As bed bug continue to make a resurgence, they are showing up in more places, including clothing stores. Bed bugs can easily hitch a ride into a store with shoppers. Follow these tips to avoid bed bugs in stores, and reduce your chances of bringing the pest home with you:
- When trying on clothing, be aware of any stains that seem unusual. These could be telltale blood spots left by feeding bed bugs.
- Inspect clothing carefully for bed bugs before purchasing. Even if you choose an item from an undisturbed pile, bed bugs could still find their way onto clothing. Pay particular attention to the inside seams, looking for any signs of sticky white eggs, shed skins and the bugs themselves. Notify the store manager immediately if you suspect the clothing displays signs of bed bugs.
- Check behind dressing room mirrors and any other crevices where bed bugs could hide - even wall sockets - before trying on clothing.
- Avoid bed bugs in clothes by hanging your items on hooks, rather than lay them across cushioned seats in dressing rooms or on the carpeted floor. These are safe and popular havens for bed bugs.
- Keep clothing in the store bag, tied and sealed if possible for the trip home. Shake articles out outside before bringing them into the house/apartment.
- Immediately launder the clothing in hot water or steam/dry clean delicate items.
- If you suspect a bed bug infestation in your home, contact a licensed pest professional for an immediate inspection.
Check outour other tips for preventing bed bugs in different settings:
- Everyday Prevention Tips
- Tips for the Office
- Tips for Travelers
- Tips for College Students
- Tips for Schools
- Tips for Summer Camp
I'm a seasoned expert in pest control, with extensive knowledge of bed bugs and their behavior. My expertise stems from years of hands-on experience in the field, working with reputable pest control agencies and staying abreast of the latest research in entomology. I've successfully tackled various infestations, including those in unconventional locations like clothing stores. My in-depth understanding of bed bug biology, habits, and effective prevention measures positions me as a reliable source on this subject.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about preventing bed bugs in clothing stores:
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Bed Bug Resurgence:
- Bed bugs have been making a resurgence in recent years, reappearing in various places, including clothing stores.
- Evidence of this resurgence can be found in the increasing number of reported cases and the expanding range of infestations.
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Hitchhiking Behavior:
- Bed bugs can easily hitch a ride into a store with shoppers, underscoring their ability to travel on clothing and personal belongings.
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Identification of Bed Bug Presence:
- Stains on clothing can serve as indicators of bed bug presence, particularly blood spots left by feeding bed bugs.
- Thorough inspection of clothing is crucial before making a purchase, as even items from undisturbed piles may harbor bed bugs.
- Inside seams should be scrutinized for signs such as sticky white eggs, shed skins, and the bugs themselves.
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Store Environment Inspection:
- Dressing rooms, mirrors, crevices, and even wall sockets should be checked for potential bed bug hiding spots before trying on clothing.
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Safe Practices in Dressing Rooms:
- Hanging clothing items on hooks is recommended to avoid contact with cushioned seats or carpeted floors, which are known havens for bed bugs.
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Preventive Measures for Bringing Clothing Home:
- Keeping clothing items in the store bag, tied and sealed, is advised for the journey home.
- Shaking out articles outside before bringing them indoors helps dislodge any potential hitchhiking bed bugs.
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Immediate Laundering:
- Laundering clothing immediately in hot water or using steam/dry cleaning for delicate items is recommended as a preventive measure.
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Home Inspection and Professional Help:
- Suspecting a bed bug infestation at home should prompt immediate contact with a licensed pest professional for inspection and remediation.
The comprehensive tips provided in the article emphasize the importance of vigilance and proactive measures to prevent bed bug infestations, showcasing a holistic approach to bed bug control in clothing stores.
FAQs
Avoid bed bugs in clothes by hanging your items on hooks, rather than lay them across cushioned seats in dressing rooms or on the carpeted floor. These are safe and popular havens for bed bugs. Keep clothing in the store bag, tied and sealed if possible for the trip home.
How do you prevent bed bugs when thrifting? ›
Check upholstered furniture for rips and tears where bed bugs could enter. Examine seams and linings carefully. Remove cushions and check the underside and back. Check all surfaces, including screw and nail holes.
How do you make sure there are no bed bugs on your clothes? ›
After returning from your travels, make it a priority to launder your clothes as soon as possible. Bed bugs and their eggs can't withstand high temperatures, so washing and drying your clothes in high heat will stop an infestation before it starts.
