March 2, 2012
Using heat is one of the most common methods to kill bed bugs. The fear of excessive use of harmful chemicals gave rise to using a hair dryer to get rid of a bed bug infestation. Heat is non-toxic. So when people gave up on sprays, dusts and other chemical treatments, using a tool already in most households made sense.
The notion that heat from a hair dryer can kill bed bugs is correct. People have been using one method or another since the invention of central heat. Raising the thermostat, coupled with space heaters has been a popular folk remedy. Results are anecdotal at best.
So, can you kill bed bugs with a hair dryer?
Yes and no.
There certainly are advantages. For one, you can do this yourself without using harsh chemicals, so there are no harmful side-effects. Secondly, it’s low cost. It’s simply electricity and you provide your own labor.
The process involves continuous application heat of at least 113 degrees Fahrenheit for an hour. This will kill bed bugs. Since the typical hair dryer produces heat in excess of 140 degrees Fahrenheit, you should have no difficulty. The trick is not to burn yourself in the process.
The process involves continuous application heat of at least 113 degrees Fahrenheit for an hour. This will kill bed bugs. Since the typical hair dryer produces heat in excess of 140 degrees Fahrenheit, you should have no difficulty. The trick is not to burn yourself in the process.
This technique is great for small, localized areas of infestation. However, using a hair dryer for an hour, a few inches at a time, to get rid of bed bugs from your couch, isn’t practical.
The disadvantages of killing bed bugs with a hair dryer are obvious.The infestation cannot be completely eradicated with such a small device. As mentioned earlier, you could burn yourself in the process. Lastly, this is at best, only a temporary fix.
Ultimately, you will need to contact a professional exterminator. The sooner you do, the sooner you’ll find relief.
Filed under Kill Bed Bugs by on Mar 2nd, 2012. 
