Will Freezing Temperatures During the Winter Kill Bed Bugs?
Answer:
Many of our customers are considering leaving their infested belongings out in the cold weather with the intent of killing the bed bugs with the freezing temperature.
We do not recommend this for a couple of reasons:
First, bed bugs are only effectively wiped out at temperatures at or below 0 degrees Fahrenheit; when bed bugs encounter temperatures of even a few degrees over 0, they can enter a hibernation that increases their chance of survival. Most states don’t normally even reach 0 degrees, and it’s unlikely that the items themselves will be cooled that low, due to the insulation provided by their construction.
To thoroughly wipe out a group of bugs, especially nymphs and eggs, you’ll need to maintain a temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit or less for at least 80 hours. Since even the coldest climates will rise above that during the day, leaving items outside simply won’t work. There’s too much fluctuation in outdoor weather.
While you could theoretically kill bed bugs by putting items in your freezer, it would be a bit impractical. You would need to ensure that your freezer is staying at or below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, and you would need to keep the items in there for at least 80 hours.
A better alternative would be to use a portable bed bug heater, such as the ZappBug Oven or PackTite Portable, which can safely and effectively kill bed bugs in just a few hours.
Written by MM Novato at Bed Bug Supply.
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