Bed Bug Treatments - Heat

Heat is fast becoming known as the most effective solution against bed bugs. The advantage of heat is that it penetrates deeply into mattresses and furniture, killing bed bug eggs, nymphs and adults. It is also more eco-friendly than traditional bed bug treatments.

In heat treatments, industrial heaters are used to raise the temperature of the target area and fans are used to circulate the heated air, distributing the heat evenly throughout the structure. Bed bugs have a thermal death point of 49 °C (120 °F). By raising temperatures in the target area to this temperature, all bed bug eggs, nymphs and adults are killed.

Strategically placed sensors are used eliminate cool spots where bed bugs can hide. Research has shown that bringing the temperature to the thermal death point and maintaining it for at least 4 hours allows the heat to penetrate deep into mattresses, upholstery, walls and cracks and crevices.

Because heat penetrates into most places, it works well for homes where otherwise untreatable personal belongings and clutter may be harbouring bed bugs. Many people are wary of the use of pesticides on clothes, mattresses and/or couches, which they come into contact with daily. Heat is a good alternative.

The important thing to remember is that heat kills bed bugs in all stages of their life cycle and their eggs. This means that often only one treatment is required, resulting in less disruption in day-to-day activities. Even better, bed bugs cannot become resistant to heat that they can to pesticides.

Key Advantages of Heat

• Kills bed bugs in all stages of their life cycle, including eggs and nymphs.
• More eco-friendly than traditional bed bug treatments.
• Heat penetrates deep into places that may harbour bed bugs and kills them.
• Able to treat homes with a lot of personal belongings and clutter.
• Safer than using pesticides on clothes, mattresses, and/or couches.
• Often only one treatment required.