Bed bugs are a common problem that many people face. If you’re trying to kill bed bugs on your own, it’s possible that you’ve heard about using heat to treat your home for bed bugs.
While killing bed bugs with heat yourself can be an effective way to get rid of bed bugs, there are some important things you should know before attempting this method. In today’s article, we are talking about killing bed bugs with heat yourself. Is it possible? Is it even safe?
Before we dive in, let’s take a moment to talk about bed bugs. Keep reading.
Contents
Let’s Talk About Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are small insects that rely on a host to survive.
Bed bugs are small, flat parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals. They are a reddish-brown color and can be as small as 1/4 inch long or up to 3/8 inch long. During their initial stages of development, they are almost invisible to the naked eye.
The most common sign of a bed bug infestation is the presence of small red or brown spots on your sheets or pillowcases, which are dried blood spots. You may also see black dots (bed bug excrement) or live bed bugs in the seams of your mattress or box spring.
The most common sign of a bed bug infestation is the presence of small red or brown spots on your sheets or pillowcases, which are dried blood spots. You may also see black dots (bed bug excrement) or live bed bugs in the seams of your mattress or box spring.
In addition, bed bugs aren’t attracted to light like some other insects are so you won’t see them crawling around during the day unless you’re looking for them specifically. The good news is that bed bugs don’t carry disease and they don’t spread foodborne illnesses. Still, their bites can cause skin reactions such as hives and welts that may require medical attention in rare cases.
Bed bugs can be difficult to get rid of for a variety of reasons. They multiply quickly, with a single pregnant female bed bug capable of causing an entire infestation in a home. They are also adept at hiding in crevices or cracks in furniture or walls, making them hard to find even when they’re covered by sheets or blankets. And once you’ve gotten rid of them, they can leave eggs behind that can hatch and re-infest unless you thoroughly clean all their hiding spots.
Perhaps most unnerving is that adult bed bugs can live up to nine months without feeding on a host.
Because bed bugs are so difficult to get rid of, many people are forced to turn to creative methods to kill them. One of the most popular methods for managing a bed bug infestation is to use heat.
Of course, killing bed bugs with heat yourself can be complicated. So, before we talk about killing bed bugs with heat yourself, let’s first talk about the different methods for bed bug removal.
Different Methods For Bed Bug Removal
Bed bugs may not spread disease or be dangerous, but their very presence can cause serious distress.
There are many different methods for killing bed bugs and getting rid of them outside of just using heat. Here are some of the most popular methods:
Insecticides
Insecticides are widely used to kill bed bugs. The idea behind insecticides is that they will kill the insects and keep them from reproducing. The problem is that the insecticides need to be applied directly to the insects, which can be difficult since they hide in crevices or in cracks in the furniture.
Home remedies
Home remedies such as rubbing alcohol, vinegar, and baking soda have been used for years as a way to kill bed bugs naturally without using harsh chemicals or expensive products. These products can help kill any insects that come into contact with them, but they don’t offer any protection against future infestations since they don’t prevent new eggs from hatching.
Natural Methods
Natural methods of bed bug removal could include using Diatomaceous Earth to get rid of the pests. We will talk more about natural methods like Diatomaceous Earth and other similar products that work to get rid of bed bugs naturally further down in this article.
Heat Treatment
Heat treatment involves heating up your entire home until all of the bed bug eggs hatch and die off naturally without harming anything else in the home (such as furniture). This method has been proven to be effective, but it can be costly, time-consuming, and frustrating.
Most heat treatment options involve getting a heat treatment professional to visit your home. These professionals will use a thermal fogger to kill all of the bedbugs, their eggs, and even other pests that might be hiding out in your home like ants, termites, roaches, and more.
The process doesn’t require you to move out of your home at all – it’s done by heating up your entire building so that all living things inside are killed off within about an hour.
The exterminator will move through each room in your house with his thermal fogger, which uses high temperatures to kill any bugs that are hiding out. The fogger uses propane gas mixed with a chemical called pyrethrum – this combination kills both adult bugs as well as their eggs, as we discussed above.
But when it comes to heat treatment, is killing bed bugs with heat yourself even possible? Let’s find out.
Killing Bed bugs With Heat Yourself – Is It Possible?
Most experts recommend that you leave using heat to kill bed bugs to the professionals.
When it comes to killing bed bugs, there are two main methods: heat and pesticides. Both can be used alone or together to get rid of these pests.
