As a homeowner, one of the most concerning pests you may encounter are bed bugs. I’m sure you’ve had many questions about bed bugs, such as “What temperature do bed bugs die?”. In this article, I’ll uncover the truth about bed bugs and the temperatures they can survive in.
What are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are small, oval-shaped insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals while they sleep. They are reddish-brown in color, wingless, and range from 1mm to 7mm in length. Bed bugs are resilient and can survive a wide range of temperatures, from nearly freezing to 122°F. They are often found in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and headboards, where they hide during the day. At night, they come out to feed.
Bed Bug Biology
Bed bugs are small, oval-shaped insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals while they sleep. They are reddish-brown in color, wingless, and range in size from 1mm to 7mm. Bed bugs have a flattened body that helps them hide in very small cracks and crevices. They feed primarily at night and hide during the day.
Bed bugs have four life stages: egg, nymph, adult, and egg again. The life cycle starts when a female lays eggs. The eggs are very small and white, about the size of a pinhead. The eggs hatch in 5-10 days and the baby bed bugs, called nymphs, are very small, about the size of a poppy seed. They must feed on blood to grow and molt. Nymphs go through 5 stages before reaching adulthood, and must feed on blood at each stage.
Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed and can live up to 4 months without a blood meal. Bed bugs can survive temperatures from nearly freezing to 122°F. They can also survive for several months without a meal, although the adults will eventually die of starvation.
Table: Bed Bug Biology
| Life Stage | Size | Food Source |
|———–|——|————|
| Egg | 1mm | None |
| Nymph | 1-7mm| Blood |
| Adult | 7mm | Blood |
| Egg Again | 1mm | None |
What Temperature Do Bed Bugs Die?
Bed bugs are resilient insects, but they can’t survive extreme temperatures. To kill bed bugs and their eggs, the temperature must be high enough to disrupt their cellular structure. Here are the temperatures that can kill bed bugs and their eggs:
- 113°F (45°C) or higher for two hours or more
- 118°F (48°C) or higher for one hour or more
- 125°F (52°C) or higher for thirty minutes or more
It is important to note that these temperatures must be held for a certain amount of time to ensure the bed bugs are dead. It is also important to heat all items and areas thoroughly; bed bugs can hide in small areas that may not get hot enough to kill them.
Bed bugs are capable of withstanding lower temperatures for shorter periods of time. They can survive temperatures as low as 46°F (8°C) for up to four days. They can also survive temperatures as low as 32°F (0°C) if they are in a state of dormancy.
If you are trying to kill bed bugs, it is important to remember that the temperature must reach the above-mentioned thresholds and must be held for the required amount of time to ensure the bed bugs are dead.
Cold Temperatures
Bed bugs die when exposed to cold temperatures. They are unable to survive temperatures below 0℃ and will die when exposed to freezing conditions. Most bed bug infestations can be eliminated with cold temperatures if extreme care is taken.
To effectively kill bed bugs with cold temperatures, the entire infested area must be exposed to temperatures at or below 0℃ for a period of time. This will require the use of a commercial grade freezer or cold storage facility, and may take several days or weeks to achieve the desired results.
| Temperature | Effect |
|---|---|
| Below 0℃ | Kills bed bugs |
| 0-4℃ | Slows down metabolism and reproduction |
Bed bugs are highly resilient and may survive at temperatures between 0-4℃, although their metabolism and reproduction will be significantly slowed down. To ensure complete eradication of a bed bug infestation, cold temperatures should be maintained for several days or weeks.
Heat
Bed bugs can withstand temperatures as low as 46°F, but will die if exposed to temperatures of 113°F for more than 90 minutes. A normal household iron can reach temperatures of up to 400°F and can be used to kill bed bugs on fabrics and other items.
Table 1. Temperature effects on bed bugs:
| Temperature | Effect |
|---|---|
| 46°F | Survive |
| 113°F | Die within 90 minutes |
| 400°F | Die immediately |
The most effective means of killing bed bugs with heat is to use a professional heat treatment. This involves heating the entire house to a temperature of 120°F for several hours and is generally carried out by a pest control company. Professional heat treatments can be expensive, but they are more effective than DIY methods and can kill all stages of bed bugs.
How Long Can Bed Bugs Live in the Cold?
Bed bugs can survive cold temperatures, but not for very long. Here are the specifics:
- At 32°F, bed bugs can survive for about 5 days.
- At 20°F, bed bugs can survive for up to 10 days.
- At 0°F, bed bugs can survive for up to 4 days.
- At -20°F, bed bugs can survive for up to 24 hours.
- At -30°F, bed bugs will die almost immediately.
The key to killing bed bugs with cold temperatures is ensuring they are exposed to the cold long enough. Once temperatures drop below 0°F, bed bugs can die within a few minutes. However, if temperatures are only around 32°F, it may take several days for them to be eliminated.
