Bedbugs are pesky little creatures that can be very elusive and hard to find, due to the fact that they typically hide during the day and become active at night. Since a single female bedbug can lay 200-250 eggs during her lifetime, a small bedbug problem can quickly escalate into an infestation if it is not taken care of swiftly and properly. Common signs of an infestation include waking with unexplained itchy spots, small blood stains on your pillowcases and sheets, or bedbug fecal matter on your bedding. If you suspect bedbugs are making themselves at home in your bed, here are a few things you can do to get rid of bedbugs in your mattress.

1. Remove Bedding

It’s very hard to locate bedbugs when your mattress is covered. Carefully remove any clutter, blankets, and sheets in order to inspect your mattress up close. Bedbugs can easily be transferred from one location in your home to another, so you should place all items you remove from your bed into a large plastic bag that can be completely sealed.

2. Inspect Your Mattress

Carefully inspect any cracks or rips in your mattress top. Bedbugs love burrowing into mattresses, and they will often leave traces of their presence (dark excrement spots, egg shells, or shed skins) behind. If you do find evidence of bedbugs, consider installing an insecticide mattress liner or special encasement. Both are designed to kill bedbugs and prevent them from returning.

3. Take Your Bed Frame Apart

Bedbugs are very elusive, so if you want to locate all of their hiding spots, you should take your bed frame apart and inspect every inch of it carefully. You should also check the floor around and beneath your bed frame to see if you can locate any additional signs of bedbugs.

4. Inspect Your Box Springs

The fabric on the bottom of box springs can become an entry point for bedbugs if it becomes torn. Shine a light through the fabric to expose any tears or bedbugs. If you locate either, remove the entire piece of fabric from the box spring, place it in a plastic bag, and dispose of it immediately. Removing the fabric will make it easier to treat the box springs with insecticide.

5. Vacuum and Treat Infested Areas

Once you locate where the bedbugs are, thoroughly vacuum all infested areas. After vacuuming, put your vacuum cleaner in a plastic bag and place it outside. Apply an insecticide spray or dust to all affected areas on your bed and in your bedroom. Aerosols tend to get into small crevices and cracks easier than dusts, but dusts have the advantage of lasting longer.

If possible, it is best to hire a professional to rid your mattress and home of these pesky insects. At the very least, you might want to talk to a professional about the type of insecticide you can safely use to treat your home.

6. Buy a New Mattress

In many cases, bedbugs are drawn to older mattresses, and they may continue to come back. After you successfully get rid of bedbugs the first time, it may be best to purchase a new mattress to ensure that they don’t return.