Can You Kill Bed Bugs With Heat?
You’ve probably heard of the use of heat to kill bed bugs. Heat has been proven to kill these blood sucking insects and it won’t leave behind any residue. Heat penetrates walls, leaving no place for the bugs to escape. Heat is much more effective than other methods for killing bedbugs, and is the safest way to kill them.
However, heat doesn’t work immediately. It takes time for the heat to kill the bugs. The diatomaceous earth used in heat treatments is a desiccant, and this takes time to work. Moreover, bedbugs can reproduce during the time it takes to kill them. Besides, heat treatment is expensive and not always available.
A temperature of 118 degrees Fahrenheit will kill adult bedbugs, but the eggs need temperatures higher than 125 degrees to survive. Nevertheless, it is still best to consult a professional before using heat to kill bedbugs. In case of an emergency, there are heat distribution systems and frozen carbon dioxide sprays to help you combat the problem.
After the heat treatment, you should remove your bedding. You should also place all cloth items such as clothes and bedding in plastic bags. Heat treatment is safe, but you should not wear the treated clothes until you have thoroughly checked them to make sure they are bed bug-free.