can i use a steamer to kill bed bugs

by Prof. Lorine Weber Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Steps to Kill Bed Bugs Using Steamer:

Attach a nozzle to the steamer wand. ...
The surfaces must reach a temperature ranging between 160-180°F, lower temperature will not work and the bed bugs may survive. ...
A fabric with damp can be steamed, but make sure it is not wet. ...
Use the steamer on the surfaces where you find the bed bugs and areas where you think bed bugs may are hidden.

Steamers work by delivering lethal temperatures to where bed bugs may be hiding. Steam is very effective when bed bugs are on the surface of items and can be effective up to 3/4″ into fabric surfaces. In cracks and crevices, steam will kill bed bugs up to 2-3/8” into a gap.

Full Answer

How to get rid of bed bugs using a steamer?

Keep these tips in mind as you attack bed bugs in your home:

Ensure the surface can tolerate steam.
Do not take steam near outlets or appliances.
Run the steamer slowly along the treatment surface.
Ensure the treatment surface reaches a minimum temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Allow areas to dry completely.
Re-treat as needed.

Will Lysol kill bed bugs?

Yes, Lysol indeed kills bed bugs. When you dowse bedbugs in a generous amount of Lysol spray, they instantly die. The secret lies in spraying directly on the bugs. Lysol works best when the surface stays moist, as it kills bedbugs when they drown in the chemical spray.

Will cedar oil kill bed bugs?

Cedarwood oil kills bed bugs in every area of your bed. It can also prove beneficial as a natural silverfish repellent and eliminate problems with spiders and other unwanted bugs. Additionally, the scent of cedar oil deters bed bugs from coming back to your mattress.

Will bug bombs kill bed bugs?

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What Temperature Kills Bed Bugs?

An adult bed bug needs only about 118°F (48°C) for complete lethality within 90 minutes. Both adult bed bugs and bed bug eggs will die within minutes at 122°F (50°C).

Tips for Killing Bed Bugs with Steam

To kill bed bugs effectively, directly apply the steam slowly and evenly. You should also consider what might insulate the insect from having the steam directly applied to it.

Video: How Do You Kill Bed Bugs with a Steamer?

Kevin Carrillo is a pest control specialist and a senior project manager at MMPC, as well as a contributor to wikiHow.

How to kill bed bugs without damaging the items you steam?

This is the ideal temperature for killing bed bugs without damaging the items you are steaming. You can use an infrared thermometer to check the surface temperature of the items you steam. Hold the infrared thermometer about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) from the surface of an area right after you finish steaming it.

How long does it take for bed bugs to get rid of steam?

It often takes 2 or 3 times for steaming to kill all of the bed bugs since they may move to escape the steam, or you might miss an area. Plan to repeat the steam treatment a few hours later or the following day. Don’t wait more than a few days to repeat the treatment because bed bugs multiply quickly!

How to get rid of bed bugs in a room?

Steam upholstered items and in cracks and crevices. Fill the tank with plain tap water and then switch on your steamer. Start steaming all of the upholstered and hard surfaces in the room moving from the highest point to the lowest point. This will help to ensure that any bed bugs will be pushed down rather than up and around the room. Bed bugs may hide in soft-surfaced items as well as in cracks and crevices. Some items you may need to steam include:

How to use a triangular nozzle on a steamer?

Most steam cleaners come with a wide, angular nozzle for steaming upholstery and other surfaces. Place this nozzle on the end of the steamer hose before you turn it on. Do not use a carpet attachment because the bristles may interfere with the nozzle getting close to the item.

How much does a steamer cost?

Look for a steam cleaner with at least a 1 US gal (3.8 L) tank. You can purchase a steamer, but they are often in the range of $800 or more . Rent a steamer from a local hardware store or try to find a used one instead.

What temperature should a steamer be?

If the temperature is below 160 °F (71 °C), then you may need to adjust your steamer or use a different steamer.

How to get rid of mold and mildew on carpet?

Switch on a ceiling fan if available, or turn on a floor fan. This will help to dry off the items and prevent mold and mildew from forming. Make sure to aim the fan towards the items you steamed, such as towards the ground if you steamed a section of carpet, or upwards if you steamed a chair, mattress, or box springs.

How to kill bed bugs with steam?

Follow the steps below to kill bed bugs using steam –. First off, fill the steam cleaner with water, switch it on and begin steaming. A steam cleaner comes with a lot of extensions and accessories. Use the suitable nozzle or extension tool. The best one for removing bedbugs is the triangular tool with a microfiber fabric.

How Does steam remove bed bugs?

Bed bugs need a temperature setting between 21 – 26 degrees Celsius. Anything more than that is fatal for them. Within the temperature ranges mentioned above, bed bugs can successfully mature and into adults in no time. But as the temperature rises, they begin to die.

How to detect a bed bug infestation?

