How to get rid of bed bugs quickly? First, here’s some skin-crawling trivia: there are an estimated 90 species of bed bugs out there. While only a very few of them bite humans, their bites can be severe enough to cause adverse reactions. Moreover, these human blood-feeding pests have spread in all 50 states!
Even worse, bed bugs have become highly resistant to typical insecticides. This means that chemicals alone can no longer eradicate these blood-sucking pests.
So then, is there anything else powerful enough to get rid of these insects invading your home? Yes, there’s still something that kills bed bugs, and not just the adults but also their eggs.
We have researched the best ways to get rid of these annoying insects from your home. Even though bedbugs don’t spread any disease, you feel pain after being bitten and your body swells, both of these being unpleasant sensations.
Ready to find out what kills bed bugs and their eggs? Then let’s dive right into it!
How Bug Bugs Come About
It is important to note bedbugs are spread from one place to another. They can move from one house to another, especially if you live in apartments, through the cracks in the walls and floor.
Bed bugs can also get in your home through the furniture you buy, the clothes you just bought or used clothing used when you slept in hotel rooms. In other words, it’s easy for the bedbugs to get into your home without you noticing.
Some think bedbugs only get to a dirty home, but that is not the case. Bedbugs can infest a clean home as they can to a dirty house.
Does Heat Kill Bed Bugs? Yes, Heat Kills Bed Bugs Effectively
Scientific research has demonstrated countless times that heat is lethal to bed bugs. As for what temperature kills bed bugs, this depends on the life phase they’re in.
How much heat to kill bed bugs?
In one study, bed bugs in all life stages died at 104 degrees Fahrenheit. However, this required a 24-hour sustained exposure.
In another study, adult bed bugs died after an hour of exposure to a temperature of 111.2 degrees Fahrenheit. Killing eggs, on the other hand, required at least one hour of exposure to 113 °F. Note that both studies, however, involved a rapid or even immediate temperature increase. They also occurred in a controlled laboratory setting.
It’s vital to know these because bed bugs may respond differently if there’s a slower heating rate. Their behavioural and physiological response may be to adapt to the heat. These changes, in turn, can make them more resistant to slowly rising room temperatures.
What Temperature Kills Bed Bugs?
The previous mortality thresholds allowed bed bugs to respond in a way that they could avert death. As such, other scientists carried out experiments to account for temperature variables. In this study, for instance, they included factors common in home heat treatments. The researchers found that 110.3 degrees Fahrenheit can kill at least 50% of adult bed bugs. To achieve a 100% death rate, the bed bugs killing temperature has to be at least 119 °F.
Bed bug eggs are hardier, requiring exposure to at least 117.5 degrees Fahrenheit to induce death. This temperature, however, only leads to a 50% egg death rate. To achieve maximum results, the temperature needs to be no lower than 131 °F.
Exposure Times Are Crucial Too
How long it takes to kill bed bugs with heat?
In the same study, the researchers noted that lower temperatures required longer exposures. For instance, it took 58 minutes to kill 50% of adult bed bugs at 113 degrees Fahrenheit. An exposure time of 94.8 mins (about an hour and 35 minutes) killed 100% of adult bed bugs at the same temperature range.
Bed bug eggs, on the other hand, required two hours of exposure to 118.4 degrees Fahrenheit to achieve a 100% death rate.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
What All This Means to Building Owners
There’s no doubt that heat kills bed bugs, but to generate that much heat, you need a special kind of equipment. These are heaters that produce high levels of heat in a very short amount of time. The only thing that comes out of them is heat, as they don’t require any kind of chemicals to kill the bugs. The use of these machines requires specialized knowledge and training, though. Their improper use can lead to heat-related accidents and damage.
With that said, your best bet is to hire a licensed pest control company. Be sure that they provide heat treatment, though, as many exterminators don’t. For instance, in Emerald City, only a few provide heat treatment homeowners can rely on.
What’s important is to schedule your bed bug heat treatment as soon as possible. Although they don’t reproduce as quickly as other insects, they’re much harder to kill. Besides, you want them out of your house ASAP, as their bites can cause sleep issues and even skin infections.I
6 Steps to Kill the Bedbugs in Your Home
If you have been bitten by bedbugs or have spotted them at night in your house, the following are ways to get them out of the house:
Vacuuming
If you do suspect a pest infestation, vacuum your entire house. This can help get rid of larger clusters of bed bugs and fleas. It’s also useful in removing adult bugs, larvae, eggs, dead insects, and even their faeces.
