Can Bed Bugs Get on Clothes You’re Wearing?
WouterFinding out that bed bugs have gotten on your clothes can be a very frustrating experience, but there are ways to ensure that you don’t have to endure this ordeal again. The first step is to contain the infestation, which means placing the items in question in plastic bags and double-layering them to prevent escape. It takes just one fertile female to start a bed bug colony, so containment is crucial.
Bed bugs have long mouthparts and can’t physically penetrate through fabric, but they can bite through thin clothing. If you’re wearing loose-woven mesh fabric or other clothing that has holes, bed bugs will be unable to penetrate. Luckily, you can avoid this problem by wearing more clothing and tighter clothing, as the bug won’t be able to get through fabric.
Before washing your clothes, sort them according to category and place them in separate plastic bags. Make sure you use the hottest water temperature and a hot dry cycle for each type of clothing. This will kill any bed bugs that might have gotten on the clothes. In between washing, you can put your clothes in plastic bags, and store them in a plastic bin.
When you’re walking into a room, check your clothes carefully. This way, you’ll avoid bringing home any of the bugs with you. If you’ve discovered a large infestation, it is likely to spread to other areas of your house. The bugs may get onto your clothes and infect other items in your home.
