Bed bug infestations in the United States have increased by 71 percent since 2001, according to the National Pest Management Association. And, bed bugs don’t discriminate based on location or socio-economic status. Infestations have been reported in large urban areas and small rural towns.

To help prevent bed bugs from infesting and ruining a mattress, it’s a good idea for all people, especially those who travel regularly, to invest in mattress and box spring encasements like those offered by Protect-A-Bed. Encasements are different than mattress protectors, in that they fully surround the mattress and include a zipper and seal. An encasement protects new and old bedding and aids in the early detection of bed bugs. And, should bed bugs be detected, encasements will assist in managing the infestation.

So, how do mattress and box spring encasements help with a bed bug infestation? Well, bed bug proof encasements make the tell tale signs of bed bugs – fecal spotting and blood spots – readily identifiable. The signs appear easily on the white fabric of the encasement, which allows individuals to easily spot them and quickly alert a pest control professional. By identifying the signs of bed bug activity as soon as possible, it allows the infestation to be addressed and eliminated in a timely manner, before it gets out of hand.

Also, many encasements that claim to be bed bug proof are available in the marketplace, so it’s important to investigate whether or not the encasement has been scientifically tested to be effective against bed bugs. Protect-A-Bed was the first company to identify the need for bed bug proof mattress and box spring encasements, and the first to have its products verified by an independent laboratory to be bed bug proof.

In order for an encasement to be effective and considered bed bug proof, it must be both bite-proof (meaning that the bugs cannot feed through the material) and entry and escape-proof (meaning that the bugs cannot get in or out of the encasement after it has been installed). Unless the encasements have been specifically designed for bed bugs, it is very unlikely that they will work effectively.

Protect-A-Bed offers Bed Bug Protection Kits for customers that have everything they need to proactively manage their bed bug infestation risk. Each Bed Bug Protection Kit includes the following:

• 1 Allerzip 6-Sided Mattress Encasement
• 1 Bed Bug Proof Box Spring Encasement
• 2 Allerzip Pillow Protectors

Bed bugs are a nuisance that don’t appear to be going away any time soon. But with the right proactive measures, individuals can mitigate their risk. And, it all starts with encasing your bedding.