When battling a bed bug infestation, you’ve likely invested time, energy, and maybe a little sweat into eradicating the pests. But even after the bugs are gone, contaminated items can pose risks. Knowing how to properly and ethically dispose of these items is essential. At Sterifab, we understand the importance of keeping your home and the environment sterile and bug-free, which is why we’ve created this guide to help you handle this tricky process.
Let’s walk through how to dispose of items properly after an infestation, focusing on ethical practices and ensuring pest control in your home.
Step 1: Assess the Situation: Can the Item Be Saved?
Not all items need to be trashed. Some can be cleaned and salvaged, especially if they hold sentimental or financial value. Clothing or smaller fabric-based belongings can often be saved by washing in hot water (over 120°F) and drying on the highest heat setting. Smaller furniture items can be cleaned thoroughly with approved disinfectants such as Sterifab spray.
However, larger items like mattresses and furniture that are severely infested should be discarded to avoid spreading the infestation. Items with deep crevices, like plush toys or untreated wood that can’t be cleaned, should also be thrown out. For these, you’ll need to be extra cautious to avoid contact with unaffected areas in your home.
Step 2: Prep Items for Disposal
Once you've identified which items must go, your next step is to bag and seal them tightly to prevent further contamination.
Large furniture, especially mattresses, should be handled carefully. It's important to dispose of them in a way that minimizes the risk of spreading the infestation. Use these steps to avoid creating a larger problem:
Seal items properly: Wrap infested items in heavy-duty plastic bags or mattress covers. Use duct tape to secure any openings.
Label the bags: Clearly mark them with “Infested” or “Bed Bugs” so others avoid accidental contact.
Check local disposal guidelines: Many municipalities have rules about discarding contaminated items. Some even offer bulk pickup for infested furniture.
If you're unsure how to dispose of larger contaminated items or need help with removal, don't hesitate to reach out to pest control professionals. Many pest control companies offer specialized services for the safe disposal of infested items. They also have the tools to handle these situations ethically and safely.
If you've found that your personal belongings—clothes, linens, or toys—have been infested, it’s often best to dispose of them if they can’t be salvaged. For items that can’t be saved, bag them as mentioned above and dispose of them in an appropriate trash bin. Consider separating these items from regular trash to avoid contamination.
Step 3: Disinfect What’s Left Behind
After removal, clean the area thoroughly to ensure no lingering pests remain. Vacuum carpets and wipe surfaces with a solution like Sterifab, which kills bed bugs, scabies, fleas, ants and more, while also disinfecting.
For more in-depth info check out our blog 6 Killer Tricks to a Pest-Free Home!
Step 4: Ethical Disposal Practices
Disposing of infested items responsibly isn’t just about following the rules; it’s about protecting others.
Avoid curbside dumping: Leaving items on the curb without proper labeling can put your neighbors’ homes at risk. Clearly marking infested items as "Bed Bug Infested" helps prevent others from unknowingly taking them.
Break it down: If possible, dismantle large furniture to make it less likely someone will reuse it.
Use pest-proof dumpsters: Some areas provide special containers for contaminated items. Check with your local waste management services for proper disposal guidelines.
Research regulations: Many states and municipalities have specific rules for handling bed bug-infested furniture or mattresses. Review local guides or contact your state’s health department to ensure compliance. Following these steps can help stop the spread of infestations in your community.
What About Scabies and Fleas?
While bed bugs often take center stage in discussions about infestations, scabies and fleas can be just as challenging to handle. Scabies mites burrow into the skin, requiring thorough disinfection of personal items like bedding, clothing, and towels to prevent re-infestation. Fleas, on the other hand, are notorious for infesting not just pets, but furniture, carpets, and even cracks in floors.
For scabies, wash all washable items in hot water (at least 130°F) and dry them on high heat. Flea infestations call for a multi-pronged approach—vacuuming, laundering, and treating pets with veterinarian-approved solutions.
Treat non-washable items like furniture, mattresses, and carpets with Sterifab. It effectively kills both scabies mites and fleas on contact, helping to address areas where these pests might still be hiding and reducing the risk of re-infestation.
For items that are too infested to save, refer to the ethical disposal practices outlined earlier. By treating what can be salvaged and responsibly discarding what cannot, you’ll break the infestation cycle and help protect your home and community.
Not sure if you’re dealing with bed bugs or scabies mites? Learn to tell them apart in Bed Bugs v. Scabies - 5 Simple Ways to Tell The Difference.
Take Extra Precautions with Used Items
When it comes to second-hand furniture or donated goods, it's important to be proactive. Before bringing used items into your home, thoroughly inspect them for pests. If you have any doubts about their cleanliness, don’t hesitate to disinfect and treat them with heat or a reliable pest control solution like Sterifab. For more on how to keep your second-hand finds pest-free, check out our guide on Second-Hand and Upcycled Finds. It’s always better to take a few extra minutes to ensure your new-to-you items are pest-free!
Bye-Bye Bugs, Hello Fresh Start
Disposing of infested items might feel like a hassle, but it’s an important step in eradicating pests for good. With a bit of care and planning, you can protect your home and the environment while keeping your pest problem in the past.
We know having bed bugs can be the worst so we’ve got you covered, check out our blog Killing Bed Bugs 101: The Do’s and Don’ts for everything you need to sleep tight.
Grab your Sterifab and let’s clean house, the smart way.
