Here’s how to sleep tight — and not let the bedbugs bite.
French officials have been warning of a “widespread” outbreak of bedbugs amid Paris fashion week — which wrapped up earlier this month.
Mattresses piled up on sidewalks, and a cautious commuter even wore a hazmat suit on a train, as New Yorkers worried their fashionista friends would bring back unwanted souvenirs.
“This year is a unique year because we’re seeing such a huge surge and resurgence in travel activity,” Dr. Michael Bentley, director of training and education at the National Pest Management Association, told USA Today.
Since extreme temperatures are the best way to kill bedbugs, properly washing clothing and bedding is key.
The creepy crawlies cause itchy welts that appear in a zig-zag formation, with each cluster typically containing three to five bites, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association.
The insects — usually about a quarter-inch long, brown and with a flat, oval-shaped body (if not fed recently) or balloon-like, reddish-brown and more elongated (if fed recently) — can be spotted with the naked eye.
Bedding specialists suggest washing linens every seventh night of sleep — and more often if there’s an infestation.
“When washing bedding you want to wash at 60 degrees on a long wash (for two hours plus) to make sure that any sweat, dander, dust or other nasties are killed and then removed,” an expert from bedding retailer John Ryan By Design shared.
Mattress toppers should be cleaned in cooler water.
“Mattress toppers often need to be washed at a lower temperature. This is because they contain high loft fillings such as wool, soft polyester, or chipped foam,” a John Ryan By Design rep explained.
“The best temperature to clean a mattress topper is 40 degrees on a short cycle with a low spin speed.”
If you can still spot evidence of bedbugs on your sheets, the Environmental Protection Agency suggests hiring an exterminator or thoroughly sanitizing your home yourself.
The agency recommends reducing clutter to better spot the creatures; inspecting any potential gathering spots like upholstered furniture; moving the bed away from walls and lifting it off the ground; vacuuming; and treating infested areas with heat, if possible.
