- Confirm it: check the cot or bed seams with a torch for dark spots, shed skins and tiny eggs.
- Wash hot: bedding, sleepsuits and soft toys at 60°C, or 30 minutes in a hot tumble dryer.
- No sprays on the cot or mattress unless the label says it is safe for use around children.
- Seal the mattress in a full-zip encasement so your child sleeps on a smooth, sealed surface.
- Call a professional if you see bugs in more than one room or bites keep appearing after 2 weeks.
Your child-safe bed bug checklist
Tick each step as you go. We'll tell you what to do next.
How do bed bugs get into a child's bed?
Almost always on things that travel: school bags, sleepovers, holidays, second-hand cots or furniture, and visitors' luggage. Bed bugs do not jump or fly. They hitch a ride, then walk to the nearest sleeping person at night. Children's beds are often next to a wall or in a cluttered room, which gives bugs plenty of places to hide close by.
Signs to look for in a cot or child's bed
- Small rust or dark spots on sheets, the mattress piping or cot slats.
- Pale shed skins and tiny white eggs (about 1mm) in seams and joints.
- Bites in lines or clusters on arms, legs, neck or face, often appearing in the morning.
- A live bug: flat, brown, apple-seed sized for adults, much smaller and paler for young nymphs.
Not sure if it is bed bugs? Try our bed bug signs checker or the "what is biting me?" quiz.
What is safe to use around children?
| Method | Around children? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 60°C wash and hot dryer | Yes | Kills all life stages on fabrics and soft toys. |
| Vacuuming | Yes | Removes bugs and eggs. Bag and bin outside. |
| Steam | Yes, when the child is out of the room | Slow passes over seams. Let surfaces dry before use. |
| Freezing small items | Yes | Sealed bag, home freezer at -18°C, at least 4 days. |
| Mattress encasement | Yes | Seals the mattress, no chemicals. |
| Shop-bought sprays and foggers | Avoid on cots and mattresses | Only use products labelled safe for the situation and follow the label exactly. |
| Professional treatment | Yes, following their advice | Tell them a child sleeps in the room. Ask when it is safe to return. |
Sealing a cot or child's mattress
A full-zip encasement is the simplest, chemical-free way to protect a child's bed. Any bugs or eggs already in the mattress are trapped and starve, and new bugs cannot get in. The smooth surface also makes it easy to spot any bug that does appear. Leave it zipped for at least 12 months.
Measure the mattress before you buy. Cot and cot bed mattresses vary in size, so check the dimensions on the product page.
Cot sizeCot Bed Bug Encasement
Full zip, all 6 sides, closes with no gap. Gentle on little ones.
Whole cotCot Bed Bug Protector Set
Mattress, pillow and duvet encasements in cot size.
Single bedSingle Bed Bug Encasement
For older children's single beds and bunk beds.
Frequently asked questions
Can bed bugs harm my baby?
Bed bugs are not known to spread disease. Bites can be itchy and occasionally get infected from scratching. Keep nails short, use a pharmacist-recommended cream suitable for their age, and see your GP if bites look infected or your child is unwell.
Should my child sleep in my bed instead?
Moving a child to another bed often just moves the bugs too. It is usually better to treat and seal the child's own bed and check every bed in the home.
Do I need to throw the cot mattress away?
Usually not. Vacuum it thoroughly and seal it in a full-zip encasement. Bugs trapped inside cannot feed and will die. If the mattress is torn or very infested, ask your pest controller.
Can bed bugs live in soft toys?
They can hide in them, especially toys kept in the bed. Hot wash at 60°C, tumble dry hot for 30 minutes, or freeze in a sealed bag for at least 4 days.
Give them a sealed, safe place to sleep
Cot encasement £79. Cot protector set £149. Free UK delivery.
Shop the cot encasement See the cot setWritten by Richard Williams, founder of iDustMite, former NHS worker, guest speaker at the Allergy UK Show in 2025 and 2026, and adviser on over 1,000 one-to-one bedroom consultations. This guide is general information, not medical advice. Reviewed October 2026.
