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Worried there are bed bugs in your mattress?

But bed bugs are both tiny and incredibly skilled at hiding.

A woman�s hand holding a magnifying glass magnifying bed bugs on a mattress

3 household objects to get rid of bed bugs

1.

This method can be used to help contain a bed bug outbreak before it gets started.

you could findrefrigerator thermometers on Amazonto double check the temperature.

A freezer shelf filled with contained foods and a smiley face drawn on one container

And as a bonus, you’ll be busting dust at the same time.

Vacuum around the bed as well, including the bed base and the underside of the mattress.

Once you’ve finished, dispose of the contents of the vacuum in an outside trash can.

A hand holds a vacuum mattress cleaner on the surface of a mattress, vacuuming for bed bugs, dust mites, dirt and allergens

The washing machine

Why it works:Heat is another effective way to eliminate bed bugs.

The most convenient source of heat (that won’t destroy your sheets) is the washing machine.

Once washed, it’s time for another utility of heat.

A hand holding a mattress pad that’s being placed in the washing machine

A new, musty odor to your mattress is another sign.

Dead bugs feed on blood and this diet can result in a lingering smell similar to iron.

And if you’ve started waking up with itchy bites, bed bugs might be the cause.

A person wearing rubber gloves uses a spray bottle and a clean cloth to clean the surface of the Emma Elite mattress.

Tocheck for bed bugs in your mattress, use a torch light to inspect the corners and seams.

While you might not spot any live bugs, they do shed their skin as they grow.

These translucent casings are a dead giveaway that your mattress has bed bugs.

Bed bugs

A bed bug infestation can be a health risk, so it’s better to be cautious.

One of the best ways to prevent a bed bug outbreak is with amattress encasement.

For thorough and efficient bed bug removal, a professional mattress cleaning service is the best option.

Bed linens crumpled on a white mattress

Bed bugs or fleas on a mattress through a magnifying glass

A split image featuring the Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress on the left and the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid on the right, leading into the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid vs Nectar Classic showdown

The image shows a woman sitting up in bed and clutching her shoulder in pain

The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress on a bed frame in a bedroom, a man and his young sun sitting on top of it, smiling. A Tom�s Guide price drop deals graphic (right)

A couple using the Scandinavian Sleep Method

The Saatva Murphy Bed Mattress on a Murphy bed frame lying flat, in a bedroom

MacBook Pro 2021 (16-inch) on a patio table

Apple iPhone 16 held in the hand.

Ninja Air Fryer

Christopher Meloni as Det. Elliot Stabler in "Law & Order: Organized Crime" season 5