If you are unfortunate enough to discover you have a bed bug infestation, heat treatment will be the best way to kill bed bugs and ensure they do not return.
Heat treatments kill bed bugs by raising the temperature in the room to above 120° F; preferably between 125°F-140°F. If this temperature is maintained for a period of 2-3 hours, bed bugs and their eggs can be quickly eradicated.
How can I kill bed bugs myself using heat?
Attempting to kill bed bugs yourself using heat might sound like a good idea and although it sounds simple, there is some level of expertise required.
Preparation is key, all items need to be moved away from the walls to allow heat to circulate, electronics and other items which could be damaged by heat need to be removed and separately treated with insecticide.
When heating the room, some loose items may need to be moved around to ensure the heat circulates and the temperature needs to be continually monitored. The use of a thermal camera is also recommended to find cold spots and avoid bed bugs escaping the heat.
Can heat from a hair dryer kill bed bugs?
Although a hair dryer emits very hot air, they do not reach the temperatures required to kill bed bugs. Bed bugs can be killed using a tumble dryer, by placing loose items on high heat for around half an hour.
What type of heater is used to kill bed bugs?
There are different types of bed bug heaters (learn more here), but ultimately, they all do the same thing which is provide consistent heat to be able to heat and maintain the temperature of a room in order to kill bed bugs.
Does heat kill bed bugs and their eggs?
Temperatures of 120 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, as long as the temperature is maintained and well circulated, will kill bed bug eggs and their larvae.
Can you kill bed bugs in the washing machine?
Bed bugs can live through a cycle in the washing machine. While washing your clothes you will kill most of the bed bugs. The way to be sure is to dry them using a tumble dryer on high heat to kill the remaining bugs and their larvae.
Summary
In summary, if you want to kill bed bugs in your home, we recommend contacting a professional pest controller who specialises in heat treatment for bed bugs.
Although doing it yourself may appear more cost effective, when you weigh up the cost of hiring the specialist equipment required and factor in the risk that it may not work, it makes sense to hire a professional to ensure the heat treatment is done correctly and that you receive a guarantee if the bed bugs return within a certain time period after the treatment.
A bed bug specialist will also use a professional grade insecticide to treat items which cannot be heated but can also offer advice to help you avoid getting another infestation in the future.
Contact a Professional Bed Bug Heat Treatment Specialist to Arrange a Heat Treatment for Bed Bugs
We have many years of experience in pest control and have developed to become a bed bug heat treatment expert covering London and surrounding areas.
Our heat treatment gives you peace of mind as we offer a 6-month guarantee on our heat treatments.
We offer a free, no obligation quote and our service is also fully discrete, we use unmarked vans and equipment, meaning your neighbours don’t need to find out.
Please contact us if you think you require treatment for bed bugs. We have over 10 years of pest control experience and cover all areas of London, Hertfordshire, Essex, and Kent.
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