Can You Instantly Kill a Bed Bug?

Bed bugs are hardy insects that even pest control services sometimes have trouble with, but they’re not impossible to kill. Let’s review some of the most effective options available to us today.

Bed bug infestations are quite infuriating to deal with — especially in a dense city like Singapore where it’s easy for these pests to spread. They can be difficult to exterminate from our properties through our own efforts, so we often have to call pest control services to step in for us. And even the most experienced specialists find some cases particularly problematic. 

But why are these pests so hard to kill, and is there any way to get rid of them quickly? Let’s first have a look into the reasons behind these creatures’ hardiness. 

What Makes Bed Bugs So Resilient? 

There are several factors that go in the bed bugs’ favour: 

• Small Sizes are Easier to Hide - Adult bed bugs are only a few millimetres long — think the size of an apple seed. As a result, hiding in the smallest cracks and gaps is an effortless feat for them. 

• They Breed Fast - Female bed bugs lay hundreds of eggs throughout their lives, and these eggs hatch within a week or two. You can imagine how quickly a small colony can double in size if left unchecked. 

• Chemical Resistance - Like many pests today, bed bugs have also been slowly evolving to be more resistant to modern-day pesticides. This often makes it trickier for some pest control services to handle them.

• Tough Exoskeletons - Bed bugs also have hardy outer shells that let them adapt to many environments with ease. 

3 Main Ways to Kill Bed Bugs Fast

With all that’s been said, is it possible to kill bed bugs quickly? Let’s check your main options out: 

High Heat Treatments

Bed bugs and their eggs are extremely sensitive to heat and will certainly die when exposed to certain temperatures. However, the heat tolerance is higher for eggs, so it would be best to check if there are any so you can kill them off as well. 

• Adult bed bugs will die in around 1 hour and 30 minutes if exposed to 48ºC. Even higher temperatures can kill them much faster. 

• Meanwhile, bed bug eggs need to be exposed to at least 50ºC for a quicker death. 

Some ways to kill bed bugs with heat include

• Washing the infested sheets and clothes in hot water followed by a high-heat dryer cycle

• Using steam cleaners that can reach at least 48ºC on beds and upholstered furniture

• Pest control services use specialised heating systems to raise the temperature in infested areas

Rubbing Alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol can destroy the bed bugs’ outer shells and dry their insides out, which will kill them shortly. You can simply spray it directly on any visible bed bugs you see. However, this method doesn’t work on eggs and on hidden bugs, so it won’t be as effective for more extensive infestations. 

Fumigation 

This process is typically done by pest control services to exterminate pests (including bed bugs) that have spread out too much and need to be dealt with once and for all. It involves using chemical gases to kill the bugs and their eggs within minutes — regardless of whether they’re hiding in near-unreachable crevices or not. 

However, only licensed providers can conduct fumigation services in Singapore, so make sure to find someone certified first. 

Don’t Hesitate to Call Pest Control Services for Help

When it comes to pests as troublesome as bed bugs, it’s always wise to know when to let local pest control services intervene. They bring in the expertise and equipment needed to deal with these insects more quickly and thoroughly than our DIY efforts. 

Their help is particularly crucial in cases such as recurring bed bug issues or if your property is a large one, such as a capsule hotel or a dormitory. They would be able to give you personalised tips to avoid future infestations. 

Say Goodbye to Bed Bugs

As resilient as bed bugs are, they’re not impossible to eradicate from your home. It just takes the right methods to do so. Of course, homemade solutions do have their limitations, so don’t hesitate to book a pest control service when the situation worsens for you. Your comfort and peace of mind are always worth the small expense.