Bed bugs are one of the most stubborn pests in the pest world. An adult bed bug can live up to a year and even 400+ days (in cool temperatures). On top of that, a female bed bug can lay up to 200 to 500 eggs in its entire lifespan. That’s how bed bugs multiply fast and take over a property within a few days.
Getting rid of bed bugs naturally, without using toxic chemicals, could be the best option. The question is: Is that possible? How do bed bugs die naturally?
In short, all we can say is yes, it’s possible. You just need to navigate the methods that work in real life, not just in theory.
In this blog, we’ll briefly explain how bed bugs die naturally, proven natural methods for exterminating bed bugs, key identifying signs, and preventive strategies. Let’s dive in.
How Do Bed Bugs Die Naturally?
Bed bugs can die naturally from high heat, extreme cold temperatures, dehydration, starvation(nymphs), or predation. But that natural dying process is not enough to lessen their numbers during an infestation.
Since the natural process is slow, you can instead create such a natural environment where bed bugs die naturally. You can start with a DIY attempt at the initial stage.
But if the infestation is confirmed, call in professional pest controllers. Because when there’s an infestation, DIY will only waste time and let those pesky nuisances multiply in numbers to take over your entire property.
Natural Bed Bug Control Methods: How to Kill Bed Bugs Instantly
Natural methods work only when bed bugs come in contact. With accurate application, natural methods can exterminate bed bugs.
Here are the proven techniques:
◼ Steam Treatment
A handheld steam cleaner at 160°F+(71°C+) kills bed bugs and eggs on contact instantly. The recommended steam temperature is at least 130°F (54°C).
Use a steam cleaner on mattress seams, crevices, bed frames, cracks, baseboards, skirting boards, upholstered furniture, etc.
Move the nozzle at roughly 20 seconds per foot so the heat has enough time to penetrate the surface. Avoid blasting the area with excessive airflow, as this can disturb and spread bed bugs.
For a larger infestation, professional bed bug control treatment is required.
◼ High Heat Washing & Drying
Heat can kill bed bugs at every life stage when the item reaches a sufficiently high temperature. Washing/drying items on the hottest setting (130°F+/54°C+ for 30 min) kills bugs and eggs.
A sustained dryer heat provides a more reliable kill. Submerging items in hot water above 122°F also works quickly.
Place bedding, clothing, curtains, and other dryer-safe fabrics in a sealed bag. Go to the laundry area and either put them directly into a dryer or submerge them in hot water at 122°F+.
Don’t carry loose infested items around the house.
◼ Professional Whole-House Heat Treatment
This process involves raising the temperature throughout the treatment zone to a lethal level. Pest control experts use multiple heaters and temperature sensors to monitor different locations.
This method can target even hidden bed bugs behind furniture and inside cracks. It can reach bed bugs that sprays or surface treatments may miss.
But only professionals can do it. It requires specialised equipment and careful temperature monitoring.
◼ Vacuuming Bed Bugs and Eggs
Vacuuming can’t kill bed bugs. But it can immediately remove visible adults, nymphs, eggs, shed skins, and fecal debris.
Use a vacuum with a crevice attachment. Vacuum mattress seams and tufts, gaps in the bed frame, screw and bolt holes, box-spring edges, furniture cracks, baseboards, etc.
After vacuuming, seal the vacuum bag or empty the canister into a sealed plastic bag immediately. Take the sealed waste outside and dispose of it appropriately.
◼ Dehydration by Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is basically microscopic, powdery particles. It damages the waxy outer layer of a bed bug, causing it to lose moisture over 24-48 hours and eventually die.
Apply only a very thin layer to cracks, crevices, and other areas where bed bugs travel. Use food-grade diatomaceous earth that is specifically labeled for indoor pest control.
Follow its label directions carefully. Avoid creating airborne dust. If inhaled, the particles can irritate the human respiratory system.
◼ Freezing Treatment
This method is effective for only smaller items. Seal bed bug-infested small items in a plastic bag. Keep the bag in a freezer at 0°F (-18°C) for at least 4 days to kill all life stages of bed bugs.
