Does Your New Mattress Have Bedbugs?

Most of us purchase a new mattress every 5, 7 or 10 years, depending on the quality of it. And, when we do, we never worry about things like bedbugs because, after all, it's new, right?

BUT, your new mattress can very easily be infected with bedbugs - and you might not even realize it before it's too late. How?

Before we discuss how a new mattress can get infected with bedbugs, let's examine exactly what a bedbug is. Many of us have a vague idea, but the specifics of exactly what they are can be hard to explain.

What are Bedbugs & Why Should I Know About Them?

According to Wikipedia, "bedbugs (or bed bugs) are small nocturnal insects of the family Cimicidae that live by hematophagy, that is by feeding on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded hosts. Bedbugs are generally active only at night, with a peak attack period about an hour before dawn, though given the opportunity, they may attempt to feed at other times of day."

Potential Harm Caused by Bedbugs to Humans: The most common medical threat to humans by bedbugs are skin infections and possible scarring from scratching the bites.

A more serious medical threat is contraction of the plague and/or Hepatitis B. While no known transmission has ever been known to occur, the bugs do carry the pathogens for these diseases.

How New Mattresses Get Infected With Bedbugs

According to Hal Coleman of North Fulton Exterminating in Marietta, GA, "Bedbugs are back - and they're more now than they were 50 years ago." Why? Why How Your Mattress is Transported Should Matter to You

Hal attributes part of the reason to how old mattresses are removed and new ones are transported. He explains:

"When a new mattress is delivered, the common practice is to pick up the old mattress and toss it in the back of the truck with the new ones. And, in some cases, this means bedbugs and all. The bedbugs scatter and infest the new mattresses in the back of the delivery truck. And, guess where they end up? On you!"