Bed Bugs: How to Check For Bed Bugs in Your Mattress

Do you have small, red, itchy bumps on your skin? It may be time to learn how to check for bed bugs.

Bed bugs are tiny reddish-brown insects that feed on the blood of humans. They are usually active at night, and their bites can cause various symptoms, from itchiness and redness to swelling and inflammation. In some cases, it can also lead to more severe health problems, such as allergic reactions or infections.

Symptoms of bed bug bites:

• Small, red, itchy bumps on the skin
• Swelling and inflammation
• Allergic reactions
• Infections

Feel like you may have bed bugs in your mattress? Then it is essential to check your mattress for signs of infestation.

Here are 6 tips on how to check for bed bugs in your mattress:

1. Start by stripping off all the sheets and blankets.
2. Pay special attention to the area around the headboard since bed bugs often congregate there.
3. Take a close look at the mattress, paying special attention to any seams, tufts, or folds. Look for small brown spots (bed bug excrement) or rusty stains (blood). 
4. Also, inspect the box spring or foundation if your mattress has one.
5. Look for small, white eggs or eggshells on your mattress. These may be bed bug eggs, an early sign of bed bugs.
6. Once you've finished inspecting the mattress, put fresh sheets on and tuck them in tightly. This will help you spot bed bugs more easily if they're present.

If you find any evidence of bed bugs, it's important to contact a professional pest control company right away. They will confirm whether or not you have an infestation and help you get rid of the problem.

There's definitely a bed bug infestation. What now?

If you find bed bugs in your home, don't panic. There are a few things you can do to get rid of them:

• Wash your bedding in hot water, including sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and comforters. - Dry them on the highest heat setting possible.
• Vacuum your mattress, box spring, and other furniture in your bedroom. Remember to throw out the vacuum bag right away.
• Inspect any other areas of your home where you think bed bugs may be present and repeat the vacuuming and washing
• Maybe it's time for a new mattress. Bed bugs can live in the nooks and crannies of your old mattress, so it's best to start fresh with a new one. You should look for a mattress treated with an insecticide or encased in a zippered cover. These features will help to keep bed bugs from infesting your new mattress.

Consider the UltraCool Series iCoil 2.0 Latex & Cool Gel Memory Foam Box Top Mattress (Cool Fabric). Your first-class ticket to dreamland. This mattress, like every other Zinus mattresses, are all vacuum packed.  This will totally eliminate any insects, let alone bed bugs.

Besides helping to keep the bed bugs away, the natural antimicrobial properties in the natural latex layer help to deter bacteria growth. Pair this mattress with a fitting bed frame (we highly recommend the Suzanne Metal/Wood Platform Bed Frame as metal frames do a better job at preventing bed bugs!), and sleep soundly without worry.

If you don't see signs of bed bugs, that doesn't necessarily mean your home is free of them. Learning how to check for bed bugs is one thing but these tiny parasitic insects are a pro at hiding, so it's always best to contact an expert if you suspect you have an infestation.