Bed Bugs | Will Bed Bugs Die in a Hot Car
One of the reason why bed bug infections are so persistent, is because they are extremely resilient pests known for their ability to infest various environments, including homes, hotels, and even vehicles. They reproduce quickly, resistant to pesticides and extreme temperatures, and can go a long time in between feeding – as long as six months! Therefore, when dealing with a bed bug infestation, it’s natural to wonder if extreme temperatures, such as those inside a hot car, can be effective in eliminating these pests. In this article, Major Pest Control Calgary explores whether bed bugs can die in a hot car and discuss the factors that influence their survival under high temperatures.
Heat and Bed Bug Sensitivity
While bed bugs can be resilient to temperatures, they are sensitive to extreme temperatures, and high temperatures can indeed be detrimental to their survival. Major Pest Control owner Jun Bukht explains that exposing bed bugs to temperatures above 113°F (45°C) for a sustained period can lead to their death. However, it is important to note that achieving and maintaining such temperatures in a car can be challenging.
If you fall a degree or two short of the target temperature, or you don’t keep it at that temperature for a long enough period of time, you will not be successful in exterminating the bed bugs, whether it’s your car they’ve infested, or if you are trying to kill them from your clothing or bedding.
Heat Transfer and Insulation
It’s well known that the interior of vehicles can become intensely hot, especially when parked in the sun, it’s not a reliable method for killing bed bugs for a number of reasons. Factors like outside temperature, cloud cover, the insulation in each individual car, and the cracks and crevices in a vehicle for example leads to unreliable results when it comes to killing bed bugs. The heat must get to a specific temperature for a set amount of time. For these reasons, parking a vehicle in the sun all day is not recommended for getting rid of these pests.
Heat Distribution and Prolonged Exposure
Bed bugs can seek refuge in cracks, crevices, upholstery, and other hiding spots because they are nocturnal insects, which may not be exposed to direct heat in a car. Rather than hoping internal vehicle temperatures is enough to get rid of these pests, contact the professionals, like Major Pest Control, owned by entomologist Jun Bukht. For heat to effectively kill bed bugs, it is crucial to ensure uniform heat distribution throughout the infested areas and maintain sustained exposure. While the temperature inside a hot car can rise significantly, the heat may not be evenly distributed, and the duration of exposure might not be sufficient to eliminate all bed bug life stages, including eggs, nymphs, and adults.
Bed Bugs | Vehicle Interior and Heat Retention
While the interior of a car can act as an insulating environment, there are many variable factors that hinder the ability for the interior to heat up to the critical point needed to kill bed bugs, or keep the temperature at that level for as long as needed to eliminate the bed bugs. Factors such as upholstery, seat covers, how large the vehicle is – a coupe will heat differently than a minivan for example. Other materials can insulate the interior space, slowing down the heat transfer process and reducing the effectiveness of using a hot car as a bed bug eradication method.
Integrated Pest Management Approach
While high temperatures can be detrimental to bed bugs, relying solely on exposing them to heat inside a car is not a recommended or reliable method for eradicating an infestation. Bed bug control typically requires a comprehensive approach, such as integrated pest management (IPM), which combines various strategies like thorough cleaning, vacuuming, heat treatment, and targeted insecticide application. Major Pest Control uses integrated pest management during their exterminations, which is one of the reasons why they guarantee their work, because it is an effective strategy!
Professional Pest Control
For severe bed bug infestations, it is advisable to consult a professional pest control company with experience in bed bug management such as Major Pest Control, owned by an entomologist – they are truly insect experts! They have the expertise, equipment, and knowledge to employ effective heat treatments or other proven eradication methods that target bed bugs at all life stages. Professional intervention ensures thorough and reliable eradication, reducing the chances of reinfestation.
Understanding Temperature’s Impact On Bed Bugs
While heat can be used to kill bed bugs and eggs, relying on a hot car, is not recommended. You will want to be certain of not just the temperature, but for how long that temperature can be maintained. If you would like to use an effective heat treatment for your infestation, contact a professional pest control company like Major Pest Control Calgary, and they will inspect your home, then create and implement a strategy to get rid of the bed bugs in your home – guaranteed.