How do bedbugs die at low temperatures? - briefly
Exposure to temperatures at or below –17 °C (1 °F) for several days disrupts metabolic processes, leading to irreversible cellular damage and death. Prolonged chilling below –20 °C (–4 °F) guarantees complete mortality across all life stages.
How do bedbugs die at low temperatures? - in detail
Bedbugs exposed to temperatures well below their normal developmental range experience rapid physiological failure. When the ambient temperature drops beneath the freezing point, intracellular water crystallises, rupturing membranes and denaturing proteins. Metabolic processes cease, and the insect cannot repair the damage, leading to death.
The lethal effect depends on both temperature and exposure duration. Experimental data indicate the following thresholds:
- ≈ ‑17 °C for at least 24 hours → 100 % mortality.
- ≈ ‑10 °C for 48 hours → near‑complete mortality.
- 0 °C for 72 hours → significant mortality, but a fraction of individuals may survive.
- ‑5 °C for 12 hours → partial mortality; survivors often recover after re‑warming.
Cold‑induced mortality results from ice nucleation, loss of membrane integrity, and irreversible enzyme inactivation. The process is irreversible once ice crystals have formed within critical tissues such as the nervous system and gut epithelium.
Control protocols exploit these principles by placing infested fabrics, luggage, or small objects in a conventional freezer set to at least ‑18 °C for a minimum of 48 hours. Cryogenic methods, using liquid nitrogen or dry ice, achieve faster lethal temperatures but require specialized equipment.
Effectiveness hinges on achieving uniform temperature throughout the material. Insulated pockets or dense objects can maintain temperatures above lethal levels, allowing some bugs to survive. Proper sealing of items and verification of freezer temperature are essential to prevent re‑infestation after treatment.