The bedroom remains the primary hiding place for bedbugs. These nocturnal feeders rely on human blood after dark. Yet the term bedroom covers more than the space where one sleeps. The insects are so flattened and tiny that they can hide anywhere during the day.
Many people unknowingly travel with bedbugs from hotels and bring them home in belongings that already harbor the pests. They conceal themselves so effectively that detection is challenging. Sheets, mattresses, and towels are among the common sanctuaries. When towels are involved, proper handling is crucial to stop the spread and to eliminate the intrusion. Here are two essential steps to follow.
Isolate the infested area and bedding
To remove bedbugs from towels, begin by isolating the area where the bed is located, typically the bathroom. No item from outside should enter or exit the room until the infestation is controlled. With the room isolated, the next step is thorough cleaning. All bedding moved to the washing machine should be packed in large, tightly sealed plastic bags to prevent any bedbugs from escaping during transport from the bathroom to the washer.
Washing and drying towels
When the contaminated items go into the washing machine, set the cycle to the highest possible temperature. Use cleaners that are designed to combat bedbugs, including detergents enhanced for pest elimination. Adding one of these products to the wash improves the odds of eradicating bugs and their eggs.
Using these products helps protect the whole household and pets, while the elevated wash temperature ensures pests do not survive. The same heat debate applies to the drying phase: towels should be moved to the dryer and exposed to the hottest safe setting for drying. Proper heat helps ensure bedbugs disappear entirely without damaging fabrics.
For a faster solution, steam treatment is an option. A spray bottle can be used to apply heat directly to towels and other affected areas because heat is lethal to bedbugs.
Bedbugs are also sensitive to cold. Items can be placed in the freezer, well sealed in bags, and left for several days to drive the pests away.
How to tell if you have bed bugs
Bed bugs feed on blood, so bites are a primary warning sign. While some sources discuss bites in other terms, bites are a common indicator of an active infestation. The resulting marks differ from those caused by other biting insects, and they may appear as small, itchy welts.
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Experts explain that bedbug bites typically appear as red, itchy welts and can occur in clusters or lines as insects feed in bites along the skin.
Itchy bites that appear after periods of rest are common, and groups of bites often cluster in areas where the skin is exposed during sleep.
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Doctor recommends avoiding scratching the bite areas and using topical creams or antihistamines if allergies are present to prevent worsening.
In summary, frequent waking with bites should prompt a thorough inspection of sleeping and resting areas, as these spaces are prime nesting sites for bedbugs, including sofas and beds.