Struggling with bed bugs is undoubtedly an unpleasant experience. These nasty little pests are amongst the most challenging insects to deal with and they pose a tremendous risk to your sleeping environment. A bed bug infestation is capable of causing a horrific headache and it’s something that’s considerably difficult to manage.
Of course, our mattresses, being the comfortable and warm sleeping havens that they are, bring the most preferred conditions for pests to thrive in. This is why they are also the most common target.
So, how to deal with this problem and prevent it from taking place? The easiest and hassle-free way to do so is by opting for the highest rated mattress encasement (cover). This is an inexpensive yet particularly effective way to protect your mattress from this serious problem.
Our Top 4 Mattress Encasement Reviews
The Original Defense System
Sleep Defense System Mattress Encasement
Sleep Advisor Score
4.70 / 5
A comparatively expensive investment like your mattress is perfectly well protected with this particular encasement. It is designated to shield your bed from dust mites, bed bugs, spills and bed-wetting. That’s right – you wouldn’t have to worry about permanent stains caused by your toddler’s inability to hold his bladder.
This is a 100% bed bug proof solution which is undoubtedly one of its most cherished properties. Additionally, the bed bug mattress encasement is good when it comes to easing different respiratory symptoms and allergens because it prevents the accumulation of bacteria and dust mites.
In terms of convenience, the encasement fits the majority of mattress sizes with heights in the range of 12 to 18 inches. The bug flap and zipper closure guarantee that your mattress is perfectly pest proof for the entire duration.
SafeRest Premium Zippered
SafeRest Premium Mattress Protector
This is a lot more than just an average type of mattress encasement. The product is specifically intended to shield the mattress from dust mites, bedbugs and fluid spills. This makes it the perfect fit for your bed, prolonging its lifespan and making sure that it remains hypoallergenic and stainless.
The product is 100% waterproof but it’s also breathable in order to ensure the noise-canceling properties as well as its heat regulation abilities. It comes with micro-zipper technology which enhances the protection against pests.
Additionally, the encasement is made to surround the entire mattress, ensuring a 360-degree protection while the breathable membrane guarantees a proper air flow. The product is hypoallergenic and it’s perfect for people who suffer from allergies, asthma and eczema.
Utopia Bedding Waterproof Zippered
Utopia Bedding Zippered Mattress Encasement
Sleep Advisor Score
4.60 / 5
This zippered solution is designed to fit queen size mattresses snugly without any issues. The dimensions it serves measure 60 x 80 inches and it can wrap around 15 inches of thickness.
The encasement comes with a Velcro zip guard which is designed to secure your mattress and wrap it in 360-degrees protection to prevent dust mites, allergens and bed bugs from infesting it.
The mattress encasement is made out of stretchable knitted polyester which is a fabric that brings a bed sheet-like sensation to your sleep. It’s noiseless and it won’t disrupt your sleeping cycles. Additionally, the entire thing is 100% waterproof, machine washable and you could tumble dry it to ensure ease of maintenance.
The material that it’s made out of is not as breathable as some of the other mattress encasements hereby described but it does bring a sufficient airflow.
LINENSPA Zippered Encasement Waterproof
LinenSpa Mattress Encasement
Sleep Advisor Score
4.60 / 5
The LINENSPA cover definitely manages to bath the eye with all of the perks that it brings to the table. It’s one of the units which resonates well within the community, receiving little to no negative feedback at all. It provides splendid quality at an affordable price which is something that quite a lot of people are looking forward to.
Right off the bat, it’s made out of breathable fabric which promotes the free flow of air, hence prevent perspiration and heat. This also delivers a great sleeping sensation and an excellent feel on your skin.
The product is incredibly easy to wash and you could easily throw it in the washing machine without any issues or worries whatsoever. You can even tumble dry it afterward. The zippered closure ensures easy application and removable.
The encasement is 100% waterproof on all of its sizes while retaining the necessary breathability.
Do Mattress Encasements Work?
