Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I had a full-blown bedbug infestation (many dozens). I got my infestation through the walls from a neighboring apartment. So one can never truly be secure from a new infestation and needs to be constantly vigilant. First, it's important first to do a diligent primary elimination. There's a good guide at [...]. The bugs live in the walls, appliances -- everywhere -- for a long time so it's almost impossible to get rid of them all in one try. I had a small re-infestation (one-half dozen) after about 8 months. I first tried food grade diatomaceous earth and believe it probably works as claimed but the powder lingers in the air and choked me. I could always smell it in the air and always felt it in my sinuses so I discontinued it except to mist it into the walls through the electrical outlets and wall switches. This mattress cover (and the one for the box spring) do a good job of locking in any bugs or eggs that you might have missed from your primary elimination. However inconvenient for the bedbugs though, they will have no problem hiding elsewhere in your bedroom and home and simply crawl up onto your bed when they desire to feast on your blood. These covers also give the bedbugs fewer places to hide and breed on your bed itself when they later come out of their other hiding places. For my second infestation there were a few bugs actually hiding under the velcro flaps of these covers, the flaps that are intended to seal the gap at the very end of the zipper. With these covers on, that was their only hiding place on my bed itself so these covers are still worthwhile but are only a partial solution. After that second infestation, I decided to attack the problem with extreme prejudice. Following are the extra steps that one must take to remain bed bug free forever (you can thank me later): After the first elimination, one must be diligent to make sure that the bed never touches the walls, furniture and curtains (always leave a wide gap). Be certain that the bed sheets and bedspread never touch the ground (especially while you sleep). Never unpack luggage or moving boxes on top of the bed (better yet, unpack in the driveway and never place ANYTHING on your bed, period). Be wary of all new purchases, especially yard sale and thrift store purchases (wash everything immediately in the hottest water). With that done, the only way for the bugs to get to your bed (and your blood) is up the legs of the bed. MOST IMPORTANT STEP! Do a search for and purchase "Mouse Glue Boards." These are thin pieces of cardboard with strong glue on one side, strong enough to catch a mouse when it steps on it, so they will catch the bugs with ease. Cut down these glue boards to fit and tightly wrap the legs of your bed frame with them. Secure them with narrow strips of duct tape. (The glue doesn't stick well to itself and so needs the duct tape.) Leave adequate space between the strips of tape so that there is enough glue exposed to catch the bed bugs. These boards will finally eliminate them for good because they'll eventually need to feed and will try to make their way up from their other hiding places to the legs of the bed and get caught in the glue boards. Check the boards for bugs often. My bed's legs are cylindrical so the taping was easy. For other types of bed legs, you might have to do more creative duct taping. Finally, leave these glue boards on the legs of your bed always as the ultimate protection.