How do you Get Rid of Bed Bugs In Air Mattresses?

Waking up to bed bug bites can be a scary experience for anyone. These little insects are hard to discover to the point where many of us never suspect their presence in our environments until their itchy and often painful bites pop up on our skins.

Quick answer: Bed bugs can live on an air mattress - they crawl onto the surface, hide in the seams, folds, and around the inflation valve, and bite sleepers just like they would on a regular bed. But they generally can't live inside an intact vinyl air mattress, since there's no foam or sewn upholstery layer for them to burrow into. Any puncture, tear, or damaged seam changes that, so check your mattress for damage and treat it the same as a regular bed if you suspect an infestation.

Can bed bugs live on air mattress?

Mattresses can be a favorite hiding place for bed bugs as it offers lots of spots to hide as well as easy access to food (in the form of human blood). A common piece of advice in insect forums and other authoritative online sources for bed bug-prone area residents is to choose air mattresses.

There’s a common belief that inflatable mattresses repel bed bugs and keep sleepers safe even in bedrooms with high populations of these little pesky insects.

But bed bugs can crawl up air mattresses without any problems. The absence of foam and sewn seams means the bugs cannot get into the insides and are forced to stay on the surface of these inflatable mattresses.

How to Keep Bed Bugs off Your Air Mattress

Discovering bed bugs at home can be devastating but it is important to know that all is not lost. Even the largest infestations can be contained as long as you follow the right steps. Often, the choice comes down to either hiring a professional exterminator or doing it yourself. The good news is that many people have successfully eliminated bed bugs by following the protocols below:

1. Wash All Bedding

If you’re waking up to bed bug bites then chances are the bedsheets, pillowcases, and other bedding have been infested by these pests. Stripping the air mattress of all types of bedding and putting them in the washing machine can be a great start.

Pajamas, bedtime socks, curtains, and every clothing item should also be washed to eliminate any bugs that may be present. Make sure they’re removed, placed in a plastic bag, and sealed immediately to prevent the bugs from escaping to another part of the bedroom.

Also, choose the high heat setting during the washing and drying of the bedding and clothes to guarantee that the bugs can be eliminated once and for all.

2. Bathe and Sanitize The Pets

Do you have dogs, cats, and other pets at home? If yes, they need to be given a thorough bath as well. This is because bed bugs love feeding on the blood of these pets just as much as humans. Immediately after noticing signs of these bugs on an air mattress or regular bed, know that the probability that the bugs have infested your pets’ bodies can be high. You can confirm this by looking for signs of tiny red bumps on the limbs or belly of the pet canines and felines.

Also, conduct a thorough inspection of the pet’s body for live bugs, paying particular attention to the ears, the underbelly, and other areas where they can hide sneakily. A warm water bath can be essential especially when mixed with Dettol or another disinfectant.

3. Vacuum The Bugs

Bed bugs are unable to survive high heat temperatures and this is why experts recommend vacuuming your air mattress or foam mattress regularly. The process may not only kill the bugs but their eggs as well.

Any HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner should be able to get the job done as long as you pay attention to the creases in the mattress and the floorboard area which can be a popular hotspot for these bugs.

Make sure the mattress is turned upside down several times during vacuuming to ensure all 6 sides receive enough attention.

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe NV360 from Amazon is the number-one-rated HEPA certified vacuum cleaner on the market today. It keeps my mattress devoid of bed bugs, bacteria, and allergens that can increase the risk of diseases and infections. It also offers amazing cleaning solutions for** floors**, carpets, and other parts of the home. I highly recommend it to everyone.

4. Steam The Floor and Carpets

A durable heavy-duty steamer can offer a chemical-free way to get rid of bed bugs at home. The good news is that these steamers typically kill the bugs and their eggs immediately upon contact without exposing consumers to potentially harmful chemicals.

Bed bugs love to hide in carpets and floors so the steamer can act as a good killing agent to eradicate their numbers rapidly. These electronic gadgets can also help you maintain a clean and harmless floor or carpet so the investment can be worthwhile.

Additionally, make sure to deeply steam the mattress as well as the headboard, floorboard, boxspring, and other areas bed bugs may seek refuge.

The BISSELL PowerFresh Steam Mop from Amazon is the secret to clean and well-sanitized hardwood floors in my home with the power of steam. The built-in easy scrubber allows the ability to power through sticky messes without problems. It is easy to set up and ready for use in 30 seconds.

5. Encase With A Mattress Cover

A mattress cover offers protection from bedbugs by serving as an insulation layer around a mattress. They come in the form of plastic liners that are impenetrable and sometimes waterproof.

Experts recommend getting a cover immediately after buying a new mattress as a preventative measure against the insects. Even if you’ve suffered a bed bug infestation already, it is not too late. Installing an encasement after cleaning and steaming the mattress can prevent a future invasion from these annoying insects.

The Utopia Bedding Zippered Mattress Encasement from Amazon keeps out bed bugs permanently. It is highly recommended for a brand new mattress purchase or for anyone who lives in a bedbug-prone home or frequently stays in motels and hotels.

6. Spray A Bed Bug Killer

Bed bug killers can be another effective option to get rid of the insects. They typically come in the form of sprays or dusting agents. Most people use either but experts believing a combination of both can eliminate the pests much quicker because the dust lasts longer while the sprays allow easy access to all cracks and crevices.

