How to Dispose of Bed Bug-Infested Items

By ThermoPest – Your Local Pest Control Experts

Bed bugs are a nightmare, aren’t they? Once these little pests make their way into your home, they can quickly take over. If you’ve found yourself dealing with an infestation, one question you might be asking is: “Do I have to throw away everything?” The answer isn’t always as clear-cut as you’d think. Some items can be saved, while others may be too far gone and need to be disposed of properly to prevent the infestation from spreading.

Let’s walk through the best way to assess the situation, what can be saved, and how to safely dispose of bed bug-infested items without causing more problems down the road.

When Should You Dispose of Bed Bug-Infested Items?

First things first—how do you know if an item is too infested to be saved? The level of infestation is key. For example, if you’ve got a mattress that’s teeming with bed bugs and their eggs, you might be better off getting rid of it. On the other hand, some furniture or clothing can often be treated and saved with the right approach.

A good rule of thumb: if bed bugs have deeply infested an item, like a mattress with visible bugs in the seams or furniture where they’ve burrowed into cracks and crevices, it may be more effective to dispose of it. However, if you catch the infestation early, it’s possible to treat and salvage certain belongings. You don’t have to throw everything out—just make sure you assess the damage properly.

Steps to Safely Dispose of Bed Bug Infested Items

So, you’ve decided an item needs to go. What next? Simply tossing an infested item out onto the street or leaving it in your rubbish bin is not the solution. Bed bugs are sneaky—they can crawl out of your discarded item and find their way into someone else’s home, or worse, back into yours. Here’s what you should do:

1. Prepare the Item for Disposal
   Before throwing anything away, seal the item in heavy-duty plastic or wrapping. For mattresses, large bin liners or mattress bags work well. The key is to prevent any bed bugs from escaping while the item is being moved.
2. Label the Item
   This step is vital. Clearly label the item with something like “Bed Bug Infested” so that no one mistakenly picks it up thinking it’s still usable. It’s a small step, but it can save a lot of hassle for someone else down the line.
3. Dispose of the Item Properly
   Arrange for your local waste management to pick up the item, or take it to a disposal site that accepts infested items. Don’t just leave it on the kerb, as this increases the risk of spreading bed bugs to neighbouring homes or unsuspecting collectors.

What to Do With Salvageable Items

Not everything has to go in the bin! Some items can be treated and kept. If you’re dealing with clothing, bedding, or even certain pieces of furniture, heat treatment is often the best solution. Washing fabrics at high temperatures—at least 60°C—will kill any bed bugs and their eggs.

For furniture, a good steam cleaner can work wonders. Bed bugs can’t survive the high heat, and steam cleaning is a chemical-free way to rid your belongings of these pests. Just make sure you thoroughly inspect the item afterwards to ensure no bugs are lurking in hard-to-reach spots.

The Risks of Improper Disposal

Improperly disposing of bed bug-infested items can lead to bigger problems. Bed bugs are experts at hiding and spreading, and leaving an unwrapped infested mattress on the street is like giving them a free pass to find their next victim. It’s not just your problem anymore—it becomes a community issue.

Leaving items out without labelling them can also cause others to unknowingly pick up the problem. Imagine someone grabbing a piece of furniture from the street, only to bring it into their home, unaware that bed bugs are hitching a ride. It’s these small mistakes that can quickly turn a contained infestation into a widespread one.

Alternatives to Disposal

There are cases where throwing an item away isn’t necessary. Professional treatments, like those offered by ThermoPest, can often save items that are heavily infested. Heat treatments, for instance, can penetrate deep into furniture or mattresses, effectively killing bed bugs at every stage of their life cycle.

Another option is using protective furniture and mattress encasements. These bedbug-proof covers trap any bugs inside, eventually starving them to death while preventing new infestations. It’s a handy solution if you want to keep a valuable item but aren’t sure if the bugs are entirely gone.

Preventing Bed Bug Infestations in the Future

Once you’ve dealt with an infestation, the last thing you want is for it to happen again. Preventing reinfestation is all about vigilance. Be careful when bringing second-hand items into your home. Whether it’s furniture, clothing, or even books, inspect everything thoroughly before bringing it indoors.

For added protection, using bed bug mattress covers or furniture encasements can act as a safeguard, ensuring that if bed bugs ever do come back, they won’t have an easy time making your furniture their new home.

Final Thoughts: Proper Disposal Stops the Spread

Bed bugs are resilient, and if an item is too infested to save, the best course of action is to get rid of it. But doing so responsibly is key. Sealing, labelling, and properly disposing of infested items ensures that you’re not contributing to the spread of the infestation, either in your own home or your community.

If you’re unsure whether to dispose of or treat infested items, ThermoPest is here to help. Our team of professionals can assess the situation, provide effective treatment options, and guide you on the best course of action—whether that’s saving your belongings or getting rid of them for good.

Let us help you take control of the problem and prevent bed bugs from becoming an even bigger headache. Give us a call today!