Exposing bed bug-infested clothing or other small items to freezing temperatures may be a viable control option for people at risk of bed bug infestations. However, a new study has found that bed bugs may be less susceptible to freezing temperatures than previously reported.

What does the research say?

In an article in the Journal of Economic Entomology called "Cold Tolerance of Bed Bugs and Practical Recommendations for Control," the authors describe how exposing bed bugs to freezing temperatures affects them, and they provide practical recommendations for the management of potentially infested items.

Bed bugs, like many other insects, use a "freeze-intolerant" strategy against the cold, meaning they attempt to protect themselves from freeze injury by lowering the freezing point of their body fluids. For this study, the researchers evaluated the supercooling point (SCP) and the lower lethal temperature (LLT) for all life stages of bed bugs, as well as their potential to feed after exposure to sub-lethal temperatures.

The authors found that in order to achieve 100% mortality, a minimum exposure time of 80 hours at -16° C (3.2° F) is required for all life stages. Temperatures below -15° C (5° F) are sufficient to control all life stages of bed bugs after 3.5 days, while temperatures below -20° C (-4° F) require only 48 hours. They also observed bed bug eggs surviving in short-term exposures to temperatures as low as -25° C (-13° F).

What can homeowners do? 

Homeowners can place bed bug-infested items in a freezer to destroy them. However, the authors recommend that the items be placed in plastic bags and that they remain in the freezer for 2-4 days, depending on the freezer's temperature. According to the EPA, freezing bed bugs is effective, but temperatures must remain very low for a long time. Home freezers are usually not cold enough to kill bed bugs. Putting things outside in freezing temperatures can kill bed bugs, but it can take several days when the temperature is 0° F and almost a week when the temperature is 20° F.

As bed bugs have continued to make a comeback across the nation, pest control companies like Thomas Pest Services are forced to develop strategies for the control and prevention of bed bugs. Some solutions pest control companies are using to get rid of bed bugs include freezing, steam heat, thermal remediation, pesticide application, vacuuming, along with preparation.

Thomas Pest Services bed bug removal service provides:

• Inspection: Thomas Pest Services technicians perform a thorough inspection to locate bed bugs.
• Preparation: After bed bugs have been confirmed in the structure, preparing for bed bug treatment is critical to success.
• Treatment: Thomas Pest Services primarily uses thermal remediation, which involves using powerful heaters that crank up the temperature in a room to a level that bed bugs can't survive, eliminating all stages of bed bugs, from eggs to adults. 
  • This method uses heaters to raise the room temperature to between 120-135°F. High-powered fans circulate the hot air into every nook and cranny, reaching all the cracks, crevices, furniture, and belongings in the area.
• Wrap Up: No follow up needed! Our service is completed in one day. Our skilled team oversees the process to make sure your space is completely free of bed bugs. 
  
  

If bed bugs become a problem for you, avoid searching the internet for do-it-yourself bed bug solutions. Your best move would be to call a bed bug removal professional and learn what not to do when you have bed bugs. It is important to perform inspections when you arrive and return home to remain bed bug-free. 

If you live in Albany, Clifton Park, Saratoga or any other Capital Region community, Thomas Pest Services is your local exterminator who provides bed bug treatments. At the first signs of bed bugs, contact Thomas Pest Services and do not attempt to treat this issue on your own. 

📞 Call us at 518-861-4921

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