A bed bug mattress encasement completely encloses the mattress and box spring in a zippered cover that stays intact. Health Canada recommends encasements and says bed bugs cannot bite through an intact one and will eventually die inside it. A cover that leaves any part of the mattress open does not meet that description.
What Health Canada recommends
Health Canada advises enclosing the mattress and box spring completely in zippered bed encasements available from allergy or pest control supply companies. It also says to put duct tape over the zipper, because zippers have a space where bedbugs can enter or escape.
Ottawa Public Health advises placing the mattress and box spring in a zippered mattress cover, and York Region suggests considering pillow and mattress bed bug covers.
Encasement versus an ordinary mattress cover
| What to look for | |
|---|---|
| Coverage | Health Canada advises completely enclosing the mattress and box spring, so all sides need to be covered. |
| Closure | A zipper that closes fully, with the zipper area sealed with tape, because the zipper is where bedbugs can enter or escape. |
| Condition | The encasement has to stay intact; rips or holes let bed bugs through. |
| Purpose | Look for covers sold as encasements through allergy or pest control suppliers, as Health Canada describes. |
A fitted protector that only covers the top and sides leaves part of the mattress exposed, so it does not match Health Canada's advice to enclose the mattress completely.
What an encasement does
As long as the encasement stays intact, bed bugs cannot get through it to bite, and any bed bugs trapped inside will eventually die, according to Health Canada. The University of California IPM program says bugs trapped inside encasements eventually die of starvation, and the US EPA says covers that seal mattresses and box springs trap bed bugs so they die.
How long to leave it on
Health Canada suggests keeping the mattress enclosed for a full year. That length matches how long bed bugs can survive: the University of California IPM program says they can live 20 to 400 days without feeding, depending on temperature and humidity, so a short period under a cover is not enough to be sure the bugs inside have died.
What the research says about encasements
The University of California IPM program says mattress encasements designed to prevent bed bugs from establishing harbourages have been shown to be effective in laboratory research, and that they are particularly useful in hotels and other facilities with many beds. It also describes encasements as a way to contain bed bugs within a mattress that cannot be thrown out, or when steam or an insecticide application is unavailable or undesirable. Bugs trapped inside eventually die of starvation, and the same guide says bed bugs can survive 20 to 400 days without feeding, which is why the cover stays on so long.
Pillows, box springs and the rest of the bed
York Region suggests pillow covers as well as mattress covers. Health Canada's advice is to enclose both the mattress and the box spring. That matters because the University of California IPM program lists the wood joints of box springs among the common hiding places. The bed frame, headboard, baseboards and nearby furniture are not covered by an encasement and still need inspection and treatment.
Installing one so it works
- Strip the bed and inspect the seams of the mattress and box spring before covering, because bed bugs sealed inside survive for months.
- Put on the encasement and close the zipper completely, then put duct tape over the zipper, as Health Canada advises, because the zipper has a space where bedbugs can enter or escape.
- Check the surface regularly for rips or holes. Health Canada says bed bugs cannot get through an intact encasement.
- Leave it on for a full year and keep monitoring, as Health Canada suggests.
Keep the mattress or replace it?
An encasement lets many people keep a mattress that would otherwise be thrown out. If an infested mattress or other furniture is being removed, the University of California IPM program says not to leave it on the curb or porch: take it straight to the dump or clearly mark it as infested so others do not bring it home. A cover is not a substitute for treatment of the room, so combine it with the steps in the sections above.
Common mistakes
- Covering a mattress without inspecting it. Bed bugs sealed inside can live for months, so the seams should be checked first.
- Leaving the zipper untaped. Health Canada says to put duct tape over the zipper because it has a space where bedbugs can enter or escape.
- Forgetting the box spring. Health Canada advises enclosing the mattress and the box spring, and the box spring's wood joints are a common harbourage.
- Using a damaged cover. Health Canada says the encasement has to stay intact, with no rips or holes.
- Taking it off too soon. Health Canada suggests a full year, and bed bugs can survive 20 to 400 days without feeding.
- Treating the cover as the whole plan. The rest of the room still needs steaming, vacuuming and treatment.
What an encasement does not do
An encasement protects the mattress and box spring. It does not treat the bed frame, headboard, nightstands, curtains, carpet edges or other furniture where bed bugs can hide. Health Canada says treatment is only effective when physical control methods and preventative measures are used together, so an encasement is one part of a plan that also includes washing, vacuuming, monitoring and professional treatment where needed.
How AstraHive Pest Control gets rid of bed bugs
Bed bugs hide in seams, joints, box spring frames, plumbing voids, wall voids and behind electrical outlets, so every treatment starts with a careful inspection. We offer two treatments and choose between them by situation: Aprehend is our first choice for homes where people live and sleep and for severe infestations, and the standard chemical treatment is the right choice for Airbnbs, hotel rooms and vacant units.
