Do I Have to Throw Out My Bed Bug Infested Mattress?
Key Takeaways
- It’s best not to throw away any bed bug-infested items (including mattresses) so you can reduce the chance of them spreading.
- Bed bugs hide in many other places, such as clothing, other furniture, cracks and crevices, and electrical sockets.
- Instead of throwing away items, wash them in high heat and call an exterminator.
No, you don’t have to throw away your infested mattress. In fact, it is important to not throw away your bed bug-infested mattress. Doing so can be risky, as it can contribute to the spread of bed bugs in other rooms during transport!
Instead of throwing your mattress away, implement the following measures:
- Take off all the bedding and linens, and wash them thoroughly in hot water.
- Do not move the mattress or box spring to another area. Removing them can spread the bed bugs.
- Hire a bed bug exterminator to treat your home (mattress included) with heat or steam.
Why Can’t You Throw Away Your Mattress?
If you get rid of your mattress or replace it with a new one, chances are your brand-new bed will get infested, too! This is why it’s so important to treat your entire home for bed bugs, not just certain spots.
When you discover bed bugs, throwing away your mattress or box spring will not solve the problem. The bed bugs are likely in other spots besides your bed, meaning the infestation can’t be controlled by just tossing your bed.
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Do You Need to Throw Away Other Furniture?
No, you don’t have to throw away other furniture. Bottom line, no items should have to be thrown out during a bed bug infestation. 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 in all stages of life.
Every piece of furniture in your property should be receptive to heat and steam treatments. That said, if you already have old furniture in need of replacing, a bed bug infestation would be the perfect excuse to invest in new items! Simply remember to only dispose of furniture after it has been treated.
Can Bed Bugs Infest All Types of Furniture?
Bed bugs can infest upholstered furniture, but what about wooden pieces? Unfortunately, bed bugs are known to hide in cracks and crevices, even in your wooden coffee table or chair! Just as with your mattress, it’s important not to throw out your household items in the midst of an infestation.
Always wait until the infestation is completely controlled. Bed bugs can be unpredictable and may hide in areas you would not expect.
Throw Out Bed Bugs for Good
You don’t have to handle bed bugs alone. The best way to get rid of a bed bug infestation is to bring in the professionals. The bed bug experts at Terminix Anderson will assess infested areas in your home, apply treatment, and put together a tailored prevention plan.
If you spot bed bugs in your mattress, or anywhere else in your home, you need to act quickly. Reach out to us today, and we’ll get you started with a consultation!
