Reddit mentions of Linenspa Zippered Waterproof, Dust Mite, Bed Bug Proof, Queen Size Hypoallergenic Breathable Protector, Mattress Encasement

Mattress protector/encasement: Hypoallergenic bag to seal bed bugs, dust mites, and spills in/out of mattress. https://www.amazon.com/Encasement-Waterproof-Hypoallergenic-Breathable-Protector/dp/B00Z06F2OI/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=Mattress+protector&qid=1562627220&s=gateway&sr=8-4

Mattress topper: Egg crate or gel foam that is placed on top of the mattress for extra comfort. https://www.amazon.com/Memory-Foam-Topper-Mattress-Sleep/dp/B01GICXDN4/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=Mattress+topper+twin+xl&qid=1562627405&s=gateway&sr=8-6

Mattress pad: Lightly padded/quilted but otherwise similar to a fitted sheet, placed below sheets to protect mattress & hold everything together. (Kinda like underwear for your mattress.) https://www.amazon.com/Gilbin-College-Quilted-Mattress-Polyester/dp/B00MGWK06E/ref=sr_1_9?crid=HBFAAZPF1KD5&keywords=mattress+pad+twin+xl&qid=1562627643&s=gateway&sprefix=Mattress+pad+er+twin+xl%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-9


Mattress protectors are a good idea if you have dust mite allergies, or have concerns about the cleanliness of the mattress. Topper is good if you are used to a plush pillow-top type mattress or find the mattress too firm. Mattress pad is really useful if you are using one of the other two things, or to add a little buffer if the mattress material is plastic or rough.

ETA: You can find combo protector/pads, topper/pads, etc. too. So many options.

Okay, I'm going to try and keep it manageable.

If you live in an apartment, you need to tell the super if only because you risk them going into other places and reinfesting.

There are kits you can buy, though just be sure anything you buy also has a sprayer of some kind if it's mixed

If a kit doesn't have encasements you should order those on amazon.

That said, here are some steps:

Wash and machine dry everything you own, and put them in these or these. Don't be stingy on this, buy 2-3 of them. Make outfits for work and home and organize them bag by bag. Lets call this 25 dollars.

Do this with your linens, pillow cases, and pillows. If your bedsheets are not light colored and plain, then buy some light colored plain ones. White is good, a little off white is best as nymphs can appear white if they haven't eaten, eggs too. Wash your linens every 4 days or so.

Buy mattress encasements for your bed AND your box spring. Measure both to make sure you don't buy one that's too big, the snugger the fit the better. Do not go too cheap on this, look at the reviews. A good one will have not only a zipper but a folding flap to secure it. Lets call this 60 bucks. Once on, never remove the encasement without a PCO telling you to. Do not try to make your own, it never works out well. Important note, do NOT under any circumstance have any kind of bed skirt or blanket that's so large it touches the floor easily. You're going to want to make it so the bugs have to crawl up the legs so they die on the cimexa.

If you do not have an iron/steel bed frame, I recommend getting the cheapest one you can find.

Clean everything off the floor, make sure no furniture is touching any other furniture or the wall. If you can't do that, you need to lose some stuff. Believe me it's worth it.

Vacuum daily if you can, and immediately toss out whatever you vacuum up in whatever trash is outside. Do not keep it inside. I wouldn't recommend vacuuming less than every other day. Vacuum early in the morning if at all possible.

Buy interceptors. These babies are pricey unfortunately. but a 12 pack should be good for a bed and something else. That's about 40. Make sure whatever bed post you have will fit in them, they're not the widest.

Buy two cans of bedlam plus. Spray it along each joint and crevice in all the furniture after you've emptied it out. Do not use over the counter sprays, they're almost always things bed bugs are already resistant to.

Buy two bottles of Cimexa and a bellows. Apply the cimexa on the perimeter of every piece of furniture that is on the floor as well as along the wall of the room. Unscrew every outlet and switch cover and put it there as well. Don't go overboard, less is more. This will be about 40 total for the set. I recommend spraying the legs of your chairs. Make sure to cover your face while you're doing this. Cimexa will kill them if they crawl over it, however if it's clumped up in big piles they'll walk around it because they don't like it.

Do NOT switch where you sleep. They'll follow you and spread to other parts of where you live. You're live bait. It sucks, but having them come to where you're sleeping is the best way to kill them. You want them feeling safe and secure as they walk over the poisons and cimexa you've laid out.

You'll be living out of bags for a long long time, so get used to it. I recommend scheduling something you enjoy every week to keep your sanity and have something to look forward to.

Whatever you do, do NOT buy a bed bug bomb. It will scatter them and make them harder to clear.

Nothing goes on the bed unless it's sterile, and nothing leaves the bed without being washed and dried ASAP.

You should get a mattress cover like this! They're pretty useful.

Pests and bugs happen to everyone. You're not failing adulting at all, pests are just exceptionally good at being pesty.

It's just me in my house and I'm so gdamn tired of dealing with things on a DYI scale, plus I've got a good working relationship with my exterminator now since he's been to my house for various other reasons now. It says something that he thinks my house is clean enough to order cupcakes from me so I'll take it lol.

That's great that you've been free and clear! You didn't mention bagging your mattress - I got this one after everything was treated in case you haven't/need a recommendation. Fingers crossed for both of us that we don't have any recurrences!

They might not work for everyone but when I had a case of bed bugs about 3 years ago and ordered this one for my mattress: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Z06F2OI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and this one for my box spring (same brand): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011M87Q50/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I used those covers on my bed, covered my floor and bed frame with diatomaceous earth, and had an exterminator come and thankfully never had a recurrence.