There are however a few caveats to that answer.
Does steam kill bed bugs instantly.
It may take some time to kill bed bugs with neurotoxin type chemicals however.
The short answer to this question is yes steam is a successful heat treatment that kills bed bugs.
Therefore the procedure may have to be repeated a couple of times to make sure that all the bugs have been eliminated.
The advantages of removing bed bugs with steam.
Hot wash infected clothing and all fabric items.
In cracks and crevices steam will kill bed bugs up to 2 3 8 into a gap.
Use an infrared thermometer to monitor the surface temperature of the area being treated.
However the steam needs to applied for at least a couple of seconds in order to be effective so move the steamer slowly over any surface you re treating.
Bedbugs and their eggs die off at around 121 f and steam is emitted at 180 200 f so the steam is definitely hot enough to kill the bugs.
Liquid nitrogen such as eco freeze.
Both high and low areas and furniture can be steamed to kill any present bedbugs because of the long hoses and extensions.
They do not necessarily kill a bed bug immediately upon contact.
Using a steamer to kill bed bugs.
The best way to completely eliminate bed bugs for good is to use the following methods together.
To effectively kill bed bugs the surface temperature should be at least 160 180 f immediately after the steam brush has passed.
At 118 degrees the time is cut to 20 minutes.
Steam can be used in cracks and crevices to a depth of just under three inches.
Steam cleaners concentrate the steam so that it reaches about 230 degrees.
At this temperature bed bugs die almost immediately.
You can learn more about these chemical agents for bed bug use at the epa website.
Like the hair dryer the thought process is it can apply heat directly to bed bugs.
With the multiple attachments that it comes with you are able to steam all the unreachable places and surfaces.
To kill bed bugs.
Steaming will only kill bed bugs that are exposed to the heat so any bed bugs that haven t come into contact with the steam will survive.
Vacuum all areas where bed bugs can be found.
Bed bugs bacteria germs and other microorganisms are instantly killed by this steamer.
Steam must be at 113 degrees for 90 minutes.
After vacuuming use hot steam to naturally kill the remaining bed bugs instantly.
In order to kill bed bugs with steam you have to use a steam cleaner and move it over the bed bugs.