At the very end of an exhausting workday, there is nothing more relaxing than falling asleep in clean, fresh sheets. But do we ever think about what's going on beneath those warm layers? It's not just you who has thought about whether missing laundry day may result in bed bug infestations. Having dirty bedding won't get you bed bugs by itself, but it may contribute to things that are worse than just bed bugs.
The bed bugs can get into your home through dirty sheets. We'll talk about ways you can keep these bugs out in this article
Things You Should Know About Bed Bugs
If you sleep with bugs in your mattress, they will feed on your blood while you sleep. You cannot see them with the naked eye, but they sinisterly live in the gaps, cracks, cushion edges, and even in your bed sheets. They can be particularly a pain because they hide masterfully, you can not spot them easily. Most of the time, you won't notice them until you wake up having red, itchy bites.
Bed bugs don't like dirty things like other bugs do.
They want warmth, carbon dioxide, and people instead. That means that bed bugs could be in even the cleanest homes. But dirty sheets or sheets that aren't cleaned very often could be great places to hide for longer.
So, Can You Get Bed Bugs From Dirty Sheets?
The first response is "no," however failing to wash your clothing regularly can make it more probable that you will get them sooner or later. Over time, sheets that aren't cleaned will develop a hell of breeding space for these bugs through accumulated sweat, cell debris, body oils, and occasionally pieces of food that remain on them. This substance doesn't actually attract bed bugs, but it might attract other bugs like ants and cockroach infestations which might in turn bring in bed bugs as well.
Also, if you don't check or rotate the mattress frequently enough, the issue might get worse and worse without you noticing. Because you have to touch your washer-washed sheets so regularly, you're more likely to encounter early indicators of bed bugs, such as little blood stains, exoskeletons, or excrement. These bugs might hide and breed for weeks if you don't change your bedding.
The Role of Hygiene in Prevention
Even in the cleanest places, bed bugs can easily breed. To keep them away, you should always keep the bed sheets clean. If you wash your sheets in hot water you can actually successfully kill any bed bugs or their eggs that are already there. Bed bugs can't get into your home if you keep your mattress clean, cover your mattress with something that keeps bed bugs out. Keeping the overall area of the bedroom is also very essential. Check the sides and seams of your mattress every once in a while, even if you don't think there is a problem.
How to Tell If Your Sheets Might Have Bed Bugs
People frequently fail to figure out that they have bed bugs until they have infested an entire room. However, they do leave behind tiny but significant signs, such as in the clothing you are wearing. You are more likely to detect these early indications before they worsen when you frequently launder and change your linens.
Small, rust-coloured patches on the pillowcases or linens are one of the initial indications that you have infestations of bed bugs. The majority of the time, these markings are the result of bugs that have been slain or by the minute droplets of blood that they left behind when they bite someone. They may initially be ignored; however, they eventually become more apparent.
Additionally, there are small black specks that are obviously bed bug’s excrement. These are probably going to be located in the fibres of your bedsheets, at the creases of your mattress, or even inside your cushions. They are frequently found in clusters, in spite of being tiny, and they may be quite abrasive when touched.
You might also find eggshells or skin that they have shed. These are real signs that the bed bugs are living their life cycle. Bed bugs lose their top covering as they get bigger. This leaves behind thin, papery skin that gathers around the edges of pillows and bed corners that you can't see. We can see the small, pale eggs and eggshells if we look really hard.
You might smell something musty or weird in your bedroom if there are a lot of bugs there. A smell that may get stronger as the number of bed bugs grows, comes from their scent glands.
How Frequently Should You Wash Your Sheets?
The best time to wash your bed sheets is once a week. So your bed stays clean, allergies are less likely to happen, and you can check for signs that something is wrong. Clean sheets are good for your health and hygiene. They are also one of the best ways to find bed bugs and get rid of them before their infestation gets worse.
What to Do If You Think You Have Bed Bugs
If you think you have bed bugs, don't freak out. Wash the sheets in hot water after taking them off. After that, dry it over high heat. Vacuum your bed frame, mattress and the area around it very well. There may be bugs or eggs hiding in the seams of the mattress. Use a hard brush to get rid of them.
Next, you might want to use a mattress protector that is made to get rid of bed bugs. Don't move things from one room to another either, as this could spread the infestation. A professional pest control service needs to be called in if the problem keeps happening. Most of the time, DIY methods don't work for full-on infections.
Last Thoughts
So, can you get bed bugs if you don’t actively wash your sheets? Not really, but it can contribute to things worse than just bed bugs. If you don't clean your bedsheets, an infestation might stay hidden longer and get worse over time. Clean sheets can save you from having to deal with bugs and restless, itchy nights. So get your laundry basket out and give your sheets a spa day.
