The bugs that love your bed as much as you do – bed bugs. While they’re known for taking shelter in beds, they are most commonly found in the cracks and crevices in mattresses, box springs and bed frames. A popular solution to this problem is bed bug encasements. But how can this help protect your beloved bed? Here’s how bed bug encasements may work to protect you.
About Bed Bug Encasements
Bed bug encasements and bed bug box spring covers are usually clear or light-white protectors that fit tightly over your bedding. Encasements can serve two purposes. They can keep bed bugs from nesting on your bed by shutting them out. They can also trap bed bugs that have taken shelter within your mattress by sealing them inside. Depending on the temperature, trapped bed bugs may survive anywhere from 20 to 400 days without feeding. If you notice bed bugs inside of the encasement, contact a professional to have them removed.
Bed bug pillow protectors are a common addition to mattress encasements. Since bed bugs prefer to seek shelter on surfaces that don’t move, pillows are not typically a harborage site. While they’re not necessary, bed bug pillow protectors can provide peace-of-mind for homeowners. Note that encasements will not keep bed bugs off your bed or off you. In fact, bed bugs may still walk across the surface and bite you. Sheets are also not a reliable source of protection, as bed bugs can still bite through them. A pest control professional can help to better protect you against these pesky pests.
Bed Bug Encasement Effectiveness
A University of Kentucky study identified the most common hideouts for bed bugs in the home. Within the top three areas are box springs (34.6%) and mattresses (22.4%). As so, it can be beneficial to protect these areas with mattress encasements. Encasements can provide protection to the entirety of your mattress and box spring if installed properly. To keep bed bugs out, they are zippered shut. UC Berkeley researchers tested the effectiveness of mattress encasements against bed bugs. They released 20 bed bugs into two mattresses. One was covered with a mattress encasement and the other was not. The covered mattress was effective at trapping all bed bugs inside the encasement for the five-week duration of the study. On the other hand, 12 bed bugs escaped from the untreated mattress.
Bed Bug Protection
From your mattress to your box spring, make sure you’re protected against bed bugs. Sheets will not shield you from bed bug bites, and mattress encasements can only be effective with proper installation. To best help protect against bed bugs, schedule an appointment with Terminix®. Upon initial inspection, a trained technician will identify harborages within your living areas. If you’ve installed a mattress encasement, your Terminix technician can help determine if bed bugs are inside or if there is an existing infestation outside the encasement. With Terminix, you can finally get back the bed space you deserve.
