Bed bugs are among the most common pests in the United States. They like to hide in dark, undisturbed areas where there is little chance of humans seeing them.
These little vampires drink your blood while you sleep, though some people may not realize that they have been bitten until later when their skin becomes itchy or red.
Bed bugs are attracted to the human body due to the high concentration of exhaled carbon dioxide and human sweat odor.
Bed bugs live generally in bedrooms, often in and around mattresses. They find little nooks to hide in.
Can bed bugs live in memory foam mattresses?
They probably won’t attempt to live in the mattress, but they will happily live on the mattress, particularly if it’s got little flaps, folds, and nooks for the bed bugs to hide on.
In this article, we’ll go over memory foam mattresses and bed bugs.
Can Bed Bugs Live in Memory Foam Mattresses?
Memory foam mattresses are a type of mattress that is constructed from a visco-elastic polymer. Memory foam has become one of the most popular products in the market as it provides softness, comfort, and good support.
Unfortunately, bed bugs can live on a memory foam mattress.
Unfortunately, bed bugs can live on a memory foam mattress.
However, they have difficulty penetrating the memory foam fabric and are more likely to be found on the surface. It is most probably due to the compact construction of the mattress that protects against dust particles and even mites.
Memory foam mattresses tend to have simpler construction than other mattresses, so they have fewer nooks that bed bugs can nest in and lay their eggs.
Bed bugs usually hide on the underside or within the edges of the mattress or tend to move around on the surface only.
Here are some major spots within the mattress where you may find bedbugs or signs of their infestation:
- Underneath the buttons or around any seams or zippers
- Under the piping or fabric, creases in the covers
- Within the safe spaces that are away from light to prevent disturbance
Remember that bed bugs don’t have claws or fangs, and their wide bodies can’t grip things. Consequently, it is not difficult for them to move on the memory foam mattress as its surface is quite smooth.
However, people assume that they can burrow, which is not true. Bed bugs can’t burrow or penetrate any material, so they can only access surfaces.
However, people assume that they can burrow, which is not true. Bed bugs can’t burrow or penetrate any material, so they can only access surfaces.
Some premium manufacturers in the market provide mattresses that are already treated with pesticides. As a result, you don’t have to worry about the prevention methods of bed bug infestation for a long period.
Do Bed Bugs Like to Nest on Memory Foam Toppers?
Bed bugs frequently move around on mattress toppers at night but prefer to live and develop within an unexposed space under a memory foam mattress. These nocturnal insects explore the mattress toppers at night when there is less human activity around them.
To feed on the host, they come out from the dark spaces and roam around on the toppers throughout the night. Otherwise, they avoid staying on exposed surfaces for a long time to avoid being crushed or killed. Bed bug infestation typically occurs under the mattress, not on the topper.
How to Detect a Bed Bug Infestation in Your Bed
Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to detect because they are so small. Both the males and females are about the size of an apple seed.
As such, they pose a persistent problem in many homes, hotels, and apartments. However, certain signs can help you identify if you have bed bugs.
Immediately calling pest control is a good idea if you notice these signs. The best way to find bed bugs is by using a flashlight and magnifying glass when looking for possible infestation areas.
Bed Bug Husks
Bed bugs scurry around quickly and spread out in clusters. They molt several times throughout their life cycle, and you can often find discarded husks of bed bugs. This is typically the first sign of an infestation.
Bed Bug Poop
Bed bug feces is another sign you should look for as it will have a reddish-brown color resembling dried blood. That’s your digested blood, there! It’s common to find dark fecal stains near the seams of mattresses or on the sheets.
Bed Bug Eggs
Lastly, bed bug eggs are another indication you should be aware of, as they will appear as tiny white dots on your mattress. During development, they shed their eggshells when the bed bug progresses from the instar to the next stage.
These pearly white-grey shells look like tiny grains of rice and are usually 1 millimeter long. If you find any such signs in your mattress, it is time to get rid of them immediately.
Getting Rid of Bed Bugs From a Memory Foam Mattress
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bed bug infestations have increased by 75% in the past decade. The CDC advises removing your mattress if you find signs of bed bugs or suspect an infestation.
But you have to do more than that.
It is important to remove these pests immediately because they can quickly spread to other areas of your home, including your luggage, clothes, and even pets.
The following are some effective methods to remove bed bugs permanently from the memory foam mattress:
Wash Everything!
Washing the bedding, sheets, clothing, and any fabric you can find will eliminate these pesky insects. It can also help prevent infestations from happening in the first place by removing small amounts of their eggs or their feces from your mattress.
Bed bugs love stinky laundry, so stay on top of it. And the high heat from your washer and dryer will kill bed bugs.
Remember, bed bugs can be easily transferred from one person to another by sharing bedding. It is important to wash your bedding and the mattress thoroughly before you place them back on your bed.
Sanitize the Room
You should also sanitize your room to prevent transferring the bugs to other home areas. In addition, sanitizing the room helps remove bed bugs from the mattress as they cannot stand the heat and dryness after the process.
Therefore, it is crucial to sanitize the mattress before putting it back on top of your bed frame or box spring.
Seal the Mattress
Sealing your mattress prevents bed bugs from escaping or relocating when you remove the cover for washing purposes. To seal up your mattress, use a thick layer of plastic wrap or a heavy-duty garbage bag on top of the bedding if you don’t have mattress encasements.
The plastic wrap should be large enough to cover all parts of the bedding, including the zipper and seams. Sealing the mattress will also make the bed bugs starve for months as they won’t be able to approach the host.
That said, bed bugs can live in vacuum-sealed bags for up to a year, so this is a long-term project!
Heat Treatment
Heat treatment is the most effective method for eliminating bed bugs from mattresses and other furniture. The heat treatment method requires a device that increases the temperature of the surroundings to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. According to research, bed bugs die if exposed to temperatures between 113-118 degrees Fahrenheit.
Thus, the heat treatment method guarantees to eliminate the severe infestation too. The heat treatment process usually takes about an hour to complete. Heating devices are often used in conjunction with vacuums to eliminate bed bugs’ remains.
Keep Your Memory Foam Mattress Bed Bug Free!
One way to prevent bed bugs from spreading is by thoroughly checking your mattress before you buy it. Absolutely do not buy a mattress second hand, and do an examination before you put the mattress on your bed frame.
This can help you avoid the hassle of later dealing with bed bugs.
Another way to prevent bed bug infestation is by using a mattress protector with an anti-bed bug layer. These protectors come in various shapes and sizes to find the best fit for your needs and preferences.
Moreover, you can place bed bug interceptor cups below each bed stand. These cups contain an insecticide like diatomaceous earth that can trap bed bugs that try to climb up through the bed legs.
Finally, always place your mattress away from the walls and prevent sheets from touching the floor.
Final Thoughts
Memory foam mattresses are less susceptible to infestation than coil mattresses are, but they can still be infested. Bed bugs don’t burrow, they find little nooks to hide in. Don’t assume your Tempurpedic will automatically be free of bed bugs!
