Will Bed Bugs Die in Cold Weather?
WouterThere are various myths about how cold the weather can kill bed bugs, but the truth is that cold weather doesn’t necessarily kill them. Unlike humans, bed bugs are hardy creatures and can survive temperatures as low as -13 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because bed bugs cannot produce their own body heat, so they rely on external sources of heat to keep warm. While cold temperatures aren’t enough to kill them completely, they are cold enough to cause them to hibernate.
While temperatures below zero degrees Fahrenheit are sufficient for killing bed bugs, these temperatures must remain stable for at least four days to kill them completely. Throwing items outside during winter won’t kill bed bugs, and nor will direct sunlight or moist air. Even opening a window on a cold January day will not do the trick.
A study published in 2014 found that freezing bedbugs does not kill them. This is because their body fluids can survive the cold for up to 80 hours. However, this method doesn’t kill eggs. It is best to avoid freezing your home in winter, as freezing can cause structural damage and is unlikely to kill bed bugs.
A good cold treatment for bed bugs uses CO2 to kill them. CO2 increases bedbug mobility and replaces the oxygen needed by them for survival. Unlike other methods, CO2 treatment has proven to be effective under most conditions. However, CO2 treatment must be applied safely and in moderate amounts. You should not use CO2 if you don’t have the proper knowledge about its effects.
