You will get two treatment options when dealing with a bed bug problem. One is through the use of chemicals, and another is a natural way, using heat. If you can’t afford heating equipment, a steam cleaner will do to kill bedbugs in your home. But can a clothes steamer kill bed bugs?
Will a Clothes Steamer be Enough to Kill Bed Bugs?
Depending on the level of heat that your clothing steamer can reach, you could use this to steam clean all bed bug-infested surfaces or areas where bed bugs hide. The ideal temperature for your steam cleaner should be over 131 degrees Fahrenheit. Though most clothes steamers can reach this temperature, not all steam cleaning units made for clothes can be used solely to kill bed bugs.
With this in mind, using more powerful steam cleaners or commercial steamers is recommended to treat bed bugs for efficiency purposes; instead of taking 3 hours to steam an entire mattress, heavier-duty steam cleaners could get the job done in 1 hour by using its continuous steam feature or reach higher a steam temperature. Steamers of this type are more effective as these are designed to reach higher levels of heat enough to kill the bed bugs. At the same time, it helps effectively sanitize surfaces treated against bugs.
Steam treatment is an alternative chemical-free bed bug treatment that you can conveniently do without the need for expert services. The treatment works not because of the steam but because of the heat from the machine.
This method kills live bed bugs in all stages of life when done properly. The success rate depends mainly on the quality of the steamer that you are going to use. If it can’t reach the ideal temperature or can’t generate more than the ideal heat, the treatment may fail to penetrate surfaces and kill the bugs.
Is Steam Enough to Kill Bed Bugs
Steam is a successful treatment that helps in killing bed bugs. However, eradicating bed bugs with steam cleaning doesn’t mean you just have to blast certain areas with steam, and the problem is solved.
In case of a bed bug infestation, it is important to know how to use a steam cleaner effectively to tackle the problem. Bed bugs can spread to multiple areas, so learning the proper use of a steam cleaner can give you the best possible results when investing in a new machine, but remember that a steam cleaner cannot reach all places.
You must consider that hot steam only goes so far. If you think bed bugs are living in a wall, simply steaming under the baseboard won’t suffice. You might want to use diatomaceous earth around the perimeter of the baseboards.
Steps in Steam Cleaning Your Home to Eliminate Bed Bugs
If you are determined to use steam in treating a bed bug infestation, there are a couple of steps that you must follow to make the entire treatment successful. These steps are the following:
Step 1: Get a Steam Cleaner that can reach temperatures of 125 F or more
You can choose from these top picks for your first steam cleaner. If you can’t afford to get one, you can always resort to renting one from a reliable company. As mentioned, clothing and even carpet steaming machines may not work for this purpose.
Step 2: Place the Right Type of Nozzle or Attachment to the Hose
Look for the attachment with a wide or angular nozzle. This is highly recommended for steam cleaning upholstery as well as other surfaces. Make sure that you place the nozzle before turning on the machine.
Use other nozzles or attachments where appropriate as you want to make sure that you can get as close as possible to infested items.
Step 3: Steam in Cracks and Crevices of bed bug infested items
When your steamer is ready, start treating all the upholstered items and followed by hard surfaces from top to bottom. You should follow this motion to push down all bed bugs instead of pushing them up or blowing them around the room.
These critters hide in items with cracks and crevices. So, the items that you should include are:
Box Springs
Bed frame
Mattresses
Baseboards
Furniture
Tacking Strips on Carpets
Important Note: Make sure you have unplugged all electronic devices before starting!
Step 4: Get Good Coverage by Moving the Wand Slowly Over the Treated Surface
Using pressurized steam go for a speed of approximately 30 cm or 12 inches every 30 seconds. This way, you can make sure that each item is thoroughly exposed to the steam and kill the bugs and eggs.
Unlike other treatments, steaming can be a tedious and slow process. This is true especially if you are treating a large area. As much as possible, take breaks or call for someone you can take turns to when doing the treatment.
If you find live bugs during the treatment, hold the steam over the area for about 30 seconds to kill it completely. Use paper to pick up the dead bug and discard it properly.
You must hold the steamer for a few seconds on one surface for it to be effective. This is the reason why this particular treatment requires enough time and patience to be successful.
Step 5: Help Air Circulate Across the Room by Opening the Window and Turning on a Fan
When done, open all windows and turn on a fan. This will help air circulate across the treated room and fry off all treated items.
