When can I put clothes back after bed bug treatment is a question we all have wondered about if we are getting our home exterminated. The time for putting back the clothes depends on the infestation size. Bed bugs can survive and breed rapidly in the closet as it is dark and not all clothes are used regularly. The extents of the infestation and the chemicals used by the pest control agency are some factors.
Usually, one can put the clothes back in the closet after 4 hours of pest control treatment. However, this time can extend depending on the area to be cured, the volume of clothes, and the size of the infestation. It also depends on the potency of the pest control chemicals.
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Can Bed Bugs Hide In Clothes?
Your wardrobe will not be the first choice of abode for bed bugs. Usually, bed bugs inhabit areas around 5-8 meters around your bed. However, pest control companies regularly receive complaints of bed bugs inhabiting cupboards.
Here are the reasons some bed bugs prefer to live in cupboards:
- It is a dark space, and bed bugs enjoy that.
- There is ample space for bed bugs to lay eggs in your cupboard.
- If the doors to your wardrobe do not close completely, the bed bugs can easily crawl in and out for their meals from time to time.
- There is little movement in that absence bed bugs can enjoy an undisturbed existence.
What To Do When You Have Bed Bugs In Your Wardrobe?
Follow these steps if you find bed bugs in your cupboard:
- Empty all the contents of your wardrobe to gauge the size of the infestation.
- Check your wardrobe for holes and seal them immediately.
- Wash all your clothes in the hottest cycle of your washing machine.
- Put your clothes into a dryer and spin them for about 90 minutes with hot air.
- Recheck your wardrobe, and if there are no more bed bugs, you can place your clothes back in it.
- Repeat this process a few times. If the infestation grows, call an exterminator.
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When Can I Put My Clothes Back After Bed Bug Treatment?
A period of 4 hours is considered sufficient time for treatments to work on bed bugs.
Factors That Determine The Time Needed For Bed Bug Treatments To Work
hough 4 hours is sufficient, in some cases, the time taken for bed bugs to be exterminated may be more or less, depending on:
- The size of the infestation
If, unfortunately, the population of bed bugs in your apartment is considerably large, you might need a stronger treatment and more time for the treatment to act. In that case, you should wait more than the stipulated 4 hours to start re-organizing your home.
- The potency of treatment used.
Some bed bugs that are immune to pesticides may need special concoctions of chemicals. You should allow a bit more time if that is the case to ensure that the bed bugs, along with their eggs, have been dealt with.
- Size of the area under treatment
If you have a large home, it is advisable to wait more than 4 hours, so the chemicals have a chance to seep into all corners of your home.
- Type of clothes
Some of your delicate garments might get stained or foul odours from chemical treatments. If your wardrobe has been sprayed from the inside, it is advisable to leave it open for a few days to air out and refill it only when the chemical fumes have totally subsided.
Will Bed Bugs Damage Clothes?
Bed bugs do not damage clothes. They merely use them as a medium to hide. They hide in the seams and corners of clothes to hitchhike from one place to another.
How To Avoid Bed Bugs In Clothes
The only way to avoid bed bugs in clothes or anywhere else is vigilance and caution. You can follow these steps:
- Check your clothes thoroughly if you have stayed over at a hotel.
- Avoid sitting in public places like airports, public buses, etc.
- Separate your infected clothes from the clean ones to contain the spread of bed bugs.
- Wash all infected clothes in the washing machine in the hottest setting possible and inspect them thoroughly for bugs after they have dried.
Final Words
Bed bugs are not only a nuisance but also a cause of embarrassment. It is best to get professional help at the earliest in such cases.
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