Below are some of the most popular questions asked about bed bugs according to Google Trends. Through the below popular queries, we cover information about bed bug habits, preventative measures, and recommended treatments.
Let’s delve into the core of bed bug trends and dispel common uncertainties.
1. Can Bed Bugs Stay in Your Clothes?
Possibly. Bed bugs can hide in your clothes and other fabrics, especially when clothes are left on the ground. Though they’re much less likely to hide in clothes while they’re being worn on your body.
The most common spots for bed bugs include cracks and crevices near where people sleep, such as in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and headboards.
Bed bugs are more likely to infest clothing if they come into contact with already-infested areas around the room. Since they are known to be excellent hitchhikers, bed bugs can easily crawl onto clothing, bags, or other fabrics and be transported to new locations.
If you suspect that your clothing has been exposed to bed bugs, it’s important to take precautions to prevent these insects from spreading. Make sure that you wash and dry your clothes on high heat, as the heat will kill both bed bugs and their eggs.
To prevent bed bug infestations, it’s important to be cautious when traveling and to regularly inspect your sleeping and living areas for signs of these creatures. This includes searching for active bed bugs, tiny white eggs, or small dark fecal spots around your bedding.
If you suspect a bed bug infestation, it’s best to contact a pest control professional for proper identification and treatment.
2. Can Bed Bugs Survive the Washing Machine?
Yes, bed bugs can survive a standard washing machine cycle, especially if it’s not done at a high temperature. While washing your clothes and bedding on a regular cycle might remove some bed bugs, their eggs, and nymphs, it’s not a guaranteed method for eliminating them completely.
Bed bugs are resilient pests, and their survival depends on various factors, including the temperature of the water and the duration of the wash cycle.
Washing clothes in hot water (around 140°F or 60°C) for an extended period of time can kill bed bugs and their eggs, but keep in mind that some household washing machines don’t consistently reach these high temperatures, especially during shorter cycles.
To increase the chances of killing bed bugs in your laundry, consider the following guidelines:
- Use Very Hot Water: Wash your clothes and bedding on the hottest water setting that’s safe for the fabric. Bed bugs and their eggs are more likely to be killed at higher temperatures.
- Dry on the Highest Setting: After washing, use a high heat setting in the dryer to thoroughly dry the items. Again, the heat will help kill any remaining bed bugs.
- Bag Items Securely: If you’re dealing with a bed bug infestation, consider bagging your clothes and bedding in plastic bags before transporting them to the laundry area. This can help contain these bugs and prevent them from spreading to other areas of your home.
- Inspect and Repeat: After washing and drying, inspect your clothes and bedding for any signs of bed bugs or eggs. If you find any, repeat the process or consider professional pest control services.
- Isolate Infested Items: If you suspect bed bugs in your home, it’s a good idea to isolate infested items by sealing them in plastic bags until they can be treated properly.
Remember that while washing and drying your laundry can help reduce the number of bed bugs, it’s just one part of a comprehensive approach to dealing with a bed bug infestation.
3. Will a Shower Get Rid of Bed Bugs?
Taking a shower will not effectively get rid of bed bugs from your body or eliminate an infestation in your living space. Bed bugs are resilient pests that primarily feed on blood and hide in cracks, crevices, and other hiding spots near where humans rest or sleep.
Here are a few reasons why a shower won’t eliminate a bed bug infestation:
Where Bed Bugs Live: Bed bugs are not typically found living on human bodies. They come out of concealment at night to feed and then return to their hiding spots. Taking a shower may wash away any bed bugs that might be crawling on you, but it won’t address the underlying infestation in your residence.
Infestation Source: The source of a bed bug infestation is not personal hygiene. Bed bugs can be introduced into a home through various means, including infested furniture, luggage, or clothing. Treating the source of the infestation and the affected areas is crucial to effectively eliminate bed bugs.
Comprehensive Treatment: Successfully getting rid of bed bugs requires a comprehensive approach that targets all areas of the infestation. Simply taking a shower will not do much at all to solve your bed bug problems.
4. Do Bed Bugs Go Away When You Wash Sheets?
Washing your sheets and bedding can help reduce the number of bed bugs present, but it is unlikely to completely eliminate a bed bug infestation. Bed bugs are resilient insects that can hide in various areas of your living space, not just in your bedding.
While washing your sheets can remove some bed bugs, their eggs, and nymphs, it’s just one step in a comprehensive approach to dealing with an infestation.
Washing your sheets and bedding in hot water (around 140°F or 60°C) and drying them on high heat can kill bed bugs and their eggs. This can help reduce the number of bed bugs present on your bedding.
However, bed bugs can also hide in other areas such as mattresses, box springs, bed frames, furniture, and cracks in walls or floors. They are excellent at finding hiding spots, and even if you wash your sheets, there may still be bed bugs elsewhere in your living space.
Bed bug infestations are persistent and can require multiple treatments over time. Even if you wash your sheets and bedding, you may need to repeat the process and continue with other treatments to fully eradicate the infestation.
