Discovering what temperature kills bed bugs is essential in the battle against these resilient pests. The magic number is 0 or 113 degrees Fahrenheit, but there’s a catch: The time it takes to achieve total elimination varies depending on how much higher or lower than this temperature you can go.
This article explores the different temperatures and the time it takes to kill bed bugs at each temperature, providing you with important knowledge in the quest to get rid of bed bugs.
What Temperature Kills Bed Bugs and Their Eggs?
Extreme temperatures are a great way to eradicate bed bugs and their eggs, but success heavily depends on the duration of exposure.
For bed bugs, the thermal death point is reached at 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Bed bug eggs, however, are slightly more resilient and require exposure to temperatures of at least 118 F.
Here’s an overview of the time it takes to kill bed bugs and their eggs at these temperatures:
- At 113 F, bed bugs will die within 90 minutes.
- At 118 F, bed bugs will perish within 20 minutes.
- To effectively kill bed bug eggs, they must be exposed to 118 F for 90 minutes.
- The higher the temperature, the less time it will take to kill bed bugs and their eggs.
What Cold Temperature Kills Bed Bugs?
On the colder end of the spectrum, a temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit is capable of killing both bed bugs and their eggs, but they have to be exposed to it for at least three days.
Make sure you seal the items in a bag before placing them in the freezer and that your freezer reaches the minimum temperature.
What Temperature Kills Bed Bugs Instantly?
According to Cornell University, temperatures exceeding 125 degrees Fahrenheit have the capability to instantly kill bed bugs and their eggs. This critical temperature threshold offers a more immediate solution to bed bug infestations, bypassing the need for prolonged exposure times.
Heat Treatments for Bed Bugs and Their Temperatures
There are various methods to kill bed bugs that leverage extreme temperatures, namely professional heat treatments, steaming, and washing and drying clothes. Here’s a look at them and the necessary temperatures to kill bed bugs:
What Room Temperature Kills Bed Bugs?
Professional heat treatments involve placing heaters throughout a room or an entire home to uniformly raise the temperature and kill bed bugs. These heaters are designed to heat the air inside to approximately 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
To ensure that even the most hard-to-reach nooks and crannies reach the lethal threshold, fans are used to circulate the hot air, and sensors monitor temperatures to guarantee that every area achieves at least 113 F.
What Temperature of Steam Kills Bed Bugs?
Steaming is a targeted heat treatment that uses high-temperature steam to eliminate bed bugs found in mattresses, upholstery, carpets, and other similar items. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends using steam at temperatures of at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
The best steam cleaners operate between 200 to 300 F, providing a potent weapon that kills bed bugs instantly, but read your machine’s manual to make sure it gets to these temperatures.
What Temperature Kills Bed Bugs in the Wash?
To kill bed bugs in laundry items effectively, it’s important to set the washing machine to a high temperature, between 120 and 140 F, and opt for a long wash cycle. This ensures sufficient time to exterminate bed bugs and their eggs, but always check that they’re all dead before wearing the clothing.
What Temperature Kills Bed Bugs in the Dryer?
The clothes dryer is an excellent tool for exterminating bed bugs, from fabric items like clothes and bedding to sneakers and handbags. By setting the dryer on the highest temperature setting (typically between 120 and 160 F) and running it for at least 30 minutes, you can kill all bed bugs and their eggs.
It’s important not to overload the dryer to allow hot air to circulate freely and reach all items effectively.
What Temperature Kills Bed Bugs in the Car?
Bed bugs can be eliminated in cars by achieving the same lethal temperatures as in homes, 113 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. One method to do that, recommended by the EPA, involves using black plastic bags to cover the windows and parking the car in direct sunlight. The black bags absorb heat, significantly increasing the car’s interior temperature.
For optimal results in getting rid of bed bugs in your car, leave the car under sunlight for the entire day. Alternatively, steam cleaning the car’s interior can also be effective.
Killing Bed Bugs with Heat Yourself
You should never try to heat your entire home or room directly by simply turning up the thermostat, as it will not work and can be potentially dangerous. Professional heat treatments are complex processes that take between 6 and 8 hours and require specialized treatments to safely and uniformly raise the temperatures to the necessary levels.
However, there are several DIY heat/cold treatments that homeowners can safely implement. Let’s take a look at them:
- Steam mattresses, furniture, and carpets slowly after attaching a triangular nozzle to your steamer. Ensure the steam pressure is set to slow or medium, and repeat the process at least once.
- Wash and dry infested bedding, clothing, and other washable items at high temperatures. Use the hottest settings, and ensure the washing machine is on the long cycle and that the dryer runs for at least 30 minutes.
- Use portable heating units to treat items that can’t go to the washer or dryer. These units can safely heat your belongings to the required temperatures to kill bed bugs. Read the instructions to know how long to leave the items inside the unit.
- Seal small items in a plastic bag and place them in the freezer at 0 F for at least three days.
Here’s a video on how to steam to get rid of bed bugs:
While these natural home remedies can be part of an effective strategy to control bed bugs, severe infestations will likely require professional treatment. Additionally, you should regularly inspect your home for signs of bed bugs after the treatment is complete. Bed bug interceptors can be used to monitor your home for these pests going forward.
FAQ: Bed Bugs
What Temperature Kills Bed Bugs in Celsius?
To effectively kill adult bed bugs, the lethal temperature is 48.3 degrees Celsius. For bed bug eggs, a slightly higher temperature of 54.8 degrees C is required to ensure complete eradication.
Will the Cold Kill Bed Bugs?
Yes, cold temperatures can kill bed bugs, but infested items require consistent exposure to extremely low temperatures. Specifically, the temperature must be at or below 0 degrees Fahrenheit for at least three days. Many domestic freezers may not reach this necessary temperature.
Do Bed Bugs Like Heat?
Bed bugs do have a preference for warm environments, thriving in environments that hover between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. However, when exposed to temperatures significantly higher than their comfort zone, bed bugs cannot survive.
When to Hire a Professional
Tackling bed bugs with extreme temperatures can work wonders, but if you’re dealing with a full-blown infestation, trying to get rid of it alone might just be an exercise in frustration.
Sometimes, the best line of action is to call the cavalry. Call a pest control professional so they can bring the heavy artillery and eliminate the threat of bed bugs from your home.
Sources:
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Editorial Contributors
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Maria Isabela Reis
Author
Maria Isabela Reis is a writer, Ph.D. candidate, and plant enthusiast from an area where mosquitoes are as relentless in their pursuit of blood as she is in her quest for knowledge. When she’s not swatting away these buzzing annoyances, she’s playing with her dogs and savoring a cup of tea.
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Sarah Bahr
Editor
Sarah is a writer who has previously worked in the lawn care industry. In her spare time, she likes to garden, create mosquito traps out of five-gallon buckets, and use chickens for pest control in the backyard.
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