The items need to remain at the required temperature long enough to ensure that the cold reaches the center of the object. Simply placing something in a cold room or freezing it for a few hours is not reliable.
◼ Rubbing Alcohol
Use rubbing alcohol containing 70% isopropyl alcohol. It is a contact-killing method. But rubbing alcohol only works on direct contact with bed bugs.
If it’s sprayed directly on bed bugs, it kills on contact by dissolving their exoskeleton. But remember, it’s flammable. So use with caution and never near open flames or heat sources.
◼ Bedbug Proof Encasement
Encasements for mattresses and box springs usually trap bed bugs and their eggs inside. They don’t directly kill bed bugs, but the trapped bed bugs and eggs can’t come out. Also, new bed bugs can’t enter the encasement.
Keep checking the encasement for openings and tears. The trapped bugs don’t die immediately after trapping. You need to keep them trapped for an extended period to ensure they eventually die inside.
◼ Repellents (Essential Oils)
Repellents can’t kill bed bugs. But bed bugs hate the smells of lavender oil, clove oil, peppermint oil, tea tree oil, etc. They can be used initially. For a full-blown infestation, repellents don’t work efficiently.
How to Identify Bed Bug Infestations: Key Signs to Watch For
Before the treatment, you must be aware of how to identify bed bugs and what they look like.
Let’s discover the common signs:
▶ What they look like:
Adult Bed Bugs: Reddish-brown, oval-shaped, 5mm long, flat, apple seed-sized.
Nymphs: Tiny, translucent, or whitish-yellow baby bugs, harder to spot, almost invisible until they’re fed.
▶ Common Signs and Traces:
Rust or reddish-brown stains: Small dark spots on sheets, mattress seams, or box springs. These are dried bed bug excrement. It can also be actual blood smears if a bug was crushed after feeding.
Eggs and Eggshells: Tiny (about 1mm), pearly-white eggs or eggshells. They’re often found in clusters in cracks and seams. Easy to miss without a flashlight and magnifying glass.
Exoskeletons(shed skins): Bed bug nymphs molt 5 times before they grow into adults. They often leave translucent, bug-shaped husks which indicate their presence.
Musty, sweetish odor: Heavy infestations sometimes produce a distinct smell from their scent glands. The smell is often described as similar to coriander or stale bedding.
▶ What the bite patterns are:
Bite shape: Small, red bumps, flat or raised.
Bite patterns: Tight lines or zigzag formation, sometimes called ‘breakfast, lunch, dinner’ patterns.
Itchiness: Painless, followed by an itchy feeling later.
Bite location: Exposed areas like arms, shoulders, neck, legs, back, and face.
Bite time: Mostly at night.
▶ Where to Look For Bed Bugs:
Bed bugs are sneaky pests. Look for them in:
- Mattress and box spring seams, tufts, and piping.
- Bed frame joints(especially wood/upholstered ones).
- Behind headboards and baseboards.
- Inside electrical outlets and switch plates near the bed.
- Seams of couches and chairs, especially if used for sleeping.
- Luggage (especially after travel).
- Curtain folds and carpet edges near baseboards.
Proven Strategies to Prevent Bed Bug Infestations
Getting rid of bed bugs is only the first step. Preventing them is the long-term strategy. Here’s how to prevent bed bugs effectively:
✔ Inspect hotel rooms before unpacking
Check the mattress seams, headboard, and luggage rack area first. Pull back sheets and look at piping and corners.
Use a hard-shell suitcase when possible. Hard-shell luggage is harder for bed bugs to grip compared to fabric luggage.
✔ Inspect luggage in the garage or entryway
Whenever you’re out, check the luggage thoroughly before bringing it into the bedroom. Inspect luggage carefully, especially seams, pockets, wheels, and folds. Check it in the entryway or garage.
Keep the luggage in the bathroom instead of the bed or floors. Bathroom floors are smooth. So bed bugs are less likely to live there.
✔ Inspect Second-Hand Furniture
Used mattresses, upholstered furniture, bed frames, and other furnishings can introduce bed bugs into your home.
Inspect seams, joints, cracks, and undersides carefully before bringing second-hand furniture indoors. Also, avoid picking up furniture left on curbs or sidewalks.
