The thought of bed bugs invading your mattress is enough to make your skin crawl. These sneaky pests can slip through the tiniest of cracks and seam holes to make a home in your bedding. Once an infestation takes hold, getting rid of bed bugs requires intensive pest control efforts.
But you can help defend your mattress against bed bugs with a simple product – plastic mattress covers. Also called encasements, these covers form a protective barrier around your mattress to keep bugs out.
In this article, we’ll explore how effective plastic mattress covers are at stopping bed bugs. You’ll discover the different types of covers, how to choose the right one, proper usage and maintenance tips, and overall benefits for defending your mattress. After reading, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to fortify your bed against these uninvited guests.
How Mattress Covers Block Bed Bugs
Before examining the effectiveness of mattress covers, let’s look briefly at how they work. Plastic mattress encasements completely surround your mattress like a fitted sheet and zip closed. This creates an impenetrable barrier that seals out bed bugs.
Mattress covers for bed bugs utilize very fine zippers and stitching that eliminate any entry points. The stretchy fabric forms a tight fit to prevent gaps around the edges.
High quality covers make from tear-proof materials that the bugs can’t bite through. Bed bugs may try biting the surface but will be unable to penetrate through to take up residence inside.
Mattress covers trap any existing bed bugs inside and cause them to eventually die off since they can’t access a blood meal. No bugs can get in or out.
This enclosed fortress stops infestations from forming in your mattress, saving you from having to discard it. When used properly, mattress covers provide an effective first line of defense.
Types of Plastic Mattress Covers
If you’re convinced a bed bug mattress cover is worthwhile protection, the next step is choosing the right type. Here are the common varieties you’ll encounter:
Basic Plastic Cover
The most affordable option is a basic thin plastic cover made from vinyl, polyester or polyethylene. These covers have a loud, crinkly feel and make noise when you roll over.
They protect against bed bugs but lack ventilation and feel hot. These inexpensive covers work in a pinch but may degrade faster.
Advanced Fabric Cover
Higher quality covers blend fabric with plastic for improved performance. Polyurethane or vinyl is layered under soft, breathable fabrics like cotton, polyester or bamboo.
These covers maintain good ventilation and airflow while blocking bugs. Look for fabric covers with high denier fabric weight for durability and tear resistance. They have a quieter, more comfortable feel.
Zippered Cover
Zippered encasements have a full-length zipper for secure closure. The zipper is designed to eliminate any spacing bugs could penetrate. High-quality zippers won’t easily break.
These covers fully seal all six mattress sides. Make sure the zipper corresponds to your mattress size so it seals properly without gaps.
Fitted Cover
Fitted covers function like a fitted sheet with elastic edging that pulls taut across the mattress. The stretchy fabric eliminates spaces along the edges. No noisy zipper makes for a more discreet cover.
Ensure you get the right fit for your particular mattress thickness so the cover stays flush with no bunching. Fitted covers are trickier to inspect and remove.
Box Spring Cover
Box spring covers are also important since bed bugs can infest the box spring interior. Get a zippered box spring cover that fully encloses for maximum protection.
Make sure the cover is breathable and durable. Vinyl or plastic covers trap moisture and degrade box springs.
What to Look for in a Good Mattress Cover
With many mattress cover options, what features should you look for? Here are key criteria in choosing an effective cover:
- Tight seal – No openings whatsoever where bugs could slip through. Look for fully zippered and fitted elastic covers.
- Durable, tear-proof fabric – Dense, puncture-resistant materials like vinyl, polyurethane and woven polyester that bed bugs can’t bite through.
- Ventilation – Breathable fabrics that won’t trap heat and moisture. Avoid cheap plastic that crinkles and overheats.
- Noiseless materials – Covers that don’t make noise and crinkle when you move in bed.
- Easy to inspect and remove – Transparent materials or zipper access makes it easy to check under the cover. Can remove cover to wash and inspect mattress.
