How to Remove Bed Bugs From Mattresses

Getting rid of bed bugs is essential to a healthy and peaceful night's sleep. Bed bugs were a standard problem in homes prior to World War II. As hygiene and technology developed, bed bugs became less of a problem. Nevertheless, an infected mattress of bugs up to 3/16-inch long presents a habitat for the critters' pathogens and bacteria. Take precautions with old or used mattresses and give them a thorough cleaning before calling it a night.

Things You'll Need

• Latex gloves
• Vacuum
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Spray bottle bed bug treatment with alcohol

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Instructions

• 1

  Slide on a pair of Latex gloves to protect your skin. Remove all existing sheets and pillowcases from the bed.

• 2

  Wash all sheets and pillowcases. Dry the fabrics on the highest possible setting.

• 3

  Vacuum the entire mattress and all pillows. Employ the suction tube -- minus any bristle attachments -- to do the sucking over the top, bottom and all sides of the bed. Vacuum both sides and all edges of every pillow. Bed bugs can survive in the bristles of a vacuum.

• 4

  Coat the mattress and pillows with a store-bought spray bottle bed bug treatment with alcohol. Follow all prefabricated product directions. Purchase a bed bug treatment spray at your local home supply store.

• 5

  Iron all sheets and pillowcases. The heat from the dryer and iron will kill any existing bugs. Recover the bed with its respective sheets.