How do bedbugs die after being treated with a cold fog? - briefly
The chilled aerosol carries an insecticide that penetrates the cuticle, disrupts nervous signaling, and induces rapid dehydration, causing death within minutes to hours. Mortality arises from the combined chemical toxicity and low‑temperature stress, which immobilizes the bugs and accelerates physiological failure.
How do bedbugs die after being treated with a cold fog? - in detail
Cold‑fog applications rely on a fine aerosol of insecticide that is chilled to below 10 °C before discharge. The low temperature and the active compound together create a lethal environment for Cimex lectularius.
When the mist contacts the insect, the following processes occur almost simultaneously:
- Rapid heat loss – the chilled droplets absorb heat from the bug’s cuticle, causing a sudden drop in body temperature. Bedbugs, which are ectothermic, cannot regulate this loss and experience cellular dysfunction.
- Desiccation acceleration – the fine particles increase the surface area of the bug’s exoskeleton, promoting faster evaporation of internal fluids. The combination of cold and the hygroscopic properties of many formulations removes moisture faster than the insect can replace it.
- Neurotoxic action – most cold‑fog products contain pyrethroids or neonicotinoids. The insecticide penetrates the cuticle more efficiently at low temperatures because the lipid membranes become more fluid, allowing higher concentrations to reach nerve receptors. Binding to sodium‑channel or nicotinic receptors triggers uncontrolled firing, paralysis, and eventual death.
- Metabolic disruption – the abrupt temperature shift interferes with enzymatic pathways, especially those involved in respiration and energy production. Mitochondrial activity declines, leading to ATP depletion and cellular collapse.
The cumulative effect typically kills bedbugs within minutes to a few hours, depending on exposure concentration and ambient conditions. Surviving individuals may exhibit tremors, loss of coordination, and inability to feed before succumbing. Repeated fogging cycles ensure that newly hatched nymphs, which are more tolerant to heat but equally vulnerable to chemical penetration, are also eliminated.