The good news: you don’t have to burn your whole wardrobe. Heat is your best friend. Dry your clothes on high heat for at least 30 minutes—that kills eggs, nymphs, and adults alike. Washing in hot water helps, but the dryer is the real executioner.
When traveling, seal your clothes in plastic bags inside your luggage. Use ziplock bags for underwear and socks. Yes, it feels ridiculous. Yes, it’s better than bringing a new species home.
If you’ve been in an infested space, immediately strip and bag your clothes before entering your house. Toss them in the dryer before the wash. You’ll thank yourself later.
The Final Stitch
So, can bed bugs live in your clothes? Yep. But they’re lazy little tenants. They’re not going to crawl into your shirt while you’re wearing it and live there long-term. They just want a quiet spot to wait for you to sit still.
Just remember: your clothes are their Uber, not their home. Keep your floor clean, your dryer hot, and your luggage elevated. And maybe, just maybe, stop putting your suitcase on the bed. You know who you are.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go super-heat my entire sock drawer. Better safe than itchy.
