Bed bugs can be killed using high heat or very cold temperatures. The thermal death point for bed bugs is determined by two things: temperature and exposure time. Here are the temperatures and exposure times that can kill bed bugs:
- 113°F for 90+ minutes: Bed bugs exposed to this temperature for 90 minutes or more will die.
- 118°F for 20 minutes: Bed bugs exposed to this temperature for 20 minutes will die.
- 118°F for 90 minutes: Bed bug eggs must be exposed to this temperature for 90 minutes to reach 100% mortality.
- 140°F for a few hours: This temperature kills all stages of bed bugs after a few hours.
Its worth noting that extreme heat or cold can kill bed bugs nearly instantly, but those temperatures can only safely be achieved by professional exterminators. To kill bed bug eggs, they must be exposed to a temperature of 113°F for a full 60 minutes to be sure of 100% mortality.
In summary, bed bugs can be killed instantly by exposing them to temperatures of 113°F or higher for a certain period of time, depending on the life stage of the bed bug. However, its important to note that handling high levels of heat can be dangerous, so its best to hire a professional exterminator to eradicate the infestation.