How to identify bed bugs in your mattress with this simple kit you already own

On the left, an image of two women closely inspecting the bedding of a mattress as they make the bed, in our Sleep Lab. On the right, a close up of bed bugs giding in the seams of a mattress

(Image credit: Shutterstock / Future)

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire and bed bugs nipping at your toes... whether your traveling for the season or playing host, bed bugs in a mattress are a sure-fire way to ruin the holiday cheer.

But there is a quick and easy way to identify bed bugs, and it's hiding in your wallet. No, they won't be bribed with the promise of holiday gifts but a credit card and a torch form a simple bed bug detective kit, stopping an outbreak before you have to stuff your stockings with diatomaceous earth.

How using your credit card can help you find bed bugs

Bed bugs hide in dark, enclosed areas, making the seams of your mattress prime real estate. And once tucked in the fabric, they become hard to identify. You might be covered in bites before you realize you have a problem.

However inside your pocket is a simple bed bug-fighting kit. Simply grab a credit card (or any other plastic card) and a torch (your phone light will work.)

Two bed bugs on a mattress — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Pick an area to start looking, focusing on the seams, labels, quilting and other decorative areas. Turn the torch on your chosen spot then gently press and drag the credit card along the surface.

The drag will bring bed bugs and their eggs to the surface, where you can spot them with the help of your torch.

And because you probably carry your wallet and phone everywhere, you can use this trick at home or away. Maybe your guest room has sat empty for a while or you want to double-check your holiday accommodation?

5 more ways to prevent bed bugs ruining your holidays

Bed bugs are tricky but over the year our sleep team has amassed a variety of hacks and tips to help you find and deal with pests. These are our favorites, both on the go and at home...

1. If you're traveling, put your luggage in the bath

Using the holiday season for a winter getaway? Hotel mattresses are dreamy for sleeping on but frequent exposure to visitors from all over does put them at a heightened risk of bed bugs hitching a ride on a suitcase.

To avoid taking bed bugs home, when you enter a hotel don't put your luggage on the bed. Instead place it in the bath or shower.

A black suitcase in front of a white bed in a stylish hotel room — (Image credit: Getty Images)

Bed bugs hate these smooth shiny surfaces, keeping your luggage protected while you examine the room using the credit card hack above. If there are no signs of bed bugs you can go ahead and settle in.

But if it's your home that's acting as a hotel over the holidays, try these tips...

2. Keep your guest room clean with a mattress encasement

Let's be honest, the guest room is rarely top of the to-do list. As a result, your guest mattress might have become an unwitting home to pests.

A mattress encasement — like a mattress protector that covers every side of the mattress — won't prevent bed bugs, but it does make it harder for them to invade your spare bed when you aren't looking.

Mattress encasements can also reduce the build-up of dust in your mattress, to turn away dust mites.

3. Opt for a hot wash and dry

Freshly cleaned sheets are a must for the ultimate guest bed but make sure to turn the heat up a notch when washing, to banish any bed bugs.

Bed bugs hate extreme temperatures so we recommend washing your bedding at a temperature of at least 140°F (60°C) for a minimum of 90 minutes.

Two women stand on either side of a mattress on a bed frame in our sleep studio. They are holding a duvet which is only half on the bed &mdash; they might removing it to allow the mattress to air or dressing the bed. — (Image credit: Future)

Once clean, it's time for a second blast of heat, either from your dryer or by leaving the bedding to dry in warm, direct sunlight (admittedly hard to find at this time of year.)

4. Vacuum thoroughly

As you vacuum every floor in preparation of your house guests, spare a few minutes to give the mattresses a once over.

We recommend vacuuming your mattress year-round but if you've abandoned that task, now's the time to get cleaning. The best vacuum cleaners use their powerful suction to remove bed bugs and their eggs from every inch of the mattress.

A hand holds a vacuum mattress cleaner on the surface of a mattress, vacuuming for bed bugs, dust mites, dirt and allergens — (Image credit: Future)

Pay particular attention to the seams and underside of the mattress, as these dark areas are a haven for bed bugs.

And once you've finished cleaning, immediately empty the vacuum into a bag, seal it, and dispose far away from the house.

5. Avoid clutter

'Holiday season' and 'clutter' are almost synonymous but keeping the floors mess-free limits the number of hiding spaces for bed bugs.

That also means the space under your bed. Yes, that's Santa's preferred hiding place but it's also a favorite of bed bugs, so find another spot to stash the sack.

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Ruth is an experienced Senior Staff writer at Tom’s Guide, covering all things sleep and mattresses. She writes to help people sleep better, from how-tos to the latest deals to mattress reviews, and has interviewed an array of experts who share her passion. She is also our specialist on memory foam — she’s flown around the world to see memory foam being made — and leads our hotel mattress content. She has a deep interest in the link between sleep and health, and has tried enough mattresses, from Helix to Nectar to Simba, to know the right bed really can make a difference to your wellbeing. Before joining the team at Tom’s Guide, Ruth worked as a sleep and mattress writer for our sister website, TechRadar.

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