Does Steam Kill Bed Bugs? Working, Safety Tips, Mistakes to Avoid, and much more!

Bed bugs have been ruining the peace and sleep of homeowners in Canada for decades. Steam treatment offers a powerful solution to the problem. Bed bugs start dying when a space’s temperature reaches 50°C (122°F), and industrial-grade steam heaters emit heat at a temperature of 100°C (212°F) and above. Heat permeates the bedding, mattress seams, cracks, and furniture, and becomes lethal for eggs, nymphs, and adult bugs. For bed bug steam treatment to eradicate every possible bed bug and its baby, the temperatures must stay consistently high.

Let’s talk more about whether steam kills bed bugs for real, and the different aspects involved in the process.

How Does Steam Treatment Work?

Steam kills bed bugs instantly by raising the temperature of the space to the lethal threshold of 100°C (212°F). It creates pressurized vapor that seeps deep into beds, mattresses, furniture joints, electrical outlets, baseboards, fabrics, crevices, and every possible bed bug harborage (hiding spot), ultimately wiping them out.

Intense heat directly attacks the proteins in the bodies and exoskeletons of adult bed bugs and nymphs, killing them instantly upon contact. As for the eggs, the persistent heat at a precise temperature melts their protective layer of wax and disrupts their embryonic development. The result? They can never hatch.

Types of Steam Treatments

There are two primary types of bed bug steam treatments: DIY and professional. DIY steam treatments mainly rely on a handheld bed bug steamer with a nozzle tip that must be narrow enough (or have narrow-shaped additional attachments) to reach the tiny cracks, crevices, and folds. Handheld bed bug steamers can maintain the temperature between 49°C and 71°C (120°F to 160°F), which is effective enough to eliminate bed bugs. While this works well for mild infestations and even severe ones, it becomes difficult to carry the handheld steamer for extended periods. Moreover, it misses inaccessible crevices and corners.

Professional bed bug steam treatment, on the other hand, utilizes advanced, industrial steamers equipped with large water tanks, adjustable pressure settings, and superior heat retention. Moreover, industrial steamers raise the space’s temperature to even 100°C, which is higher than that maintained by handheld heaters. These features effectively tackle even the most severe and challenging infestations in flooring and furniture. Moving the steamer gently, about 1 foot/ second, helps heat penetrate seamlessly without spreading any live bugs.

Steam treatment can be highly effective against bed bugs when done correctly. Follow these steps to ensure thorough eradication while protecting your belongings.

Now that you’ve got answers to your pressing questions: does steam kill bed bugs, and how does steam kill bed bugs instantly? Let’s move on to discussing how you can carry out bed bug steam treatment all by yourself.

How To Perform DIY Bed Bug Steam Treatment?

Now that you are aware of the basic DIY steam treatment for bed bugs, you’re likely wondering ‘How to kill bed bugs with steam on your own?’ All you have to do is follow the steps below, and you’ll end up eliminating those pestering blood suckers.

Step 1: Choose the Right Steamer

First, you need to purchase a handheld steamer that features a nozzle with a temperature capacity of 49°C (120°F). It’d be better if you could get your hands on one that can heat your home to 93°C (200°F), but that’s not mandatory. Choose a steamer with a narrow nozzle to easily access seams, crevices, and tough corners.

Step 2: Prepare the Infested Area

Next, clean your house and get rid of any clutter. Move your bed, furniture, and any other movable item away from the wall so you can reach the nooks and cracks in the wall. 

Place the contaminated items, such as the mattress, bed, furniture, and any other items, in an open space for easy disinfection. Make sure to remove the heat-sensitive items such as delicate fabrics, electronics, and gadgets from your space during the treatment. If that’s not possible, cover them at least.

Step 3: Steam Slowly and Methodically

Now that you are done with organizing the rooms in your house, it’s time to experiment with the steamer. You’ll also get a real-time answer to a common concern: Will a handheld steamer kill bed bugs?

Switch on the steamer, and hold it. Don’t rush with it, move it just 1 foot per second. The nozzle should be roughly 1 to 2 inches away from the infected items. This technique maximizes the treatment’s effectiveness.

Step 4: Focus on Key Bed Bug Hotspots

Focus on the bed bug hiding spots first. A good tip for identifying hiding spots is to observe signs, such as dark fecal spots, blood stains, and molted skin. Places where you find these signs the most are the most contaminated. You need to treat them as a priority.

Typically, the bed frames, furniture joints, box springs, baseboards, and mattress seams are the typical hotspots. Also, pay special attention to the crevices, tufts, and folds of curtains and bedding because these are likely where the eggs are nesting.

Once you have steamed all the harborages, let the things stay as is for a couple of hours.

Step 5: Repeat Treatments as Needed

DIY steam treatment is effective, but there is a chance some eggs might be left. You’d need to repeat it once every 5 to 7 days for about 3 weeks, so you can capture the hatched nymphs.

For long-term control and maximum effectiveness, combine steam treatment for bed bugs with vacuuming. Additionally, use encasements for mattresses and pillows to prevent bed bugs from infesting your bedding.

Step 6: Safety Precautions

Take proper safety precautions before starting the treatment. Wear protective eyewear and rubber gloves to keep the steam from burning your hands or eyes.

There should be proper ventilation in your entire house to prevent unwanted moisture buildup. Humidity can lead to mold infestation, which is a significant problem in its own right.

Does Steam Effectively Kill Bed Bugs and Their Eggs?

