Bed bugs are small, flat, oval-shaped insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They are persistent pests that can be very difficult to get rid of once established in a home. One of the key ways bed bugs spread is by crawling onto fabrics, clothing, and other personal belongings. This allows them to hitchhike from one place to another. So do bed bugs actually crawl under clothes? Let’s take a closer look.
Do Bed Bugs Go Under Clothes?
Yes, bed bugs can and will crawl under clothes and hide there. Clothing and other fabrics provide an ideal hiding spot for bed bugs. Once they are finished feeding, bed bugs seek out dark, sheltered areas to safely digest their meal and rest. The folds, seams, and layers of clothing offer just such harborage sites.
Bed bugs are extremely flat in shape, which allows them to press themselves into tight spaces like fabric fibers and the spaces between them. This flattened shape also means they can slide easily in between layers of clothing. So bed bugs have no problem burrowing down under garments, hiding along hemlines, in pockets, under collars, or even within the lining.
Why Do Bed Bugs Go Under Clothes?
There are a few key reasons why bed bugs will readily crawl under clothing:
- To reach a host to feed – Bed bugs are attracted by warmth, carbon dioxide, and the scent of humans. Climbing onto clothing allows them closer access to a sleeping victim.
- To hide after feeding – With their flat shape, clothing fibers provide ideal tight hiding spots for bed bugs to safely digest a blood meal.
- To travel between locations – Latching onto clothing allows bed bugs an easy way to migrate between rooms or buildings by passive transport on a human host.
- To avoid detection – The folds and layers of garments provide shelter from discovery and insecticidal treatment.
Essentially, clothing serves multiple purposes for bed bugs – it gets them close to hosts, provides post-feeding harborage, enables migration, and helps them remain hidden.
Where on Clothes Do Bed Bugs Hide?
Bed bugs can crawl under pretty much any type of clothing and hide in many areas. Some of the most common clothing locations include:
Hems and Cuffs
The bottom hemlines of pants, skirts, sleeves, and other garments provide an appealing harborage site along the edge of the fabric. Bed bugs can tuck themselves into the stitching or push down in between the layers.
Waistbands and Collars
As with hemlines, waistbands and collars also offer a protective channel of fabric and stitching for bed bugs to burrow into.
Folds and Pleats
Any folded or pleated areas of clothing can harbor bed bugs. This includes folds at the crotch, armpits, or around the elbows and knees. Pleats, ruffles, gathers, and darts also provide prime real estate.
Pockets
Pockets on pants, shirts, jackets, and more are easily accessed hideaways for bed bugs. They can crawl down inside the pockets or hide in the seam around the opening.
Zippers and Buttons
Bed bugs will crawl down inside zippers, hiding between the teeth. Button plackets also allow access to hide in the folds underneath.
Shoulder Pads
The structured shoulder pads of coats, blazers, and dresses have space that bed bugs can crawl down into.
Lining
Some garments have a slit opening that provides access to the inside lining. Bed bugs can crawl through these spaces to get between the outer fabric and inner lining.
Seams
The stitching of any sewn seams, such as along the inseam of pants, offers gaps that bed bugs can penetrate.
What Types of Clothes Do Bed Bugs Hide In?
Bed bugs are not picky – they will happily hide in all types of clothing fabrics and garments. However, there are some items that seem to attract them more than others:
- Natural fabrics like cotton, wool, silk, and linen have a rougher texture with more nooks and crannies for bed bugs to access.
- Darker colors are more appealing as they offer better camouflage for the bugs.
- Dirty laundry has more human scent to attract bed bugs.
- Rarely worn clothes are favored as they are less likely to be disturbed or noticed in.
- Items in contact with bed like pajamas are easily accessed.
- Cluttered closets or floors give more places for bugs to hide undetected.
Some examples of common infested clothing items include:
– Pajamas and nightgowns
– Dress shirts and blouses
– Pants, jeans, and shorts
– Skirts and dresses
– Socks and underwear
– Sweaters and sweatshirts
– Jackets and coats
– Scarves, ties, and belts
– Hats, gloves, and shoes
Signs of Bed Bugs in Clothes
If you suspect bed bugs may be hiding in your clothing, there are some key signs to look for:
Visible bed bugs
Carefully inspect along seams, under collars, in pockets, etc and look for living or dead bed bugs. Also look for cast off skins which are clear and empty.
Blood spots
After feeding, bed bugs will leave behind dark red blood stains on fabric. These may smear when rubbed.
Bite marks
If you are being bitten frequently, examine your clothing and look for clusters of small, red, itchy bite marks.
Musty, sweet odor
A detectable odor may indicate a heavy infestation. The bugs release pheromones and their fecal stains have a musty, sweetish smell.
How to Keep Bed Bugs Off Clothes
To help prevent bed bugs from infesting your clothing, follow these proactive tips:
- Wash and fully heat dry clothing on the highest settings allowable.
- Store clean clothes in sealed plastic containers or bags.
- Vacuum suitcases thoroughly after traveling before bringing them inside.
- Inspect clothing carefully before and after visiting other locations.
- Isolate and heat treat or discard any potentially infested items.
- Reduce clutter to limit bed bug hiding spots.
- Treat bed bug infestations quickly to prevent spread.
Being vigilant and taking preventative measures will help keep bed bugs from turning your wardrobe into their home.
How to Kill Bed Bugs in Clothes
If you do discover bed bugs have made it into your clothing, prompt action is required to destroy them:
Washing and Drying
A normal wash and dry cycle is very effective for killing bed bugs in clothes and other laundry. Use hot water and the high heat dryer setting.
| Treatment | Minimum Temperature | Minimum Time |
|---|---|---|
| Washing | 60°C / 140°F | 10 minutes |
| Drying | 45°C / 113°F | 20 minutes |
Dry Cleaning
Take infested clothes to a professional dry cleaner. Most dry cleaning solutions and pressing treatments will exterminate bed bugs.
Heat Treatment
Placing clothes or other items in a clothes dryer set to high heat for 30+ minutes will kill bed bugs. You can also use a portable heating unit or steamer.
Freezing
Sealing clothing in plastic bags and placing in a freezer below 0°F for at least 4 days will freeze and kill bed bugs.
Pesticide Sprays
Clothing safe bed bug sprays containing pyrethroids can be applied to kill any bugs on items. Follow all label directions carefully.
With vigilance and proper treatment methods, it is possible to eliminate bed bugs from clothing and other personal items. Taking preventative measures can help keep them out in the first place.
Conclusion
Bed bugs are certainly capable of crawling under clothing and hiding very effectively within all types of garments. Their flattened bodies allow them to press into fabric seams, hems, folds, and other tight spaces. Clothes provide bed bugs with access to hosts, shelter after feeding, transportation between areas, and concealment from detection. Natural fabric items, infrequently worn, or left on the floor are most at risk of infestation. Signs to look for include seeing actual bugs, blood spots, bite marks, and a sweet musty odor. Washing on hot and drying on high heat will kill them, as will dry cleaning, heating treatments, or freezing. With vigilance and immediate treatment, you can keep bed bugs from turning the clothes you wear into harborage.