Does Alcohol Kill Bed Bugs and Eggs?

person spraying alcohol on bed bugs

Bed bugs are an unpleasant nuisance. These oval-shaped bugs may be small, but their itchy bites can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. You might wonder if a simple remedy like rubbing alcohol kills bed bugs and their eggs. While alcohol can kill bed bugs and their eggs, it is ineffective as a home remedy. Homeowners should try other bed bug treatment methods instead. 

If you’re tired of all the creepy crawlies bugging you at night, we’ll explain all you need to know about how effective rubbing alcohol is as a bed bug treatment, as well as better treatment methods you can try instead.

Does Rubbing Alcohol Kill Bed Bugs?

In theory, rubbing alcohol may sound like a good bed bug treatment, but in reality, rubbing alcohol isn’t an effective DIY bed bug treatment. An attempt to use rubbing alcohol to control bed bugs will only result in wasting money and time.

So rather than attempting to treat your home yourself, it is highly recommended that you hire a licensed professional to deal with the bed bug infestation. Below, we’ll explore the extent of alcohol’s effectiveness on bed bugs and the potential hazards of using it to treat bed bugs. 

ethanol rubbing alcohol with white background
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Alcohol Is a Contact Insecticide

Rubbing alcohol is a contact insecticide, so it works only if it’s sprayed directly on top of bed bugs. Here’s how it works:

  1. Rubbing alcohol is sprayed directly onto a bed bug. 
  2. Bed bugs come into physical contact with the rubbing alcohol.
  3. Rubbing alcohol is a desiccant that dissolves the bed bug’s outer exoskeleton. The alcohol kills bed bugs almost instantly. Even if bed bugs don’t die right away, a bed bug will dry out after its outer shell dissolves. Eventually, the bed bug will die as a result. 

To be effective in treating bed bugs, rubbing alcohol must contain 70% or 91% of isopropyl alcohol, or pure alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol is mixed with other ingredients, primarily water. It can’t be heavily diluted, otherwise it won’t work on bed bugs.

As a bed bug treatment, rubbing alcohol lasts only for a short duration after application. It’s only effective while it’s wet. Once rubbing alcohol dries, it loses its effectiveness. 

Alcohol Treats Only Half the Problem

Treating bed bugs with rubbing alcohol has limited effectiveness. At most, rubbing alcohol only treats up to 50% of a bed bug infestation according to a study by Rutgers University. While alcohol may decrease the bed bug population in your house, the bed bug problem will persist, and they’ll keep causing those itchy bites.

To completely eradicate your bed bug problem, it is necessary to hire a licensed pest control professional to treat your house.

Alcohol is a Fire Hazard

Rubbing alcohol is a flammable liquid. Spreading rubbing alcohol around your home is extremely dangerous, as it becomes a dangerous fire hazard when applied to fabric, upholstery, or other surfaces.

Additionally, it is against the law to use rubbing alcohol that is not registered as a pesticide product. If you opt to try alcohol as a bed bug treatment, be careful about what product you buy. Make sure it is a legal pest control product.

bed bug eggs on a tape
Bed bugs on a tape
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Does Rubbing Alcohol Kill Bed Bug Eggs?

Yes, since rubbing alcohol acts as a desiccant, it dries out both bed bug eggs and adults.

The problem is that the alcohol needs to be applied directly on to the bed bug eggs for it to work. But the eggs are usually somewhere out of sight, hidden underneath a mattress or in a tight crack, so it’s difficult to find them. Rubbing alcohol can treat bed bug eggs, but only if you already know where they are.

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

person inspecting bed bugs in a room
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Rubbing alcohol may not be an effective way to treat bed bugs, but there are several alternative bed bug treatments that are safe and effective. 

Remember to hire a pro to get rid of a bed bug infestation. It is very difficult to get rid of a bed bug problem on your own, and a pro will provide you with safe, effective bed bug control. A bed bug exterminator can also help discuss treatment options so that you can decide on the best method for treating your home for bed bugs:

After you consult with a pest control pro and schedule a treatment, you’ll need to prepare your home before the first treatment. Carefully follow any preparation instructions that the company gives you before you arrive. Here are some common steps you can take to prep your home before the pros arrive:

  • Vacuum, especially around furniture, beds, and other infested spots.
  • Scrub surfaces and furniture to get them clean.
  • Wash and dry your clothes on high heat.
  • Dispose of heavily infested furniture that is beyond saving.
  • Cover your mattress with a mattress cover.

Don’t panic if you discover bed bugs in your house. With the right treatment, your home can soon be pest-free. Just make sure that when your house is treated, you follow the exterminator’s instructions to prepare your home before a bed bug treatment. 

What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?

bed bug sitting on skin
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Bed bugs are nocturnal creatures that feed on human or animal blood. These critters have many different growth stages throughout their lives. Here’s what bed bugs look like, depending on their life stage:

  • Adults are small, roughly the size and shape of an apple seed. They have a flat outer shell covering the top of their body. 
  • Nymphs are similar to adult bed bugs in appearance. However, a nymph has a paler, translucent exoskeleton and is smaller, especially in its earlier developmental stages. A nymph will continue to grow and molt until it reaches adulthood.
  • Eggs are minuscule, as they are roughly the size of a pinhead. They are oval-shaped and a pearly white color.

You might find this small, oval-shaped creature hiding among your bed sheets or making its home under your mattress. To check for bed bugs, search any cracks in a room where a termite might be lurking, especially around wood, fabric, or bedding. 

FAQ About Alcohol Killing Bed Bugs

Do Bed Bugs Spread Diseases?

No, bed bugs are not disease-carrying insects, so they don’t transmit diseases to people

Is it Safe to Spray Alcohol On a Mattress?

Rubbing alcohol is flammable, so it isn’t safe to spray it onto your mattress. There have been incidents of homeowners accidentally starting fires in their home after trying to treat a bed bug problem with alcohol. For your safety, you should avoid treating a mattress with alcohol. 

Can Hand Sanitizer Kill Bed Bugs?

Yes, hand sanitizer can kill bed bugs on contact. Hand sanitizer contains a concentration of about 60-70% ethanol, a substance that is lethal to bed bugs. However, while hand sanitizer kills bed bugs, it is not an effective long-term solution. If you treat bed bugs with hand sanitizers and nothing else, the bed bug problem will not go away. 

Say Goodbye to Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are blood-sucking terrors that leave you with scratchy bites and sleep deprivation. Rubbing alcohol might seem tempting as a potentially cheap DIY treatment, but it won’t be enough to solve your bed bug problem. 

The best option for treating bed bugs is to get a licensed professional to treat them for you. So hire a local bed bug exterminator and say goodbye to restless nights and painful itching. 

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Danielle Gorski

Danielle Gorski lives with her family in Texas. She has a degree in Professional Studies and a minor in marketing. Her hobbies include reading, drawing, and writing.