The
bed bug is an insect species you will want to avoid at all costs. The insect is a member of the “Cimicidae” family, which is characterized by its parasitic behavior. These parasites feed on blood from warm-blooded mammals, including the human. When you consider how parasites feed, it can be extremely disturbing for victims. The insect has three mouthparts that come together to form a feeding tube. Discretion is very important to bed bugs because it could be the difference between survival and eradication.
To remain discrete throughout the feeding, the bed bug injects saliva with numbing agents on top of the host’s skin. Within seconds, the insect penetrates the host’s skin with its feeding tube. Feeding takes anywhere between 5 and 15 minutes to complete, all of which is done while the host is unknowingly asleep.
Protecting Your Mattress From Bed Bug Infestation
Ask any host, they will all agree,
bed bugs are detrimental to your sanity. Where is the bed bug’s favorite hiding place? The host’s mattress, of course. Unlike the ant, stinkbug, ant, earwig, and cockroach, bed bugs do not infiltrate homes through entry points. Instead, the insect is unknowingly carried into the home by an occupant or visitor.
Bed bugs are notorious for violating their victim’s personal space. Travelers and tourists are at the highest risk of bed bug encounters that have the possibility of becoming a full-blown infestation. Former victims describe a bed bug infestation as a “nightmare.”
Since the mattress is the bed bug’s favorite refuge, protecting it to the best of your ability is a must. The most effective preventive tool that is guaranteed to keep your mattress safe from bed bugs is the mattress encasement.
What Is A Mattress Encasement?
A mattress encasement is just as its name entails. It fully encloses the mattress to keep bed bugs out. However, there is one decision that could impact the level of protection offered by the mattress encasement. This decision has to do with the fastener(s). Consumers must decide which fastener will offer the best seal.
Manufacturers utilize several fasteners to seal their mattress covers. The zipper, Velcro, ties, and elastic are utilized to keep the mattress cover in place. While this may be the case with the ties, elastic, and Velcro fasteners, the zipper offers a complete seal. Which design do you believe would offer the most protection against mattress bed bug infestation?
Shopping For A New Mattress Protector To Prevent Bed Bug Infestation
Mattress cover designs are limited to a full encasement and mattress topper. The mattress topper offers partial protection, covering the top half of the mattress only. The full encasement design offers 100 percent protection from bed bugs.
The full encasement engulfs the entire mattress. The fastener design will also determine the level of protection offered by the mattress cover. Experts suggest the full encasement with a zipper fastener. Ties and Velcro leave the mattress vulnerable to bed bugs. The tiny 7-millimeter insects can easily infiltrate mattress covers through the gaps between the Velcro and tie fasteners. The insects cannot infiltrate a zipper once it is completely closed.
How Do You Know If A Mattress Cover Is Sealed?
Simple, you assess the fasteners when they are closed. If you look carefully at the Velcro fasteners, you will see small slits between both ends of the mattress cover. The same thing can also be said about the tie fasteners, only the openings are more apparent.
Now, assess the zipper once it is fully closed. There are no gaps, slits, or vulnerabilities in the mattress cover. A full encasement-zippered mattress cover is the only design that is guaranteed to offer full protection.
Do Manufacturers Test Their Mattress Covers For Effectiveness?
Some manufacturers opt to put their mattress covers through extensive testing processes. To ensure fairness and accuracy, manufacturers hire third-party firms to oversee the testing procedures. Third-party mattress protector testing is necessary to determine effectiveness, durability, longevity, and vulnerabilities.
Mattress Covers – Are They A Health Risk To Humans And Animals?
Manufacturers are dedicated to keeping American consumers safe when utilizing their mattress covers. By handpicking the materials utilizing in the production process, manufacturers can protect the consumer from potential chemical exposure.
Utilizing toxic-free fabric and other materials ensures the safety of all consumers. It is crucial to know the materials utilized in the manufacturing of mattress covers. Your health and safety are at stake. Organic cotton, linen, polyester, and other materials are proven to be the safer option for mattress protector manufacturers and consumers.
Is The Mattress Cover Encasement Effective?
It depends on the designs. The mattress protector is available in basically two designs – a full encasement and topper. The topper is only half as effective as the full encasement design. When the mattress is fully encased inside the encasement, it creates a full barrier against the bed bugs. The topper, on the other hand, only covers the top half of the mattress. Unfortunately, the mattress topper is not a suitable option to fight against bed bug infestation.
The full encasement can also be utilized to trap any bed bugs, cutting off circulation, resulting in quick eradication. It can take anywhere between 15 minutes to several days to fully eradicate the bed bugs trapped inside the encasement.
Protecting Yourself From Becoming A Bed Bug Victim
There is no doubt, travelers are at the highest risk of undetected bed bug encounters. It is unfortunate when someone new becomes a victim of bed bugs. Current and former victims have reported severe anxiety, depression, and paranoia. Some victims have gone as far as to say they have suffered from insomnia due to a bed bug infestation. Why? Well, it mainly has to do with the process utilized by bed bugs to feed.
While you are asleep, the bed bug(s) discretely feeds on your blood. The insect injects its feeding tube into the epidermis or outside layer of skin to access blood. The process continues for up to 15 minutes. It is not unusual for the host to feel no discomfort throughout the feeding.
