Bed bugs are persistent pests that can find their way into every corner of your home—including your clothes. Whether you’re dealing with a bed bug infestation or trying to avoid one, knowing how to handle infested clothes is crucial.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get rid of bed bugs on your clothing and linens, making your home bed bug-free again.
Key Takeaways
- Infested clothes should be placed in sealed plastic bags to stop bed bugs from spreading to other items.
- High heat during washing and drying is necessary to kill bed bugs and their eggs effectively.
- Non-washable items require careful treatment, like dry cleaning or specialized heat methods to remove bed bugs.
- Severe infestations may need professional pest control services using heat treatment or other methods to get rid of bed bugs fully.
5 STEPS TO KILL BED BUGS ON CLOTHES
After your summer travels, getting rid of bed bugs on your clothes takes a few key steps. Here’s how to tackle the problem and keep them from coming back.
Step 1: Isolate Infested Clothes
The first step in addressing a bed bug problem is isolating the issue. Place all infested items into sealed plastic bags or trash bags to prevent the bugs from spreading. Bed bugs can hide in the smallest crevices, so make sure the bags are tightly sealed.
Step 2: Launder Infested Clothes
Washing clothes and bedding properly is one of the most effective methods to kill bed bugs. Here’s how to do it:
- Use the Highest Temperatures: Bed bugs and their eggs cannot survive exposure to high heat. Run the washer with hot water, using the highest heat setting that is safe for your fabrics.
- Extend the Wash Cycle: Ensure the wash cycle lasts long enough to clean the items and dislodge bed bug eggs fully.
- Dry on High Heat: Transfer the washed items to a drier and set it to the highest temperature for at least 30 minutes. High temperatures kill bed bugs at all life stages, including eggs and nymphs.
Step 3: Handle Non-Washable Items
Not all fabrics can be thrown into a washing machine. For delicate or dry-clean-only clothes, consider the following options:
- Dry Cleaning: Take these items to a dry cleaner, but inform them of the infestation so they can take proper precautions.
- Heat Treatment: Use specialized heat treatment equipment to expose non-washable fabrics to high temperatures safely.
Step 4: Prevent Re-infestation
Once your clothes are bed bug-free, keep them that way by storing them in sealed plastic bags or airtight containers. A vacuum bag offers extra protection by isolating items from potential infestations.
Regularly clean and inspect linens, textiles, and hiding places to ensure bed bugs don’t return.
Step 5: Treat the Infested Area
Killing bed bugs on clothes is only part of the solution. Address the infested area to stop the bugs from returning. Vacuum thoroughly. Pay attention to cracks and crevices in furniture, floors, and walls.
For severe cases, consult a pest control company. They may recommend bed bug treatment options like heat treatment or additional methods.
ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR GETTING RID OF BED BUGS
To keep bed bugs from returning or spreading, follow these simple precautions:
- Washing bedding and clothing on high heat every few weeks can keep infestations at bay.
- If you use a laundromat, transport your clothes in sealed plastic bags to avoid contamination.
- For items you no longer need, dispose of them responsibly in sealed trash bags to prevent spreading bed bugs to others.
You can also use rubbing alcohol to treat surfaces where bed bugs might hide and sprinkle diatomaceous earth around crevices and baseboards as an extra layer of protection.
WHEN TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR
If you’re still dealing with adult bed bugs, bed bug eggs, or bed bug bites despite your best efforts to have clean clothes, it’s time to contact a pest control service.
At LaJaunie’s Pest Control, our professionals use effective methods like heat treatment and can recommend bed bug control strategies tailored to your specific situation.
For expert help, contact us today—we’re here to make your home safe and comfortable again.