I’ve been bothered by them all night! Can a hair dryer kill bed bugs?
This question is asked by many people who find it difficult to catch Z’s. So, I’ll discuss whether you can use a hair dryer to kill these bed bugs!
Hold your horses — before we get to that, let us first discuss a few things about these bed bugs you still don’t know. Read along!
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Heat Treatment Exploration: A hair dryer can expose bed bugs to lethal temperatures.
- Practicality Questioned: A hair dryer might not effectively tackle large infestations despite its potential.
- Professional Assistance: Professional pest control services remain a more reliable option for serious infestations.
Bed Bug Facts
To get rid of these creepy crawlies, it’s imperative that you know the simple facts about them.
Ideally, they’ll die if exposed to high heat and high-temperature situations, but it’s not as easy as that.
According to Dini M. Miller, Ph.D., of the Department of Entomology at Virginia Tech,
“The thermal death point is determined by two things; temperature, and exposure time.” [1]
You’ll be able to take them out if you expose them at constant temperatures under respective exposure times.
- 113 °F or 45 °C for 90 minutes or more.
- 118 °F or 47.8 °C for 20 minutes.
One sign that you need to take action is when you’ve already experienced a bed bug bite. [4]
EXPERT NOTE: For them to die, the entire area/space where you suspect they are needs to have that temperature.
Does a Hair Dryer Produce the Right Heat to Eradicate Bed Bugs?
Yes, many hair dryers in the market can emit heat between 80 and 140 °F (26.7 and 60 °C). And, according to Miller, it’s enough to kill your crawlers.
Exposure to this much-concentrated heat can kill them as long as the exposure time is constant.
That brings us to the question: would a hair dryer be able to eliminate them indefinitely? Given the heat they can provide, can you terminate them using your hair blower?
Can a Hair Dryer Kill Bed Bugs?
Yes and no, it depends. Let me elaborate.
Yes, because hair dryers can produce the recommended heat to kill these nasty insects. You can use hair dryers to kill bed bugs only on the surface of things.
And no, simply because the heat would not sip through crevices and tight spaces like wall cracks, under-carpets, a bed frame, etc.
You can get rid of them on the surface. About the ones hiding — you won’t reach them.
So, hair dryers would only be effective for killing bed bugs that are on your pillows, bed sheets, and comforters.
However, those in steep and narrow spaces like mattress seams, under-bed storage, and other spots would survive.
I tried using this once to get rid of the bed bugs on my bed, and it was effective just for a night. The bed bug infestation was still there, and its nuisance continued.
So, what better option do you have to exterminate the pests lurking in your room at night?
How to Effectively Kill Bed Bugs
My experience with bed bugs has not been pleasant. I needed to experience a bed bug bite multiple times before I resolved it.
I actually took the time to learn a few things to do the job with little effort, and luckily, I found them to be effective.
Here’s a video [2] discussing the best homemade tools to eliminate those nasty adult bedbugs!
Let us approach the situation in two (2) ways: treating items that have been infested and treating areas and spaces that have been infested. Let me break it down for you.
You can always use an insecticide for the job. However, this will require you to evacuate the area for a few hours until the chemical smell of the product is gone.
Some might wonder, “Will a hair dryer kill lice?” While it can be somewhat effective due to the heat, there are more reliable and safer methods. Use other, more effective options instead!
QUICK NOTE: Needless to say, before you push through with treatment, you need to clean the things/items first by washing them with mild, anti-bacterial detergent.
Treating Infested Items and Things
Here are some things I consider effective to be able to treat bed bug-infested things and items and effectively get rid of them:
1. Hair Dryers
Would we go on with the list without including hair dryers? — Of course not!
Remember, they’re only effective for the surfaces of items; or areas where the dryer nozzle can cover the entire space.
2. Clothes Dryer
Using a clothes dryer would be the second-best thing to do for children’s clothing, toys, and other items that you can’t spray insecticide on.
Set the dryer on “high,” then start sterilizing the items by placing and putting them inside.
3. Portable Heaters (Heating Devices)
Heating devices such as ceramic heaters, heat bulbs and lamps, and other equipment can also effectively exterminate these bed bugs.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Make sure that the heating device reaches the temperature required to kill these critters.
4. Flat Iron
A flat iron can be an effective means of destroying bed bug-hiding spots under your sheets. Thanks to its high heat output and optimal temperature, it can effectively kill bed bugs!
5. Alcohol
Last, but most definitely not least, is alcohol. According to experts, you can use alcohol to kill and indefinitely exterminate these critters [3]. Direct contact of bed bugs with alcohol will instantly kill them.
This also includes their eggs! While we’re discussing home hazards, it’s essential to be aware of other safety concerns.
If you’re wondering “what to do if hair dryer falls in water“, make sure to disconnect the power immediately and never attempt to retrieve or use it while it’s wet.
Check out this video for a natural remedy:
Treating Infested Spaces and Areas
Can’t find their hiding spots? Here are some safer alternatives to the insecticide that you can try and be your pest control operator!
1. Specialized Heaters
These devices are among the best and most effective machines to exterminate an army of bed bugs.
Set the heater close to the hottest or maximum temperature and leave it inside the area for about two (2) hours. Turn the device off and wait for the heat to escape the room.
NOTE: Take extra precautionary measures, as space heaters can cause fires.
Say goodbye to that unpleasant, musty odor from their scent glands!
2. Steam Machines
A safer alternative would be steam machines. They’re less likely to cause a fire, plus your room would be disinfected, too!
Start the steaming process immediately because this extermination takes the longest — about three (3) to four (4) hours.
3. DIY Room Heaters
If you have devices that can effectively heat rooms up, you can use that to your advantage! They don’t necessarily have to reach 120 °F; about 110 to 115 °F would do — it’ll just take longer!
FAQs
In case you still have bed bug questions, here are a few of the most frequently thrown questions regarding the topic.
What Are The Signs Of Bed Bug Infestation?
How Long Does It Take To Kill Bed Bugs With A Hair Dryer?
Can Hot Dryer Kill Bed Bug Eggs?
Final Thoughts – Would You Use Your Hair Dryer to Kill Bed Bugs?
So, can a hair dryer kill bed bugs? Yes, they can, but only on surfaces that they can cover. Using them for a room or a large area wouldn’t be as effective as how you want it to be.
Get the right bed bug treatment you need without the help of a pest control company by following our guide!
Can a hair dryer kill bed bugs? Let us know your opinion below!
References
- 1. Miller D. Using Heat to Kill Bed Bugs [Internet]. Available from: https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/bb-heat1.pdf
- 2. BedBugSupply. How to Kill Bed Bugs With Household Items [Internet]. YouTube. 2015 [cited 2019 Dec 15]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjZxUk8heZA
- 3. Stanborough R. Does Rubbing Alcohol Kill Bedbugs: Yes, but Is It Worth the Risk? [Internet]. Keith Fisher J, editor. Healthline. 2019 [cited 2022 Jan 27]. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/does-rubbing-alcohol-kill-bed-bugs#:~:text=While%20isopropyl%20alcohol%2C%20known%20as
- 4. Dunkin MA. Bedbugs – Signs of an Infestation & How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs [Internet]. DerSarkissian C, editor. WebMD. 2020. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/bedbugs-infestation
