Can You Kill Cockroaches With Heat?
WouterWhen used properly, heat treatment can kill cockroaches without the use of chemicals. Heat penetrates baseboards, wall voids, and carpets. It also kills roaches at all stages of the life cycle. It is also safer than chemical treatments and does not leave behind any chemical residue.
Cockroaches are surprisingly hardy creatures, but their hard exoskeleton will compromise at high temperatures. They will die at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. The reason for this is that cockroaches are poikilothermic, meaning they can only withstand a certain temperature. Heating fans will help you eliminate cockroaches by speeding up the process.
To kill cockroaches with heat, it’s important to first understand how these bugs work. Because they have a cold-blooded nature, cockroaches are unable to regulate their body temperature like humans do. However, since most species of cockroaches originate from hot climates, their bodies are designed to tolerate a certain amount of heat. They can withstand temperatures up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
Heat treatment is not an ideal solution for killing cockroaches in your home, because it involves heating your whole house to a high temperature and maintaining it for a long period of time. Most homeowners do not have the equipment to handle this job, and it’s best to leave it to professionals. Likewise, you should avoid using mothballs because these chemicals are neither safe nor effective.
