Can Bed Bugs Be Killed by Alcohol?
WouterAlcohol kills bed bugs on contact by two mechanisms: it acts as a desiccant, drying out their bodies and destroying their cells. As a desiccant, alcohol is an effective tool for killing bed bugs, as it is cheap and readily available. However, alcohol will not kill all bedbug eggs or adults.
The alcohol used to kill bedbugs should have a high isopropyl concentration to ensure a good kill. A low percentage will be less effective, and the mixture will dry out faster. For maximum effect, the concentration should be at least 91 percent. While alcohol is effective against adult bugs, alcohol does not kill bedbug eggs, and alcohol does not work on larvae.
In lab tests, 50% of the bugs were treated with alcohol. This means that the bugs were probably sitting in the jar in plain sight before they were exposed to the substance. This is why treating an infestation with alcohol is like shooting fish in a barrel – you can never see all the bugs and you have no chance of spraying every single one.
While alcohol can kill bedbugs, it is important to remember that it is not a permanent solution. You should use it in small doses and make sure you avoid breathing in the fumes. It is important to note that alcohol can be hazardous if used in large amounts, so you should always seek professional help.
