Can Bed Bugs Die in the Washer?
WouterFirst, you should sort all the clothes in your home. Make sure that you segregate the bedbug-infested items. Put them into separate piles, then place them in the laundry machine. Select the highest temperature setting and wash them separately. You don’t need to use special detergent. You should also use a plastic trash bag to prevent the bedbugs from spreading. When moving the items, you should do so slowly.
Alternatively, you can use rubbing alcohol to kill bed bugs. The alcohol works by killing the bugs on contact. Moreover, the liquid can also be used to kill the eggs. Although this method is not completely effective, it is still a better option than nothing. If you’re unable to use the dryer, try putting your clothes in the washing machine. It should take at least 90 minutes for the bedbugs to die. Once you’re done washing, you can dry the clothes.
Before transferring the clothes into the washer, be sure to check the temperature and wash them according to the instructions. The water temperature used should be hot enough to kill the bugs. When drying, the temperature should be as high as 118 degrees. If you are not sure, you can always put them back in the bag after they’ve been washed. This way, you can reduce the chances of spreading the bed bugs to other items in the house.
A bedbug’s life expectancy depends on whether they’ve recently eaten or not. If the bug didn’t eat recently, it might float to the surface and breathe.
