Bed bugs are sneaky and will hide out in the least obvious places. Though they are often near beds (because it’s closer to the blood they need to feed on), these pests can be found just about anywhere.

It might seem like an odd question to you but it’s one that we hear quite often. You see, most people have heard how effective heat is in killing bed bugs. This often leads them to take a look around their home to see what heating devices they might already own that could help them get rid of bed bugs. If you’ve found yourself thinking along these same lines, please hold off on taking your hairdryer and going to war with bed bugs. We have a couple of things for you to consider.

How To Use Heat To Kill Bed Bugs

The optimal temperature to kill bed bugs (including adult bugs, eggs, and nymphs) is anywhere from 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. That desired temperature must then be maintained for an extended period of time to ensure that all bed bugs are eliminated, even the ones in the walls and floor, on the mattress, and those hiding out in electronics and other places you might not consider. Pest control professionals use specialized heaters to raise the temperature in an infested area and industrial-strength monitors to circulate the hot air to penetrate all potential bed bug hiding spots.  

Bed bugs are sneaky and will hide out in the least obvious places. Though they are often near beds (because it’s closer to the blood they need to feed on), these pests can be found just about anywhere. Hairdryers and other home electronic heat sources cannot produce enough heat to fill a room including areas not accessible, like under carpets or behind walls, which means the problem will persist.

How NOT To Use Heat To Kill Bed Bugs

We’ve put together the list below of common household items that, like the hairdryer, simply should NOT be used to eliminate bed bugs:

You might be laughing at the absurdity of it but people have attempted to get rid of bed bugs using those items and have caused injury to themselves and set their homes on fire. 

So What Does Work?

The best and safest way to eliminate these bugs from your home is to have a professional treatment performed. A pest control technician will inspect your home to identify the pest (accurate identification is a must!), evaluate the severity of the infestation, and then explain how heat will resolve the problem quickly and effectively. Once the home has been prepped for the treatment, a team of experts will use the latest heating technology to wipe bed bugs out in a single day!

If you’re concerned about bed bugs in your home, contact Rottler Pest & Lawn Solutions. With 8 office locations from St. Louis to Kansas City, we’re in your neighborhood and ready to help you solve your bed bug problem. If you have questions about controlling bed bugs, want to learn more about our bed bug heat treatments, or are ready to set up your free quote, please contact us online or give us a call today.