How Long Can Bed Bugs Live in an Unused Mattress?
Bedbugs live in almost any fabric and are associated with beds, mattresses, and upholstery. They can also be found in buses, cars, and hotel rooms. Their favorite spots are headboards, which are attached to walls. If you’ve got an unused mattress lying around, consider getting rid of it.
The first thing to do is inspect it for signs of infestation. You may notice rusty red or dark spots. These are the bed bugs’ droppings. If there’s any evidence of these bugs, you’ll need to clean it thoroughly. You’ll also want to check the edges, stitches, and underneath the box spring for infestation.
The exact answer to the question of how long can bed bugs live in an untouched mattress depends on the location of the mattress and the time you notice them. If you leave the mattress untreated, bedbugs can survive up to a year. Leaving the mattress alone for months is not enough. The only way to guarantee the death of bedbugs is to seal the mattress.
Bed bugs are very hard to spot. This is why it’s important to use a flashlight to find their hideout areas. They often hide in tiny cracks in mattresses and boxes. If you’re not able to see them, you might want to try using a magnifying glass or a small mirror.