More and more residences are facing bed bug infestations, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that bed bugs have not been shown to transmit infectious diseases to humans, no one wants bugs in their bed. Removing bed bugs with pesticides raises concerns about toxicity and environmental impact. Bed bags are a simple and relatively inexpensive way to kill bed bugs.
Step 1
Measure the thickness of your mattress, from the part you sleep on to where it rests on the box spring. Measure the thickness of the box spring. Bed bug bags are sold by the thickness of the mattress as well as bed size, so you will have several options when purchasing a king-size bed bug bag.
Step 2
Strip all linens from your bed and wash them in hot water. Bed bugs usually stay in the mattress seams, but they can also infest the sheets. If you have blankets or a comforter or duvet, clean it according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
Step 3
Vacuum the mattress with a hose attachment. Pay special attention to seams and corners. Pull the mattress off the bed so you can vacuum the underside and all edges.
Step 4
Vacuum the box springs. King-size mattresses usually rest on a pair of twin-size box springs. Remove the box springs from the bed and vacuum the undersides, especially the edges that were together. Clean the frame with a sponge using very hot water and either bleach or your favorite cleanser.
Step 5
Place the box springs in bed bug bags and zip the bags closed. Seal both zippers with duct tape so that no bed bugs can escape at the tops or bottoms of the zippers. Place the bagged box springs back on the clean frame.
Step 6
Zip the mattress into its zipper bag. Vinyl bags are less expensive, but if they tear, they will not kill the bedbugs. Many cloth bed bug bags are treated with mild pesticides to help kill the bedbugs. They are also more comfortable to sleep on. Duct tape the entire length of the zipper and a few inches beyond it at each end. Place the bagged mattress back on top of the box springs.
Step 7
Discard your pillows or encase them in bed bug pillow bags. Tape the zippers with duct tape to keep bed bugs from getting in or out.
Step 8
Leave the bags on your mattress, box springs and pillows for six months to a year to ensure that all bed bugs have died.
Tips and Warnings
- Bag up and label any infested mattress and box springs you decide to discard to avoid spreading bed bugs throughout your neighborhood and to discourage anyone from taking them.
- Do not use pesticides on mattresses, especially where young children sleep. Never take home a mattress discarded by someone else.
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Vacuum cleaner with hose attachment
- Bleach or other cleanser
- Hot water
- Sponge
- Fabric bed bug bags
- Pillow bags
- Duct tape
