Early detection of an infestation is key.

Infestations can only be eradicated with structural fumigation, which is expensive, intrusive, and time-consuming.

Bed bugs are kept away by these 10 scents:

• Tea tree oil
• Lavender oil
• Blood orange oil
• Diatomaceous earth
• Powdered pepper
• Lemon
• Cinnamon
• Peppermint
• Neem oil
• Alcohol

If your mattress is infested with bed bugs, follow these 6 steps:

1. Rub alcohol on your mattress
2. Steam clean your bed: Helps to eliminate bed bugs, their eggs, and their larvae
3. Spread Diatomaceous Earth on your carpet to kill bedbugs
4. Vacuum the entire mattress, box spring, bed frame, headboard, floors, moldings, and room. Place the vacuum in a bag or air-tight bin for now until a treatment company arrives
5. Wash your bed sheets and other bedding in hot water at least once a week will eliminate bed bugs
6. Spray clothing with bed bug repellent. Wear long pants, socks, and a long shirt that will help you avoid bed bugs.

Note: Keep in mind that these methods can reduce and prevent bed bugs, but it's almost impossible to completely eliminate them. Your best bet is to buy a new high-quality mattress (like the Saatva Classic).

No. Wrap your mattress in a plastic bag and get rid of it as soon as possible.

There is no evidence that bed bugs spread disease.

However, they cause itching and sleep loss.

Itching can sometimes lead to excessive scratching, increasing the risk of secondary skin infections.

People react differently to bed bug bites. Several bites may cause an allergic reaction.

Generally, bed bugs bite people while they sleep.

Investing in a new mattress is a must. Consider the Saatva Classic. It's an incredibly well-built premium hybrid innerspring mattress.

Here are 6 temporary solutions until your new bed arrives:

• Clean the places where bedbugs live to get rid of them.
• Dry bedding, linens, curtains, and clothing on the highest setting in hot water.
• Using a stiff brush, scrub mattress seams to remove bedbugs.
• Frequently vacuum your bed and surrounding area.
• Protect mattresses and box springs by enclosing them with tightly woven, zippered covers.
• Remove peeling wallpaper and repair cracks in plaster to prevent bedbugs from hiding.

Here are 7 early signs of bed bugs:

• Odors: The bed bug emits "alarm" pheromones when it is bothered or threatened by something. When bed bugs smell weak and almost imperceptible, you might confuse them for something else.

• Bed Bug Bites: Itchy, red bumps appear at night. Most bites occur on the arms, hands, and legs. Bedbug bites or squashes leave blood on your bedding.

• Bloodstains: They may appear as small splotches or smears on bedsheets, clothing, or pillows. Blood clotting is prevented by an anticoagulant in bed bug saliva.

• Fecal Marks: Small brown spots are caused by bedbug poo. Clustered around harborage areas, but can also be found on clothing and sheets. Quite difficult to wash out.

• Eggs: Pearly white ovals about 1 mm long. Usually found near bed bug harborage areas. It takes bed bugs 7-10 days to hatch their eggs when they are pregnant.

• Shell casings: Young bed bugs have yellowish-brown, translucent exoskeletons. Often easier to find than bed bugs. Usually found in mattress seams, upholstered furniture, and holes, cracks, and crevices within wooden furniture.

• Live Bed Bugs: They are small, reddish-brown insects hiding in crevices and cracks. Often confused with spider beetles, carpet beetles, and other small insects. 4-5 mm for adults, 1-2 mm for nymphs.

Sneaky bed bugs hide in cracks, gaps, and even the edges of mattresses.

Unseen bed bugs can travel through luggage, furniture, and clothing.

Mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and headboards provide easy access to food sources for bed bugs.

4 main areas of common bed bug harborage:

• Bedding items: Pillows, bedsheets, mattress seams, headboards, frames, and box springs.
• Near the bed: Nightstands, dressers, rugs, and storage boxes.
• Furniture: Couches, cushions, bookcases, tables, desks, chairs, rugs, and pet beds.
• Wall coverings: Wallpaper, baseboards, window frames, curtains, pictures, posters, electrical outlets, and smoke alarms.

Note: Machine wash clothing after a long trip to eliminate the pests.

Buying a new high-quality mattress like the Saatva Classic is your best alternative

Great balance between cushioned firmness and contouring support. Meant to last 10-15 years with normal use.

Don't sacrifice your health and sleep to save money.

Mattresses with bed bugs should not be thrown away. Get rid of your mattress at your local waste disposal organization.