"The first call we usually get is from someone who has just spotted black dots on a pillowcase and is panicking that they need to throw every pillow in the house in the garbage. We tell people the same thing every time. If your pillow is washable and the care label allows hot water and high-heat drying, run it through and re-inspect. If it is a memory foam or latex pillow that cannot tolerate that heat, replacing is honestly cheaper and less stressful than trying to treat it. And do not stop at the pillow. By the time it shows up on the pillowcase, the mattress and headboard need a real look too."
Dorothy Balicki, Mattress Miracle
In This Guide
Reading Time: 8 minutes
The thought of bed bugs in your pillow is enough to make anyone uncomfortable. It is a legitimate concern, especially in Ontario where bed bug reports have been rising in urban and suburban areas. But before you throw out every pillow in the house, let us look at what actually happens with bed bugs and pillows.
Bed bugs are opportunistic. They will hide wherever they can get close to a sleeping human, and pillows certainly qualify. However, pillows are not usually their first choice. Understanding where and why bed bugs choose specific hiding spots helps you know what to look for and how to respond.
Can bed bugs actually live in pillows?
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, flat, wingless insects that feed on human blood. They are most active at night and are attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale and our body heat. Since your head rests on the pillow all night, it is a logical spot for bed bugs to consider.
Bed Bug Behaviour
Research on bed bug harbourage preferences suggests they favour tight, dark spaces close to their food source. A study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology found that bed bugs prefer to hide in crevices where their dorsal and ventral surfaces contact solid surfaces simultaneously, a behaviour called thigmotaxis. Mattress seams, bed frame joints, and headboard cracks offer ideal conditions. Pillows, being softer and more exposed, are a secondary hiding spot that bed bugs typically use only when populations grow large or primary harbourages become crowded.
In practical terms, this means that if you find bed bugs in your pillows, the infestation is likely already established elsewhere in the bed. The pillow is not usually the starting point. The mattress, box spring, and bed frame are the primary locations.
Where in the Pillow Do They Hide?
Bed bugs do not typically burrow into the fill material of a pillow. They prefer surfaces and seams where they can wedge themselves into tight spaces. Look for them along the piping or welted edges of the pillowcase, in the zipper area of pillow protectors, between the pillowcase and the inner liner, and along the seam where the pillow fabric is stitched.
If your pillow has a removable cover with a zipper, the zipper teeth and the fold of fabric around the zipper are favourite spots. These areas give bed bugs the tight-space contact they prefer while keeping them close to your sleeping body.
What are the signs of bed bugs in your pillows?
Knowing what to look for makes detection much easier. Bed bugs leave several telltale signs.
What to Look For
- Rust-coloured stains: These are blood spots from bed bugs being crushed while feeding. They appear as small smears, often along seams or on the pillowcase surface.
- Dark spots (fecal matter): Tiny black or dark brown dots, about the size of a period on a printed page. These bleed into fabric like a marker would. They are digested blood and are a reliable indicator.
- Shed skins (exuviae): Bed bugs moult five times before reaching adulthood. The translucent, light brown shells are often found near harbourage areas.
- Live bugs: Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed (4-5 mm), flat, oval, and reddish-brown. Nymphs are smaller and lighter in colour.
- Eggs: Tiny (about 1 mm), white, and oval. They are hard to see with the naked eye and are often tucked into seams or crevices.
- Musty odour: A noticeable sweet, musty smell in severe infestations, caused by the bugs' scent glands.
Many customers initially mistake bed bug signs for other issues. Dark spots get confused with mould. Blood stains get attributed to nosebleeds. If you see any combination of these signs, investigate further before dismissing them.
How do you check pillows for bed bugs?
A thorough inspection takes just a few minutes and can give you peace of mind or catch a problem early.
Shop This Topic at Mattress Miracle
Popular pillows at Mattress Miracle:
- Somnia 3.0 support pillow
- Symbia Orthopedic Wedge Pillow
- Talalay Latex Pillow (Dreamcloud)
- Cool Ice Pillow (Cooling Gel)
Or our full pillow range in our Brantford showroom.
