seal in bugs hiding in foam crevices and prevent bites through the material.
The smooth vinyl surface and lack of seams on memory foam mattresses can make proper cover installation easier. Just make sure the zipper is completely tightened so that no gaps remain.
As with any mattress type, inspecting the encasement periodically for damage is important. Memory foam mattress toppers should also be encased if infested.
Do bed bug mattress covers work on pillowtop mattresses?
Pillowtop mattresses provide more seams, folds, and padding depth for bed bugs to inhabit. Encasements are still effective but take extra care installing them on pillowtops.
Ensure the cover material is pulled tight across all mattress surfaces to eliminate gaps or bubbles where bugs can hide. Fully zip sealed encasements prevent bites and contain infestations in pillowtop crevices.
Box spring covers are critical too if bed bugs have spread to the lower mattress. Monitor all encasements frequently to ensure the seals remain intact.
Do bed bug mattress covers work on inner spring mattresses?
Also known as innerspring or coil mattresses, this common mattress type has lots of nooks in its spring layer where bed bugs can hide. Encasements still provide effective protection when installed properly.
Be sure to pull the cover tightly over all mattress edges so bed bugs cannot crawl underneath. Seal zippers completely without leaving any gaps over the spring layer.
Vinyl encasement materials will not tear against inner spring coils. Check periodically for punctures or holes developing in the cover that could allow bites.
Do bed bug mattress covers work if infested?
Putting mattress covers on an already infested mattress can definitely help contain the problem and prevent it from worsening.
The key is carefully inspecting the mattress first and installing encasements without transferring any visible bed bugs onto the protected mattress surface.
Isolate the mattress before installation and leave potentially infested bedding outside the cover. Verify all zippers and seams are sealed tightly after installing covers on an infested mattress.
Conclusion
When used properly, mattress encasements are an essential tool for trapping bed bugs inside and gaining control over an infestation. High-quality vinyl or plastic covers that fully seal the mattress can prevent bugs from biting sleepers or escaping.
Be sure to leave any visibly infested bedding off the encased mattress. Check for any openings that could allow access. Combine mattress covers with box spring encasements and other treatment methods to eliminate bed bugs.
Mattress covers are useful proactively too for preventing introductions when traveling or buying used beds. Just be sure to regularly inspect for damage and tightly reseal zippers to maintain protection against bed bugs.