Can Bed Bugs Take the Cold?
WouterIf you have an infestation of bed bugs, you should try to keep the temperature low to kill off the pests. The temperature must remain below freezing for three to four days in order to kill the bugs. Sadly, most home freezers do not reach temperatures that will kill bed bugs quickly. Therefore, you need to leave the treatment material in the freezer for longer periods.
In cold regions, such as Alaska, the temperature is often colder than it is in the U.S. The windchill makes these temperatures even colder. However, bed bugs won’t experience windchill because they are able to hide. The temperature in these regions isn’t constant, so the bugs’ survival rate will vary.
Bed bugs do not hibernate like most animals. Instead, they go into a phase called diapause in which their metabolism slows down. However, unlike other animals, bed bugs do not have a biological timer, so they will wake up once the temperature rises. They will eventually die if the temperature is too high, but they are capable of surviving cold conditions for a short while.
There are a few different ways to deal with an infestation of bed bugs. Using a commercial freezer is one option. However, this method isn’t as effective as CO2 exchange. This method is best for a small to medium infestation. It is also a cheaper alternative to using CO2 exchange, which is a more permanent way to kill bed bugs. It may also be worth trying freezing infested items.