A few popular options on the market include:

Bedlam Plus Aerosols
Spectre 2 SC
Crossfire Insecticide
Crossfire Aerosols
Cimexa Dust
Ster-Fab Bed Bug Spray
Temprid FX Insecticide
D-Fense NXT
Cirkil Organic Treatment Products

7. Vigilance

Once you suffer a bed bug infestation, the probability of experiencing another may be greater. This is why being extra vigilant can be such a smart choice. Look out for signs of bed bug feces or eggs in your mattress, clothing, curtains, or bed frames.

Immediately you suspect the presence of these insects, institute a thorough eradication protocol including vacuuming and steaming all surfaces as well as washing all clothes and getting rid of bedroom clutter.

Also, be extra vigilant whenever you stay in a hotel while looking out for signs of bed bugs during the use of public transport.

Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?

📺 Watch: The Truth About Bed Bugs: It's Worse Than You Thought Bed bugs feed on blood meaning they can be found wherever humans and animals spend time together. These bugs may lay hundreds of eggs within a short period. Once a few get into your home, they can multiply quickly to put the whole place under siege.

Here are the most popular sources of bed bugs:

Public Transport: Do you commute to work and or school on the bus or the train every day? Being on the lookout for these bugs may prevent a lot of potential problems. Remember, bed bugs can be extremely sneaky by hiding behind corners, cracks, and crevices so be extra vigilant when looking for them.

Hotel Rooms: Unfortunately, hotel rooms all over the world are saddled with bed bug problems. Whether you’re traveling locally or internationally, extra care has to be taken not to transfer the insects to your home. Cheap motels, in particular, can be guilty of these serious insect problems. Stripping off a hotel bed of bedding and turning the mattress upside down may sound like a lot of work. Especially after a long hard day. But this could be the key to discovering bed bugs and asking for a room change.

Libraries: Love going to the library to read and catch up on schoolwork? Staying alert to avoid picking up bed bugs can be rewarding for everyone. Examine any seat thoroughly for signs of blood spots and turn the seat upside down if possible to look for evidence of bed bugs.

Second-Hand Furniture: Shopping for a second-hand mattress, sofa, or box springs? It could be a major source of bed bugs if care is not taken. Getting a professional exterminator to examine it thoroughly for signs of these bugs can be rewarding. If you’re cash-strapped, undertaking a detailed physical examination yourself may also yield the necessary results.

Can Bed Bugs Make You Sick?

The answer is no. Bed bugs cannot physically make you sick but a bite from these insects can lead to allergic reactions like rashes and other skin indentations. The fear of bed bugs can also cause severe anxiety resulting in insomnia and its related side effects.

The situation can be so bad that many people are forced to take sleeping aids before catching some sleep.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can bed bugs live on an air mattress?

Yes. Bed bugs will happily crawl onto an air mattress, hide in the folds, seams, and around the valve, and bite anyone sleeping on it. The vinyl surface doesn't repel them, it just gives them fewer places to hide compared to upholstered furniture.

Can an air mattress get bed bugs inside it?

Generally no, as long as the vinyl is intact. Air mattresses lack the sewn seams and foam layers that let bed bugs burrow deep into a regular mattress, so the bugs are mostly confined to the outer surface. A puncture, tear, or worn seam can create a gap they're able to exploit.

Do bed bugs like inflatable mattresses?

Bed bugs don't prefer air mattresses over regular ones, but they'll infest whatever is available since they only need to be near a sleeping human. An inflatable mattress just makes it slightly easier to spot them because there's less surface area for them to disappear into.

Can bed bugs live on plastic or vinyl surfaces?

Yes, bed bugs can rest and hide on plastic and vinyl, including air mattress material, for short periods, but these surfaces don't offer the cracks and soft fibers they prefer for laying eggs. They'll still cross plastic or vinyl to reach a host, so it isn't a barrier on its own.

How do I know if my air mattress has bed bugs?

Check the seams, folds, and around the valve for tiny reddish-brown bugs, dark spotting (bed bug droppings), or small blood smears on the surface. Because there's nowhere deep to hide, an air mattress is usually easier to inspect than a foam or spring mattress.

Should I throw away an air mattress with bed bugs?

Not necessarily. Since bed bugs can't get inside an undamaged air mattress, a thorough vacuum, wipe-down, and encasement is usually enough to deal with an infestation. Only replace it if the vinyl is torn or punctured, since that gives bugs a place to hide that you can't clean.

Conclusion

Bed bugs can get in an air mattress and crawl around its surface. However, unlike memory foam, latex, and coiled springs, these troublesome insects cannot get into the internal layers of the mattress.

This is thanks to the design of air mattresses which involve no sewn seams and layers of foam like those featuring polyurethane foams. This means bed bugs can be easier to spot on inflatables more than regular mattresses.

Gabriel SmithFounder & Editor

Founder of Sleeperholic and a lifelong sleep obsessive. My real interest is the theory of good sleep — what to do before bedtime, what a genuinely restful night looks like, and how to sleep well every night. I hope you enjoy reading everything about sleep as much as I enjoy writing it.