✔ Reduce Clutter and Seal the Crevices
Clutter creates additional hiding spaces. Keep the area around the bed and furniture as clear as possible so you can inspect and clean it more effectively.
Caulk gaps in baseboards, around outlets, and where pipes enter walls, especially in multi-unit buildings where bugs can travel between units.
✔ Wash and Dry Travel Clothing
After traveling, don’t immediately scatter luggage and clothing throughout the bedroom. Wash suitable clothing and use a high-heat dryer setting where appropriate. 30 minutes at 130°F+ kills all life stages of bed bugs.
✔ Keep Beds Away From Walls
If possible, position the bed slightly away from the wall and prevent bedding from touching the floor. Combined with bed bug interceptors, this can make it more difficult for bed bugs to reach the sleeping area.
✔ Vacuum and Use High Heat for Laundry Items
Vacuum the house, especially mattress seams, carpet edges, and upholstered furniture. Empty the vacuum outside immediately after.
For laundry items, use high-heat washing and drying. Be cautious in case of shared laundry facilities.
✔ Use Mattress Encasements
Zippered, bed-bug-rated encasements trap any existing bugs inside and prevent new ones from hiding in seams. Leave on for at least a year if you’ve had a past infestation issue.
✔ Inspect Regularly
If you’ve previously experienced bed bugs, inspect mattress seams, bed frames, furniture joints, and nearby cracks periodically. Early detection makes treatment much easier.
Bottom Line
So, how do bed bugs die naturally? Often from starvation, extreme temperatures, and other unfavorable conditions. But waiting for them to disappear naturally is foolish.
Instead of waiting, focus on heat, steam, high-heat drying, vacuuming, encasements, and careful physical removal. These approaches target the pesky hitchhikers directly.
You might start to see dead bugs. But don’t assume that seeing a few dead bugs means the infestation is gone. Eggs, nymphs, and hidden adults can lurk anywhere behind.
If signs continue after repeated treatment, hire professional pest control experts like Bioactive Pest Control.
FAQ About Natural Ways To Eliminate Bed Bugs
1. What Can Kill Bed Bugs Instantly?
High-heat dryers, steam cleaners, hot water, heat treatment, and contact-killing sprays can kill bed bugs instantly.
2. Can Bed Bugs Die Without Feeding On Humans?
Yes, bed bugs can survive for a long time without feeding on humans. At normal temperatures, they can live 2 to 5 months without blood meals. In cool temperatures, they can last up to a year or more.
3. Do Bed Bugs Die From Cold Temperatures Naturally?
No. Bed bugs don’t naturally die from cold weather unless it’s below 0°F(-18°C) and they stay in it for 4 days.
4. Do Bed Bugs Die In Hot Weather?
Bed bugs can survive in hot weather. But if they are exposed to temperatures of 120°F or higher for 90 minutes, they’ll die. Whole-house heat treatment between 122°F and 140°F also kills them.
5. How Long Do Bed Bugs Live Naturally?
The natural lifespan of bed bugs is usually 6 to 12 months in normal temperatures. They may live up to a year or more when in cool temperatures.
6. Can I Remove Bed Bugs On My Own?
Not always. For a minor infestation, DIY may work slightly. But you can’t handle a full-blown bed bug infestation without hiring professionals.
7. Where Do Bedbugs Hide During The Day?
Bed bugs are nocturnal. They hide in cracks and crevices, including mattress seams, furniture, skirting boards, and bed frames during the day.
8. Can Bed Bugs Go Away Naturally?
No, bed bugs never go away on their own, even if the host is absent. They keep infesting more and take over the property.
9. What Time Of Day Are Bed Bugs Most Active?
Bed bugs remain most active from midnight to 5 a.m. During these hours, people go into deep sleep, and they can suck blood without interruption.
10. Can Bed Bugs Die From Dehydration?
Yes. Bed bugs get hydrated from human blood. If they live without a host, they’ll dry out and die.
11. What Can 100% Kill Bedbugs?
Extreme heat is the only proven method to kill 100% of bed bugs naturally without pesticides.
