What Temperature Kills Bed Bugs Instantly?
Bed bugs are temperamental about temperature
Unlike other insect infestations that require chemical-based techniques and repellents, you can kill bed bugs and their eggs by exposing them to a certain temperature point for a duration of time, known as the thermal death point. But the question “what temperature kills bed bugs instantly?” is a bit of a trick question.
First, you can kill bed bugs using either extreme heat or extreme cold. Second, while these methods are effective, they must be sustained for a certain period of time, depending on the temperature point. Extreme heat or cold can kill bed bugs nearly instantly—but those temperatures can only safely be achieved by professional exterminators.
Let’s take a look at how the pros handle temperature treatments, as well as what you can employ as a home remedy.
Temperatures That Kill Bed Bugs
Thermal death points for bed bugs are the combinations of time and temperature that it takes to kill them. The higher or lower the temperature, the less time it takes. Here are some that have been known to be effective:
0 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 3 days
113 degrees Fahrenheit for 90+ minutes
118 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes
118 degrees Fahrenheit for 90 minutes (for bed bug eggs)
131 degrees Fahrenheit for a few hours
140 degrees Fahrenheit kills all stages of bed bugs after a few hours
As mentioned above, applying extreme heat will eventually kill pesky bed bugs, but it will take longer than an instant. Bed bugs die when exposed to 113 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 90 minutes or 118 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
To kill bed bug eggs, expose the sacs to 118 degrees Fahrenheit for 90 minutes. Keep in mind that handling high levels of heat can be dangerous, so it’s best to hire a professional bug removal service to eradicate the infestation.
Higher temperatures are indeed better, in that you can achieve the same results quicker. 131 degrees Fahrenheit can kill off bed bugs in a few hours, while 140 degrees Fahrenheit will kill off all stages of bed bugs after a few hours.
How to Get Rid Of Bed Bugs Using Heat
Check out these professional and DIY methods for eradicating bed bugs using extreme heat.
Professional Heat Treatments
When you hire a professional bed bug exterminator, they will usually resort to heat treatments when stopping bed bug infestations. Research shows that it’s a combination of both temperature and time for effectively killing bed bugs.
Exterminators use whole-room heat treatments, usually at a thermal death point of 113 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition to the heat, they also use industrial fans, which disperse the heat via convection current throughout the space for faster results.
Note that it’s the combination of time and temperature that work to kill off bed bugs. Adult bed bugs are easier to kill off than bed bug eggs. However, when dealing with an at-home infestation, it’s better to assume that eggs are also present and proceed accordingly.
If you’re thinking, “Why not just raise the temperature and kill the bed bugs faster?” you’d be on the right track. That’s why some exterminators also employ a steam technique, slowly spreading steam through an effective space at a temp of 160 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the exterminator must move at a steady, slow pace. They also must ensure the steam doesn’t blow too forcefully; otherwise, the bugs will be scattered rather than killed, causing an even bigger problem. When coupled with another technique, however, steam can be quite effective in killing bed bugs. Keep in mind that the average cost of hiring a bed bug exterminator is $1,000 to $5,000, depending on location, severity, and extermination method.
DIY Bed Bug Heat Treatments
While it’s always well worth the cost to call in a pro exterminator for backup, there are some things you can do in your own self-defense against bed bugs:
Washing machine method: Use the hot setting on your washing machine to launder affected linens and clothes.
Clothes dryer method: A clothes dryer is effective at killing bed bugs at all cycles of life. Load up the dryer part way only—affected items must be able to tumble freely—and use the high heat setting for 30 minutes. If your dryer has a removable shelf, use it for objects that cannot be tumbled, such as books or home decor. It’s a good idea to leave the dryer tumbling even longer to ensure that bed bug-ridden objects reach the thermal death point.
Portable heater method: The PacTite(R) is a product noted for its ability to heat bed bug-infested items. Originally manufactured for suitcases, it’s also good for other smaller items, including bedding, clothing, bags, tools, shoes, and more. It heats up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which can kill off bed bugs in a few hours.
Steam method: Your household steam cleaner might be a good backup method after you’ve thoroughly vacuumed surfaces, provided it can reach 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Still, it’s better to have a professional exterminator steam for you at even higher temperatures.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs Using Extreme Cold
Check out these guidelines for killing bed bugs using extreme cold temperatures.
Professional Cold Treatments
While you can seal up affected clothes and items in bags and store them in a 0 degree Fahrenheit freezer for a few days, the pros employ faster techniques at much lower temperatures. They will bring in devices that will spray a snow-like substance—made using carbon dioxide—over affected areas to freeze the bugs. It’s harmless for your household, but it’s a substance that only a pro exterminator can apply correctly.
DIY Bed Bug Cold Treatment
While it’s best to leave killing bed bugs with extreme cold to the pros, there are a few DIY methods to try.
Freezer method: Seal infested objects in a plastic bag, and store it in a freezer at 0 degree Fahrenheit for four days. If you don’t have room in your freezer or would rather not have your ice cream share a space with dying bed bugs, call in a pro exterminator. The Environmental Protection Agency says it might be possible to kill bed bugs after three days in the freezer, but use a thermometer to ensure that your refrigerator can achieve that low temperature.
Outdoor method: If it’s winter in your region, you can attempt to freeze bed bugs by leaving affected items out in the cold. This method will only work when the temperature is below freezing—the lower the temperature, the better. Be sure to store these things in an area you won’t access for several days to weeks—after all, if you or your belongings come into contact with any surviving bed bugs, you can easily bring them back into the house.