When it comes to bed bugs, I’ve already recommended the best natural bed bug spray to kill them and investigated whether or not bed bugs can live in metal bed frames.
But what about prevention? Can an organic mattress cover prevent bed bugs in the first place?
In this article, I investigate if organic covers are better than non-organic covers at keeping those little critters away from you and your family.
I’ll also provide some valuable tips for keeping your sleep sanctuary free of bed bugs.
So if you’re looking for ways to go green while guarding against uninvited parasitic visitors in your home, read on.
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Mattress protectors are a barrier against bed bugs, dust mites, and other allergens. But do they really work?
Covering a bed bug-infested mattress with a thick mattress protector made from a dense material that bed bugs can’t penetrate can help kill them off.
While they’re never going to be able to wipe out bed bugs entirely, a good quality mattress protector can certainly help offer an extra barrier against them.
Make sure you don't confuse mattress covers with mattress toppers. While both have their place, toppers sit on top of your mattress and don't cover it entirely, so they would not be as effective.
Organic mattress protectors are made from natural materials and sustainable fabrics such as organic cotton and bamboo. These materials are generally denser than synthetic materials like polyester, making them more challenging for pests to penetrate.
Additionally, organic covers may be more resistant to dust mites since they don’t contain harsh chemicals that can irritate them.
These qualities make organic mattress protectors an excellent choice for those looking to control bed bugs while maintaining a healthy, eco-friendly home.
In addition to covering your mattress, here are a few tips to help prevent bed bug infestations:
If you’re looking for signs of a bed bug infestation, here are some things to look out for:
They’re small, nocturnal insects that feed on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals. The most common species is Cimex lectularius.
Seal items in plastic bags and keep them at 0°F or lower for up to five days. This will guarantee that all the pests are killed off.
Baby powder and 70% isopropyl solution can help eradicate bed bugs (and eggs) on contact. However, it may take several applications of either method to see results.
Bed bug mattress encasements are big zipper bags that fully encase your mattress and stop the bugs from escaping.
An organic bed bug mattress cover can help stop bed bugs from getting into your mattress, but it’s not a foolproof solution.
Even if it does manage to deter bed bugs from taking up residence in your mattress, there are still plenty of other places for them to thrive.
Full mattress encasement is needed to eliminate bed bugs from your mattress completely, and a cover leaves the base of your mattress exposed.
However, mattress protectors are still recommended as they have many other benefits, including:
To ensure that you and your family remain safe from these unwelcome visitors, it’s important to use other preventative measures like regular vacuuming and washing of the bedding in addition to keeping your bedroom clean and clutter-free.
See my roundup of the best non-toxic mattress protectors to find out which is best for you.
If you suspect that you may have an infestation, your best bet is to reach for the eco-friendly bed bug spray and get rid of them in a sustainable and non-toxic manner.
What measures do you take to keep the bed bugs away? Do you use bed bug mattress covers? Drop me a line and let me know.
