How Much Heat Does It Take to Kill Bed Bugs?
Heat is essential for killing bed bugs and their eggs. A reputable bed bug exterminator will keep the home hot for at least four hours. This will allow the heat to penetrate every crack and crevice, including underneath baseboards and air vents. At these temperatures, adult bed bugs cannot survive for more than 90 minutes. To kill eggs, they need to be exposed to a temperature of 118.4 degrees Fahrenheit for a minimum of 90 minutes.
When applying heat to a house, homeowners should prepare it properly before applying the treatment. This includes removing foods that can spoil or melt, and flammable materials such as gasoline, alcohol, or propane. Also, check any items brought into the home from the outside for bed bugs. Even if the items are clean, they may still be infested with the bugs.
Heat treatment is the most effective method for killing bed bugs. Professional exterminators use specialized equipment to raise the temperature inside your home to over 130 degrees Fahrenheit. These extreme temperatures are extremely effective for killing bed bugs, as well as their eggs. The temperature of the house should be raised gradually, and the temperature should remain there for up to six to eight hours.
Heat treatments for bed bugs kill the insects by destroying the eggs, but they cannot kill the bugs that are hidden inside walls. You can also use a bed bug hot box or an oven to kill them. Another option is to heat books and couch cushions to kill them. However, you must monitor the temperature of the books closely.