Bed Bugs Does Steam Kill Bed Bugs? – Is It Really Effective?

Does Steam Kill Bed Bugs? – Is It Really Effective?

Does Steam Kill Bed Bugs

Does Steam Kill Bed Bugs? At 122°F (50°C), bed bugs and their eggs will both perish quickly. Steam is produced when water is heated to 212°F (100°C), which is much over the bed bug-killing temperature needed for fast eradication. Any insect will be killed by steam at that temperature. You must have considered a variety of methods to get rid of bed bugs if they have been disrupting your sleep. The question of whether steam kills bed bugs has crossed many people’s minds.

Does Steam Kill Bed Bugs?

Steam does seem to be an effective measure against bed bugs if it is applied correctly. A temperature in the range of 160-180F maintained for a few seconds will exterminate a majority of the bed bugs.

Bed bugs are survivalists and have the tendency to outlive almost all hazardous circumstances, but extreme heat is one thing these creatures cannot tolerate.

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How to Kill Bed Bugs With Steam?

Does Steam Kill Bed Bugs?

  1. Rent or purchase a steam cleaner: You can rent a steam cleaner from a local hardware store or purchase one online. Look for a steam cleaner with a nozzle attachment and a steam setting that reaches at least 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Vacuum the area: Before using the steam cleaner, vacuum the area thoroughly to remove any loose debris or bed bugs.
  3. Begin steaming: Starting from the top of the area, begin steaming the surface with the nozzle attachment. Move slowly and methodically to ensure that the steam penetrates all surfaces.
  4. Pay attention to seams and corners: Pay special attention to seams and corners of mattresses, box springs, and furniture, as these are common hiding spots for bed bugs.
  5. Use a stiff brush: After steaming, use a stiff brush to scrub the surfaces, focusing on areas where bed bugs were present.
  6. Repeat the process: Repeat the process of steaming and brushing until all bed bugs have been eliminated. Be sure to steam and brush all surrounding areas, including baseboards, carpets, and furniture.
  7. Be patient: Killing bed bugs with steam can be a time-consuming process, but it is effective. Be patient and persistent in your efforts to eliminate bed bugs.
  8. Dispose of the vacuum bag: After vacuuming, dispose of the vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag outside of your home to prevent any surviving bed bugs from re-infesting your living space.

By following these pointers, you can effectively kill bed bugs with steam and eliminate them from your home.

What Kind of Steamer Should Be Used to Kill Bed Bugs?

Does all steamer kill bed bugs?

A commercial steam cleaner with a minimum capacity of 1 gallon (3.8 liters.) The option to control the steam volume is also desirable. Since these machines are expensive, you can also consider renting one. Apparel steamers and carpet steamers are unable to reach the high temperatures required for bed bug extermination and are therefore quite useless in this case.

What Nozzle To Use?

Use a triangular nozzle for the most effective results.  Any nozzle with bristles attached would hinder the direct application of steam. The nozzle you select should be able to reach into tiny cracks and crevices because that is where you will find the most bugs and their eggs.  A low-pressure nozzle works best for bed bugs, as the pinpoint nozzles tend to blow the bugs and their eggs around.

Pay Close Attention To Nooks And Crannies

Bed bugs are excellent at hiding. They lay eggs in the most unlikely of spaces. Look out for:

  • Cracks in furniture
  • Intricate designs on the headboard of your bed
  • Holes in the mattress
  • Seams of your bed linen or mattress
  • Cracks in floorings
  • Corners of the walls
  • The junction of the ceiling and walls
  • Move From The High Points Of The Area Downwards

Always begin with the high points of the room, like the tops of your curtains, higher points of the wall, etc.  If you begin steaming your floor first, many of the bugs might escape to the ceiling.

  • Go Slow – Steaming slowly is paramount. If you breeze around your room with the steamer, you might not have created a high enough temperature to target both bugs and their eggs. So move linearly across the area, slowly, so as to cover the maximum area effectively. The general rule of thumb while steam cleaning bugs are 12 inches every 30 seconds.
  • Allow The Area To Air Dry – Steam cleaning will leave a good amount of moisture on your carpets, furniture, and other upholstered items.  This needs to be dried if you don’t want a mildew problem on your hands.  So allow for air circulation once you have finished the cleaning process.  Turn on the fan, if needed.
  • Repeat The Process – As stated in the article previously, bed bugs are survivalists. Their eggs require a bit more exposure to direct steam to ensure they are dead.  So you might want to repeat the steam cleaning process, based on the extent of the infestation.

Does Steam Kill Bed Bugs?

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6 Effective Precautionary Measures While Using Steam

Working with steam involves exposure to very high temperatures. Follow the underlying precautions to ensure no harm is done:

  1. Deep clean your home before you begin the cleaning process. Address the clutter in various spaces and make sure the bed bugs have nowhere to hide if they survive the assault of the steam.
  2. Test the steam cleaner on a small patch of the area before you begin.
  3. Operate the steam cleaner with utmost caution. Refilling the tank and handling the nozzle in between steaming can be dangerous, so be careful to avoid any burns.
  4. Make sure to not damage frail or older furniture by over-exposure to steam.
  5. Use an infrared thermometer to ensure that you are maintaining the right temperature while steaming.
  6. For the best results, you could hire a professional to use the machine.  The use of mild pesticides along with steam will ensure that your house is completely free of bed bugs.

Final Thoughts

Always, taking the required steps can aid in preventing hives. Knowing your personal medical history is important, especially if you have allergies, as hives can cause major health problems that might need emergency care. To prevent further aggravating the issue, it is strongly advised that you patch test any skin treatments for hives. Although you might fear the worse, it is a relief to know that hives typically just go away on their own.

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