How an AstraHive bed bugs treatment works
Inspect and confirm
We inspect the bed, furniture seams, baseboards, outlets and surrounding areas, confirm the insect and tell you which treatment fits, with the preparation list for that treatment.
Aprehend: for homes where people live and sleep
Aprehend is our premium bed bug treatment, a biopesticide built on a naturally occurring fungus. We apply it with a dedicated machine as a continuous band along baseboards, bed frames, box springs and the pathways bed bugs travel, and we put Drione dust into wall voids and outlets. Bed bugs pick up the spores as they cross the barrier and carry them back to the colony, where the fungus reaches the bugs a spray cannot, including pyrethroid-resistant bed bugs. It takes real knowledge to apply well, so only our experienced, trained technicians do it. Preparation is light: strip the beds, move them a little away from the walls and clear under the bed.
Standard chemical treatment: for empty units
For Airbnbs, hotel rooms and vacant units we take the bed apart, steam every seam and joint, vacuum with a HEPA vacuum, apply a residual spray (Temprid SC, which combines two active ingredients) according to its label, which stays active for about 90 days, and put Drione dust into wall voids and outlets. Nobody, pets included, stays inside during the treatment or for at least 6 hours afterwards, and the preparation is thorough, so it suits spaces nobody is living in. Mattress encasements are available as an optional extra.
Follow up 4 to 6 weeks later
We return 4 to 6 weeks after treatment to check the results and re-treat where needed. It is normal to still see live bed bugs for up to about 6 weeks, because bed bugs spread slowly, hide well and eggs laid before treatment keep hatching. If you still see live bed bugs after 6 weeks, call us.
Document everything and back it with a 90-day warranty
Where we found bed bugs, what we found and every product used goes in the service report. If bed bugs come back within 90 days, we re-treat at no charge.
Our products are Health Canada approved and safe for kids and pets, and we apply every product according to its label. AstraHive is licensed by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. Ontario requires a ministry-approved certification course before it issues an exterminator licence, and that training is delivered through the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus.
We choose one treatment per home, so you only prepare once. The two are not steps in one job: the standard residual spray is water-based, and water or steam deactivates Aprehend, so surfaces treated with Aprehend should not be wiped, mopped or steamed afterwards. In our experience live bed bugs drop in stages after Aprehend, roughly 50 to 55 percent fewer by week 3, 80 to 85 percent fewer by week 4 and 90 to 95 percent fewer by weeks 5 to 6. These figures are our own experience, not from the product label, and results vary.
In condos and apartments, neighbouring units and the building manager should be told early, because bed bugs travel through shared walls, ducts and plumbing chases.
Typical cost: Starting at $450 CAD, with final cost depending on property size and severity of infestation - there is no fixed upper limit. Call 905-925-8427 for an exact free quote.
Why Choose AstraHive
- Licensed & Insured: Certified by the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.
- Fast response: Same-day service available, with a callback within 5 minutes.
- 90-Day Warranty: If pests come back within that window, we re-treat at no additional charge.
- Proven track record: 5.0 stars on Google across 200+ reviews.
- Family & pet safe: Health Canada approved products on every job.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a mattress cover and a bed bug encasement?
An encasement completely encloses the mattress and box spring in a sealed, zippered cover, which is what Health Canada recommends. A cover that leaves any part of the mattress open does not give the same protection.
Do mattress encasements get rid of bed bugs?
They stop bed bugs from biting through the mattress and trap those inside, which eventually die. They do not treat the rest of the bed frame or room, so they work alongside other steps.
Why put tape over the zipper?
Health Canada says zippers have a space where bedbugs can enter or escape, so duct tape over the zipper closes that gap.
How long should I leave the encasement on?
Health Canada suggests a full year. Bed bugs can survive 20 to 400 days without feeding, depending on temperature and humidity.
Can bed bugs bite through an encasement?
Health Canada says that as long as the encasement stays intact, with no rips or holes, bed bugs cannot get through it to bite you.
Sources
- Health Canada: Bedbugs, what are they? — Adult bedbugs up to 10 mm, oval, flat, brown and blood red after feeding; feed on blood while people sleep; a bite can take up to 14 days to appear; bites often on the face, neck, arms, legs and chest; not known to spread disease; eggs are white, about 1 mm, in cracks and crevices.
- Health Canada: Bedbugs: how do I make sure they don't come back? — After treatment, keep using the same bedroom, monitor carefully and often for surviving bedbugs, and vacuum daily, throwing out the vacuum bag right away for the first few weeks; keep the mattress enclosed in a zippered encasement for a full year; as long as the encasement stays intact bedbugs cannot get through it to bite and will eventually die; use white or light-coloured sheets and commercially available bed leg interceptors to spot bedbugs.
