A totally encapsulated box spring and mattress cover will protect the mattress from any kind of stain or the habitation of insects in the crevices and around the cording of mattresses. They are also good for allergies, and if one had an infestation, would prevent one from having to discard a mattress. However, they do not in and of themselves prevent bedbugs. Bedbugs can live a long time without feeding, but if you have a question about any mattress, encapsulating it completely with an allergy type cover will keep any eggs or ones you don't see trapped and they will eventually die. These covers will save your mattresses, yes, but if someone brought bedbugs in, they will go elsewhere. Covers must be the full top, bottom and all four sides, sealed with a zipper, and for good measure, a piece of duct tape over the zipper so it won't wiggle open. If a person carries bedbugs inadvertently or unknowingly to that mattress, it won't get infested, but the bedbugs will move elsewhere to huddle.

About a decade ago, I was a certified pesticide operator and did some work part-time with a Delaware licensed pest control operator. I happen to have extensive experience with bedbugs.

Bedbugs are natural hitchhikers and while they prefer hiding in the crevices of mattresses, they will live inside clocks, electronics, behind wall hangings, behind switch plate and outlet covers, under rugs and in between pages of books etc. I have driven them out of floor thresholds, seen them crawling in between the pages of books.

Preventative measures include taking caution when traveling and when you have guests staying over and super hygiene vigilance when they leave.

I read about Paris having an issue during the Olympics. When traveling, seal everything in plastic zip lock bags or products such as space bags. Never place your luggage on the bed. Always use luggage racks. When I am not using the tub, I put the luggage rack in the bathroom and luggage on top of it. All my belongings are sealed off at all times. When checking into a hotel, you want to look under bedskirts, lift mattresses and look for dark brown spots. Upon returning home, if you have any suspicions about transporting bedbugs, unpack your laundry/suitcase outside in a garage, transport immediately to the washing machine. High heat will kill them. I use an inexpensive steamer with a nozzle, about the size of a hair dryer, and point steam in crevices in baseboards, floorboards, any place where there is a crack or crevice. If I had gone to the Olympics, I would have had all my underthings in one bag, socks in another, etc. Practice bio-security measures will eliminate the risk of you bringing them back. The handheld steamer will drive out any lurking bedbugs if you want to be sure, steam any area and rest easy with peace of mind.

If guests arrive, offer them a luggage rack. Strip the bed and change linens. What can't be washed, put in the dryer at the highest temp possible to kill any instars (small size early in the life cycle) e.g., comforters, pillows.
Bedbugs can be acquired anywhere an infested person can transport them, e.g., movie theater, public transportation, any upholstered furniture.

After witnessing all of this, I must confess I had the heebie jeebies when my college-aged daughter returned home after a summer stock job in NYC where she shared a dwelling with several struggling theater folks! When she pulled up in the driveway, I had her take her things into the garage where I could inspect. I used my steamer to drive any that might be in boxes or such - fortunately no interlopers were found. But being aware, I took the trouble. That's harder to do with invited guests.

Organic control consists of steam, application of heat, freezing items in a plastic bag (such as a stack of books by a suspected bedside) and keep in freezer. The most effective deterrent is food grade diatomaceous earth (DE), which agriculture has used for years in animal feed. DE is the grounding of tiny aquatic animals called diatoms. Their structure is silica. To the human touch, it feels like flour, but for insects, the microscopic silica cuts and slices into their exoskeleton, killing them by drying them out. Any insect that crosses its path will not survive DE. While organic, due to its nature, it can be harmful if breathed in as it would be abrasive to the eyes and lungs. But applying a thin coat or dusting around known hiding places will kill bedbugs. It is not an instant knockdown, but the dust will kill them. Wear goggles and masks when applying. Once the DE dust settles you should be okay, but it is an effective, organic treatment, but not without risks.

Professional companies can do a chemical knockdown which may take repeated applications. Shop around and ask them about their experience with bedbugs. Some are experts at termites or ants, or cockroaches. Bedbugs are into a class of their own. There are also professional applicators that do whole house heat treatments. There are consumer-use chemicals that can be purchased in most hardware and big box stores. Read the label carefully. Bedbugs must be listed and follow directions and label to the 'T". The label is the law.

To best prevent bedbugs, practicing a more compartmentalized bio-secure aware lifestyle is a must.I probably gave you more information than you wanted and I hope I didn't scare you. They are pesky critters to get rid of!

Thank you! This was very helpful…but it does freak one out, doesn’t it
Sent from my iPad



Edited Bedroom to Bathroom in paragraph 5