Why do bedbugs infest a mattress? - briefly
Bedbugs target mattresses because the fabric and seams offer a concealed, stable habitat directly adjacent to sleeping humans, facilitating nightly blood meals and breeding. The box spring and mattress folds protect them from disruption while providing constant host access.
Why do bedbugs infest a mattress? - in detail
Bedbugs are drawn to mattresses because the surface provides a stable source of blood meals, a protected environment, and easy access to sleeping hosts. The fabric and padding retain body heat and carbon‑dioxide emissions, both strong attractants for the insects. The seams, tufts, and folds create numerous microscopic crevices where adult bugs and nymphs can hide during daylight hours, shielded from disturbance and predators.
The mattress also positions the insects within a few centimeters of the skin, minimizing the distance required for a feeding strike. After a blood meal, a female can lay up to five eggs per day, depositing them in the same concealed spaces. The eggs hatch in 6–10 days, and the emerging nymphs immediately seek the host’s warmth, perpetuating the infestation cycle.
Several factors increase the likelihood of colonization:
- Recent travel or the introduction of second‑hand furniture that carried bugs from another location.
- Inadequate cleaning or vacuuming of the mattress surface and surrounding area.
- Cracks or tears in the mattress cover that expand hiding spaces.
- Absence of protective encasements that block access to the interior layers.
- High occupancy density, such as in dormitories or hotels, which raises the probability of cross‑contamination.
Bedbugs exploit the mattress because it offers a combination of food proximity, temperature stability, and concealed refuges, all of which support their reproductive success and survival. Effective control therefore focuses on eliminating these microhabitats, sealing the mattress within a certified encasement, and applying targeted treatments to eradicate the population.