Can Bed Bugs Live in a Latex Mattress?

July 29, 2019

You may have heard the saying “Don’t let the bed bugs bite,” and thought bed bugs were just some made up thing. Or, at the very least, something no one needs to worry about today. Unfortunately, bed bugs are a huge concern today, so much so that an Oklahoma courthouse was forced to shut down for the day when an attorney arrived with bed bugs crawling on his clothing.

What are Bed Bugs?

Medical News Today describes bed bugs as "small, wingless insects that feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals.” The two main species of bedbugs that prefer humans as meals can be found in ancient Egyptian tombs dating back 3,500 years.

They prefer to nest in sofas, mattresses, upholstered furniture, and clothing. Because they hide very well within the home, and are most active during the dark hours of the night, it may be necessary to bring in professional pest control services to remove a bed bug infestation completely.

Where do Bed Bugs Come From?

Bed bugs get their name from their tendencies to feed on people who are sleeping in their beds. However, they can be found practically anywhere people gather, according to Pest World. This includes:

• Hotels
• Schools
• Private homes and apartments
• Retail stores
• Public restrooms

And, as the news report above mentions, courtrooms, too.

One tell-tale sign your home may be infested with bedbugs is the presence of bed bug skins. They are experts at hiding, and travel well by hiding in clothing, in backpacks, in suitcases, and in shoes. Within the home, and one reason they are notoriously difficult to get rid of, is they can hide within electrical switch plates, mattresses, furniture, baseboards, cracks, crevices, and more.

How Can You Tell if You Have a Bed Bug Problem?

One of the first signs of a bed bug problem you may notice is the presence of red itchy welts on your skin from the bites. While they do not transmit diseases you need to be concerned about, no one wants to be a snack for these parasitic creatures. Other signs to look for that may indicate the presence of bed bugs in your home include:

• Bed bug skins. Often found along the seams of your mattress, or perhaps under your bed.
• Brown or red spots on your bedding. This could be fecal matter (brown) or droplets of blood.
• The presence of eggs. The eggs look like pale poppy seeds, only smaller.
• The slight scent of coriander. This is only likely in large infestations, but can be a sign of a problem.

Incidentally, bed bugs aren’t overly concerned about how clean or dirty your home is. This means you can have a bed bug problem no matter how much care you take in keeping your house clean and tidy.

Preventing Bed Bug Infestations

Prevention is the best cure, and these clever steps can help you prevent bed bugs from becoming a problem in your home.

• Vacuum suitcases when returning home from vacation.
• Wrap your suitcases in plastic garbage bags during your hotel stay to prevent them from riding home with you.
• Avoid purchasing second-hand furniture. Especially sofas, mattresses, and other upholstered furniture.

If you suspect bed bugs in your home, work with a qualified pest control professional to remove them quickly.

Can Bed Bugs Live in Latex Mattresses?

Natural latex foam is a denser material than most traditional mattresses are made of. That means that latex mattresses can be a deterrent for bed bugs who love to burrow. However, the space between your mattress and box spring may prove hospitable to bed bugs. The bottom line is that there are no completely bed bug foolproof mattresses, even though natural latex offers some degree of deterrence for these pesky insects compared to traditional innerspring mattresses.

There are things you can do, however, that will make your mattresses even less hospitable for bed bugs, such as using investing in high-quality covers for your mattress and box springs specifically designed to prevent bed bugs. You can also choose mattresses that feature inverted seams to offer fewer folds and places for them to lurk and burrow.

The Eco Terra Solution

While the Eco Terra Latex Mattress isn’t 100 percent bed bug proof, it can be instrumental in helping you get a great night’s sleep. More importantly, natural latex is a natural deterrent for many common pests as well as various microbes.

Once you consider the other benefits you get from sleeping on a natural latex mattress as explained in our latex mattress buyer's guide, you’ll see what you’ve been missing all these years using traditional innerspring mattresses. Our hybrid latex mattress offers the perfect blends of comfort and support, thanks to the super-soft Talalay latex layer on top of fabric encased coils for supreme support.

Don’t let beg bugs take a bite out of your sleep tonight. Order your Eco Terra mattress, and follow the tips above for preventing an infestation in your home today.

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