As soon as you find the type of mattress that fits your individual preferences and requirements, it’s incredibly important to make sure that you are aware of how it works so that you could easily take care of it. In the majority of cases, encasements work by fitting snugly around the mattress, hence preventing any access to it regarding pests and any particles, for that matter. There are a few specifications to consider, which would determine the overall effectiveness of the solution.
These include but are not limited to: breathability, zipper cover, whether or not it’s dust mites proof and resistant to bed bugs, noise canceling capabilities and, preferably – a vinyl free solution.
Mattress encasements work. They are amongst the most reliable and affordable solutions for preventing bed bug infestation as well as issues associated with dust mites and other irritants and allergens.
How to Buy a Mattress Encasement
Bed Bug Protection Level
Bed bugs are pesky parasites which are capable of bringing a lot of illnesses if you fail to get rid of them on time. As opposed to fleas, these are a lot harder to get rid of. While they might not seem like a big deal since they can’t be seen easily, you ought to take the necessary measures in order to ensure that they are conveniently taken care of. They can easily cause insomnia and skin-related issues as a result of excessive itching, anxiety and even some serious and considerably severe allergic reactions.
Dust Mite Protection Level
Dust mites are amongst the most common household allergen. While there are quite a lot of ways of killing them, the best protection is always prevention. Your mattress is heaven for those tiny creatures and failing to protect it will result in an infestation. A comprehensive mattress encasement that encompasses the bed entirely is a great solution to this problem.
Choose a solution with high protection levels in order to ensure that everything is handled as per the highest health standards.
Read More: How To Remove Dust Mites from Your Mattress
Consider Noise Level
Since most bed covers are made out of a waterproof, bed bug repelling and dust mites preventing outer layer, they are also likely to be a bit noisy. This is something that you ought to consider. Therefore, when you’re searching for the best solution, you should look out for something which doesn’t produce as much noise.
Noise could be a serious irritant and it’s capable of disrupting your sleep cycle tremendously. Therefore, the more noiseless the encasement is, the better it would fit your natural rhythm. Keep this in mind.
Is Waterproof Important?
Just like mattress protectors and covers, one of the main designation for mattress encasements is to protect the bed from accidental spilling and different fluids and liquids. Therefore, it needs to be waterproof.
As a matter of fact, the main difference between a regular mattress protector and an encasement is that the former usually comes with a single, top layer of waterproof fabric while the majority of mattress encasements are entirely made of a waterproof solution. This is something that brings additional protection and ensures that your mattress remains clean and stainless for a prolonged period of time, additionally reducing the wear and tear on the same.
Detecting Bed Bugs
Visual Inspection
Detecting those pests is something which should alarm you that you need an additional layer of protection. The easiest way to go about it is to inspect your home visually. Look for increments or for shells as they tend to shed them as they reproduce. Therefore, you will be able to see their shells easily with a naked eye. They are not that tiny.
Additionally, you may also look for the bugs themselves at the most common places where they are usually encountered. Furthermore, you can look at your bedding when you wake up and look for blood spots. Of course, actual bites are also a sign that you are dealing with an infestation.
Install Inceptor Devices
Once you’ve determined that you are dealing with them, installing inceptor devices is something that could help you out substantially. Keep in mind, though, that this is a very mild form of protection, and if it’s used as a standalone solution, it’s unlikely to help you considerably. Make sure to combine it with something additional.
Usually immediately after you install those inceptor devices you should call the professionals to come and visit you. Alternatively, you should quickly purchase a mattress encasement to prevent the spread and protect your bed.
Get Your Mattress Encasement
If you detect the smallest sign that you have bed bugs, purchasing some mattress encasements for bed bugs is a must. When you shop for it, make sure to see that it is specifically suited and geared towards protecting your mattress from these nasty little pests.
This is going to ensure that these pesky little insects do not get to your mattress. Quite frankly, if you fail to do so, in a lot of the situations you’d likely have to change the entire mattress as exterminating them is nearly impossible. Therefore, a simple mattress encasement could potentially save you a substantial amount of money.
