What are bedbugs afraid of? - briefly
Bed bugs avoid extreme temperatures, both heat above 45 °C and cold below 0 °C. They also retreat from diatomaceous earth, strong essential oils such as peppermint, and intense light.
What are bedbugs afraid of? - in detail
Bedbugs exhibit avoidance responses to several environmental factors that compromise their survival. Extreme temperatures trigger rapid mortality; exposure to temperatures above 45 °C for a few minutes or below −17 °C for several hours eliminates individuals. Heat‑based treatments, such as steam generators, rely on this vulnerability.
Desiccation presents another lethal threat. Low‑humidity conditions reduce cuticular water retention, leading to dehydration. Environments with relative humidity below 30 % accelerate water loss and impair locomotion.
Chemical agents interfere with nervous function. Pyrethroid‑based insecticides, when applied correctly, cause paralysis and death. Resistance to certain compounds has emerged, prompting the use of synergists like piperonyl‑butoxide to restore efficacy.
Physical abrasives damage the exoskeleton. Diatomaceous earth, composed of microscopic silica particles, adheres to the cuticle and abrades it, resulting in fatal dehydration.
Certain botanical extracts repel or intoxicate bedbugs. Essential oils containing « geraniol », « eugenol » or « lavender oil » demonstrate irritant properties, reducing feeding activity and encouraging dispersal.
Carbon dioxide traps exploit attraction to respiration cues but can also serve as a deterrent when combined with elevated heat, creating a hostile microclimate that discourages settlement.
Biological agents, such as the entomopathogenic fungus « Beauveria bassiana », infect bedbugs through cuticular penetration, leading to internal proliferation and death.
Implementing multiple strategies—thermal, desiccation, chemical, physical, botanical, and biological—maximizes pressure on the pest, reducing the likelihood of persistence in infested habitats.