What can be used to eliminate laundry bed bugs? - briefly
Laundry should be washed in water at a minimum of 130 °F (54 °C) and dried on high heat for at least 30 minutes, as these temperatures eradicate all life stages of bed‑bug insects. If washing is impractical, applying a fabric‑safe insecticide or employing a professional heat‑treatment service provides effective eradication.
What can be used to eliminate laundry bed bugs? - in detail
Laundry treatment of bed‑bug infestations requires temperature‑based or chemical interventions that fully penetrate fabrics.
Hot‑water cycles reaching at least 60 °C (140 °F) for a minimum of 30 minutes destroy all life stages of the insect. Immediate transfer to a high‑heat dryer set to 70 °C (158 °F) for 30 minutes ensures residual eggs are eliminated.
When washing machines lack sufficient temperature control, steam‑cleaning devices can be applied directly to garments. Steam at 100 °C for several minutes penetrates seams and folds, killing hidden specimens.
For items that cannot tolerate heat, freezing is effective. Placement in a freezer at –18 °C (0 °F) for at least 72 hours guarantees mortality of adults, nymphs and eggs.
Chemical options include:
- Commercially approved laundry sanitizers containing permethrin or deltamethrin, added according to manufacturer instructions.
- Insect‑growth‑regulator (IGR) powders such as methoprene, mixed with detergent for a single wash cycle.
- Boric‑acid‑based powders, applied to dry fabrics and left for several hours before shaking off.
Additional measures:
- Seal cleaned items in airtight plastic bags for 48 hours to prevent re‑infestation.
- Inspect and clean washing machine seals and detergent drawers with alcohol or a diluted bleach solution.
- Rotate clothing storage, keeping infrequently used items in sealed containers.
Combining high‑temperature washing with thorough drying provides the most reliable eradication. Chemical treatments serve as supplementary tools for heat‑sensitive fabrics, while freezing offers an alternative for delicate items. Consistent application of these methods across all potentially contaminated textiles eliminates bed‑bug populations from laundry.