Last updated on 15 May, 2022

Can Bed Bugs Live On An Air Mattress? Is It Even Possible In 2022

– By Eric Smith

Can bed bugs live on an air mattress or not? Everyone gives their opinion on this topic. Which sometimes creates confusion in the mind of the reader as to whom to trust?

The person who has suffered from bed bug infestation can answer this question better. And unfortunately, I am one of those who have suffered a lot from this bed bug infestation.

So, here I will share my personal experience and what you should do if you encounter bed bugs.

But before that, let’s see can bed bugs really live on an air mattress or not?

Can Bed Bugs Live On An Air Mattress?

If talking specifically about air mattresses, then Yes. Bed bugs can live on an air mattress. They can’t hide or live on the surface or sides of a blow-up bed as these are much exposed areas, but the inflation valve (especially if it is a built-in valve) is enough to shelter them if not cared or checked properly on a regular basis.

Moreover, Bed bugs, Scientifically known as Cimex Lectularius, can live in any hard to reach or dark places such as cracks in the wall or floor, behind the electrical boards, inside your mattress, inside your cupboard, and even inside your cracked furniture once they reach there. But more than that, they don’t even care where they are living.

How Do You Check Your Air Mattress For Bed Bugs?

Nowadays, bed bugs infestation is a common problem, and you need to make sure that your beddings are free from such insects. Here are three tips by which you can check your blow-up bed for bed bugs.

Check Top Layer: Modern air mattress comes with an attractive flocked design that enhances the look, but when it comes to bed bugs, they can live in the seams of these airbeds.

Check The Valve: As we discussed earlier that a built-in inflation valve is a common accommodation for insects like bed bugs and lice because this place is dark, hard-to-reach and overall, perfect for hiding. So, never forget to inspect the valve if you have an encounter with bed bugs.

Check Airbed Headboard: Air mattresses also exist that come with a built-in headboard which is excellent for body support, but it can also attract bed bugs as they can hide in the joint of the headboard and air mattress.

What Do Bed Bugs Eat?

Bed bugs are one of the tiniest creatures like lice that can grow up to 7 mm long. However, this small size is more than enough to spoil someone’s sleep.

Like I mentioned earlier that bed bugs don’t care about the place they are living. The only thing they care about is the meal which means blood.

And, this blood can be of any animal, mammal or human. Researchers say that they prefer human blood (especially child or toddler) over any other animal.

Some people have misconceptions about bed bugs food. They think that bed bugs also eat something else other than blood which is completely false.

I know some insects in our home feed on food crumbs, dead skin and even drink other insects blood to survive, but in the case of a bed bug, these are just misconceptions and nothing more.

How Long Do Bed Bugs Live?

The most debatable question about bed bugs is that how long do they live? Some people say they can live up to 1 year even without food, and some say it is not even possible as their average life span is around 6-8 months.

But one thing that is 100% true about bed bugs are that they are capable of something called diapause.

How Do You Get Rid Of Bed Bugs?

#1. Clean Your Mattress: Whether it is an air mattress or a regular foam or latex mattress, bed bugs can live on all of them. So, cleaning the mattress becomes the first priority to kill and get rid of them.

Cleaning regular mattresses can be tricky and time-consuming, but cleaning an air mattress is quite simple, and you can do that in 4 mind-blowing ways.

#2. Sprays Can Work: DDT (Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane) was one of the best chemicals to kill pests but worst for humans and pets as it was responsible for male infertility, miscarriage, liver damage, developmental disabilities in children and breast cancer in females who were much exposed to it.

And since it was banned, we don’t have many options available that can help kill bed bugs. However, some sprays can really work if used in the right way. The sprays should be applied directly to the insects to kill them, and don’t use the mattress for at least 2 hours once applied.

#3. Bathe your pets: Maybe your pets are the reason why your room is getting bed bugs again and again, even after a deep clean.

Bed bugs can easily hide in the hairs of dogs and cats and will not leave until they want. So, shower your pets and comb their hair with a lice comb. It will take out all the hidden insects such as lice, fleas, ticks and bed bugs from their body and keep them away from the effects of harmful bites.

What Do Bed Bugs Hate?

Bed bugs of any stage die in under 10 minutes if exposed to temperatures above 46°C (115°F).

Even though the bed bugs hate the heat, you can’t just light your air mattress on fire. However, if you really want to kill them with heat, just leave your airbed in sunlight, making sure that bed bugs come in direct contact with the heat; otherwise, they can still survive.

Final Wordings:

Here you’ve got the complete answer to can bed bugs live on an air mattress.

Exterminators are good, but they are much expensive and can cost you up to 500$ for a one-time treatment. However, if you know how to get rid of these types of insects, you can save lots of money.

Whenever you see bedbugs in your home, it is essential to take some action instead of ignoring and letting them enter your home, feeding on you or your baby’s blood.