Bed bugs are very difficult to deal with. While we often think of them living in mattresses, these tiny insects can also inhabit other areas, such as stuffed animals. This blog will discuss how bed bugs enter your home, why they might live on your plush toys, and the most effective ways to eradicate them.
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown, wingless insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. These parasitic creatures are most commonly found in places where humans sleep, such as beds, couches, and other furniture. Despite their small size (about 4-5 mm), bed bugs can cause big problems for homeowners and renters alike.
The common bed bug (Cimex lectularius) is a nocturnal creature, usually feeding during the night when humans are asleep. Their bites often result in itchy red welts, which can cause discomfort and, in some cases, allergic reactions. Although bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases, their bites can lead to secondary infections from excessive scratching.
A key reason bed bugs are so difficult to manage is their incredible resilience. These insects can survive without feeding for several months, and they hide in cracks, crevices, and other hard-to-reach areas during the day. To make matters worse, bed bugs reproduce quickly, laying up to five eggs per day, which hatch within a couple of weeks.
How Do Bed Bugs Get Inside Your Home?
Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers and can enter your home through various means. One of the most common ways they get inside is by clinging to luggage, clothing, or second-hand furniture. This is especially true if you’ve recently stayed in a hotel, dormitory, or other infested space.
Here are a few common ways bed bugs can invade your home:
Luggage
If you’ve traveled recently, bed bugs could have hitched a ride in your suitcase. Hotels, motels, and even public transportation can be infested with these pests.
Second-hand items
Thrift stores, garage sales, and even borrowed clothing or furniture can harbor bed bugs.
Visitors
Bed bugs may arrive with guests, especially if they’ve recently been in an infested environment.
Shared living spaces
In multi-unit buildings like apartments, bed bugs can migrate between units through cracks in walls, floors, or ceilings.
Personal belongings
Items like backpacks, jackets, or stuffed animals that are placed on infested furniture or floors can also carry bed bugs.
Once inside your home, bed bugs will search for areas where people or pets sleep, as this is where they find their food source.
Can Bed Bugs Live on Stuffed Animals?
Yes, bed bugs can live on stuffed animals, although it’s not their preferred habitat. Bed bugs are typically found in more stationary areas like mattresses, box springs, and furniture because these are closer to their food source (humans). However, stuffed animals can serve as temporary hiding spots for bed bugs, especially if they are located near sleeping areas or used frequently by children.
Bed bugs tend to hide in the seams, stitching, or fabric folds of stuffed animals, where they can remain undisturbed. While they don’t feed on the stuffing or fabric, they may use these soft items as a means of transportation or a temporary shelter. If stuffed animals are regularly moved between different rooms, beds, or other furniture, bed bugs can spread further around the home.
Why Do Bed Bugs Live on Stuffed Animals?
Bed bugs are opportunistic pests, and they will seek out any area that provides shelter and access to a blood meal. Stuffed animals may not seem like an ideal home for bed bugs, but under certain circumstances, they can become infested. Here’s why:
Proximity to Hosts
If stuffed animals are kept on or near beds, couches, or chairs where people sleep or rest, bed bugs may use them as a nearby hiding spot.
Fabric and Seams
Like other soft items, stuffed animals have plenty of seams, folds, and stuffing, which make excellent hiding places for bed bugs.
Frequent Movement
Children often move their stuffed animals from room to room, providing an opportunity for bed bugs to spread to new areas of the home.
Warmth
Bed bugs are attracted to warmth, and the soft, cozy nature of stuffed animals can make them an inviting place to hide, especially in colder months.
Although stuffed animals are not a primary habitat for bed bugs, their proximity to human activity makes them vulnerable to infestation. It’s important to inspect stuffed animals regularly if you suspect bed bugs in your home.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs in Stuffed Animals
Eliminating bed bugs from stuffed animals can be challenging but not impossible. Below are the most effective methods to ensure your stuffed toys are bed bug-free:
Isolate the Stuffed Animals
As soon as you suspect an infestation, isolate the stuffed animals to prevent bed bugs from spreading to other areas of your home. Place the toys in plastic bags or sealed containers until you can begin the cleaning process.
Wash and Dry
The most effective way to kill bed bugs in stuffed animals is by washing them in hot water and drying them on high heat. Bed bugs cannot survive temperatures above 120°F (49°C). Follow these steps:
Place the stuffed animals in a laundry bag or pillowcase to protect them during washing.
Use the hottest water setting available on your washing machine.
After washing, immediately transfer the toys to the dryer and set it to 113˚F for at least 20 minutes.
Note: Make sure to check the care labels on your stuffed animals before washing to ensure they can withstand high heat. Many plushies are made with synthetic fabrics that will melt in the dryer.
For spot cleaning on plushies which can not handle being soaked, you can mix a solution of vinegar, baking soda, and warm water and soak a rag with it and then thoroughly wipe down the plush.
Use a Vacuum
For stuffed animals that cannot be washed, vacuuming is another effective method. Use the crevice tool attachment to vacuum along seams, folds, and stitching. After vacuuming, immediately dispose of the vacuum bag or empty the canister into a sealed plastic bag.
Freeze the Stuffed Animals
Bed bugs are also susceptible to extremely cold temperatures. If the toys cannot be washed or dried, you can freeze them for at least 72 hours at 0°F (-18°C). Place the stuffed animals in a sealed plastic bag before freezing to prevent moisture damage.
Use a Steam Cleaner
A steam cleaner can be a great tool for killing bed bugs on stuffed animals without causing damage. The high temperature of the steam will kill both the bed bugs and their eggs. When using a steam cleaner, focus on the seams, folds, and other areas where bed bugs are likely to hide.
Consider Using Bed Bug Sprays
There are bed bug sprays that are safe to use on fabrics, including stuffed animals. Be sure to choose a product that is non-toxic and safe for children and pets. After spraying, allow the toys to air out before returning them to children.
In conclusion, Bed bugs can be a major nuisance, especially when they infest beloved stuffed animals. Fortunately, with the right techniques, you can effectively rid your plush toys of these unwelcome pests. By isolating the toys, using heat, vacuuming, freezing, or using safe insecticides, you can ensure that your home and your children’s favorite stuffed animals remain bed bug-free.
Regular inspections of your stuffed animals, bedding, and furniture can help prevent future infestations. With diligence and a proactive approach, you can protect your home and keep it bed bug-free.
