Finding bed bugs on a pillow

Crazy Ways People Have Attempted To Kill Bed Bugs

A bed bug infestation is a very alarming situation for any homeowner. It can become a persistent problem because these insects rely on speed, take shelter in small cracks, and hide while multiplying. Also, it can be difficult to kill bed bugs.

Don’t be complacent, even if you’re keeping your house neat and clean. Bed bugs can hitch a ride on your clothing and items you carry, like a backpack. Once you get home and put down those items, these critters will roam around your home, find the best spot, and start an infestation.

You may believe that there are some at-home solutions to bed bug infestations. The truth is, most of them are ineffective, and they will not lead to any results. It may even end up being harmful to you and your property. Here are some of the crazy items people have used to try to kill bed bugs.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is often used to treat scrapes, burns, and minor cuts. It can also relieve mouth sores with the liquid being used as a mouth rinse.

Tests have shown that this chemical can kill bed bugs, but it is not ideal. Hydrogen peroxide is fairly cheap, being sold for around $15 to $25 per gallon, but several gallons will be used just to cover a room, and it will be challenging to cover small cracks and seams. And just imagine the smell and the amount of work you need to do.

Also, note that it is a bleaching agent. It can remove the color of the fabric of your furniture. Even your walls and floors are not safe from bleaching. Some unfortunate souls who’ve tried this have had to pay for reupholstery costs, painting, and replacement furniture.

Medical professionals also advise against the use of hydrogen peroxide in large amounts. It is an oxidizer meaning it has corrosive properties. It can cause tissue damage to the eyes, hair damage, and burns to the skin.

Blow Dryers

Bed bugs are known to hate both extreme heat and cold. They perish when temperatures go too high or too low. Many people have resorted to using blow dryers to kill these resilient bugs. While it does the job, it’s not very practical. You can kill a few bed bugs, but it won’t be enough to deal with a whole infestation.

A typical blow dryer uses 800 to 1800 watts, and its high power usage is because of the heat it generates. Prolonged use can be costly for your electric bills. You must maintain high heat for at least 30–90 minutes to kill bed bugs using a blow dryer. In comparison, a refrigerator only uses 100 to 250 watts, 4–8 times less power.

Freezing Bed Bugs

Freezing bed bugs can be a fairly practical option if appropriately applied. Similar to heating, prolonged cold is required to kill bed bugs. It has to be done over a long time to ensure that the cold temperature also gets the eggs and hard-to-reach areas. However, it’s not exactly a walk in the park method.

You need the right equipment to create cold conditions within your home. The fastest and quickest method is to use dry ice or liquid nitrogen. However, both may not be available in your area. Not to mention that improperly using any of the two can result in accidents like ruining your sensitive appliances’ electrical circuits.  

On the other hand, professionals use Cryonite rifles. It’s an expensive exterminating tool that costs around $4,000–$5,000. 

Essential Oils

There have been a lot of false claims surrounding essential oils. Some companies market these oils as a bed bug killer. It seems like an attractive prospect, as essential oils are harmless to humans. Some have bought boxes of essential oils, spraying them all around the house. They put the oils in spray bottles and go to town, making their house smell like lemongrass.

Firstly, not all essential oils are effective against bed bugs. Studies have shown that oils derived from thyme, oregano, lemongrass, and clove worked best. These oils have been used as fumigants but were not as effective as killing bed bugs.

The problem is, essential oils don’t stop the root of the problem. They won’t be able to reach small spaces where bed bugs love to hide. Additionally, certain essential oils are not good for pets.

Lysol

While Lysol is good when it comes to bacteria and germs, it is not an insecticide. It is meant to be used as a sanitizing agent and a disinfectant. The only way Lysol can be poisonous to bed bugs is if they ingest it. 

To force them to ingest Lysol, you’ll need to spray on them for a long time. Unfortunately, some of the surfaces and furniture in your house can get damaged if they get hit by Lysol too much. Not to mention that it’s not recommended to spray concentrated amounts of Lysol on your bed, where your target insects like to call home.

Professional Treatment Is The Best Choice

Rather than spend a lot of time and money on ineffective methods, professional help will be the best course of action. Heat treatment is one of the best ways to kill bed bugs, but it can only be done with the right knowledge and equipment. Under high heat, most bugs and eggs will perish. If you think you have bed bugs or are interested in a home heat sanitation treatment, contact Bed Bug Barbeque, LLC in Lakewood, Ohio! We use heat treatment to eradicate bed bugs and we offer entire home sanitation heat treatments. This safe, effective treatment is completed in less than 12 hours, and Bed Bug Barbeque, LLC offers a 60-day warranty for you to verify for yourself that your bed bugs are fully eradicated. Contact Bed Bug Barbeque, LLC today for a FREE quote at (216) 221-1227 or through our website, and check out our other bed bug informational resources on identification, prevention, and eradication.

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