What kills house bedbugs? - briefly
Heat exposure of at least 49 °C (120 °F) for 30 minutes eliminates all life stages of household bedbugs. Approved chemical options include pyrethroid‑based sprays, neonicotinoid formulations, and desiccant powders such as diatomaceous earth.
What kills house bedbugs? - in detail
Effective eradication of residential bedbugs requires a combination of chemical, physical and mechanical strategies. Each approach targets a specific life stage—egg, nymph, or adult—and can be applied independently or in succession for maximal impact.
Chemical agents remain the most widely used option. Insecticides based on pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, or pyrroles disrupt the nervous system of the insects, leading to rapid mortality. Products formulated as sprays, aerosols, or residual powders should be applied to cracks, crevices, baseboards, and the undersides of furniture. Resistance to pyrethroids is common; rotating active ingredients or using a mixture of classes reduces the chance of treatment failure.
Physical treatments exploit temperature extremes that exceed the physiological tolerance of the pest.
- Heat: Raising ambient temperature to 45–50 °C (113–122 °F) for at least 90 minutes kills all stages. Professional heat chambers or portable heaters can treat entire rooms, mattresses, and upholstered items.
- Cold: Exposing infested objects to –18 °C (0 °F) for a minimum of four days eliminates the population. Freezers or specialized cryogenic units are suitable for smaller items.
Steam application at 100 °C (212 °F) penetrates fabrics and seams, instantly destroying eggs and nymphs. Direct contact for 10–15 seconds per area is sufficient; thorough coverage prevents hidden survivors.
Mechanical methods reduce the number of viable insects and prevent re‑infestation.
- Vacuuming: High‑efficiency vacuum cleaners equipped with HEPA filters remove live bugs and shed skins from surfaces. Immediate disposal of the vacuum bag or canister contents is essential.
- Diatomaceous earth: This inert powder abrades the exoskeleton, causing desiccation. A thin layer applied to floor edges, under furniture legs, and within wall voids remains effective for several weeks.
- Mattress encasements: Certified, zippered covers trap existing bugs and block new entry, denying access to blood meals.
Integrated pest management (IPM) combines these tactics with vigilant monitoring. Sticky interceptors placed beneath bed legs provide early detection and quantify treatment success. Repeated inspections at weekly intervals for at least three months confirm the absence of resurgence.
Professional exterminators often supplement homeowner actions with advanced tools such as desiccant dusts, carbon dioxide‑based foggers, or regulated‑temperature chambers. Licensing and adherence to local pesticide regulations ensure safe and legally compliant application.
In summary, a layered approach—chemical rotation, controlled heat or cold exposure, steam penetration, mechanical removal, and continuous monitoring—constitutes the most reliable protocol for eliminating bedbugs from a dwelling.