Step-by-Step Pillow Inspection
Remove the pillowcase and any pillow protector. Examine the pillow surface under bright light, paying close attention to seams, piping, and any zipper areas. Use a magnifying glass if you have one, as eggs and young nymphs are very small. Check the corners and folds where fabric layers overlap. Run a credit card or thin rigid card along seams to dislodge anything hidden in the stitching. Inspect the pillowcase and protector separately, especially along seams and in the corners.
When to Inspect
Check your pillows as part of a broader bed inspection if you notice unexplained bites (typically in a line or cluster on exposed skin), find any of the signs listed above on your sheets or mattress, have recently stayed in a hotel or hostel, have acquired used furniture or bedding, or live in a multi-unit building where neighbours have reported bed bugs.
A bed bug bite is not always proof of bed bugs in your pillow specifically. Bed bugs can travel from their hiding spot to feed and then return. The bites may appear on your face, neck, or arms without the bugs actually living in the pillow.
How do you get rid of bed bugs in pillows?
If you confirm bed bugs in your pillow or elsewhere in your bed, act quickly. Bed bugs reproduce fast, and early intervention is much more effective than waiting. For severe or established infestations, Canadian pest control resources recommend talking to a licensed pest control professional rather than relying on DIY treatment alone.
Immediate Steps
Remove all bedding, including pillowcases, sheets, and mattress covers. Bag everything in sealed plastic bags to prevent spreading bugs to other rooms. Wash all fabric items in hot water (at least 60°C/140°F) and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. The heat, not the water, kills bed bugs and their eggs.
Heat Treatment Effectiveness
Research published in the Journal of Economic Entomology suggests that bed bugs at all life stages die within minutes at temperatures above 45°C (113°F). Sustained heat of 60°C (140°F) is reported to kill adults, nymphs, and eggs reliably. This is why hot washing and high-heat drying are commonly recommended as a first response. Freezing is also effective but requires sustained temperatures below -18°C for at least four days, which is impractical for most household items.
Should You Throw Out the Pillow?
In many cases, yes. Pillows are relatively inexpensive to replace compared to the stress and effort of ensuring every bug and egg inside is eliminated. If you find bed bugs in a pillow, replacing it is often the simplest and most reliable option.
If you want to save the pillow, you can wash it (if the care label allows) in hot water and dry it on high heat. Alternatively, sealing the pillow in an encasement designed for bed bugs traps any remaining bugs inside and starves them over time. Bed bugs can survive without feeding for several months, so the encasement must stay on for at least a year.
Professional Pest Control
Bed bugs in your pillow almost certainly means bed bugs elsewhere in the room. DIY treatments can reduce the visible population, but professional pest control is typically necessary for complete elimination. Talk to a licensed pest control professional for severe infestations, especially in multi-unit buildings where bugs can move between units.
Bed Bug Services in Brantford
The Brant County Health Unit can provide guidance on bed bug management. Licensed pest control operators in the Brantford area offer heat treatments, chemical treatments, or a combination of both. Ontario law requires landlords to address bed bug infestations in rental properties. If you are a tenant, document the issue and notify your landlord in writing. You are not required to discard furniture unless a pest control professional recommends it.
How do you prevent bed bugs in pillows?
Preventing bed bugs from reaching your pillows in the first place is far easier than dealing with an infestation.
Practical Prevention Steps
- Use encasement covers: Zip-up encasements on both your mattress and pillows create a barrier that prevents bed bugs from getting in (or out, if they are already inside). Look for encasements specifically rated for bed bug protection with a secure zipper closure.
- Wash bedding weekly: Regular hot washing removes any bed bugs that might have hitchhiked home before they can establish themselves.
- Reduce clutter around the bed: Bed bugs hide in clutter. Keep the area under and around your bed clear to reduce harbourage opportunities.
- Inspect after travel: Check your luggage and clothing before bringing them into the bedroom after staying in hotels. Use a luggage rack rather than placing bags on the bed or floor.
- Be cautious with used furniture: Inspect any second-hand furniture thoroughly before bringing it home. Used mattress purchases carry particular risk.
