What should be done with clothing after bedbugs appear? - briefly
Immediately isolate all garments, wash them on the hottest cycle (≥120 °F) for at least 30 minutes and tumble‑dry on high heat; for items that cannot be laundered, place them in sealed plastic bags and either freeze for several days or discard them. This prevents surviving insects from re‑infesting the environment.
What should be done with clothing after bedbugs appear? - in detail
When bed bugs are discovered, every piece of clothing must be treated as a potential carrier. Immediate isolation prevents insects from spreading to other items. Place garments in sealed plastic bags before any further action.
Cleaning procedures
- Hot water wash: Use water at 60 °C (140 °F) or higher for at least 30 minutes. This temperature kills all life stages of the pest.
- High‑heat drying: Transfer washed items to a dryer set to the highest setting for a minimum of 30 minutes. Heat penetrates seams and folds where bugs hide.
- Cold‑temperature option: If the fabric cannot tolerate heat, seal the clothing in airtight bags and freeze at –18 °C (0 °F) for at least four days. Freezing also eliminates the insects.
Post‑treatment handling
- Keep dried or frozen garments sealed until the surrounding environment is confirmed free of infestation.
- Inspect each item for live bugs or shed skins before returning it to closets or drawers.
- For heavily infested or delicate items that cannot endure heat or freezing, consider professional pest‑control services that offer specialized heat‑treatment chambers.
Disposal considerations
- If an item shows extensive damage or repeated infestation despite treatment, discard it in a sealed bag to avoid re‑introduction.
- Follow local waste‑management guidelines for disposing of infested textiles.
By following these steps—isolating, applying appropriate temperature treatment, verifying cleanliness, and, when necessary, disposing—clothing can be rendered safe and the overall bed‑bug problem contained.