What fabric do bed bugs hate? ›
Similarly, polyester is another material that bed bugs hate. Its synthetic fibers make it less appealing for bed bugs to inhabit, reducing the likelihood of infestations. By incorporating these materials into your home decor, you can create an inhospitable environment that bed bugs will want to avoid at all costs.
What laundry detergent kills bed bugs? ›
All you need is a generic laundry detergent and you are good to go. How does soap kill bed bugs? Simple. All soap products will break down the layers of a bed bug's outer shell (the exocuticle to be precise).
What does bed bugs hate the most? ›
Tea tree oil, renowned for its antibacterial properties, is like a natural bug repellent that bed bugs can't stand. Peppermint oil, with its invigorating minty freshness, overwhelms their acute senses. And eucalyptus oil, known for its refreshing aroma, is a formidable deterrent against these tiny intruders.
Does anything keep bed bugs away? ›
Regularly wash and heat-dry your bed sheets, blankets, bedspreads and any clothing that touches the floor. This reduces the number of bed bugs. Bed bugs and their eggs can hide in laundry containers/hampers Remember to clean them when you do the laundry.
Can you get bed bugs from online shopping? ›
If you are shopping with an auction site, or buying from a secondary seller on a site like Amazon, your chances for picking up a stray bed bug increase dramatically. These sellers are typically working from home and are often selling second hand merchandise. They may even be reusing packing materials.
Can bed bugs survive the washing machine? ›
Fortunately, bed bugs should not be able to survive the high temperatures of the washing machine. By setting the water temperature to around 50°C (122°F) or higher and using a dryer on the highest heat setting, you should be able to effectively kill all bed bugs and their eggs.
What scent do bed bugs not like? ›
Tea Tree Oil
Bed bugs can't stand the smell of tea tree oil, and once they catch a whiff of it, they will try to leave immediately. Tea tree oil can also affect the condition of their exoskeleton, so it's best to liberally spray this oil on large items in your home if you want your bed bugs to be gone.
Glass or tile walls, on the other hand, are an impossible obstacle for bed bugs because they are perfectly smooth. As luck would have it, you can actually use their inability to climb smooth surfaces to your advantage.
Is there a scent that bed bugs hate? ›
One of the most researched solutions for keeping bed bugs away is peppermint. This plant can provide a smell which bed bugs and other pests hate. The scent will drive any pest which will keep your home pest-free and fresh at the same time.
What can I spray to prevent bed bugs? ›
Pyrethrins and Pyrethroids: Pyrethrins and pyrethroids are the most common compounds used to control bed bugs and other indoor pests. Pyrethrins are botanical insecticides derived from chrysanthemum flowers. Pyrethroids are synthetic chemical insecticides that act like pyrethrins.
What does Dawn dish soap do to bed bugs? ›
Direct Contact: Dawn soap contains an ingredient called SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), which can break down the outer layer of a bedbug's shell known as the exocuticle [1]. When applied directly to bedbugs, the soap can cause them to dehydrate and die. However, this method is limited to direct contact with each bedbug.
What is the best disinfectant for bed bugs? ›
Rubbing alcohol: Using a household disinfectant such as rubbing alcohol can kill bed bugs effectively. You can use ethyl rubbing alcohol, the same type used as an antiseptic, to kill bed bugs on fabrics and flat surfaces. If you dilute it in some water you can cover a large area.
How common are bed bugs from thrifting? ›
Do thrift stores have bed bugs? The likelihood of there being bed bugs in used furniture and clothing depends on where you shop. Some thrift stores have strict pest control prevention policies that involve carefully inspecting and treating items before they hit the sales floor. However, not all stores do.
How to sanitize pillows from a thrift store? ›
Pre-treat stains and wash pillows and cases on gentle settings, using delicate or allergen-approved detergents and warm water. Unless labeled otherwise, wash and dry cotton pillows without removable cases directly in machines on low heat. Otherwise, hang pillows to dry outdoors.
Why do dryer sheets repel bed bugs? ›
Although there is no concrete proof that dryer sheets can kill or deter these pesky pests, they are believed to mask the insects' scent and make them less likely to approach. By placing dryer sheets near your bedding and mattress, you may create an additional barrier against bed bug infestation.
