Quick Answer: To get rid of bed bugs in a mattress, the most reliable method is professional heat treatment (49°C+ sustained), which kills all life stages including eggs. For mild infestations, vacuuming, hot washing all bedding, and sealing the mattress in a bed bug-proof encasement is a practical starting point. Most DIY chemical treatments do not reach deep enough into the mattress to be effective.
In This Guide
Reading Time: 6 minutes
Step 1: Confirm You Have Bed Bugs
Before spending money on treatment, confirm the pest. Bed bug evidence includes: small rust-coloured spots on bedding from crushed bugs or digested blood; tiny black dots (excrement) clustered near mattress seams; pale yellow shed skins; and live bugs, flat, oval, reddish-brown, about the size of an apple seed, hiding in mattress folds and seams.
Bites alone are not reliable for identification, they look similar to many insect bites. Use a torch and a stiff card to probe mattress seams, tufts, and the gap between mattress and box spring where bugs prefer to hide.
Immediate Steps to Take
As soon as you suspect bed bugs, take these steps before starting treatment:
- Do not move furniture between rooms, this spreads bugs to new areas
- Strip and bag all bedding, transport directly to the laundry in sealed bags
- Wash all bedding at 60°C and dry on the highest heat setting for 30+ minutes
- Vacuum the mattress, box spring, and bed frame thoroughly, use a crevice tool on all seams; dispose of the vacuum bag immediately in a sealed bag outdoors
- Reduce clutter around the bed, fewer hiding places slows the spread
These steps reduce the population and contain the infestation while you arrange further treatment. They won't eliminate it.
Heat Treatment: The Most Effective Method
Bed bugs and their eggs die at 49°C (120°F) sustained for 90 seconds. This is why heat treatment is the gold standard, it penetrates into the mattress core where bugs hide, unlike chemical sprays which only reach surfaces.
Professional Heat Treatment
Licensed pest control companies use industrial heaters to raise entire rooms to lethal temperature, held for several hours. This eliminates bed bugs at every life stage in the mattress and throughout the room. For moderate to severe infestations, this is the most reliable option. In Ontario, look for pest control companies licensed under the Pesticides Act.
Portable Heat Units
Portable bed bug heater bags or chambers can treat individual items, mattresses, clothing, furniture. The entire item must reach and sustain 49°C internally. Follow manufacturer instructions carefully. These can be rented or purchased, and are most practical for mild infestations confined to the bed.
Why Heat Works When Chemicals Often Don't
Research by Kells and Gould (2012) in the Journal of Economic Entomology documents the thermal death points for all bed bug life stages. The challenge with mattress treatment is that bed bugs and eggs in the interior are physically inaccessible to surface-applied insecticides. Heat, unlike chemicals, permeates through the entire item, which is why a single well-executed heat treatment outperforms repeated chemical applications in mattress-specific infestations.
8 min read
Mattress Encasements
A bed bug-proof encasement is an essential part of the treatment plan, not because it kills bugs, but because it traps them and cuts off access to new hiding spots.
After vacuuming, encase the mattress in a zippered, bite-proof bed bug encasement. Any bugs inside are now trapped. Since bed bugs can survive without feeding for up to 18 months, the encasement must remain intact for at least 18–24 months to be fully effective. Check it periodically for tears at seams.
Encase the box spring as well, bed bugs commonly harbour in the fabric underside of box springs. The combination of mattress and box spring encasements eliminates the preferred hiding spots at the source.
What Makes an Encasement Bed Bug-Proof
Not all mattress covers are created equal. For bed bug control, look for: a full zipper that reaches the end corners; a zipper closure rated for bed bugs (often called "lockbox" or "micro-zip"); fabric rated as bite-proof. Standard mattress protectors do not qualify.
When to Call a Professional
Call a licensed pest control professional if:
- You find evidence of bed bugs in multiple rooms or pieces of furniture
- The infestation has been present for more than a few weeks (suggesting established population)
- DIY treatment has not noticeably reduced the population after two weeks
- You live in a multi-unit building, bed bugs travel between units through walls and shared spaces
In Ontario, significant infestations typically require professionally applied pesticides or heat treatment under the Pesticides Act. The Ontario Ministry of Environment governs pest control licensing.
Bed Bug Interceptors: Monitor Your Progress
Bed bug interceptor traps (cup-shaped devices placed under each bed leg) catch bed bugs moving between the floor and the bed. They also tell you whether the infestation is active and whether treatment is working, if you're catching bugs in the interceptors, the infestation is still present. Check them every few days during treatment.
After Treatment: Preventing Return
After successful treatment, these measures reduce the risk of reinfestation:
- Keep the mattress encasement on for at least 18–24 months
- Leave bed bug interceptors under the bed legs permanently as an early warning system
- Inspect any second-hand furniture before bringing it into the home
- Check luggage and clothing after travel, hotels and shared accommodation are common sources
- Reduce clutter that creates additional hiding spots near the bed
Mattress Replacement After Bed Bugs in Brantford
If the infestation was severe or the mattress is already old, replacing it and starting fresh with an encasement is a reasonable choice. At Mattress Miracle in Brantford, we can help you find the right replacement mattress and a proper protective encasement for the new purchase. Call Brad at (519) 770-0001 or visit us at 441½ West Street.
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441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario
Call 519-770-0001Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get rid of bed bugs myself without professional help?
For mild infestations (caught early, confined to the bed), a combination of hot washing all bedding, thorough vacuuming, and a bed bug-proof encasement can control the problem. However, complete elimination without professional heat treatment is difficult, and any eggs or hidden adults will restart the infestation. Professional treatment is strongly recommended for anything beyond a very early-stage infestation.
How long does it take to get rid of bed bugs in a mattress?
Professional heat treatment can eliminate a mattress infestation in a single treatment session. Chemical treatments typically require 2–3 applications over 4–6 weeks. DIY methods (vacuuming, diatomaceous earth) can take months and rarely achieve complete elimination. The encasement strategy takes 18–24 months to fully kill all trapped bugs through starvation.
Do I need to throw away my mattress if it has bed bugs?
Not necessarily. A successful professional heat treatment kills all bed bugs in the mattress. If replacing, seal the old mattress in plastic and mark it clearly as infested before disposal, do not leave it where others could pick it up.
What kills bed bugs instantly?
Direct heat above 49°C kills all life stages within seconds. Direct steam from a steam cleaner can also kill bugs on contact. However, "instantly" only applies to bugs the heat directly contacts, it doesn't address bugs hidden in inaccessible areas. Sustained whole-mattress heat (professional or portable heater) is required for complete kill.
Sources
- Kells, S.A., & Gould, J.C. (2012). Sublethal responses of bed bugs (Heteroptera: Cimicidae) to heat. Journal of Economic Entomology, 105(5), 1815–1820. doi.org/10.1603/EC12127
- 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
- Health Canada. (2020). Bed bugs: biology and management. Government of Canada. canada.ca
- Olson, J.F., Eaton, M., Kells, S.A., Morin, V., & Wang, C. (2013). Cold tolerance of bed bugs and practical recommendations for control. Journal of Economic Entomology, 106(6), 2433–2441. doi.org/10.1603/EC13032
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Mattress Miracle, 441½ West Street, Brantford, ON, (519) 770-0001
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Whether you need a replacement mattress after a bed bug situation or want to protect a new purchase with a proper encasement, we're here to help. Come in any day of the week.