Bed bugs need three things – blood, carbon dioxide, and the perfect warm temperature. You are most likely to find these insects in sofas, cushions, mattresses, pillows, clothing, curtains, box spring, and furniture.

How long after steaming can you see bed bugs?

After two weeks, examine the surfaces and all the items to check feces or living bed bugs. If you see any signs of bed bugs a week after steaming, you will have to repeat the entire process once again. After steaming, you need to clean and disinfect your steamer and all the other accessories you might have used.

How long does it take for bed bugs to die in a steam cleaner?

But as the temperature rises, they begin to die. If you continuously expose them to a temperature above 48°C, the bed bugs will die within 15-20 minutes. But steam cleaners can reach temperatures above 140 degrees Celsius. At these temperatures, along with the bed bugs, the nymphs and the eggs will die quickly.

What happens if you don't use steam?

If you don’t apply the steam properly, the infestation will continue to thrive and spread to other areas. The right kind of steamer to use for this purpose is the one that has at least one-gallon capacity. All steam cleaners work well for killing bed bugs.

How to get steam to go deeper?

Move the steamer slowly along the surface, concentrating for some time on each area. This will allow the heat to go deeply into the area. This may take time, but it will be effective.

How does steam kill bed bugs?

Steamers work by delivering lethal temperatures to where bed bugs may be hiding. Steam is very effective when bed bugs are on the surface of items and can be effective up to 3/4″ into fabric surfaces. In cracks and crevices, steam will kill bed bugs up to 2-3/8” into a gap. Use an infrared thermometer to monitor the surface temperature ...

Where to use steamer for bed bugs?

Use the steamer on all surfaces where you see bed bugs and areas where you think bed bugs may be hiding.

Why does my steamer spit out hot water?

Steamers will sometimes spit out hot water when you start up, or after the steamer has not applied steam for a while. Pointing the wand at a towel when you first start will allow you to capture this water.

How to get rid of bed bugs in clothes?

Use a commercial steamer with a minimum capacity of 1 gallon, preferably with a steam volume control. The type of steamer you use to steam clothing will not be effective for bed bug treatment. Do not use a carpet cleaning machine. Carpet cleaning machines do not reach high enough temperatures to kill bed bugs.

What temperature should bed bugs be?

To effectively kill bed bugs the surface temperature should be at least 160-180°F immediately after the steam brush has passed.

How much does a steam cleaner cost?

Although a steam cleaner is expensive for one person to purchase (approximately $800 to $1,200), it may be reasonable for a housing cooperative, a social assistance group or another type of organization to purchase a steamer and make it available for members to use. It may also be possible to rent a steamer. Steamers work by delivering lethal ...

How hot is steam?

The steam will be hot, as high as 212-230°F. This can cause burns, so never let children use the steamer and always direct the steam away from yourself.

How long does it take for bed bugs to die in a steamer?

They work by using steam at high pressure and temperature which the bed bugs cannot stand. High temperatures of 120°F for 15-20 minutes will make the little insects lifeless.

How long does it take for a steamer to clean bed bugs?

With a 45-minute continued cleaning, it generates 275°F pressurized steam that most definitely destroys bed bugs and other harmful organisms.

What should a steamer be?

The steamer should: Be flexible and versatile: the steamer you buy should be useful anywhere and clean everything. It should be able to release steam that gets into the cracks and crevices to kill the bed bugs that hide there. Be cost effective: always look for a steamer that assures you the value for your money.

How long does a steamer last?

It is a powerful steamer that rocks 1050W of Power and it emits pressurized powerful hot steam (250-270F) for up to 15-20 minutes which of course is great for bed bug treatment and other insect infestation.

What is a dry vapor steamer?

Dry vapor steamer for bed bugs. A dry vapor steamer looks like a vacuum device that has different nozzles and scrappers. From the name, it is known to blow out steam that is very hot through the nozzles. There is very little moisture that is contained in the steam.

How many watts does a Wagner steamer use?

These steamers come in 3 models. That first one Wagner Spraytech C900053.M. It comes a power 1500 wattwith a 40-ounce boiler tank that provides up to 45 minutes of continuous steam cleaning.

Why is a steamer so convenient?

Great convenience for anyone: this is because you can use the steamer for any other jobs at home. It is also easy to use because it does not require you to acquire any skills to use. Multiple use on multiple surfaces: it can steam a number of surfaces be it the pillows and their cases to even mattresses.

How does steam kill bed bugs?from bedbugs.umn.edu

How to use a triangular nozzle on a steamer?from wikihow.com

Why does my steamer spit out hot water?from bedbugs.umn.edu

How to get rid of bed bugs in clothes?from bedbugs.umn.edu

What temperature should bed bugs be?from bedbugs.umn.edu

To effectively kill bed bugs the surface temperature should be at least 160-180°F immediately after the steam brush has passed.

