The process of eliminating bed bugs from clothing through laundering involves specific techniques to ensure eradication. This typically necessitates high-temperature washing and drying to kill the insects and their eggs. For example, infested garments should be placed in a washing machine and subjected to a hot water cycle, followed by a high-heat drying cycle for at least 30 minutes.
Proper garment cleaning is paramount in managing bed bug infestations. Failure to adequately treat clothing can lead to the reintroduction of these pests into a clean environment, negating other control measures. Historically, various methods, from fumigation to freezing, have been employed to address the problem, but laundering remains a readily accessible and effective solution.