Pesty and long-lived, bed bugs have been sucking human blood for ages. Due to their ability to hitchhike on your goods, they can create a lot of difficulty both at home and on the road.
One of the questions that is frequently asked is whether or not bed bugs can travel on the clothes that a person is wearing. They can, and the answer is yes.
The question then becomes how to stop these pests from entering your house. Let’s get down to some preventative measures for these pesky insects.
How Your Clothes Become A Highway For Bed Bugs?
You probably have no idea that your garments are the best possible route for bed bugs. These insects are so little that they may attach themselves to fibers in garments and travel with the wearer.
Bed bugs may hitchhike in your baggage, handbags, and backpacks and make their way to your bed, your friend’s home, or even hotels. This is especially problematic for hotels. When these annoying creatures have made up their minds to make your belongings their new home, they may remain there for many days before moving onto your mattress.
Checking your belongings on a regular basis is the best way to keep these pests out of your house and prevent them from spreading. When it comes to these pests, prevention is always preferable.
How do Bed Bugs attach to Your Clothes?
Bed bugs are small, wingless insects approximately the size of an apple seed. One of the things that makes them such seasoned explorers is their speedy crawling abilities on a variety of surfaces, including clothing.
Their powerful legs enable them to adhere to fabrics and other things, facilitating their movement.
Bed bugs will swiftly move toward the body heat of their host (human or animal) and begin sucking blood. Therefore, if you are wearing infested clothing, the bed bugs will most likely climb onto your body and begin feasting. It doesn’t matter if you’re at home or on the road, this can happen to anyone.
Can Bed Bugs Be Identified by Looking at Clothes?
Bed bugs are not always simple to identify, particularly in the early stages of an infestation when they have not yet taken over your home. However, some individuals may question if they can detect when they have bed bugs by looking at their clothing. This is something that can be done.
Bed bugs, due to their microscopic size, are notoriously difficult to see. They don’t eat fabric but rather make their homes in covered items like mattresses and box springs.
This suggests that bed bugs may be hiding in your clothes, but you may not be able to determine them from a visual inspection alone.
A professional exterminator should be called in if you think you may have bed bugs.
How to Check for Bed Bugs
Another important step in preventing bed bugs is to regularly check for any signs of infestation. Here’s what to look out for:
- Blood stains on your sheets or pillowcases.
- Dark spots (excrement) on your mattress or furniture.
- Bed bug casings or eggs, which are small and white in color.
If you do suspect a bed bug infestation, it’s best to seek professional help to properly eliminate them from your home.
Do Bed Bugs Spread Diseases?
When we think of bed bugs, the first thing that comes to mind is the uncomfortable feeling of being bitten in the middle of the night. But, do they pose any serious health risks?
The good news is that bed bugs are not known to spread disease. While their bites can cause itching, redness, and swelling, they do not transmit illnesses like some other pests, such as mosquitoes and ticks.
But, it’s important to note that allergies to bed bug bites can occur in some people, which can cause more severe reactions.
So, while bed bugs may not carry disease, it’s still important to take measures to prevent and eradicate these pests in your home to avoid potential discomfort and allergic reactions.
These pesky insects are known for their ability to hitch a ride on clothing, luggage, and possessions, making them particularly difficult to get rid of.
Can Bed Bugs travel on specific fabrics?
Bed bugs, despite their small size, are known for their skill as hitchhikers. Do they have a preference for certain fabrics that they ride on? It’s normal for bed bugs to stick to clothes as well as blankets, furniture, and other things around the house.
Researchers have found that they are more likely to move on rougher fabrics like wool and jeans than on smoother fabrics like polyester and silk.
No matter how careful you are with your clothes, you should still take measures to protect yourself against bed bugs if you are going to or staying in an area where they are prevalent. These tenacious parasites are adept at concealing themselves and finding human hosts; thus, it is advisable to be attentive and examine your items on a regular basis to avoid them from hitching a ride with you.
Washing the Bed Bug Blues Away: Laundry Tips
The good news is, that bed bugs can’t survive high temperatures. In order to get rid of any bed bugs that might be hiding in your laundry, you should wash everything in very hot water and dry it in the highest setting.
You should wash and dry all infected objects, especially any recently worn clothing.
There is no time to waste if you think you have bed bugs in your closet. The following are some methods for eliminating bed bugs from your wardrobe:
- Put the infected items in a plastic bag and make sure the bag is sealed well.
- We recommend 30 minutes of washing in hot water (at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit).
- The laundry needs at least 30 minutes of drying time on high heat.
- Dry cleaning is an effective method of eliminating bed bugs from clothes that can’t be washed or dried in a conventional washing machine.
- When you’re done washing and drying your linens, put them in a plastic bag to keep the bed bugs out.
Bed Bug Defense 101: Tips to Keep Those Pests Away
No one likes the thought of creepy crawlies in their bed, especially not bed bugs. Once these pests have invaded your house, you may find it difficult to eradicate them. Luckily, there are several options available for warding them off.
The greatest protection now that you know how to get rid of bed bugs on clothes is to keep them out of your house in the first place.
Some things to remember are listed below.
- Do a thorough check of any used items before bringing them into your house. This includes purchases made from flea markets, second-hand shops, or even hotel rooms.
- It’s a good idea to check your belongings for any unwanted visitors before bringing them into the house after a trip. Wash them as soon as you can, and dry them on high heat if you can.
- If you’re worried about getting bed bugs, cover your mattress with a protective cover.
- Reduce the number of locations bed bugs may hide by keeping your house tidy.
Final Thoughts
Bed bugs are not just an annoyance, but also a health hazard due to their itching bites. If you follow these guidelines, you won’t have to worry about bed bugs damaging your clothing or other valuables in your house.
Be careful of bringing new things into your house or on vacation, and respond swiftly if you see evidence of bed bug activity. Implementing these steps can help you maintain a Bed Bug-free environment in your house. Now that you know how to get rid of lead in clothes, you can also be on the lookout for and avoid those bothersome bed bugs. Have a safe trip! Don’t let the bugs in!