Contract With Pest Professionals
This is undoubtedly the most reasonable and effective thing to consider. Get in touch with a professional and specialized company and make sure that they come to your place as quickly as they can. Detecting bed bugs is nothing short of an emergency, and you shouldn’t disregard it.
Once these bugs start to reproduce, getting rid of them becomes incredibly challenging and it requires a serious amount of resources – this is something you ought to consider. Therefore, it’s critical that you intercept them at the right moment and prevent them from going any further.
Get More Info: 25 Bed Bug Natural Home Remedies
Dangers of Bed Bugs
Allergic Reaction
They are capable of causing serious allergic reactions. Those of you who have this allergy will quickly notice that the bites become a lot itchier. Scratching them, on the other hand, commonly leads to more complicated and serious infections. Often, you’d be forced to use strong corticosteroid creams in order to get rid of the allergic reaction.
Looking for more information? Check out our guide on best mattresses for allergies.
Infection
The most common cause for skin inflammation associated with bed bugs is the excessive scratching of the bites. This is especially true for people who suffer from allergies. These infections could quickly turn into something far more dangerous, leaving permanent scars and unpleasant spots on your skin which are painful and itchy. The discomfort is considerable.
Respiratory Problems
If you or a family member has respiratory issues, the presence of these pesky little insects could seriously worsen the conditions. This is because bed bugs shed their skin as they reproduce and these shells can easily get in your respiratory system, hence causing additional issues. Additionally, this could cause overall irritations which are particularly unpleasant to deal with. Handling the issue of time becomes more and more pressing.
Anemia
Bed bug bites should definitely be considered as a common and possible cause of chronic blood loss. Additionally, iron-deficiency anemia in people who live in the conditions of a bed bug infestation is a serious and ever present threat. The anemia in such patients is caused by ongoing loss of blood caused by an excessive amount of bed bug bites. Not only this, but the scratching could additionally complicate the condition, causing a myriad of issues apart from this.
FAQ About Bed Bugs
Where are they found?
They are usually found at places which lack air circulation and are warm in their nature. All types of upholstery, couches, living room furniture, mattresses, chairs and everything of the kind is capable of being breeding grounds for these troublesome pests. Your mattress is particularly attractive to them.
Do they spread disease?
Yes, bed bugs spread disease. They are common carriers of a range of different diseases, which is an additional consideration to account for. It just makes it so much more important to handle the issue as quickly as it can and adds more value to purchasing a mattress encasement.
How do I know if I’ve been bitten?
Bed bug bites are easily distinguished. They are small in size and red in color. Bed bugs bite a few times at once so you’re likely to identify a few marks near to each other. If you also see red dots of blood on your bedding, this is a sure sign that you’ve been bitten.
Who is at risk of getting them?
Virtually any home could be at risk of getting bed bugs. This is especially true for people who travel a lot and get to stay at a lot of different hotels. Carrying bed bugs with them is not excluded and it increases the chances of an infestation. This is something you ought to account for.
Conclusion
Obviously, the role of your mattress encasement is definitely an important one. The aforementioned considerations aim to make you aware of the risks which these seemingly harmless little bugs are capable of introducing.
If you have small children, purchasing a proper mattress cover is even more important. Protecting them from potential bites and the associated complications is of tremendous importance.
There are quite a few things to consider but with all of the above, you should already have an idea of the solution you’re looking for. Even though we tend to believe that all the mattress encasements we’ve reviewed are incredibly worthwhile, the Original Sleep Defense System manages to reveal a lot of benefits and you should definitely pay attention to it.
Melanie Kassel
Performance Editor
About Author
As Sleep Advisor’s Performance Editor, Melanie writes and edits content throughout the site to ensure it’s accurate, engaging, and up-to-date.
Combination Sleeper
Resources:
- Bedbugs – webmd.com
- Getting Rid of Bed Bugs
- Parasites – Bed Bugs