While it is possible to use heat yourself for bed bug removal, it’s important to note that when it comes to killing bed bugs with heat yourself, it’s best left to the professionals.
Why killing bed bugs with heat is generally left to the professionals
If you want to go about killing bed bugs with heat yourself, you need a professional-grade steamer. These machines are designed specifically for killing bed bugs and other pests that hide out in clothing and furniture.
They also require a lot of time and effort on your part — not just because they take so long but because they’re heavy and bulky. And if you try using one without any training, you could do more harm than good.
Fortunately, there are ways around these problems if you really want to kill bed bugs with heat yourself.
Renting a machine from a professional pest control company can help to save you money in the long run if you find yourself battling an infestation regularly (or even semi-regularly).
Bed bug heat machines can cost between $150-$300 a day, but they can be worth it if you are looking to go about killing bed bugs with heat yourself.
If you’re looking for something cheaper and less permanent, consider buying a handheld steamer for killing bed bugs with heat yourself. These devices will heat up water using electricity and force steam through a nozzle that’s pointed at your mattress and furniture. The steam is supposed to penetrate deep into cracks and crevices where bed bugs hide during the day, killing them and their eggs.
Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks to this method of killing bed bugs with heat yourself.
First, you can’t use this type of product on wood surfaces because the steam will cause damage over time. You also need plenty of space around your mattress or couch so that the steam doesn’t dissipate before reaching its target areas.
And finally, while it may seem like steaming would be easier than vacuuming up the dead bugs, it’s actually more difficult because it can take several hours for the bugs to die and for their bodies to dry out enough for you to vacuum them up without clogging your vacuum cleaner.
The best way to go about killing bed bugs with heat yourself is in conjunction with other methods. For example, if you’re using steam as a sterilizer to kill bed bugs found in clothing or linens, then make sure you’ve removed all visible insects first before steaming those items.
Or if you’re using steam alone as a treatment method after other methods haven’t worked, then make sure you’re treating all areas of your room where bed bugs could hide (like behind baseboards or inside furniture) and that you’re steaming for long enough (around 4-6 hours).
Best Products For Killing Bed Bugs With Heat Yourself
There are products you can purchase to help kill bed bugs using heat.
If you’re wondering how to choose the best products for killing bed bugs with heat yourself, you’ve come to the right place!
Most people don’t want to use toxic chemicals to get rid of bed bugs. Luckily, there are several safe and effective products like steamers and at home bed bug heaters to kill bed bugs without using pesticides. We have listed some of our favorite products for you to consider below.
ZappBug Oven Large Bed Bug Heater
No products found.
The ZappBug Oven has the ability to kill bed bugs, their eggs, and their larvae. It uses both heat and steam to kill these pests. You can use it in your home or business, and the unit is small enough that you can take it with you when traveling.
The device kills bed bugs using heat and steam. The steam kills the pests by causing dehydration, while the heat kills them through thermal effects. This means that they die from being cooked rather than being poisoned by something sprayed, reducing the need for toxic chemicals. The bed bugs and their eggs will be killed by exposure to temperatures above 118°F (48°C) for at least ten minutes.
ZappBug Room Bed Bug Heater
No products found.
How to kill bed bugs with heat yourself using ZappBug Room Bed Bug Heater
ZappBug Room Bed Bug Heater is another product by ZappBug that offers a great way to go about killing bed bugs with heat yourself. The product is designed to be used in rooms up to 500 square feet, and it works to kill bed bugs and their eggs.
The unit comes in two parts: the plug-in base, which provides power, and the heating element, which can be placed on top of the base or hung from the ceiling.
The heating element has two settings for different temperatures: 300 degrees F for 30 minutes (for killing bed bugs) or 300 degrees F for 60 minutes (for killing eggs). It includes a ten-foot power cord so you can place it anywhere in your home.
GreenTech Heat Solutions Portable Electric Bed Bug Sanitation Heater
No products found.
GreenTech Heat Solutions will kill bed bugs by heating up the area where they are hiding so that they die from dehydration or suffocation. The heat will not hurt humans but it will kill all stages of the bed bugs, including eggs and nymphs. This product could be considered safer than using pesticides because it is non-toxic and odorless, so there are no harmful fumes released into the air while using this device.
When using this product for killing bed bugs with heat yourself, you don’t need to worry about where it will be placed as long as it has access to an electrical outlet. Any room in your home can accommodate this device since it doesn’t release any toxic fumes into the air when used properly.