Even if you don’t have an infestation yet, it’s best to run the vacuum regularly. In doing so, you can reduce these pests’ sources of nourishment.
Stripping the bed
One common hiding spot for bedbugs is the bed, where they squeeze into small spaces around the mattress and emerge at night to bite.
Using mattress covers can help prevent bedbugs from infesting your mattress, a prime breeding ground that’s difficult to treat. If your mattress is already infested, covering it will trap the bedbugs inside, and they will die within two weeks. However, the cover should remain on for at least 18 months to ensure all bedbugs are eradicated.
Mattress covers can be cleaned if a new infestation occurs, but it’s important to choose one specifically designed for bedbugs. Covers made for allergy prevention may not be effective against bedbugs.
Laundering
Bedbugs can sometimes hide in your dresser, and after wearing the infested clothes, you may get bitten even during the day. The best solution is to gather all your clothes and wash them thoroughly.
Additionally, if you have dirty clothes, make sure to clean them properly to help eliminate any bedbugs. Although bedbugs can infest both clean and dirty homes, the likelihood of an infestation is higher in dirty environments.
When washing the clothes, use high temperatures, as long as the fabric can handle it, or opt for cold water. You can also choose to dry the clothes at high heat to effectively kill the bedbugs.
Freezing
If you suspect certain items are infested with bedbugs, freezing them is an effective way to eliminate the pests. You’ll need a freezer and should leave the items inside for a sufficient period.
Bedbugs cannot survive temperatures below 0°F (-18°C), so by placing the infested items in a freezer set to this temperature or lower, you can kill them. Ideally, items should remain in the freezer for at least four days to ensure the cold penetrates deeply enough to reach all hiding bedbugs.
For larger objects, you may need to extend the freezing time to allow the cold to fully permeate. Keep in mind that a standard home freezer might not have enough space or maintain a low enough temperature to effectively kill the bedbugs. A gas system freezer, which reaches colder temperatures, is a good alternative for this task.
Steaming
Steaming is another effective method for eliminating bedbugs, but it must be done properly to achieve the best results. The ideal way to steam your home is by using a commercial steamer with a minimum capacity of 1 gallon.
The steam temperature should range between 160-180°F, as bedbugs cannot survive these high temperatures and will be killed quickly. However, since steam at this level can cause burns, it’s important to handle it carefully. Using an infrared thermometer is recommended to monitor and control the temperature to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Insecticides
Insecticides specifically designed to kill bedbugs are readily available at most stores. Since bedbugs can travel away from the primary infestation site to other areas, using insecticides is an important part of bedbug control.
All pesticides must be used carefully, following the instructions on the label. It is highly recommended to hire a pest management professional for the proper application of these insecticides.
If you attempt to treat a bedbug infestation using insecticides intended for other pests, the bedbugs may scatter and spread, worsening the infestation.
What You Can Do to Prevent Bedbug Infestation
Bedbugs don’t restrict themselves to beds; they can also live in places like suitcases, vehicles, cabinets, furniture, carpets, and cardboard boxes. They can hide almost anywhere. Additionally, while they are more active at night, they will come out during the day if they’re hungry.
To prevent a bedbug invasion in your home, here are a few tips to help you get started.
Eliminate the Clutter
One of the most effective ways to prevent infestations from bedbugs and other pests is to eliminate the clutter from your home. Clutter provides hiding spots for pests like bedbugs, termites, and fleas. Since termites feed on many materials, it’s even more important to dispose of unnecessary items to reduce the risk of infestation by either donating them or throwing them away if they can’t be used.
Think Twice Before Buying Second-Hand Goods
Bed bugs are amazing travelers, which is also one of the primary reasons for their comeback. They can bury themselves in the seams of suitcases, backpacks, and yes, used furniture. So, if you’re thinking of getting a second-hand sofa or trollers, you might want to reconsider.
Get These Creepy Crawlers Out of Your House Now
There you have it, your ultimate guide on heat treatment, and how it kills bed bugs. If you have a lot of these pests crawling around your home, it’s time to ring up your local exterminator. With quality heat treatment services, you can get rid not only of bed bugs but also fleas and even roaches!
Are you looking for more ways to make your home safer, healthier, and pest-free? Be sure to check out Daily Dream Decor’s other insider tips and guides!
