What should you do if a bedbug is found in clothing? - briefly
«Isolate the affected clothing in a sealed plastic bag, then wash on the highest safe temperature and tumble‑dry on high heat.» «After drying, examine the items and keep them in a clean, sealed container to prevent re‑infestation.»
What should you do if a bedbug is found in clothing? - in detail
When a bedbug is discovered in garments, immediate containment prevents spread. Place the affected items in a sealed, airtight plastic bag; label the bag to avoid accidental mixing with clean laundry.
The next step is thorough decontamination. Wash the clothing in water hotter than 60 °C (140 °F) for at least 30 minutes. Follow washing with a dryer cycle on the highest heat setting for a minimum of 30 minutes, as heat kills all life stages of the insect. For fabrics that cannot endure high temperatures, employ professional dry‑cleaning services that use heat‑based processes.
After cleaning, inspect all surrounding textiles. Examine other clothing, towels, and bedding for signs of infestation. Apply steam treatment to items that cannot be laundered, maintaining steam temperature above 100 °C for several minutes. For small accessories, place them in a freezer at –20 °C (–4 °F) for at least 72 hours to ensure mortality.
Prevent future occurrences by storing clean clothing in sealed containers or vacuum‑sealed bags. Use mattress and box‑spring encasements designed to block bedbugs, and regularly vacuum closets and storage areas. Reduce clutter that could serve as hiding places.
If signs persist after personal measures, engage a licensed pest‑management professional. Request an integrated pest‑management plan that includes inspection, targeted insecticide application, and ongoing monitoring to eradicate the infestation completely.