- Reasonably priced – Balance cost with quality and durability. Spend more on fabric covers with advanced fabrics and smart designs.
Buying covers with these specifications gives you the best chance of blocking bed bugs. Protect both your mattress and box spring for comprehensive protection.
Are Mattress Covers Effective Against Bed Bugs?
There’s no denying mattress encasements are an extremely useful bed bug tool. Used properly, high quality covers provide a strong barrier against bugs both entering and exiting your mattress. The bugs simply can’t get through the tough fabrics and tightly sealed zippers.
But some key caveats affect how well mattress covers perform:
- Covers alone can’t treat an existing infestation – need to combine with professional pest management. Any bugs already inside will be trapped.
- Improper cover installation leaves openings for bugs to exploit. Take care to install flush with mattress.
- Low quality covers have flaws in zippers and fabrics for bugs to penetrate. Need dense, tear-proof materials.
- Covers require vigilant maintenance to uphold their integrity. Check frequently for holes/tears and reseal.
- Not 100% infallible if tiny tears develop or zipper breaks. Higher quality means more reliability.
So while covers don’t provide absolute guaranteed prevention, they drastically slash your odds of getting bed bugs in your mattress when used right. Covers work best as proactive protection before infestations start.
In fact, studies have shown encasements reduce the risk of bed bugs living and breeding in mattresses by up to 96 percent. That’s a significant degree of protection!
Independent lab testing also demonstrates the toughness of fabric covers against bed bug biting and piercing with very high bite-proof ratings. As long as you visually inspect for any tears, your chances of bugs penetrating an intact cover are very low.
Tips for Proper Mattress Cover Installation & Use
To realize the maximum bed bug protection from your mattress cover, make sure to follow these guidelines:
- Carefully measure your mattress dimensions so the cover fits snug with no excess material. This avoids creases or folds bugs can slip under.
- Ensure zippers extend fully closed with no separated teeth. Engage zipper locks if available.
- Smooth out any wrinkles and reposition if sections bunch up to eliminate gaps.
- Visually inspect cover to ensure no small holes, tears, or cracked corners exist where bugs could enter.
- Wash and dry covers per manufacturer instructions if they become dirty. Check post-wash for damage.
- Periodically re-inspect covers for any wear and tear issues. Patch small holes with tape.
- Replace covers every 2-3 years or when damage/small holes appear. Covers lose resilience over time.
- Use mattress and box spring covers in tandem for comprehensive protection.
- Continue pest management treatment if bed bugs are already present. Covers contain infestation.
Follow this regimen of diligent inspection and proper installation, and you can trust your encasements to protect against bed bug invasion. Replace aging covers before they degrade and lose effectiveness.
Added Benefits of Mattress Covers
Beyond just defending against bed bugs, mattress covers offer these bonus advantages:
- Protects against other pests like dust mites and fleas
- Shields against moisture, stains, and allergens
- Allows you to salvage an infested mattress rather than replace
- Extends mattress lifespan by protecting from spills and wear
- Peace of mind knowing your mattress has an impermeable shield
Mattress protectors are a worthwhile investment for their pest protection and mattress preservation abilities. And being able to easily wipe down a mattress cover sure beats trying to clean a bare mattress!
Give Your Mattress a Strong Defense Against Bed Bugs
Nobody wants to deal with the hassle and expense of bed bugs invading their mattress. But plastic mattress covers provide an effective barrier that prevents bed bug infiltration into your bedding. When properly installed and maintained, quality covers reduce your risk by over 95%.
Choose dense fabric covers with secure zippers to create a bug-proof seal around your mattress. Take care to regularly inspect for any damage. Follow usage tips to optimize your cover’s protection. Investing in high-end mattress encasements gives you reliable and durable first line protection against bed bugs – and peace of mind.
Your plastic armor against bed bugs will ensure you can rest easy knowing your mattress is safely secured. Never let those blood-sucking pests turn your bed into their nest again!
