Bed bug mattress encasements: do they work, and which kind to get
In short
A bed bug encasement is a zipped cover that seals the whole mattress or divan base. Any bugs inside cannot get out to feed and eventually die, and new ones cannot hide in the seams. It does not clear an infestation on its own, but alongside professional treatment it protects the bed and makes checking easy. Keep it on for at least a year.
Contents
When bed bugs are found, many people’s first instinct is to throw the mattress out. In most cases an encasement is the better answer: cheaper, less disruptive, and it avoids carrying an infested mattress through the house or down a tenement stair.
What an encasement is
A bed bug encasement is a fitted cover that wraps the whole mattress, or the whole divan base, and closes with a zip. It differs from an ordinary mattress protector in three ways:
- it covers all six sides, not just the top;
- the zip is fine-toothed and closes into a flap or lock so a bug cannot squeeze through the end;
- the fabric is tightly woven, so bugs cannot bite through it or lay eggs into it.
How it helps
It traps what is inside
Bed bugs and eggs already in the mattress are sealed in. Unable to reach a person to feed, they die over time. Adults can survive many months without a meal at cool temperatures, which is why the cover stays on for a long time.
It removes hiding places
The seams, piping, labels and buttons of a mattress are favourite hiding places. A smooth encasement has none. Any bug that does arrive sits on a plain, pale surface where it is easy to see.
It makes checking simple
After treatment, a quick look along the encasement seams each week tells you whether anything is still active.
What it does not do
An encasement does not clear an infestation. Bed bugs live in bed frames, headboards, skirting, sofas and wall gaps as well as mattresses. Treatment of the room is still needed, whether a spray course or heat. The NHS advice is that bed bugs are hard to get rid of yourself and a professional is usually needed.
Choosing one
- Look for a cover sold for bed bugs, not just for allergies or spills. It should mention bed bug proof zips and fabric.
- Get the right depth. Measure the mattress, including any pillow top. A loose cover is fine; a tight one can split at the zip.
- Encase the base too if it is a divan. Divan bases have fabric, staples and drawers that bugs love.
- Pick a light colour. It shows droppings and bugs clearly.
Expect to pay about £20 to £50 for each encasement. Many specialists can supply them and fit them at the treatment visit.
Fitting and keeping it on
Fit the encasement after the room has been treated, or as the specialist directs. Zip it fully closed and check the end of the zip is tucked into its stop. Check it regularly for tears, and repair or replace a damaged one straight away.
Keep it on for at least a year, and many people simply leave it on for good. Taking it off early can release bugs that were sealed in.
Should you replace the mattress instead?
Replacing a mattress makes sense when it is badly stained, torn or old anyway. Even then, wrap the old one fully in plastic before it leaves the room, and do not put the new one in until the room has been treated. A new mattress in an untreated room is soon infested.
For bed bug treatment in Edinburgh, the cost estimator can add encasements to a spray course or heat treatment so you see the whole figure.