Some people are unable to sleep at night because of insomnia or stress. However, in some cases, they may experience sleepless nights due to bed worms. This could cause you to panic and get out of bed until the mattress is replaced or cleaned thoroughly.

These creatures can be highly unpleasant and may indicate poor hygiene as well. If you have detected bed worms, it is important to get rid of them quickly. To achieve this, you need to know them first.

What Are Bed Worms?

Most people think that they are bugs that infest beds specifically. Most bed worms are basically larvae of other pests and insects invading your house. However, there might be some adult worms exploring your bed now and then too.

Types of Bed Worms

There are a few types of larvae that you might come across. They mainly climb your bed in search of food. The following are some of the most well-known species of bed worms:

Carpet Beetle Larvae

This is one of the most commonly found larvae on mattresses. There are different types of carpet beetles and larvae. Carpet beetle infestation usually occurs on fabrics made from animal products such as wool, fur, and silk. They can infest leather-made products that are stored in dark places too. Adult carpet beetles can fly, which is how they usually get into your homes.

These bed worms don’t usually damage synthetic fibers but they do go for natural fibers such as cotton and blended fibers. While they do not harm humans, the worms can eat through a bedspread, especially if it has silk or wool in it.

Cloth Moth Larvae

They are a little more destructive than the carpet beetle larvae as they can cause damage on a larger scale. The worms eat through synthetic fabric, stored food grains, and cereals too. They especially like to feast on linen that is dirty, be it synthetic or natural.

Cloth moth larvae are usually of a creamy white color and have brown heads. The best way to identify them is to look for adult moth infestation around your house.

Pinworm

This particular worm is actually a worm that you do not want on your mattress at all. It can harm you and your loved ones with an infectious bite. They are contagious and can transfer between family members.

Pinworms are human intestinal parasites. They might come out from you at night to lay eggs in your pajamas or on the bed. They are usually about a quarter-inch to a half-inch long and are common among children. If you do see one crawling around your mattress, then the best option is to consult a physician or doctor

Why Are There Bed Worms on My Mattress?

There can be a few reasons why you are spotting a few bed worms on or around your mattress.

Dirt

Beds that are dirty, dusty, and contain food stains attract bed worms. While watching a movie and eating in your bed is fun, it leaves crumbs over the mattress for the bed worms to enjoy.

Damp Bathroom and Kitchen

Dampness and dirtiness inside bathrooms and kitchens are the biggest reason that attracts all sorts of bugs inside your house. They are able to get a variety of food sources such as food wastes in your kitchen bin. The larvae of these bugs eventually find their way to your bed.

Cracks in the Walls or Windows

All the creepy crawlies and flying insects usually come inside your home from outside. They get in through the cracks and crevices inside the walls and around the windows. Their larvae then climb up your bed to give you sleepless nights.

Best Ways to Get Rid of Bed Worms on a Mattress

Most bed worms don’t usually harm humans but they can be highly destructive to other things. The more you let them stay, the more things they will damage. So, when you spot a bed worm, it’s best to act right away. You can apply quite a few useful tips and tricks to get rid bed worms on your mattress.

Wash with Hot Water

Bed worms are unable to survive in heat or warm places. So, one of the best ways to get rid of them is to take your bed linens off, wash them with hot water, and dry them on a high heat setting. This will kill any bed worms present on your sheets and will also thoroughly clean your sheets so that no more of them are attracted to your bed.

For your mattress, it’s recommended that you get a waterproof mattress protector to get rid of bed worms on your mattress. This way, you will be able to regularly wash your mattress with hot water to keep any infestation at bay.

Vacuum

Another effective way to get rid of bed worms on mattresses or anywhere else is to use a vacuum. All you need to do is vacuum the surface on a high setting to remove the tiny critters from your bed. The best option is to hire a professional to clean your carpets and bed. They have special cleaning tools that send hot water deep into the carpet or your mattress and then suck it back up. This removes everything undesirable in your mattress, including bed worms.

Spray Pesticides

Another easy way to eliminate the infestation of bed worms is to spray pesticides over them. Make sure to spray well in the cracks and crevices of your bed and also under the mattress. These places are their favorite hideaway.

Use Essential Oils

The scent of essential oils is calming for us but not much for the bed worms. To get rid of bed worms on the mattress, all you need is to mix the oil with water and spray over your mattress, on the cracks, and around your bed frame. The essential oils they dislike most include eucalyptus, peppermint, cedarwood, and cinnamon.

Eliminate Host Infestation

Along with treating the bed worm infestation, eliminating the host is equally important for long-term results. The best way is to get your house inspected by a professional pest control service. They will come in and wipe your house clean of all the bugs that lead to larvae accumulation in your bed.

Bed worms usually include larvae of various bugs infesting your house, most of which don’t harm humans. However, some bed worms like pinworms are parasitic. By adopting the best ways to get rid of bed worms on the mattress suggested above, you can resolve the problem permanently. All you need to do is clean your bed daily, use essential oils, and make sure that you keep a check on host infestations.