Can I use a steam cleaner to kill bed bugs?
If used appropriately, steam is a very effective way for destroying bed bugs at all phases of growth. The quality of the steamer is critical when employing steam as a therapy. Use a commercial steamer with at least a 1 gallon capacity and, ideally, a steam volume control.
The sort of steamer you use to clean your clothes will not work for bed bug treatment. Avoid using a carpet cleaning machine. Carpet cleaning devices do not reach temperatures high enough to kill bed bugs.
Although a steam cleaner is expensive to buy for one person (about $800 to $1,200), cleaning may be economical for a housing cooperative, a social assistance group, or another sort of organization to buy one and make it available to members.
Steam Cleaning
Steamers kill bed bugs by delivering fatal temperatures to their hiding places. When bed bugs are on the surface of goods, steam is particularly effective and can penetrate up to 3/4′′ through fabric surfaces.
Steam will kill bed bugs up to 2-3/8″ into cracks and crevices. Monitor the surface temperature of the area being treated with an infrared thermometer. The surface temperature should be at least 160-180°F soon after the steam brush has passed to efficiently destroy bed bugs.
How to Kill Bed Bugs using Steam?
To properly destroy bed bugs, use steam gently and evenly. You should also examine what could protect the insect from being directly exposed to steam.
If you have clothing that can be steamed, drag it across it as slowly as you would normally.
If you have furniture that can withstand moisture and temperature, go over the flat surfaces gently and focus on cracks and locations with bolts and screws, as these are where bed bugs hide.
In terms of time, immediately using steam to kill bed bugs takes only a few seconds.
Blow the bed bugs with Steam
Where it becomes more difficult is if you have a Lazy Boy recliner or an upholstered sofa it may be tough to dig deep enough into the cushions. If the cushions break off, you may separate those portions and steam them separately, or you can have someone hold the steam wand for you.
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When there are deep crevices that steam cannot enter, killing bed bugs with steam becomes difficult. That’s when you should consider adopting other approaches, such as bed bug traps that imitate the human body. These will aid in the removal of bed bugs from certain places.
In most circumstances, steam applied gently and evenly to almost any surface (that may safely be exposed to steam) will be efficient in killing bed bugs.
Is it true that steam kills bed bugs?
As previously stated, steam cleaners are helpful to get rid of bed bugs. Bed bugs and their eggs are eliminated in a matter of minutes, depending on your desired temperature setting.
Steam cleaners are the most successful in removing bed bugs or dust mites from the surface. The steam from the cleaner may still be effective up to 3/4 inch from the surface of dense textiles such as carpets and mattresses.
There are other solutions for home usage, such as a Vapamore Mr.-100 Primo, which will blast an affected area with a surface temperature high enough to eliminate your bed bug infestation.
Hiring a pest control service
However, if you do not want to invest in a high-quality steamer, professional exterminators may assist you with pest management by employing a heavy-duty bed bug steamer.
You may also like to read: Which type of cleaning service do you prefer?
If you prefer to tackle it yourself, be careful to steam clean along baseboards, upholstery, and around box springs, headboards, and bed frames, since these are some of their favourite hiding spots. Don’t forget about draperies, and use high heat to clean a mattress cover.
Precautions
While steam is efficient, it may be hazardous. When operating a steamboat, various measures must be taken:
- Always read and comprehend the steamer’s instruction handbook.
- Always follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
- Because the steam is under pressure, you must exercise caution when refilling the machine and utilising the steam wand.
- The steam will be very hot, reaching temperatures of 212-230°F. This can result in burns, therefore never use the steamer with children and always divert the steam away from oneself.
- Always test steam on an unnoticed area first, since some textiles may be harmed.
- Always steam microfiber textiles in the direction of the microfibre.
- Steamers will occasionally vomit out hot water when turned on or after not using steam for a long. When you initially start, point the wand towards a towel to catch this water.
Use a nozzle that distributes steam at lower pressures, such as a floor or upholstery attachment, rather than a pin-point steam nozzle. Bed bugs can be blown away with pin point nozzles, and they may live.