- Health Canada: Bedbugs: how do I get rid of them? — Bedbugs are very hard to get rid of and a licensed professional pest control operator is strongly recommended; operators can use liquid and aerosol insecticide sprays, insecticidal dusts, diatomaceous earth, pressurized carbon dioxide snow, and steam and heat treatments; bedbugs perish at 50 degrees C and steam cleaners emit at least 100 degrees C; freezing needs 4 days of consistent cold at minus 19 degrees C and may not eliminate all bedbugs; a hot dryer needs 30 minutes or more; use only products with a Health Canada PCP registration number, never homemade pesticides, and never apply pesticides to people, pets, bedding, cribs, playpens or toys unless the label allows it; Health Canada warns against ozone generators; treatment is only effective if physical control methods and preventative measures are used together; preparation means emptying storage furniture, bagging belongings, washing all clothes and bedding and moving furniture from walls.
- Ottawa Public Health: Bed Bugs — Licensed operators can identify and control bed bugs and usually give specific instructions to prepare for an inspection or treatment; control may involve more than one pest control treatment; place bedding and pillows in the dryer on a hot setting for at least 30 minutes; place the mattress and box spring in a zippered mattress cover.
- York Region: Bed Bugs — Integrated pest management is a combination of different techniques and products with the least risk to human health and the environment; use an insecticide specific to bed bugs and the least toxic product available, following all label instructions; consider pillow and mattress bed bug covers; wash sheets in hot water and dry them in a hot dryer for 30 minutes.
- Ontario.ca: Pesticide licences and permits — Ontario's Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks issues exterminator licences after a ministry-approved certification course, delivered through the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus.
- UC IPM: Bed Bugs (University of California Statewide IPM Program) — Females lay 200 to 500 eggs, usually two to five a day; eggs hatch in about 10 to 15 days at room temperature; there are five nymphal stages that each need a blood meal; the life cycle takes five weeks to four months and is fastest at 70 to 82 degrees F; up to four generations a year; adults feed every 5 to 7 days but can survive many months and 20 to 400 days without feeding; about 85% of bed bugs are in or near the bed and common hiding places are within 6 feet of where people sleep (mattress seams, box spring wood joints, bed frame cracks, behind baseboards and headboards, under loose wallpaper, behind picture frames, inside furniture, appliances and electronics), they can use crevices as thin as a credit card, and they prefer wood, paper and fabric to metal or plastic; eggs need a hand lens to see; interceptors under bed legs trapped six times more bed bugs than visual searches; a single vacuuming rarely gets all bugs and eggs and should be repeated; wash bedding and clothes in hot (120 degrees F) water and dry on the hottest setting for at least 10 to 15 minutes; steam can kill all life stages if it penetrates the hiding places; commercial heat needs at least 140 degrees F for two hours or 130 degrees F for three hours (minimum lethal 113 degrees F); encasements are effective in laboratory research and bugs inside die of starvation; dusts cling to the cuticle and wear away the wax or poison the insect when it grooms, but bed bugs may not groom as much as cockroaches so dusts that must be eaten, including borates, may be less effective than anticipated; the most effective bed bug pesticides are available only to commercial applicators; insecticide alone will not control an infestation and must be combined with cleaning, nonchemical tactics such as steam or heat and ongoing monitoring; after professional treatment keep monitoring daily, keep clutter down and vacuum regularly; never use bite symptoms to diagnose; confirm only by finding the bugs or their signs; if you remove an infested mattress do not leave it on the curb; renters should contact the landlord and tenants have rights; it is much easier to manage a small infestation.
- US EPA: Do-it-yourself Bed Bug Control — Success of do-it-yourself bed bug control depends on how many bed bugs there are, how much clutter provides hiding places, whether neighbours have bed bugs and whether everyone in the building takes part; foggers will not reach the cracks and crevices where bed bugs hide and should not be the only method; treating bed bugs is complex and can take weeks to months depending on the extent of the infestation; protective covers that seal mattresses and box springs trap bed bugs and they die; steam must be at least 130 degrees F; sealed bags of items need three days in a freezer at 0 degrees F.
Areas We Serve
AstraHive Pest Control proudly serves 75+ communities across the following regions:
- Toronto: Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, East York, York, Leslieville, Lakeview
- Durham Region: Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering, Clarington, Bowmanville, Courtice, Newcastle, Port Perry, Brooklin, Uxbridge, Scugog, Brock, Seaton
- York Region: Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Aurora, Newmarket, Thornhill, Woodbridge, Kleinburg, Maple, Stouffville, Unionville, Keswick, Holland Landing, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King City, King Township, Nobleton, Berczy Village, Cathedraltown, Commerce Valley, Cornell, Wismer, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Sutton, Schomberg
- Peel Region: Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, Malton, Port Credit, Streetsville, Meadowvale, Cooksville, Bolton, Palgrave
- Extended Service Area: Peterborough, Lindsay, Port Hope, Barrie, Bradford, Innisfil, Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Orillia, Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Hamilton, Grimsby, St. Catharines, Welland, Niagara Falls
Don't see your city listed? Call us — we likely cover it.
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