Avoid this mattress type if you want to get rid of bed bugs — and what to choose instead

While there are plenty of things you can do to help prevent a bed bug outbreak, the harsh truth is that no mattress is resistant to an infestation.

Some our favorite beds in our best mattress guide use materials that are known to ward off allergens like dust mites and mildew, but bed bugs can invade any mattress no matter the design.

However, there is one type of mattress that is more suspectable than others.

Here's a look at which mattress is most prone to bed bugs, and which kind you should choose instead in this month's mattress sales. Plus, we'll give you a few tips to keep bed bugs at bay if your mattress is a hotbed for the pests.

Which mattress type is more prone to bed bug outbreaks?

There are four types of mattresses: natural or organic latex mattresses, memory foam mattresses, hybrid mattresses, and innerspring mattress.

Innerspring mattresses are probably the most well-known kind of bed. They are considered the classic, traditional mattress type, and are commonly known as simply spring mattresses.

These beds are cheap, supportive, and sleep cool thanks to the enhanced airflow of springs. However, they're also the most prone to a bed bug outbreak.

Why? Online mattress store Sleepy Hollow Bed Centre warns that bed bugs can hide in the gaps between the springs of innerspring mattresses.

According to mattress retailer BedInABox, innerspring mattresses' open design has a lot of crevices, seams, and edges all of which make good hiding spots for bed bugs.

What mattresses are less prone to bed bugs?

1. Latex

In recent years, latex mattresses have gained enormous popularity thanks to their sustainable, non-toxic structure and the rise in health-conscious and eco-conscious shopping habits. In fact, natural latex is a key material in pretty much all of this year's best organic mattresses.

In addition to their more eco-friendly designs, latex mattresses are naturally resistant to allergens such as dust mites and mold. While they are not resistant to bed bugs (remember, no mattress is), they certainly are one of the best beds to choose if you're worried about an infestation.

As natural mattress brand Latex for Less points out, bed bugs do not like the high density of latex foam, as it provides few spaces for them to hide and rest.

Disinfectant specialist Steri-Fab also points out that the hypoallergenic, antimicrobial nature of latex also creates an unhospitable environment for bed bugs.

2. Memory foam

Memory foam mattresses have been around since the early 90s and are still popular today thanks to their body-contouring comfort.

The best memory foam mattresses today can also offer great support and even cooling properties, while memory foam itself is inherently resistant to dust mites.

Like latex, memory foam has a dense, tightly-packed structure that makes it unaccommodating to bed bugs. According to Steri-Fab, memory foam's anti-allergenic and thick composition acts as a deterrent to bed bugs.

However, there's no such thing as a bed bug-resistant foam mattress, as bed bugs can take advantage of seams or tears in the mattress's cover or in the memory foam itself.

3. Hybrid

The hybrid mattress is a relatively new invention, but the comfortable-yet-supportive combination of foam and springs means its design as monopolized the mattress industry.

The best hybrid mattresses either use latex or memory foam for their comfort layers, and coils or springs for support.

The layers of memory foam or latex can deter bed bugs thanks to their dense, unhospitable construction, proving a better option than a traditional all-spring mattress.

That said, hybrid mattresses still contain springs and gaps for bed bugs to create hiding spots, so aren't as effective as all-foam beds at limiting bed bug infestations.

3 ways to prevent bed bugs from infesting your mattress

If you have an innerspring mattress and are not in the market for a new bed, then don't panic. You can still limit a chance of a bed bug invasion with these three tips:

1. Buy a mattress protector or encasement

Both mattress protectors and encasements can offer some level of bed beg protection, with some of the best mattress protectors safeguarding your mattress from allergens such as bugs, germs, and spills.

However, the best option out of the two if you want to prevent an infestation is definitely an encasement. Mattress protectors only protect the front and sides of your bed, but leave the underside exposed.

Encasements, on the other hands, provide 360 protection as they encase every inch of your mattress with a zip-up encasement design.

2. Regularly inspect your mattress

Inspecting your mattress regularly for bed bugs will stop the pests from infiltrating your home.

To do this it helps to know what bed bugs look like, along with the red flags. Check out our guide on how to spot bed bugs on your mattress and our other guide on how to spot the signs that you have bed bugs.

If you do spot bed bugs, also visit our guides on how to get rid of bed bugs and bed bug home remedies.

3. Keep on top of your cleaning schedule

Knowing how to clean your mattress is important for preventing bed bugs from invading.

Make sure to vacuum your mattress once a month, along with spot-cleaning any stains. Throw your mattress protector or encasement in the washing machine every three months, and save a mattress deep clean every six months.