Do Bed Bugs Die in the Dryer?
When it comes to treating bed bug infested clothing, one of the most common questions is, “Do bed bugs die in dryer?” At a temperature of over 45°C, bed bugs can die. However, there is a high chance of their eggs surviving. Thus, you need to expose your clothes to heat for a longer period of time. Exposing your clothes to a higher temperature for a longer period kills bed bugs and their eggs faster.
Do bed bug eggs die in the dryer?
With basic drying, the temperature is enough to kill bed bugs and their eggs. However, depending on your machine and the temperature it reaches, it may take longer to heat up and kill the bed bugs stuck in your clothes.
Since it will take about 15 minutes for the dryer to reach its highest possible temperature, it is recommended that you tumble-dry washed clothes on the high setting for half an hour. This will make the entire process more effective.
Preparing Bed Bug – Infested Clothing Prior to Washing and Drying
You don’t simply throw your clothes in the washer after you found out that they are infested with bed bugs. Just like treating your home from a bedbug infestation, preparation is also essential to make sure that the treatment will work. So for preparing your clothes prior to washing and drying, the following are some of the things you can do:
- Sort your clothes.
It is still necessary that you sort your clothes not only by color but also by material. Delicate or dry-clean only items must go to the dry-cleaners or must be carefully heat treated to make sure that you only get rid of the bugs while not affecting the clothes.
- Vacuum infested items
If you have a handheld vacuum cleaner, you can vacuum your clothes prior to heat treating them inside the washer and the dryer. This can help in capturing any visible bugs and their eggs and make the entire process more effective.
- Prepare two trash bags for every load of laundry and follow the steps below:
There are a few simple things you can do to kill bed bugs as well as their eggs using the dryer. All you need is two trash bags for every load of laundry, following this procedure:
- Fill each plastic bag with your infested clothing. You can place everything in the dryer that is suitable for high heat.
- Empty the bag straight into the dryer, tie it and throw it away. You can put it inside another sealable bag to prevent bed bugs inside the used bag from escaping.
- Set it at the highest temperature and run for at least 30 minutes.
- Once you are done, place all finished laundry inside an unused bag.
If you are treating infested, worn clothing in the washer prior to drying, it is recommended that you use dissolvable laundry bags so that you don’t have to put all the clothes out before placing them in the washer. Once the cycle is done, simply place your clothing in the dryer and set it at the highest temperature for 30 minutes to an hour.
Do all of these steps and you can make sure that all your infested clothing will be free from bed bugs and save you from the paranoia of carrying them and spreading them anywhere.
Washing and Drying your Clothing Doesn’t Treat an Infestation
Though your dryer may help in dealing with bed bugs on your clothes, it is not enough to deal with an infestation. Make a regular routine to prevent a re-infestation with your clothing. However, with the bed bug infestation in your home, it is highly recommended that you use several tools and equipment for the treatment of bed bugs.
You can use bed bug steamers, bed bug heaters, and even bed bug traps. Heat treatments work well to kill the bugs as well as their eggs. Learn about more options for dealing with a bed bug infestation by visiting bedbugsos.ca. You can send us a message or give us a call to learn more about the products you can use in your home.
It is necessary that you learn how to control bed bugs by simply starting to look for their hiding spots like the mattress, box springs, and other furnishings. Start by checking the infested area and using your chosen bed bug products to resolve your bed bug problems. However, when it comes to more serious cases of infestations, it is recommended that you contact pest control professionals to get the right treatment and put an end to the problem.
