The very spot where you spend about one-third of your life, your mattress, maybe playing host to squatters. According to the National Pest Management Association, almost 97% of pest professionals treated bed bugs within the previous year, and mattresses were the main hiding spot 93% of the time.
Aside from bed bugs, dust mites live by the millions within the average mattress, with research from Ohio State University indicating a standard used mattress can harbor between 100,000 to 10 million dust mites. These pests are not only disgusting to consider. They can lead to allergic reactions and skin irritations and impact your quality of sleep. The first step to creating a pest-free sleeping environment is understanding how these unwelcome guests gain access and make your mattress their home. The second is to consult a Salt Lake City pest control service to help you find a permanent solution.
Why Do Pests Hide Inside Mattresses?
Mattress Is An Ideal Living Condition For Pests
Mattresses are a perfect microclimate for many pests. With temps constantly ranging between 75-80°F and humidity levels of 70-80% (from human body heat and perspiration), Mattresses create what entomologists refer to as an “ideal harborage environment.” According to studies, these conditions can allow bed bugs to go a year without a meal.
Food Source Proximity
Bed bugs only eat blood, which they take in as a meal for 5-10 minutes every 5-10 days. Dust mites, on the other hand, consume an estimated 1.5 grams of dead skin cells that a human loses each day.
Mattresses Offer Protection from Predators
Your mattress provides pests refuge from natural predators and household cleaning routines. The dark, untouched nooks and crannies deep inside mattresses are safe from vacuuming, sprays, and other common household pest-removal methods.
Different Ways Pests Hide Inside Mattresses
Pests find multiple ways to hide inside mattresses. Here are some of the possible ways to look for:
Seam Infiltration
Mattress seams are an entry paradise for pests. According to data, more than 85% of bed bugs in a mattress begin infesting between the seams and piping. These little cracks (usually only 1-5mm wide) make IDR perfect entry and initial hiding spots. Bed bugs are especially attracted to corners and edges that are found where seams meet, as they provide added protection and stability.
Tufting Buttons and Folds
The decorative tufting buttons on mattresses make for natural depressions and folds that provide a breeding ground for pests. These pests trap skin cells, moisture, and organic debris—highways that provide microhabitats that enable pest colonies to thrive for many generations.
Internal Layer Penetration
Mattresses made today with multiple layers of foam, fiber and padding form labyrinthine networks in which pests find workarounds. Once they are inside, pests can move around among layers, setting up colonies in places unreachable by traditional cleaning methods. Researchers discovered that multi-layer mattresses can contain as much as 400% more dust mites compared to single-layer options.
How to Determine if Pests Are Hiding in Your Mattress
Discovering a pest infestation early can save you a great deal of discomfort and expense. Here is what to look out for:
- Unexplained marks on skin: Waking up covered in itchy welts, especially in linear or clustered patterns, is a common sign of bed bugs. Seventy percent of people react to bed bug bites, though reactions may take 2-14 days to develop.
- Suspicious stains: Tiny rust-colored or black spots on sheets or mattress surfaces are usually the feces of bed bugs. You might find new blood spots if you rolled over on a fed bug while you slept and crushed it.
- Unique smell: Large infestations often create a sweet, musty odor, the result of bed bug pheromones. The same scent has been described as overripe raspberries or coriander.
- Amplified allergy symptoms: Morning congestion, sneezing, or wheezing that gets better when you’re away from home may suggest dust mites in your mattress.