Yes, steam is 100% effective against the notorious bed bugs, their eggs, and nymphs. The hack to completing the job successfully is to apply steam consistently and at the precise temperature. Heat must remain at least 49°C for the steam to reach bed bugs and kill them instantly on contact. Steam treatment for bed bugs works wonderfully on the new infestations. It is powerful enough to eliminate severe infestations, too, but you’ll need to repeat the treatment every week for about 3 weeks to eradicate every single bed bug, nymph, and egg.

When using a bed bug steamer, ensure to keep the nozzle at least 2 inches away from the surface, maintain a temperature of 49°C, and move it slowly to fully expose the surface to steam.

Pros and Cons of Using Steam for Bed Bugs

Steam treatment is safe, non-toxic, and promises excellent results. However, like everything else, bed bug steam treatment has its share of benefits and limitations.

Pros of Bed Bug Steam Treatment

• Chemical-free and leaves no toxins behind
• Safe for kids, adults, and pets
• Instant kills bugs, nymphs, and eggs on contact
• Penetrates cracks, crevices, furniture, bedding, and tricky spots
• Bed bugs cannot develop immunity against steam

Cons of Bed Bug Steam Treatment

• Time-consuming as it demands meticulous and slow application
• Doesn’t have any residual effect as it kills bugs on contact only
• Cannot be used on water-sensitive and delicate items and surfaces
• Requires repeat treatments to eliminate every egg and nymph
• Works best when combined with other treatments

DIY Steam Treatment Tips

A top-notch steamer is your most valuable ally for DIY steam treatment to eliminate bed bugs. Arguably, the best steam cleaner for bed bugs, in my opinion, is the McCulloch MC1375. It has a narrow nozzle and seamlessly reaches hidden cracks. Dupray Neat is my second favorite, but many of my friends prefer it over McCulloch. Both can heat rooms to a lethal temperature of 93°C+ (200°F+), and are readily available at Amazon.ca and Home Depot Canada.

Here are some tips that have helped me clear infestations effectively with steam cleaners.

• Safety always comes first, so never forget to wear gloves, masks, and eyewear to avoid inhaling allergens and getting burns.
• Hold the nozzle about 1 to a maximum of 2 inches away from the surface you’re working on. Holding it farther away will reduce the steam’s effectiveness.
• Spend about 30 to 40 seconds on every spot. Bed bugs and their eggs will need this much time to die.
• Move the steamer slowly and at an angle of 90° along the baseboards, furniture joints, and mattress seams.
• Try not to soak fabrics in steam, as it can lead to mold infestations.
• Combine steaming with interceptor traps to combat stubborn infestations.
• If your space is large, consider having a friend or family member assist you. If you can manage to get two steamers, great; otherwise, both of you can take turns. Steam treatment for bed bugs is time-consuming, so doing it solo can be exhausting. When you’re tired, you might miss out on a spot, which can affect the treatment’s success rate.

I have learned these hacks over the years, and so far, they have been quite helpful. Hopefully, they’ll make your DIY steam cleaning experience comfortable and successful too.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Steam treatment for bed bugs will work only if you execute it correctly. Avoid making the following mistakes, and you’ll get solid results.

• Avoid using low-heat devices that reach a temperature of 49°C (120°F) or lower at the nozzle because that won’t kill eggs at all.
• Never rush the process. If you move faster than 1 foot per second, you’ll end up missing many bugs and their eggs. This is a labor-intensive process, so be patient to invest considerable time in the process.
• Don’t skip the prep work. Before starting the steam treatment, vacuum and declutter your space. Failing to do so will minimize the steam’s effectiveness.
• Remove electronics and appliances because steam can damage them. Also, be careful when steaming walls with electrical outlets, as you surely don’t want to mess with your house’s electrical wiring.
• Be careful when steaming fabrics, carpets, and even furniture, as over-wetting surfaces can lead to mold in humid summers. A dry vapor steamer is a better option if you plan to steam in summer.
• Missing follow-up sessions is a big mistake many rookies make. There’s always a chance of missing an egg or a dozen of them, which means newly hatched nymphs can be on the loose. Repeating treatments every 5 to 7 days is crucial for eliminating all infestations.
• Failing to cover the entire space is another common mistake, as inadequate coverage slows down the treatment’s effectiveness.

Steam and Other Bed Bug Treatments

Steam does kill bugs on direct contact, but it doesn’t have residual effects. To wipe out the persistent infestations, pair steam treatment with other bed bug solutions.

• Heat Treatment: This is a potent treatment in which the entire room is heated to 49°C+ (120°F+). Couple it with steam treatment, and you’ll end the complete infestation for good.
• Mattress and Pillow Encasements: Encasing mattresses and pillows helps prevent re-infestations.
• Diatomaceous Earth: It is a natural, dehydrating powder that attacks the exoskeletons of bugs.

For guaranteed and permanent results, I recommend professional pest control services. Heat Solution provides proven bed bug extermination services, including top-rated bed bug heat treatments in the Greater Toronto Area and 100 miles around it. We also deliver a free property inspection for homes and businesses. You can call Heat Solution at (437) 553-4627 to discuss the infestation issue in your space and schedule your free, no-obligation inspection. 

Final Verdict 

Steam treatment is chemical-free and a powerful solution for bed bug infestations. Ensure to steam at the right temperature, move slowly and properly cover every surface, and you’ll get excellent results. Stubborn infestations in big spaces can be challenging to get rid of with DIY steam treatment for bed bugs. Hiring a professional bed bug exterminator in Toronto is a wiser approach in such cases.

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