You must let all items dry properly to avoid mildew and mold from forming. Simply aim the fan to treat items to dry them off faster.
Step 6: Repeat the Treatment at Least Thrice to Ensure Success Rate
For the treatment to work successfully, you should repeat the entire process at least 3 times to kill all the bugs and even those that escaped on the first run. You can repeat the procedure after a couple of hours or the following day depending on the area that you’re treating.
Important Note: Don’t wait for a couple of days before repeating the treatment. Remember that these bugs multiply quickly. Your efforts will all be wasted if you let these critters multiply again before a follow-up treatment.
How to Increase the Effectiveness of the Steam Treatment
Some steps will help increase the effectiveness of steam cleaning, and these are:
Step 1: Make sure that the surface temperature is between 125 to 140 °F
To kill the bugs and at the same time protect your items from getting damaged during treatment, your steamer must reach a temperature within this range. You can use an infrared thermometer to check the temperature.
If the temperature doesn’t reach this reach, you should adjust your steamer or get another streamer that can reach this temperature range.
Step 2: The treated Surface Must Be Damp and Not Wet
Adjustments must be made to your steamer if the treated surface is wet. It should only feel damp. A solution you can do for this is using a dry towel to reduce the moisture on the treated surface.
If there are small or delicate items that must be treated, you can use a handheld steam cleaner or have them washed and dried using high heat. Simply place them in plastic bags to prevent the bugs from infesting other items when moving them across your home.
FAQs
Q: Can a clothes steamer kill bed bugs?
A: Yes, a clothes steamer can kill bed bugs if it reaches a temperature of over 131 degrees Fahrenheit. However, more powerful steam cleaners or commercial steamers are recommended for more efficient and effective treatment.
Q: How does steam treatment work to kill bed bugs?
A: Steam treatment works by using the heat from the machine/steam wand to kill bed bugs in all stages of life.
Q: What are the steps to steam cleaning your home to eliminate bed bugs?
A: The steps include getting a steam cleaner with a minimum water tank capacity of 3.8 L, using the right type of nozzle or attachment, steam cleaning cracks and crevices, moving the wand slowly to ensure good coverage, opening windows and using a fan to help air circulate, and repeating the treatment at least three times to ensure success.
Q: How can you increase the effectiveness of steam cleaning?
A: To increase effectiveness, make sure the surface temperature reaches between 125 to 140 °F and the treated surface is damp, not wet. Adjustments may need to be made to the steamer if the surface is too wet. Additionally, delicate items can be treated with a handheld steam cleaner or washed and dried using high heat.
Q: How often should you repeat the steam cleaning treatment?
A: The treatment should be repeated at least three times to ensure all bed bugs and bed bug eggs are killed and to prevent them from multiplying again. It is important to not wait too long between treatments to prevent the bugs from multiplying further.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the use of a clothes steamer as a bed bug treatment method can be effective when done correctly. The key to success lies in the ability of the steamer to generate and maintain the necessary heat levels, ideally exceeding 131 degrees Fahrenheit, which is crucial for killing bed bugs in all stages of their life cycle. However, it’s essential to recognize that not all clothes steamers are suitable for this purpose, and investing in more powerful steam cleaners or commercial-grade equipment is recommended for efficiency.
Steam treatment is an attractive alternative to chemical solutions for those looking for a natural, chemical-free approach to bed bug control. Nevertheless, it is not a one-time, quick-fix solution. Steam cleaning requires careful attention to detail, patience, and thoroughness. The process involves treating all potential hiding spots, including cracks, crevices, and various infested items like mattresses, box springs, and furniture.
To maximize the effectiveness of steam treatment, maintaining the right temperature range between 125 to 140 °F is essential, ensuring that surfaces remain damp, not wet. Adequate drying time and proper ventilation are crucial post-treatment to prevent mold and mildew. Additionally, repeating the treatment at least three times is highly recommended to ensure that all bed bugs and their eggs are eradicated.
In summary, while a clothes steamer can be a valuable tool in the battle against bed bugs, its success depends on the user’s diligence, the quality of the equipment, and the commitment to a comprehensive and repeated treatment approach. By following the prescribed steps and guidelines, individuals can harness the power of steam to effectively eliminate bed bugs from their homes without the need for chemical interventions.
