Menu
MattressFirm Logo
Bed Basics
Bed Basics

Debugging Common Bed Bugs Myths

Aug27_Blog_640x400

At Mattress Firm, we know a thing or two about sweet dreams, but our friends at Orkin Pest Control are the experts on real-life nightmares – bed bugs. Mattress Firm teamed up with entomologists from Orkin to bring you a three-part series on bed bugs. The following post is brought to you by Entomologist and Technical Director of Orkin's Midwest Region, John Kane.

While it may feel like ignorance is bliss when it comes to these creepy crawleys, the best way to protect yourself is education. Learn more about these pests, where you can find them and how to prevent them.

There are a lot of things that can keep you up at night – including bed bugs. These apple-seed sized insects spread quickly, hide in hard-to-spot locations and are difficult to eradicate. They've been on the rise over the last two decades, largely thanks to overpopulated urban areas, increased travel and resistance to numerous pesticides.

What's spreading even more rapidly than bed bugs, however, is misinformation about these pests. Together with our friends at Mattress Firm, we want to debug the three biggest myths about bed bugs.

Myth 1: Bed bugs can't be seen.


While small, bed bugs can be spotted – although they're often misidentified. In fact, in a line-up of pests, only 28% of leisure travelers could correctly identify which insect was the bed bug.

Next time you're on the lookout, know that these pests have small, flat, oval-shaped bodies and measure between 4 to 5 mm when full grown. More distinctive than their shape, though, is their tell-tale evidence. Bed bugs may leave clusters of dark brown excrement and pale yellow skins that nymphs (the name for adolescent bed bugs) shed as they grow. While bites can also be a sign of bed bugs, don't jump to any conclusions; bites may also signal an unrelated allergic reaction or the presence of another insect.

Myth 2: Bed bugs only live in mattresses.


Don't believe the name. These pests like all crevices, not just those on your mattress. They can live in the crevices of chairs, nightstands, picture frames, sofas, airplanes and movie theatres. Bed bugs tend to live within five feet of their host and can be found anywhere humans – or any species with blood – spend significant time.

If you're looking for bed bugs, it's always a good idea to start with the mattress. After all, this is where humans spend about one third of their time. During your inspection, be sure to search the box spring, bed frame and headboard. It's also helpful to check nightstands and picture frames.

Myth 3: Bed bugs prefer to live in dirty places.


Bed bugs don't discriminate; they enjoy five-star hotels just as much as they do studio apartments or seedy motel rooms. Any location is vulnerable to bed bugs, so long as there is food (blood from a sleeping or still person) and shelter (tights crevices) nearby. And, because bed bugs can travel by hitching a ride on clothing or suitcases, they can easily move from one destination to the next.

Although bed bugs do not discriminate based on cleanliness, there are a few preventative steps you can take. Bed bugs begin to die when exposed to 113 degrees Fahrenheit or above (the hotter, the faster they die), so wash and dry all clothes on high after traveling. Moreover, use a protective cover to encase your Mattress Firm mattress and boxspring, just in case a pest decides to travel back home with you. Frequent vacuuming, including on and around secondhand furniture, is also recommended.

Mattress Firm and Orkin want you to learn more about these blood-sucking pests and start laying your bed bug misconceptions to rest.

Stay tuned for Part Two of our three-part series.

 


John Kane is a high-level problem solver with more than 12 years of experience in the pest control industry. He has a Master’s Degree in Entomology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he also worked on several research studies, taught graduate-level courses, and co-wrote the 10th edition of an integrative biology textbook. John is an expert in sensitive environments like hospitals, food facilities, and museums, as his love of biology drives him to find precise solutions to tough situations.

You Might Also Like

A picture of a vacuum cleaning a mattress.
Bed Basics
How to Remove Dust Mites from Your BedThere’s nothing like flopping onto your comfy mattress at the end of a long day and settling in for a good night’s sleep. Our bedrooms are our sanctuaries for resting and recharging. So, our bedrooms, where we spend at least one-third of our time asleep, should be clean, restful spaces.
tips for buying a college mattress for your college dorm room - girl sitting on bed in dorm room
Bed Basics
6 Essential Tips for Mattress Shopping with Your College StudentWith some college students preparing to head back to campus, one of the first items on your shopping list might be a new mattress. It might not seem like as big of a deal as other school supplies, but research shows that an investment in rest might be vital to success in the classroom.
spring clean your bedroom and mattress
Bed Basics
Spring Clean into Better SleepSpring is in the air. And that means spring cleaning is probably on your mind. Is it fun? Not especially. But a cleaner home can boost your mind and health, and we have some simple ways to keep your home so fresh and so clean. We always recommend starting with the place where you spend the bulk of your time: your bedroom. Follow these five tips for how to spring clean your way to better sleep.
Uncovering the truth behind mattress myths.jpg
Bed Basics
Uncovering The Truth Behind Mattress MythsWe've come a long way from the days of wooden pallets or cement benches, but as the technology behind mattresses continues to improve, myths increase. Sunni Goodman, Mattress Firm’s Director of Communications, puts the most common misnomers to bed.
A cartoon illustration of a hand holding a spray bottle. A vacuum, baking soda and laundry detergent sitting next to a urine stained mattress.
Bed Basics
How to Clean a Mattress: Urine Stains From an accident caused by your little one to the family pet draining themselves on that brand new duvet, figuring out how to clean urine from a mattress as well as how to get the urine smell out of a mattress can be quite the hassle. Find the best way to clean a mattress.
Blog_640x400_June1.jpg
Bed Basics
Mattress Firm's Glossary of Common Mattress TermsIt's time to buy a new bed. It can be exciting to find the perfect bed to help you sleep better and get to sleep faster, but also it can feel overwhelming researching and learning all the terminology in choosing a mattress. Coils, foam, border wires, platform beds...so many things to know! We're here to help. Our experts put together this helpful, easy reference glossary of commonly used words in the mattress world to help you along the way. Whether you need to learn about what to look for when buying a mattress or making the most of fitting a bunk bed in a small living space, this go-to guide will help you better understand the lingo before even stepping into our stores.
June27_Blog_640x400
Bed Basics
Big Kid Bed: When Should Your Child Make the Switch?So, your little one is starting to grow up before your eyes; and you're wondering when is the best time to transition from crib to toddler bed.
Blog_640x400_June3.jpg
Bed Basics
Everything You Need to Know About PillowsNext time you enter your bedroom, take a good look at your bed. See those pillows there? They make up 25 percent of your sleeping surface. Having proper pillows is an easy way to sleep better. "Your pillow is a significant part of getting your much-needed rest," said Elijah Gomez-Spiers, accessories buyer for Mattress Firm. "The wrong pillow can cause aches or make existing pains even worse."
A couple putting blue supima cotton sheets on a Sleepy's by Sealy mattress in their bedroom.
Bed Basics
How to Clean a Mattress (And Why You Should)You may know to wash your sheets, but did you know you should clean your mattress, too? We got the experts to give us guidance and tips for a clean mattress.