Do I Have to Throw Out My Bed Bug Infested Mattress?

There is no need to throw out your mattress after a bed bug infestation. In fact, this is considered reckless. Throwing away your infested mattress without addressing the infestation in your home can lead to spreading of the pests, and will not get rid of the infestation.

To get rid of bed bugs in your mattress, take the following steps:

Strip the bed of linens and wash thoroughly in hot water.
Keep the mattress and box spring where they are. Moving or removing them can spread the bed bugs.
Contact a bed bug exterminator to treat it with heat or another treatment.

Why Can't I Throw Out My Bed Bug-Infested Mattress?

When bed bugs have infested your property, tossing your mattress or box spring will not solve the problem. Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs aren’t only hiding out in your bed. In a serious infestation, they have likely spread to other spots on your property. If you get rid of your mattress or replace it with a new one, chances are your brand-new mattress will get infested, too! It’s crucial to treat your entire home for bed bugs—including your bed—to prevent the infestation from spreading.

Do You Need to Throw Away Bedding or Other Furniture?

Throwing away items after an infestation is not usually necessary. With proper treatment, all items should be able to be salvaged. Instead of throwing out clothing and bedding, it’s recommended to wash them in a hot water washing machine. High heat will kill bed bugs and their eggs. All other furniture should be receptive to treatment. In any case, only remove infested furniture after it has been treated by a professional bed bug control expert.

Do Bed Bugs Infest my Couches and Tables?

Bed bugs are able to hide in a number of places around your home or business that you likely would not expect. It makes sense that upholstered furniture would be receptive to bed bugs, but what about wooden furniture? Unfortunately, bed bugs are able to hide in cracks and crevices, or even in your wood table or chair! Similar to the mattress debacle, it’s recommended to not throw out any furniture or items in the midst of an infestation.

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