What should be done with clothing in an apartment infested with bedbugs? - briefly
Remove all garments, seal them in plastic bags, and launder on the hottest setting (≥130 °F) for at least 30 minutes. Items unsuitable for high heat should be dry‑cleaned or, if heavily infested, discarded in a sealed container.
What should be done with clothing in an apartment infested with bedbugs? - in detail
When an apartment is overrun by bed‑bugs, every article of clothing must be treated as a potential carrier of insects and their eggs. The goal is to eliminate live bugs, destroy eggs, and prevent re‑infestation.
First, separate garments that can be laundered from those that cannot. Place all washable items in sealed plastic bags before moving them to the laundry area to avoid spreading pests. Use the hottest water the fabric tolerates, typically 120 °F (49 °C) or higher, and run a full‑cycle wash. Follow with a dryer cycle on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes; heat above 115 °F (46 °C) kills both bugs and eggs.
For fabrics that cannot endure high temperatures, consider the following options:
- Freezing: Seal the item in an airtight bag and store it in a freezer at –4 °F (–20 °C) for a minimum of four days. The prolonged cold exposure exterminates all stages of the insect.
- Professional heat treatment: Use a commercial chamber that reaches 140 °F (60 °C) for 30 minutes. This service is available through pest‑control companies.
- Encasement: Place non‑washable clothing in certified, zip‑sealed encasements rated for bed‑bug protection. Keep the encasement sealed for at least three months, the length of the bug’s life cycle, before discarding or laundering.
Items that are heavily infested, damaged, or impossible to treat should be disposed of safely. Seal them in heavy‑duty trash bags, double‑bag, and label them as “infested.” Arrange prompt removal by waste management to avoid accidental exposure.
After treatment, keep all cleaned or protected garments in sealed containers until the living space has been thoroughly inspected and treated. Avoid re‑introducing any clothing into the apartment until the pest‑control process is confirmed successful.
Finally, maintain vigilance by regularly inspecting clothing for signs of bugs—small reddish‑brown spots, shed skins, or live insects—especially after travel or storage. Early detection prevents the need for extensive remediation.