by Sally Fox-PriceWhat Temperature Kills Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to eradicate, so once they’re inside your property, it can feel like you’re never going to get rid of them.
Thankfully, bed bugs are resistant to temperature, so the team at Mission Pest Control can use techniques such as cutting-edge heat treatment as part of our bed bug control service.
Many people ask the question: what temperature kills bed bugs? And is it better to freeze them or use heat treatment?
As experts in treating bed bugs throughout Swindon and the surrounding area, Mission Pest Control has put together this handy guide to explain.
Why Is It So Hard To Kill Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are difficult to treat because even adult bed bugs are incredibly small, at just 5-7 mm in length. Bed bug nymphs and eggs are even smaller and harder to see.
Also, bed bugs bury themselves deep inside furniture, bedding, mattresses and fabrics before laying eggs, so you might not see them on a cursory inspection of infested items.
If you use DIY bed bug treatments, such as sprays or powders, the bed bugs can burrow deep into soft furnishings to avoid them, and then lie dormant in a state of diapause for up to a year.
As such, you might think that you have removed all the bed bugs, only for them to reappear in the future and cause issues.
Does Heat Kill Bed Bugs?
Heat is the most effective way to kill bed bugs, with temperatures above 45°C/ 113°F known to be dangerous for them.
High heat is an ideal way to remove bed bugs at all life cycle stages, which is why Mission Pest Control uses special equipment to raise the temperature around infested items to between 50°C to 60°C (122°F to 140°F).
If you’re interested in finding out more about how heat treatment can kill bed bugs and ensure your infestation is gone for good, read our guide: What Is Heat Treatment For Pest Control?
Does Cold Kill Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs can survive in cold temperatures, as the colder it is, the more likely they are to be able to lie dormant.
However, under 0°F/ -17.778°C bed bugs will die. This is why many homeowners put bed sheets and linens in the freezer to kill bed bugs.
While this can be effective, it’s important that other infested areas and items are treated as well, because bed bugs can burrow into tiny gaps in bed frames, sofas and even behind loose wallpaper or skirting boards.
Freezing these areas can be challenging, and without a low enough temperature, the bed bugs can enter a state of diapause and return in the future.
That’s why proper bed bug control from pest control experts like us is crucial to ensure that the bed bugs are gone for good. As well as freezing, we use heat treatment and other methods to ensure we remove the entire infestation.
What Is The Best Way To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs?
Now you know what temperature kills bed bugs, you can see that heat treatment is often the best way to eliminate bed bugs.
Unfortunately, the right temperatures to kill bed bugs can’t be achieved naturally in the UK consistently, as our weather is usually cooler but not cold enough to eradicate bed bugs.
To deal with a bed bug infestation, you need professional bed bug control. Mission Pest Control has the tools and expertise needed to carry out heat treatment that will safely remove not only bed bugs, but also other insect pests including fleas, cockroaches, moths, woodworm, wasps and more.
Our team of pest control professionals have access to cutting-edge heat treatment technology that will ensure your infestation is removed without the use of potentially toxic chemicals.
If you’re ready to book heat treatment for your Swindon home or business, contact us on 01793 379333 or by emailing hello@missionpestcontrol.co.uk.