Do I Have to Throw Out My Bed Bug Infested Mattress?

To best get rid of bed bugs in your mattress, take the following steps:

1. Strip the bed of linens and wash thoroughly in hot water.
2. Keep the mattress and box spring where they are.Moving or removing them can spread the bed bugs.
3. Contact a bed bug exterminator to treat it with heat or another treatment.

Why You Shouldn’t Throw Away Your Mattress

If you have a bed bug problem, tossing your mattress or box spring will not solve the problem. When you have an infestation, bed bugs aren’t only hiding in your bed. They have likely spread to other spots in your property. If you get rid of your mattress or replace it for a new one, chances are your brand-new bed will get infested, too! It’s crucial to treat your entire home for bed bugs—including your bed—to prevent the infestation from spreading.

Do You Need to Throw Away Bedding or Other Furniture?

In general, you shouldn’t have to throw out any items in the midst of or after 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 and their eggs.

All other furniture should be receptive to treatment. Of course, if you already have old furniture in need of replacing, a bed bug infestation would be the perfect excuse. Only remove infested furniture after it has been treated.

Do Bed Bugs Infest All Furniture?

If you have bed bugs, they will hide in areas you may not think of. It makes sense that upholstered furniture would be receptive to bed bugs, but what about wooden pieces? Unfortunately, bed bugs are known to hide in cracks and crevices, even in your wood table or chair! Similarly to the mattress debacle, it’s recommended to not throw out your household items in the midst of an infestation.