Bed Bugs in Wardrobes and Clothes: What to Do

Bed bugs prefer to live near where people sleep, but wardrobes and clothes close to the bed are common hiding places and a route for spreading to other rooms and homes. Handling clothes correctly is essential for stopping an infestation.

This guide explains what to do.

The short answer

If you find or suspect bed bugs in a wardrobe or clothes, do not scatter the items around the home. Bag clothes in sealed plastic, wash washable items on a hot cycle and dry on high heat for a sustained period, since heat in the dryer is the key step, clean and vacuum the wardrobe's corners, joints and hinges, treat the wardrobe professionally, and avoid putting clean clothes back until the wardrobe has been treated. Dry-clean or heat-treat items that cannot be washed.

Why bed bugs end up in wardrobes

• Wardrobes near the bed provide dark, quiet hiding spots.
• Clothes carry bed bugs, eggs and shed skins between rooms and homes.
• Gaps, hinges, seams and cardboard offer shelter.

Signs

• Dark spots or stains on the wardrobe interior and clothes.
• Live bugs, eggs or shed skins in corners, seams and folds.
• Bites after sleeping near the wardrobe.

Handling clothes

1. Do not shake or carry loose clothes through the house. Place them straight into sealed plastic bags.
2. Wash washable items on a hot cycle if the fabric allows.
3. Dry on high heat for a sustained period, about thirty minutes or more, as the label allows. Dryer heat kills bed bugs and eggs more reliably than washing alone.
4. For delicate items, use a dryer on the highest safe setting, or ask a professional or a dry cleaner about options.
5. Store clean items in sealed bags or containers away from the infested room.

Cleaning the wardrobe

• Empty it completely and inspect corners, joints, hinges and back panels.
• Vacuum thoroughly and dispose of the contents outdoors in a sealed bag.
• Steam the surfaces if suitable for the material.
• Wipe with soapy water and let dry.
• Do not refill with clothes until it has been treated.

Professional treatment

A technician can treat the wardrobe, bed and surrounding area using appropriate methods, and advise on how to store clothes during treatment.

Preventing spread

• Avoid hanging clothes on infested beds and chairs.
• Keep bags and luggage off beds and upholstered furniture.
• Check wardrobes in new rooms, hotels and hostels.
• Wash and heat-dry clothes after travel.

When to call a professional

If you find bed bugs in a wardrobe, the infestation is probably not confined to it. Ask for an inspection of the whole room.

Frequently asked questions

Is washing enough?

Hot drying is the key step. Washing alone is less reliable.

What about clothes that cannot be washed?

Ask a professional or a dry cleaner about heat treatment, or seal them while treatment is carried out.

Should I throw away infested clothes?

Usually not. Treat them properly.

Can bed bugs live in clothes for long?

They can hide in folds and seams for some time, which is why heat is advised.

This guide is part of IPest's complete resource on bed bug control. For identification help, prevention and treatment options, see our full bed bug treatment guide for Bangalore.