How much does a steam cleaner cost?from bedbugs.umn.edu

Where to use steamer for bed bugs?from bedbugs.umn.edu

Use the steamer on all surfaces where you see bed bugs and areas where you think bed bugs may be hiding.

How hot does a steamer kill bed bugs?

The problem with many bed bug traps and poisons is that they do not actually kill bed bug eggs. Most steamers can reach a temperature of up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. This will immediately kill bed bug eggs. Bed bug eggs will need to be exposed to temperatures of 160 degrees for around 90 minutes.

What is the best steam cleaner for bed bugs?

Most steam cleaners come with a variety of nozzles. The triangular nozzle is usually best for most areas with bed bugs. The floor nozzle may work better for large areas. But you will need to move it slowly so that it disperses the steam in a wider arc.

How long does it take for bed bugs to die?

Adult bed bugs succumb to warm temperatures much quicker than their eggs. They may die within 15-20 minutes if exposed to a temperature as low as 110 degrees Fahrenheit, though a temperature range of 160-180 is more highly recommended.

What temperature do bed bugs like?

Bed bugs are very particular about their preferred temperature. They thrive between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Any hotter or colder than that, and their reproduction starts to drop. Extreme temperatures will kill them.

How far away from the surface should you use a steam cleaner?

Always carefully follow your cleaner’s instructions when applying steam. Hold the nozzle 1-2 inches from the surface of the material, and move slowly downward. Repeat in strips over the entire surface area.

What to do if you have a steam burn?

If steam burns occur, run cool water over the burn immediately. If you have concerns about a burn, contact a medical professional.

Can you steam bed bugs?

A variety of attachments will allow you to steam every possible bed bug hiding place.

How Do You Kill Bed Bugs With Steam?

Steam forms when water passes its boiling point of 212°F (100°C), which is considerably higher than the kill temperature.

How much does a steam cleaner cost for bed bugs?

There are several steam cleaners available that are well under $50.

What brands of steam cleaners are good for bed bugs?

There is a variety of steam cleaners to choose from. These include products for bed bugs from top brands like Vapamore, McCulloch, and Wagner.

How long does a steam cleaner last?

It can last for more than 20 years. Its multiple attachments help you steam hard-to-reach places. Users have described it as being reliable and easy to use.

How to get rid of bed bugs without chemicals?

One option you can consider if you’re looking to get rid of bed bugs without using harmful chemicals is a steamer. It uses high heat to kill them. Is it an effective method? Can your normal steam cleaner get the job done? Find out everything you need to know about using a steam cleaner for bed bugs in this informative guide.

What is the best steam cleaner?

The Vapamore brand is one of the most trusted in the steam cleaning industry. This steam cleaner produces an adjustable steam output of 210-220°F. It kills pests such as bed bugs and dust mites while cleaning and sanitizing surfaces. The unit is backed by a lifetime warranty.

How to rent a steam cleaner at Home Depot?

For you to rent a steam cleaner, you’ll need to have a valid credit card and government-issued photo ID. You can check for a tool’s availability by visiting the rentals section of the Home Depot website or calling your local store.

Where to use steam cleaner for bed bugs?

Use the steam cleaner on appropriate surfaces where bed bugs may be hiding, such as mattresses, couches, carpets, and other furnishings . But be careful to keep steam away from outlets and appliances.

What kind of steamer do bed bugs use?

Professional bed bug exterminators use commercial-grade steamers, which often include several premium features. For those looking to splurge on a professional steamer, consider this model from Dupray.

How long does it take to steam bed bugs?

A 40-ounce water tank, 8-foot hose, and portable design provide up to 40 minutes of flexible steaming time. The steamer takes just 9 minutes to produce a steam jet of 212 degrees Fahrenheit that roasts bed bugs on contact. After the bed bugs are gone, use this steamer for a range of other household tasks, from cleaning and disinfecting surfaces to removing old wallpaper. Smaller accessories fit in the on-board storage compartment for even more convenience.

How to stop bed bugs from dying?

To stop these parasites in their tracks, invest in a steam cleaner for bed bugs. In all stages of development, bed bugs die at around 122 degrees Fahrenheit, so steam makes for a deadly weapon. To make sure you get the best for the job, consider features like heat and steam output, capacity, heating time, nozzle and cord size, and extra attachments.

How to get rid of bed bugs?

Dealing with bed bugs can be incredibly stressful, but with some patience and a good plan, you can be rid of these bloodsucking insects. A steam cleaner is one useful tool to add to your bed bug banishing arsenal—the right one can kill bugs and eggs almost instantaneously. Steamers use high-heat steam to get rid of these resilient pests.

How hot does a steamer get?

When used properly, steamers become lethal weapons against bed bugs. These pests die at around 122 degrees Fahrenheit, but to safeguard against heat loss and human error, a steamer for bed bugs should reach hotter temperatures.

What to look for when buying a steamer for bed bugs?

When shopping for a steamer for bed bugs, look for a model capable of delivering the right amount of steam.