Does alcohol kill bed bugs? Once you see a one-bed bug hanging around, it won’t be long before its entire family makes an unwelcome appearance in your home. People frequently use all measures at their disposal to get rid of them during these times. Does alcohol kill bed bugs is one such query that might come up in a desperate situation.
Now, the straightforward response to this query is, “Yes.” It does, but nothing is ever that easy and straightforward. Despite the fact that alcohol kills bed bugs, there are several situations in which you could choose to utilize it or reconsider your choice.
Does Alcohol Really Kill Bed Bugs?
Alcohol is fruitful in killing bed bugs quickly. The homeowners have the option of choosing isopropyl. It is also named rubbing alcohol. The chemical effects of alcohol will kill the bugs from the inside and dry them quickly. Aside from that, it is essential to know the pros and cons of alcohol.
Before trying any remedy, you must be aware of the facts and figures associated with it. Not all people like to use alcohol because of its smell. With some research, you will get knowledge about which way alcohol can be effective and whether it is harmful to you or not.
How does alcohol work?
Isopropyl, which we more commonly know as rubbing alcohol does kill bugs. Alcohol first attacks the other shell of the bug. Once this protective covering has been breached, the bug is now exposed to the chemical effects of alcohol. A second spray of the hazardous chemical will attack the insides of the bug and dry it up completely. Thus the bug begins to dry up from the inside. Most bugs cannot survive such hazardous circumstances and will die in a few minutes of contact with alcohol. Hence, it is safe to assume that alcohol has proven to be one of the few solvents that act directly on bedbugs.
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What Are The Disadvantages Of Using Alcohol To Kill Bugs?
You might wonder why more people aren’t using this amber liquid that is so easily available to get rid of the bed bug menace. Listed below are the reasons why:
- Alcohol action on bedbugs requires direct contact. The alcohol must be in contact with the body of the bedbug to be able to act as a solvent on it. That is a difficult feat to achieve as bedbugs are fast and very good at hiding. To be able to spot them and spray them with alcohol seems a daunting task.
- Alcohol is expensive. Though it is readily available, alcohol is not inexpensive. It must be used in its pure form, without the addition of any water for it to have an effect. This is not affordable to everyone. Especially when you need large quantities of it to spray around.
- Alcohol has a characteristic odor. Imagine having doused your mattress in alcohol when guests suddenly announce themselves. That is not a situation anyone would like to be in. You too might not want to be surrounded by the heady stench of alcohol all day long.
- Alcohol is a flammable substance. Spraying alcohol all over your living quarters is also a fire hazard. A small splinter in the wrong place can give rise to catastrophe. This is another factor that acts as a deterrent to many.
- Alcohol might not work at times. Alcohol is not a sure-shot way of killing bugs. Though most of the time it does a good job, its effectiveness depends on its concentration. Some alcohols that have a 90% concentration are effective at killing the little creatures while others with lower concentrations might not be as effective.
- Some might find this to be a cruel method of extermination. Though it is impossible to make an extermination process pleasurable. The whole idea of killing something by drying it out from the inside might make some cringe.
Final Thoughts
Reasons to abstain from drinking include the fact that rubbing alcohol can kill bedbugs. You must, however, make the decision whether you wish to proceed in that direction. Bear in mind that bugs quickly develop resistance to weak substances. Hence, you might wish to attempt the alcohol option if the infestation is still in its early stages. However, if it has already progressed, you might wish to contact experts and allow them to address it as they see fit.
So, does alcohol kill bed bugs in the end? It does, indeed. After reading our article, you must decide whether you want to utilize it to deal with the colonies in your own home.
