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KEY POINTS:
• Encasements can be used proactively for the early detection of Bed Bugs
• The use of encasements can prevent bed bugs from getting inside the mattress and box spring
• Encasements can greatly aid in controlling bed bugs in an infested dwelling
• It is very important that the encasement has been specifically tested and designed to be effective against bed bugs
The use of encasements is discussed throughout this web page due to the important role that they play in a bed bug management program.
BugLock® encasements, manufactured by Protect-A-Bed of Chicago were the first encasements to become commercially available that were specifically designed for bed bugs. The
BugLock® encasements were also the first encasement to be backed by scientific data, proving their effectiveness against bed bugs. Scientifically proven encasements can be used as an early detection tool as well as a reactionary measure for trapping bed bugs and preventing the future re-infestation of beds.
Proactive Use of
Encasements
As discussed in other sections of this web page, encasements can
be used in a proactive manner before a bed bug infestation ever begins. Encasement of mattresses and box springs will greatly aid in the early detection of bed bugs and can prevent the infestation of beds in the event that bed bugs are somehow introduced. Once encased, bed bugs are unable to get inside of the encased mattresses and box springs. With their movement restricted to the smooth outer surface of the encasement, they are exposed and can be readily detected during a visual inspection. In addition, while they may be able to rest on the outer surface of the encasement they are unable to infest the interior of the mattress or the box spring.
Reactive Use of Encasements
Encasements also play a very important role in helping to eliminate bed bug infestations. The majority of bed bugs are typically associated with the mattresses and box springs. Eliminating them from these areas is very time consuming as well as challenging not to mention that in most cases the beds simply becomes re-infested as bugs migrate from other parts of the structure to the bed in search of a blood meal. Encasements are a very simple and highly effective method for dealing with the bed bugs that are associated with beds by trapping bugs inside and preventing migrating bugs from re-infesting the mattresses and box springs. The use of encasements also increases the efficiency and effectiveness of the follow up visits by taking the complexity of the bed out of the equation. Follow up visits simply involve inspection of the smooth surface of the encasements rather than having to carefully examine all of the wooden framework, coils, padding, or piping associated with the mattress and box spring.
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It is difficult and time consuming to inspect & deal with bugs and eggs inside of box
springs and the edges of mattresses |
An effective Encasesment takes the
complexity of the
mattress and box spring
out of play, restricting
the
movement of
bed bugs to the smooth exterior
of the
encasement where they can be easily
detected and dealt with. |
Finding an Effective Encasement
There are many encasements available in the marketplace, but most will simply not work effectively against bed bugs. The first truly effective bed bug encasement on the marketplace is the
BugLock® encasement, manufactured by Protect-A-Bed of Chicago which has been shown through rigorous scientific tests to be completely escape proof and bite proof
(see
executive summary of research). It is strongly suggested that you only use encasements that have strong scientific data backing the claims for use with bed bugs. It is our opinion that using an unproven encasement may be worse than not encasing the bed at all. Unproven encasements may provide a false sense of security and can actually protect or promote the survival of the bed bugs.
In order for an encasement to be effective it must be both
bite proof, meaning that the bugs cannot feed through the material, and
escape proof, meaning that the bugs cannot get in or out of the encasement after it has been installed. However, unless the encasements have been specifically designed for bed bugs it is very unlikely that they will be both bite proof and escape proof. (
see article:
Just Encase)
We have worked very closely with Protect-A-Bed of Chicago setting out to design the first effective encasement for bed bugs. During the development, different types of materials were examined and it was determined that there are some fabrics that bed bugs could actually feed through.
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Testing of a fabric that bed bugs can feed through |
We also learned that the type of zipper used to manufacture the encasement is critical. In tests, immature bed bugs were able to escape the confines of the encasement by weaving their way through the teeth of a closed zipper (when larger zippers were used).
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An effective encasement must have a zipper that bugs cannot escape through.
Some zippers
have teeth large enough for bugs to simply weave their way through as
indicated by the first
stage nymph coming through the teeth of this zipper. |
Perhaps the area where most encasements fail is at the zipper end stop (area where the zipper comes to its final resting position when fully closed). Most zipper end stops that were examined left large gaps when the zipper was pulled closed.
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An efffective encasement should seal
completely at the zipper end stop.
Not all end stops have a complete
seal that is escape proof. |
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Close up shows that there is a gap
at the very end of zipper that will
enable bed bugs to escape even
when the zipper is pulled closed. |
Some of the zippers examined closed tightly enough to prevent the entry or escape of bed bugs when pulled completely shut, but if the zipper backed off even a tooth or two, an opening large enough for bugs to get in and out of the encasement was created.
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This particular encasement is
escape proof when the zipper
is pulled completely shut |
If the zipper pulls back, a large
enough gap is created to allow
bed
bugs to enter and exit the encasement |
A secure end stop is the area where the
BugLock® encasement is superior to any of the other encasements that we have examined. The Bug Lock® feature secures the zipper end stop, making it impossible for bed bugs to enter or escape. A foam pad beneath the zipper end stop completely secures this area. In fact, the seal is so complete that during the efficacy testing of the encasement the zipper had to be pulled back beyond the end of the BugLock® feature to enable bugs to escape.
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Example of BugLock
® Zipper End Stop |
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Sealed BugLock
® Encasement |
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Even with zipper pulled back
an escape proof seal still exists |
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In order for bugs to escape
the zipper has to be pulled
all the way back beyond
the BugLock
® patch |
Protecting the Encasement
Encasements should not be removed once they are installed. Instead they should be viewed as the new exterior surface of the mattress or box spring. Fitted sheets or mattress pads that can be laundered can be used to protect the encasements from staining. It is also important to recognize that the encasements are only effective as long as they are not compromised in any way (ripped, worn or torn). The area where encasements are most vulnerable to becoming compromised is where the box spring rubs against the bed frame. Some bed frames have sharp edges, bolts or other protrusions that when rubbed against may damage the encasement. One way to provide additional protection of the box spring encasement is to install additional padding (i.e. felt pads) in areas that are potentially damaging to the encasement. We have recently begun experimenting with felt pads with an adhesive backing that helps pad the encasement without creating a new harborage for bed bugs to hide behind.
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Felt padding can be used to help protect the encasement from protrusions and rough edges. |
Example of mattress pads being placed over encasement. |
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