You may have seen in the news recently that numbers of bed bug cases are on the rise in the UKs big cities. Cases and pest control callouts for the little bugs have reportedly risen by 20% in London alone this year; meanwhile, six Southeastern trains were reportedly taken out of service after bedbugs were discovered recently.
But amid the chaos and hysteria surrounding this pesky spike in pests, we’re here to remind you that all is not lost. And that there are some very simple, but essential, steps you can make today to prevent your home from contributing to those statistics.
Here are some expert-backed tips and tricks for protecting your bed and mattress from bed bugs this season.
Are bed bug cases on the rise in the UK? And if so, why?
Yes, to put it bluntly. There are more reported cases of bed bug infestations in the country since last year. However, my experts explain how there’s a lot more beneath the surface of this hysterical headline.
Ricky Young, owner of Youngs Pest Control, believes the rise in bed bugs is possibly due to more data, rather than more cases than usual. He explains, ‘For example, Pest Magazine reported in August 2026 that Rentokil’s confirmed UK bedbug activity increased by an average of 44% year on year between 2023 and 2025. That is a useful industry indicator, but it describes one company’s records rather than a representative survey of all UK households. The underlying methodology and coverage should be checked before using it as a national headline,’ warns Ricky. That being said, back in July, news outlets such as Metro revealed cases were up 40% since 2025 in one London borough alone, so our caution is definitely correctly placed. Whether it’s a genuine increase in bed bugs or a better awareness and ability to spot them, the numbers are still worth taking action over.
‘Travel, movement of infested belongings and insecticide resistance are recognised contributors to the wider resurgence. Increased awareness can also increase reports, so enquiries, suspected sightings and confirmed infestations should be distinguished,’ says Ricky. Awareness and preparedness is key for keeping on top of nationwide cases, and our own prevention.
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How to protect your mattresses from possible bed bugs
1. Know what you’re looking for
‘Look for live insects, small dark spotting, shed skins and tiny whitish eggs around mattress seams,’ says Ricky. ‘Adult bedbugs are roughly apple-seed-sized, but younger insects are much smaller and paler. Blood marks on bedding can be a clue, although neither blood spots nor bites alone confirm bedbugs,’ he warns.
Knowing the difference between a real bed bug and a regular old bug or fly, can save you a lot of stress – you’d be surprised by how many people wrongly diagnose themselves and end up with an expensive and ultimately unnecessary pest control bill.
2. Examine your mattress properly and regularly
Ricky suggests when checking your current situation to: ‘Use a torch and gently examine seams and folds when changing bedding. Check underneath if you can lift the mattress safely, without dragging it into another room.’
He also recommends following the manufacturer’s care instructions rather than assuming every mattress can be vacuumed or steam-cleaned, these are great ways to keep your space clean – but only if they're compatible with the mattress materials. ‘Some natural-filled mattresses should not be vacuumed because suction can disturb the fillings. Avoid soaking the mattress, harsh scrubbing or applying heat without checking suitability,’ says Ricky.
Ricky stresses, ‘Routine cleaning can help you spot a problem, but it is not a guarantee against bedbugs. They can infest clean homes, too.’
3. Look in the unexpected places
When checking if you have bed bugs on your mattress or not, of course look at your sheets and the mattress itself, but Ricky also stresses the importance of looking in the less obvious spots. ‘The places people miss are underneath mattress piping, behind labels and handles, around buttons and along the underside,’ he warns. ‘Check the bed base, frame joints and the back of the headboard, too. Inspecting only the sleeping surface can give false reassurance: bedbugs do not have to live in the mattress.’
4. Protect your mattress
The idea of crawling into a bed bug-infested bed truly is the stuff of nightmares, so protecting our mattresses is of course top priority. According to Ricky, mattress encasements can afford us both genuine protection, and general peace of mind. ‘A properly designed bedbug-proof encasement can help both before and during an infestation,’ says Ricky. ‘It encloses all six sides of the mattress, reducing accessible hiding places and making inspection easier. During treatment, it can also trap bedbugs already inside.’
Ricky stresses that our regular old mattress protectors are not the same thing as mattress encasement, suggesting that we should: ‘Choose an encasement specifically designed for bedbugs, with a secure zip closure, the correct fit and durable fabric. And be sure to check regularly for tears.’
However, while encasements help the mattress, this is of course not the only place the bugs can be. ‘Bed bugs can still live in the frame or headboard and crawl on to its outer surface. If it’s trapping an existing infestation, do not remove it for routine washing: follow the pest controller’s advice, which may mean leaving it sealed for at least a year.’
5. Take caution when travelling
Most bed bugs are picked and taken home when travelling, and with numbers of cases rising on public transport, this seems ever more prevalent. Before you unpack, check the mattress seams and headboard, then keep your case closed on an inspected luggage rack away from the bed.
Ricky advises checking your suitcase’s seams, pockets and zips when you get home, too. If you suspect it’s been exposed, keep clothes bagged until they can be washed; suitable fabrics can be washed at 60°C and tumble-dried on hot for at least 30 minutes, following their care labels. This goes the same for any clothes or bags used on a domestic train that may have also been exposed.
Does a bed-bug-infested mattress need replacing?
Not automatically. That’s according to Ricky, who states many mattresses can be retained through professional treatment and, where appropriate, encasement. ‘The decision depends on their condition, construction and the extent of the infestation,’ says Ricky.
‘Replacing the mattress without addressing the frame and surrounding room can leave the new one exposed to the same problem,’ warns Ricky.
According to him, if disposal is necessary, arrange collection first and securely wrap and seal the mattress before moving it. ‘Tell the collector it is bed-bug-infested, clearly label it and follow local disposal requirements. Do not sell, donate or leave it unwrapped for someone else to take.’
