Which method is recommended for treating small items such as clothing to reduce bed bugs?

Which method is recommended for treating small items such as clothing to reduce bed bugs?

• A. Using a clothes dryer on high heat
• B. Washing in cold water only
• C. Freezing at room temperature for 30 minutes
• D. Vacuuming without heat

Answer: (A)

Heat is the most reliable way to kill bed bugs on small fabric items. Bed bugs and their eggs die when exposed to high temperatures, and a clothes dryer on high heat delivers that temperature uniformly to clothing for a sufficient time (often around 20–30 minutes), ensuring all life stages are killed. Washing in cold water doesn’t reach temperatures needed to kill them, and freezing at room temperature won’t reach temperatures low enough or long enough to reliably kill them. Vacuuming without heat can remove some bugs but doesn’t reliably kill eggs or guarantee all are gone. So, using a clothes dryer on high heat is the best option among these choices.

Heat is the most reliable way to kill bed bugs on small fabric items. Bed bugs and their eggs die when exposed to high temperatures, and a clothes dryer on high heat delivers that temperature uniformly to clothing for a sufficient time (often around 20–30 minutes), ensuring all life stages are killed. Washing in cold water doesn’t reach temperatures needed to kill them, and freezing at room temperature won’t reach temperatures low enough or long enough to reliably kill them. Vacuuming without heat can remove some bugs but doesn’t reliably kill eggs or guarantee all are gone. So, using a clothes dryer on high heat is the best option among these choices.