- Use a mattress protector: A quality mattress protector adds another layer of defence and makes inspections easier because there are fewer places for bugs to hide.
Travel Tips
Hotels are one of the most common sources of bed bug exposure. When you arrive at a hotel, pull back the sheets and inspect the mattress seams and headboard before unpacking. Keep your suitcase on the luggage rack or in the bathroom, never on the bed or carpet. When you return home, wash all clothing from the trip in hot water immediately, regardless of whether it was worn.
Should you replace pillows after a bed bug infestation?
After a confirmed bed bug infestation has been treated, replacing your pillows is a wise step even if the treatment was successful. It eliminates any residual concern and gives you a fresh start.
When shopping for replacement pillows, consider ones with tightly woven covers that offer fewer entry points. Pair any new pillow with a bed-bug-rated encasement from day one. This makes future inspections simple, as you can remove and check the encasement without disassembling the pillow itself.
The right time to replace pillows is typically every one to three years depending on the type. Starting fresh with new pillows and protectors after an infestation doubles as an upgrade to your sleep setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can bed bugs live inside a pillow?
Bed bugs prefer surfaces and seams rather than burrowing into fill material. They are most commonly found along pillow seams, piping, zipper areas, and between the pillowcase and pillow cover. If an infestation is severe, they may move deeper into the pillow structure, but this is not typical behaviour.
Do pillow protectors prevent bed bugs?
Bed-bug-rated encasement protectors with secure zipper closures are effective at preventing bed bugs from entering or escaping the pillow. Standard pillow protectors without complete enclosure and zip closures are not reliable for bed bug prevention. Look for products specifically labelled as bed bug encasements.
Can washing pillows kill bed bugs?
Yes, if the pillow is washed in water at least 60°C (140°F) and dried on high heat for at least 30 minutes. The combination of hot water and sustained dryer heat is reported to kill bed bugs at all life stages, including eggs. Check your pillow's care label first, as not all pillows can be machine washed.
How do I know if bites on my face are from bed bugs?
Bed bug bites typically appear in lines or clusters of three to five bites (sometimes called "breakfast, lunch, and dinner"). They are usually red, itchy welts on exposed skin. However, bites alone are not diagnostic since many insects cause similar reactions. Look for other evidence like fecal spots, shed skins, or live bugs to confirm.
Should I throw away my mattress if I find bed bugs in my pillow?
Not necessarily. A mattress can often be saved with professional treatment and a bed-bug-rated encasement. Throwing away a mattress is costly and may not solve the problem if bugs are also in the bed frame, headboard, or walls. Consult a licensed pest control professional before discarding furniture. At Mattress Miracle in Brantford, we can help you find a new mattress if replacement is recommended.
Sources
- Doggett, S.L., Dwyer, D.E., Penas, P.F., & Russell, R.C. (2012). Bed bugs: Clinical relevance and control options. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 25(1), 164-192. doi.org/10.1128/CMR.05015-11
- Romero, A., Potter, M.F., Potter, D.A., & Haynes, K.F. (2007). Insecticide resistance in the bed bug: A factor in the pest's sudden resurgence? Journal of Medical Entomology, 44(2), 175-178. doi.org/10.1093/jmedent/44.2.175
- Kells, S.A., & Goblirsch, M.J. (2011). Temperature and time requirements for controlling bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) under commercial heat treatment conditions. Insects, 2(3), 412-422. doi.org/10.3390/insects2030412
- Wang, C., Saltzmann, K., Chin, E., Bennett, G.W., & Gibb, T. (2010). Characteristics of Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), infestation and dispersal in a high-rise apartment building. Journal of Economic Entomology, 103(1), 172-177. doi.org/10.1603/EC09230
- Ontario Ministry of Health. (2023). Bed bugs: What you need to know. Province of Ontario. ontario.ca
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
We are located at 441½ West Street in downtown Brantford. Free parking available. Our team does not work on commission, so you get honest advice based on your needs.
Mattress Miracle , 441½ West Street, Brantford, ON · (519) 770-0001
Hours: Monday–Wednesday 10am–6pm, Thursday–Friday 10am–7pm, Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 12pm–4pm.