How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs in a Mattress

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs in a Mattress

Discovering bed bugs in your mattress is one of the worst surprises a sleeper can face. The good news: with the right approach, you can treat a bed bug problem in your own home — and prevent it from coming back. This guide walks through how to identify bed bugs, the step-by-step process to treat your mattress and bedroom, when it's time to call in professional pest control, and how mattress encasement protectors play a key role in both treatment and long-term prevention.

To get rid of bed bugs in a mattress: (1) strip the bed and hot-wash all bedding above 60°C, (2) vacuum the mattress thoroughly with a HEPA-filter vacuum, (3) steam-treat the mattress at temperatures above 60°C, (4) encase the mattress in a fully-sealed protector to trap any surviving bugs, (5) treat the bedroom and surrounding furniture. For severe or widespread infestations, contact a licensed pest controller via the AEPMA. Our Koala Great Barrier Mattress Protector is a six-sided fully-encased protector that helps keep bed bugs (and dust mites and allergens) out of your mattress.

Key Takeaways

  • Bed bugs are reddish-brown, apple-seed-sized insects that hide in mattress seams, bed frames, and bedroom furniture

  • Heat is your most effective DIY weapon: temperatures above 60°C kill bed bugs and their eggs

  • Vacuuming, hot-washing bedding, and steam-treating the mattress are the core DIY steps

  • For severe or repeat infestations, contact a licensed pest controller through the AEPMA (Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association)

  • A fully-encased mattress protector — like our Koala Great Barrier Mattress Protector — is essential to both treatment and long-term prevention

  • For bites or severe skin reactions, see your GP — most bed bug bites are itchy but not medically dangerous

How to identify bed bugs in your mattress

Before you can treat bed bugs, you need to confirm you have them. The signs:

Live bugs. Adult bed bugs are 4–5 mm long, reddish-brown, flat, and apple-seed-shaped. Nymphs (young bugs) are smaller and paler. They hide in mattress seams, piping, button tufts, and the underside of the mattress edge.

Small reddish-brown stains on sheets or mattress fabric. These are crushed bugs or their droppings — typically the size of a pinhead or smaller, sometimes smeared.

Tiny pale-yellow shed skins in seams and corners — bed bugs moult as they grow.

Bite patterns. Bed bug bites often appear in clusters or short lines on exposed skin (arms, legs, neck). Not everyone reacts visibly, and reactions vary widely.

A sweet, musty smell in severe infestations — a sign the population has grown significantly.

Per NSW Health, bed bugs don't transmit disease, but they can cause significant discomfort and sleep disruption. If you're unsure whether what you've found is a bed bug, take a photo and consult a licensed pest controller for identification — many AEPMA-registered pest managers offer inspections.

What you'll need to treat a bed bug infestation

Practical AU kit to handle a bed bug problem at home:

  • HEPA-filter vacuum cleaner — essential; a regular vacuum can release bugs back into the air through the exhaust

  • Steam cleaner — capable of producing temperatures above 60°C (most domestic steamers exceed 100°C at the nozzle)

  • Hot wash and dryer — your washing machine on its hottest cycle plus a hot tumble dryer

  • Sealed plastic bags — heavy-duty, for isolating contaminated items

  • Gloves and a face mask — for safe handling

  • A fully-encased mattress protector — like our Koala Great Barrier Mattress Protector, which encases the entire mattress in a zippered six-sided cover

  • Contact details for a licensed pest controller — if the infestation is severe or recurring, find one via AEPMA's Pest Manager Search

Step 1: Strip the bed and isolate everything

The first move is to contain the problem and prepare the bedroom for treatment:

  1. Strip all bedding — sheets, doona, pillow cases, mattress topper, pillows — and place directly into sealed plastic bags so bugs can't escape during transport

  2. Hot-wash everything on the highest cycle your fabric can handle (at least 60°C), then tumble dry on hot for at least 30 minutes. Items that can't be washed (decorative pillows, soft toys) go straight into the dryer on hot for 30+ minutes

  3. Vacuum the bedroom floor thoroughly, paying attention to skirting boards, under the bed, and any furniture near the bed

  4. Clear clutter from the bedroom — anything that creates a hiding spot makes treatment harder. Boxes, piles of clothes, and stacks of books are common bed bug refuges

Don't move infested items to other rooms unless they're sealed in plastic — this is one of the most common ways a localised problem becomes a whole-house problem.