How Many Days Below Freezing to Kill Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are extremely resilient and can live in temperatures ranging from almost freezing to over 100°F. To be sure bed bugs have been killed, the temperature must remain below freezing for at least four days, and it is recommended to keep it below freezing for a week or more.
The only way to get rid of bed bugs is to kill them all. For bed bugs to die, the temperature must remain below freezing for a sustained period of time. While the exact amount of time depends on the temperature, it usually requires at least four days of temperatures below 0°F or -17.8°C. To be safe, it is recommended to keep the temperature below freezing for one week or longer.
When temperatures are consistently below freezing, bed bugs will eventually die due to lack of food and water. However, it is important to note that bed bugs can survive in temperatures as low as -13°F. Therefore, it is essential to keep temperatures consistently below freezing for at least four days and preferably for more than a week in order to ensure all bed bugs are killed.
What Temperature Kills Bed Bug Eggs Instantly?
Bed bugs are highly resilient pests that can survive even in extreme temperatures. However, there is one temperature that can instantly kill bed bug eggs: 113°F (45°C). Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Bed bug eggs are highly sensitive to extreme temperatures and can die instantly when exposed to temperatures over 113°F (45°C).
- Direct exposure to heat is the most reliable method for eliminating bed bugs and their eggs.
- Heat treatment is a safe and effective way to eliminate bed bugs and their eggs without the use of chemicals.
- Heat treatments should be conducted by a professional pest control company to ensure that the temperature is maintained above 113°F (45°C) for a long enough period of time to kill the eggs.
Using extreme heat is one of the most reliable ways to eliminate bed bugs and their eggs. Heat treatment is a safe and effective way to kill bed bug eggs instantly, without the use of chemicals. However, it is important to hire a professional pest control company to ensure that the temperature is maintained above 113°F (45°C) for a sufficient amount of time to guarantee that all the eggs are eliminated.
How Long to Freeze Bed Bugs?
- Bed bugs exposed to temperatures below 0°C (32°F) for more than 4 hours will die.
- At temperatures lower than -17.7°C (0°F), bed bugs will die within 90 minutes.
- At temperatures lower than -27°C (-16.6°F), bed bugs will die within 20 minutes.
- At temperatures lower than -37°C (-34.6°F), bed bugs will die within a few minutes.
To ensure complete eradication, it is recommended to leave the items exposed to freezing temperatures for a minimum of 4 hours.
What Temperature Can Bed Bugs Survive?
Bed bugs can survive temperatures as low as 46°F and as high as 113°F. However, bed bugs are most likely to die when exposed to temperatures above 113°F for more than 90 minutes or below 46°F for more than 4 days. Bed bugs are also likely to die when exposed to temperatures below -17°F for any length of time. Despite their hardiness, bed bugs are unable to survive direct contact with extreme heat, such as in an oven or a dryer. However, the bugs can survive indirect heat, such as steam or hot air.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can bed bugs survive in the cold?
Bed bugs can survive for extended periods of time in cold temperatures. They can survive up to several days of temperatures as low as 32°F (0°C), and up to several months of temperatures just above freezing. Extreme cold can be used to kill bed bugs but it must be maintained for a long period of time, preferably several days.
What cold temperature is needed to kill bed bugs?
Bed bugs die when exposed to temperatures below 0°C (32°F) for an extended period of time. This means complete eradication of the bed bugs can only be achieved in extremely cold temperatures, such as those found in a freezer. To be effective, the temperature must be maintained for at least 4 days.
How Many Days Below Freezing is Necessary to Kill Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs can survive temperatures as low as 32°F, but must be exposed to temperatures below freezing, approximately 0°F, for at least four days to be killed. This means that if the temperature stays below freezing for four days, the bed bugs will die. The exact amount of time needed to kill bed bugs in cold temperatures is dependent on the temperature and humidity levels.
How Long Should Bed Bugs be Frozen in Order to be Killed?
Bed bugs can be killed by freezing them. To ensure that all bed bugs and their eggs are killed, temperatures must remain at or below 0°F for at least 4 days. Lower temperatures will require more time for complete extermination. It is important to keep the temperatures at 0°F or below for the entire duration of the freezing period.
What is the maximum temperature that bed bugs can survive?
Bed bugs can survive temperatures up to 113°F (45°C). Temperatures above this will cause bed bugs to die. Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can be used to kill bed bugs. Heat treatments are often used to get rid of bed bugs and can reach temperatures as high as 140°F (60°C) to eliminate all stages of bed bugs. Freezing temperatures can be used to kill bed bugs, but must reach 0°F (-18°C) for at least 4 days to ensure all bed bug life stages are eliminated.
Conclusion
Bed bugs are highly resilient creatures, which often makes them difficult to remove from homes. To completely eradicate bed bugs, temperatures of 113°F (45°C) and higher must be maintained for a duration of at least 90 minutes. While this temperature can be achieved using a few different methods, hiring a professional exterminator is the most reliable way to ensure that the bugs are killed off completely.
