Bed bugs are among the most persistent household pests, and they can cause a lot of discomfort if not well handled. Inevitably, bed bug infestations are not something that anyone wants to deal with, but with the right information, you’ll be better equipped to exterminate these pesky critters. In this article, we will discuss the most effective temperature range for killing bed bugs, and tips for effective bed bug prevention.
What temperature does it take to kill bed bugs?
Bed bugs, like all insects, have a thermal death point; temperatures below this range will not cause any significant mortality rates. Dropping the temperature for bed bug extermination is a common practice because it’s a natural and less harmful way compared to the use of pesticides.
Research shows that temperatures above 120°F is enough to kill bed bugs in about 15 minutes, while temperatures lower than 0°F would take up to 80 hours to have a significant effect. If you’re using a spray or other pesticides, make sure to follow the safety guidelines provided to keep you and your household safe.
How to get rid of bed bugs with temperature:
Heat treatment:
Heat treatment is one of the most effective ways to kill bed bugs in your home. It involves raising the temperature of an infested room to a specific point that will kill every bed bug present.
You can achieve this by the use of specialized heating equipment or a professional bed bugs exterminator. Heating for bed bug eradication can be complicated and dangerous if not carried out by an expert. Therefore, it is recommended that you hire a professional exterminator for this service.
Cold treatment:
Another alternative method to get rid of bed bugs is through cold treatment. Experts recommend utilizing temperatures below 0°F to archive significant mortality rates. However, this method requires a lot of time to have the desired effect on the pests. Treating bed bugs using a low temperature environment can be achieved through leaving your belongings outside in freezing temperatures; this may take several days for the bed bugs to freeze to death.
Clothes dryer:
Washing or drying linens, bedspreads, and other washables at high temperatures can also help decrease the number of bed bugs in your home. Studies have shown that bed bugs die when exposed to temperatures above 123°F, and a clothes dryer is enough to reach this temperature. For exposure to temperatures above 180°F, it will take only five minutes to kill bed bugs of all life stages.
Tips for effective bed bug prevention;
Check hotel rooms before settling in:
One of the most common ways to get bed bugs is by staying or visiting a place infested with bed bugs. Before settling into a hotel or guestroom, check the furniture and crevices for any signs of bed bugs. Look for any spots of blood, rust-colored stains, dark spots, or any living bed bugs on the sheets or mattress.
Clutter removal:
Piles of clutter give bed bugs more places to hide, making it more difficult to detect and eliminate them completely. Try to adopt the practice of decluttering your house to reduce potential hiding spots for bed bugs.
Cover mattresses:
Use a protective bed cover designed to seal in bed bugs to help prevent them from moving to and from the mattress to other locations in the home. This seal will help prevent bed bugs from breeding and hide in the mattress crevices, making it easier to detect and eradicate.
Seal cracks and crevices:
Bed bugs can quickly enter your home through crevices and cracks. It is recommendable that homeowners seal every opening in their house to prevent pests from gaining entry. Pay attention to areas around door frames, windows, floorboards, baseboards, and walls.
Examine second-hand furniture:
When buying used furniture, ensure that you examine it carefully for signs of bed bugs before bringing it into your home. Look for signs of bed bug infestation, such as dead bugs, eggs, or fecal matter, on the furniture exterior, joints, and crevices.
Conclusion:
Bed bugs are pests that can cause great discomfort in any household, and it’s essential to know the correct temperature range that can kill them to eliminate them completely. Prevention is better than cure, and it’s crucial to adopt measures that can help prevent a bed bug infestation. These measures will help provide the desired outcome: a bed bug-free environment.
Most common questions and their answers:
- What’s the optimal temperature for killing bed bugs?
- How long does it take to kill bed bugs below 0°F?
- How can I tell if my house has a bed bug infestation?
- What is the most effective bed bug elimination method?
The thermal death point for bed bugs is 120°F, and this temperature range can kill bed bugs in 15 minutes.
Temperatures below 0°F can kill bed bugs. It takes around 80 hours to have a significant effect.
Look for signs of bed bug infestation such as rust-colored stains, dark or small spots, shed skins, and live bed bugs.
The most effective bed bug extermination method is heat treatment, although the cold treatment is another alternative method.
References:
- https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs
- https://www.bedbugs.umn.edu/
- https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/bedbugs/index.html