Dr. Infrared Heater Bed Bug Heater
No products found.
The Dr. Infrared Heater Bed Bug Heater is a portable heating unit that can be used to treat bed bugs and is great for you if you are looking into killing bed bugs with heat yourself. The product uses infrared heat to kill the adult bed bug, nymph, and egg stages of the insect. The product comes with a protective cover and a one-year warranty.
We also like that Dr. Infrared Heater Bed Bug Heater runs on electricity and plugs into any standard wall outlet. The device produces no fumes or odors, so it’s safe to use inside of your home as long as you place it in an area where there is proper ventilation.
It also features an adjustable thermostat that allows you to control the temperature setting on the unit. This feature is important because it allows you to adjust the temperature based on the needs of your room or home. For example, if you want to use this product in a room that doesn’t get much sunlight during the day, then you can lower the temperature setting so that it doesn’t get too hot for your furniture or belongings.
ThermalStrike Ranger Bed Bug Heater
No products found.
The ThermalStrike Ranger Bed Bug Heater is a powerful, portable heater that uses high temperatures to kill bed bugs and their eggs. It’s safe for use around people and pets, and bonus points for being easy to use as well.
The heater comes with two attachments: a hose adapter for direct attachment to the heater and a flexible plastic tube that can be used with a variety of other tools (such as a shop vacuum) to provide suction power. It includes one thermometer, but you can buy additional thermometers separately if you want more than one temperature reading at any given time.
To use the Ranger Bed Bug Heater, plug your heater into an electrical outlet, set your desired temperature, and start the timer on the side of the unit. The timer will keep running after it reaches your set temperature, so be sure to unplug it before this happens or risk overheating your home.
Other Products You Can Use For Bed Bug Control
Other products like traps and powders can be used in conjunction with what to control bed bugs.
As we’ve learned, when it comes to killing and repelling bed bugs, there are many options. Some are better than others. Ingredients can make a big difference when it comes to choosing the best methods and products to kill these pests.
Using certain products in conjunction with killing bed bugs with heat yourself can also make a difference when it comes to the success of your pest control endeavors.
Below are some products we recommend you use in conjunction with or before you try to use heat to kill bed bugs.
Hot Shot Bed Bug and Flea Fogger
No products found.
The Hot Shot Bed Bug and Flea Fogger is an insecticide that kills bed bugs, fleas, and other pests. The product has been approved by the EPA for use in homes, apartments, hotels, and other places where people live or sleep.
The Hot Shot Bed Bug and Flea Fogger is available in two sizes including one gallon, and three gallons. The smaller bottle is the “original size,” while the larger size is marketed as a “professional size.” Both sizes contain the same active ingredient, pyrethrins.
The Hot Shot Bed Bug and Flea Fogger come with a nozzle attached to a hose that allows you to spray the product directly on your mattress, box spring, and other furniture items where bed bugs might be hiding.
Premo Guard Bed Bug & Mite Killer Laundry Additive
No products found.
The Premo Guard Bed Bug & Mite Killer Laundry Additive is a simple and effective way to kill bed bugs in your home. It works by using a specially formulated micro-encapsulated insecticide that comes in a dry powder form.
The powder is added to your washer along with your laundry detergent, and it releases its contents while the clothes are being washed. The product is completely safe for use around children and pets, so you don’t have to worry about them being exposed to harmful chemicals as you do with other products on the market.
The Premo Guard Bed Bug & Mite Killer Laundry Additive will work on both new and used garments alike, but it does require some time for its effects to be fully realized.
In order for it to work properly, you must wash all of the clothes in your house at least once with the product already added into the wash cycle. This will ensure that every piece of clothing has had ample time for any bed bugs or mites hiding within it to die off from exposure to the product.
CrossFire Bed Bug Concentrate
No products found.
CrossFire Bed Bug Concentrate is another popular product that can be used to kill bed bugs. It is a liquid that can be applied using a spray bottle or pump sprayer. The product works by absorbing into the bug’s exoskeleton and destroying its ability to molt. If the pest cannot molt, it will die.
To use CrossFire Bed Bug Concentrate, simply apply it to all of your bedding (sheets, pillowcases, and blankets) as well as your mattress and box spring. Allow the solution to dry thoroughly before re-using any of these items and do not wash them until after 48 hours have passed.
The active ingredient in this product is cyfluthrin, which is a pyrethroid insecticide that has been approved by the EPA for use against many different insects including not only bed bugs, but also cockroaches, mosquitoes, and fleas.