Step 2: Vacuum the mattress thoroughly

Vacuuming removes a significant portion of the bed bug population mechanically and reduces the work for the treatment steps that follow:

  1. Use a HEPA-filter vacuum — anything less can blow bugs back into the air through the exhaust

  2. Cover the entire mattress: top, sides, bottom, every seam, button tuft, and piping crevice

  3. Pay particular attention to the seams along the edges — bed bugs prefer tight, dark, narrow spots

  4. Vacuum the bed frame, headboard, and bedside furniture using the crevice tool

  5. Immediately dispose of the vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag, then put it in the outside bin — don't leave it in the house

If your vacuum has a bagless canister, empty it directly into a sealed plastic bag outside, then clean the canister with hot soapy water.

Step 3: Steam the mattress

Steam treatment is the most effective DIY method for killing bed bugs and their eggs in a mattress:

  1. Use a domestic steam cleaner (steam mop or upholstery steamer) that produces continuous steam above 60°C — most domestic steamers reach 100°C at the nozzle

  2. Move the steam slowly across the entire mattress surface — both sides — pausing for several seconds at each spot

  3. Pay extra attention to seams, piping, and button tufts where bed bugs hide

  4. Don't rush — slow, sustained heat is what kills the bugs and their eggs

  5. Repeat on the bed frame, headboard, and any timber surrounding the bed

  6. Allow the mattress to fully dry before re-encasing or re-dressing the bed

Be careful: a mattress that's still damp after steam treatment can develop mould. Open windows, run fans, or allow several hours of drying time before putting the bed back together.

Step 4: Encase the mattress

This step is essential — and the part most DIY guides underplay. After cleaning, encase the entire mattress in a six-sided zippered protector. Two reasons:

Trap survivors. Even after thorough vacuuming and steaming, a few bed bugs or eggs may remain in deep seams. A fully-encased protector traps them inside the mattress where they can't bite, can't breed, and will eventually die. Per pest control science, bed bugs typically survive 12–18 months without feeding — so an encasement needs to stay on for at least 18 months for full eradication.

Prevent reinfestation. Even after the problem is gone, a sealed encasement prevents new bed bugs (carried in on luggage, secondhand furniture, or visitors) from accessing your mattress's interior, where they're hardest to remove.

This is where the Koala Great Barrier Mattress Protector fits — it's a six-sided fully-encased cover with a wrap-around zip, designed to keep bed bugs, dust mites, and allergens out of your mattress. The TENCEL™ Lyocell surface stays cool and dry, and the top section unzips for easy washing without removing the entire encasement. For Koala mattresses deeper than 30cm (such as our Luxe), use the Deep Fit Great Barrier Mattress Protector.

Step 5: Treat the bedroom and surrounding furniture

Bed bugs rarely stay only in the mattress. To prevent immediate reinfestation:

  • Bed frame and headboard. Vacuum and steam every crevice, joint, and bolt hole. Wooden bed frames often harbour more bed bugs than the mattress itself.

  • Bedside tables and dressers. Empty drawers, vacuum interior corners, and steam any timber surfaces.

  • Curtains and rugs. Hot-wash curtains if removable; steam rugs and carpets near the bed.

  • Wall cracks and skirting boards. Spot-treat with steam or, for severe cases, ask a pest controller about residual treatment.

  • Wardrobes near the bed. Bag any clothing, hot-wash or dry it on high heat, and inspect drawers and shelving.

After treating, repeat the inspection every 1–2 weeks for two months. Bed bugs reproduce slowly enough that an apparent eradication can be reversed by a single overlooked egg cluster.

When to call a professional pest controller

DIY treatment is effective for early or localised infestations. Call a professional if:

  • You see live adult bugs in multiple locations around the bedroom or in other rooms

  • DIY treatment hasn't resolved the problem after two thorough rounds

  • You're seeing fresh bites continuing weeks after treatment

  • The infestation has spread beyond the bedroom (lounge, hallway, other bedrooms)

  • You live in multi-unit housing (apartments, townhouses) where bed bugs may be travelling between dwellings

Find a licensed pest manager through the AEPMA Pest Manager Search — the Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association maintains a directory of accredited pest controllers across Australia. Look for an AEPMA member or PestCert-accredited operator for verified standards.

Severe infestations typically require 2–3 professional treatments spaced 2 weeks apart, plus the encasement step described above for long-term prevention.

