Can Bed Bugs Live on Clothes?

Question: So I had Orkin to my apartment on Saturday and they determined we have bed bugs. I am currently scheduling an appointment to have this problem taken care of. I have followed the preparation sheet but there is no information concerning the clothes in the bedroom. I was told to move everything away from walls and vacuum and to box up any clutter. What do I do with the clothes? Do they remain in the room? And if so, should they be boxed/bagged? Or do I remove them from the room?

Answer: To reduce the potential for bed bug infested clothes re-infesting the room, it is best if you remove the clothes and wash them all or have them dry cleaned. If washing, be sure to use hot water and high heat in the dryer.

Question: I have bed bugs! I don”t believe I have an infestation, and my furniture and apartment have been sprayed multiple times, but I am throwing much of my furniture out anyway, and moving out.

My question is this—I need to wash all of my clothing so that I can take them with me without the risk of bringing the bed bugs. How can I do that? I know they need very hot water. Will a normal wash and dry at a laundromat do? Is there any way to treat (spray, fumigate…) the clothes before washing them?

Answer: Regular washing and drying of the clothes at high temperatures will be fine, no treatment of clothing is needed.