Harris Diatomaceous Earth Crawling Insect Killer
No products found.
Harris Diatomaceous Earth Crawling Insect Killer is an excellent product for killing bed bugs and can be used in conjunction with heat and other remedies for bed bug removal. The product is not only effective in killing bed bugs, but it is also effective for killing fleas, ticks, ants, and roaches.
Most importantly, Diatomaceous Earth, also known as DE, is perfectly safe for people, pets, and the environment.
To use this product, you will need to make sure that you have exposed the insects to it first. You can do this by sprinkling Diatomaceous Earth on carpeting or furniture that has been infested with these pests. Once they have been exposed to the diatomaceous earth, they will die.
The product works by penetrating the insects’ exoskeleton and dehydrating them. Once this happens, they will die within 24 hours. The product can also be used as a barrier around your home in order to prevent future infestations from occurring.
Hot Shot Bed Bug Killer
No products found.
Last but not least we have Hot Shot Bed Bug Killer. The Hot Shot Bed Bug Killer is a product that kills bed bugs, their nymphs, and their eggs. It comes in a spray bottle and it can be used on almost any surface. This includes mattresses, box springs, carpets, and furniture.
You should use the Hot Shot Bed Bug Killer to treat the entire area where you saw the bed bugs or think they may be hiding. You can also use it to spot-treat items that you think may have been infested by the insects.
Should You Use Other Home Remedies For Killing Bed Bugs?
Fortunately, there are household ingredients you can use at home to get rid of bed bugs.
If you’re looking for ways to kill bed bugs, there are some options that don’t involve pesticides, heat machines, or even natural methods you have to purchase. In fact, there are many home remedies you can use to manage bed bugs.
However, it’s important to note that there’s no way to guarantee these DIY methods will work to eliminate every last bed bug in your home. If you are planning on using home remedies for bed bug control, we recommend using these methods for minor infestations first.
Here are a few of the best home remedies we have found for getting rid of bed bugs.
Killing Bed Bugs with Heat Yourself Using Your Washing Machine
You can use your washing machine as a heat source to kill bed bugs and their eggs.
To use this method, fill your washer with water. Add the washable item you want to clean (such as your bedding or clothing), and then set the temperature to at least 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius).
After washing your items in this cycle, dry the items on high heat in your dryer. Remove the bedding or clothing from the washer and store them in tightly sealed bags outside of the infested area until you are able to ensure you have gotten the bed bug infestation under control.
How To Make Your Own Bedbug Killing Spray
To make your own bed bug killing spray, mix one part rubbing alcohol and one part water in a spray bottle. Spray this mixture directly on any areas where you suspect bed bugs might be hiding. Be sure to pay close attention to your mattress and headboard. Allow this spray to dry before spraying it again.
Killing bed bugs With Heat Yourself – What The Experts Say
Bed bugs can be very difficult to get rid of, and heat is one of the most effective ways to kill them.
If you’re a DIYer, killing bed bugs with heat yourself can seem like the best way to tackle the problem. It’s fast, easy, and effective. But not every exterminator recommends this method.
Some exterminators say you should never try it, while others say you can use heat yourself if you follow certain guidelines. If you decide to go ahead with this method of killing and removing bed bugs, here are some things to keep in mind:
Heat treatment has its limits.
Heat is a very effective way of killing bed bugs and their eggs. However, it doesn’t kill all other insects or other pests that might be living in your home. And it won’t kill all adult bed bugs or their eggs at once — they need to be exposed to heat for a certain period of time before they die off completely.
Heat treatment can take time.
You have to wait until the temperature inside your home reaches 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48 degrees Celsius) — which can take a good amount of time depending on how cold it is outside and how well insulated your house is.
Bed bugs are notoriously hard to get rid of.
Bed bugs can also hide in hard-to-reach places, they reproduce quickly and they travel easily. One of the best ways to kill bed bugs is by using heat, but this is often a job best left to professionals, as we’ve mentioned above.
So, now that you have all the facts about killing bed bugs with heat yourself, would you give it a shot? Tell us what you think in the comment section below!
Jack founded our blog after two decades of working in the pest control industry. His vast experience dealing with a wide array of pests allows him to diagnose issues quickly and get to the heart of pest problems quickly and effectively. He has serviced more than 2,000 homes over his career and there is hardly any pest situation that he has not seen before.