We’ve received several calls from consumers regarding treatment of bed bugs.  What can you do to rid your home of bed bugs?  How do you clean bedding and clothing that have been infested?  How can you prevent bed bug infestations? 

According to Michael F. Potter, a Professor and Urban Entomologist at the University of Kentucky, when infestations of bed bugs have occurred it is important to bring in a professional to treat the home or building.  Contrary to popular belief bed bugs may live in more then just your mattress.  Vacuuming floors and surfaces is not enough to rid bed bugs from a room or mattress.  Bed bugs tend to live in crevices or protected locations where vacuums are unable to get to the bugs.  Professionals use insecticides to exterminate the bugs however ”there are restrictions on how beds can be treated with pesticides.  If a bed is heavily infested or in poor condition it may be recommended to discard of the mattress.”  For more information on mattresses with bed bugs, please read this article. 

The experts at the Dry Cleaning & Laundry Institute  recommend all clothing and bedding to be laundered at a minimum of 120°F (medium, perma press or cotton setting) for 10 to 20 minutes.   “This will kill all bed bug life stages.”  Dry clean only clothing should be dry when placed into the dryer.   Dry plush toys, backpacks and tennis shoes could also be thrown into the dryer at this temperature for the same amount of time. 

To prevent infestations Potter says to avoid curbside items.   Secondhand furnishings should be closely examined before being brought to the home.  Secondhand clothing should also be closely examined or placed in the dryer at the heat and length of time as stated above.