When do bedbugs die after hot fog treatment? - briefly
Bed bugs exposed to a properly applied hot fog generally begin dying within minutes, with most individuals succumbing as their body temperature exceeds 45 °C (113 °F). Full eradication can take up to several hours as residual heat continues to affect any surviving insects.
When do bedbugs die after hot fog treatment? - in detail
Hot‑fog applications raise ambient temperature to 45‑55 °C for a short period, typically 5–15 minutes. Adult and nymphal bedbugs exposed directly to this heat are killed within seconds to a few minutes, as protein denaturation occurs rapidly at those temperatures.
Mortality that is not instantaneous depends on several variables:
- Depth of penetration: Heat dissipates quickly; insects hiding in deep cracks or insulated furniture may receive lower temperatures, extending the lethal timeline to several hours.
- Life stage: Eggs possess a slightly higher thermal tolerance; they often survive brief exposures but succumb within 12–24 hours as internal temperature continues to rise.
- Resistance level: Populations with prior exposure to heat‑based controls may exhibit marginally increased tolerance, delaying death by up to an additional hour.
- Ambient conditions: Low humidity slows heat transfer, potentially lengthening the period before lethal temperatures are reached.
Typical post‑treatment mortality pattern:
- 0–30 minutes: Majority of exposed adults and later‑instar nymphs die.
- 30 minutes–2 hours: Individuals in marginally heated zones begin to succumb.
- 2–12 hours: Most eggs and any remaining nymphs reach lethal temperatures.
- 12–24 hours: Near‑complete eradication of the population, assuming proper fogger coverage.
Verification through follow‑up inspections 24–48 hours after treatment confirms final mortality rates. Re‑treatment may be necessary only if live specimens are detected beyond the 24‑hour window.