How to prevent bed bugs from coming back

After the active treatment, prevention is largely about reducing the ways bed bugs can return to your bed:

Keep the encasement on permanently. A quality six-sided protector like the Koala Great Barrier Mattress Protector blocks bed bugs from accessing the mattress interior, where they're hardest to remove. Leave it on permanently — not just during treatment.

Be cautious with secondhand furniture. Bed bugs are commonly brought home in secondhand mattresses, bed frames, and upholstered furniture. Inspect carefully or avoid altogether. Never bring discarded street furniture into your home.

Travel hygiene. Hotels and short-stay accommodation are common bed bug exposure points. Inspect hotel mattresses on arrival (check the seams near the headboard); keep luggage off the bed; wash all clothing on hot wash when you get home; consider storing luggage in the garage rather than the bedroom for a few days post-travel.

Reduce clutter. Bedroom clutter creates hiding spots that make future treatment harder. A clear floor and clear bedside areas make early detection easier.

Regular inspection. Every 2–3 months, inspect the mattress, bed frame, and bedroom for early signs. Early detection makes treatment dramatically easier than dealing with an established infestation.

How Koala can help you manage bed bug protection

Our Koala Great Barrier Mattress Protector is built specifically for the kind of long-term mattress hygiene that prevents bed bug, dust mite, and allergen problems:

  • Six-sided fully-encased design — wraps the entire mattress with a zip-around closure, so nothing gets in or out

  • TENCEL™ Lyocell fabric surface — cool, dry, breathable; doesn't compromise sleep comfort

  • Water-resistant TPU barrier — protects against spills, sweat, and pet accidents

  • Sanitized® antimicrobial treatment — reduces mould, bacteria, and odour build-up

  • Top section unzips for easy washing — wash the surface layer regularly without removing the full encasement

  • 120-day trial with free metro delivery and free pickup if it's not right for you

Standard fit covers mattresses 23–29 cm thick; for our Koala Luxe and other deeper mattresses, the Deep Fit Great Barrier Mattress Protector handles thicker profiles.

If you're past the point of saving the mattress — if it's heavily contaminated, water-damaged from treatment, or beyond an 8–10 year lifespan — see how long does a mattress last guide for when replacement is the right call, and browse our Koala mattress range for a fresh start.

Time to set up better mattress protection?

Our Koala Great Barrier Mattress Protector is a six-sided fully-encased protector designed to keep bed bugs, dust mites, and allergens out — TENCEL™ Lyocell fabric, water-resistant, antimicrobial-treated, and backed by our 120-day trial.

Shop our mattress protectors →

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I have bed bugs in my mattress?

Look for live bugs (reddish-brown, apple-seed-sized, hiding in seams), small reddish-brown stains on sheets, tiny pale-yellow shed skins in mattress edges, and clustered or linear bite patterns on exposed skin. A sweet, musty smell can also indicate a larger infestation. For confirmation, take a photo and consult a licensed pest controller via AEPMA — many offer inspections.

Can you get rid of bed bugs in a mattress without a professional?

For early or localised infestations, yes — the five-step process in this guide (strip and isolate, vacuum, steam, encase, treat the bedroom) is effective. For severe infestations, multi-room spread, or repeat infestations after DIY treatment, professional pest control is usually needed. The cost is typically lower than replacing your mattress and bedding.

Can a mattress protector stop bed bugs?

A six-sided fully-encased mattress protector — like our Koala Great Barrier Mattress Protector — physically blocks bed bugs from accessing the inside of the mattress. During treatment, an encasement traps any surviving bugs and eggs inside, where they eventually die from starvation (typically 12–18 months). After treatment, the encasement prevents new bed bugs from re-establishing in the mattress interior. Look for a six-sided, zip-around design — partial covers that only sit on top of the mattress don't provide the same protection.

How long do bed bugs live in a mattress?

Adult bed bugs typically live 4–6 months under normal conditions, longer in cooler environments. Without feeding, they can survive 12–18 months — which is why a mattress encasement needs to stay on for at least 18 months during eradication. After that period, any trapped bugs will have died from starvation. For permanent prevention, leave the encasement on indefinitely.

Should I throw out a mattress with bed bugs?

Usually no — a mattress can almost always be saved through proper treatment (heat, vacuuming, encasement). Throwing out the mattress doesn't solve the problem if bed bugs have spread to the bed frame, surrounding furniture, or other parts of the room. The exception is if the mattress is heavily contaminated, water-damaged, or already near end-of-life. If you do dispose of a mattress, wrap it tightly in plastic before moving it (to prevent spreading bugs through your

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