Can A Hair Dryer Kill Bed Bugs? (How to Eliminate These Pests)

This question is asked by a lot of people who find it difficult to catch Z’s. So, I’ll be discussing whether or not you can use a hair dryer to kill these bed bugs!

Hold your horses — before we get to that, let us first discuss a few things about these bed bugs you still don’t know. Read along!

Also Read: Best Hair Dryers for Straightening Hair

Bed Bug Facts

Ideally, they’ll die if they’re exposed to high heat and high-temperature situations, but it’s not as easy as that.

According to Dini M. Miller, Ph.D., of the Department of Entomology at Virginia Tech, “the thermal death point is determined by two things; temperature, and exposure time.” [1]

You’ll be able to take them out if you expose them at constant temperatures under respective exposure times.

• 113 °F or 45 °C for 90 minutes or more.
• 118 °F or 47.8 °C for 20 minutes.

One sign that you need to take action is when you’ve already experienced a bed bug bite. [4]

EXPERT NOTE: For them to be die, the entire area/space where you suspect they are needs to have that temperature.

READ MORE: How to Remove Concentrator From Hair Dryer

Does a Hair Dryer Produce the Right Heat to Eradicate Bed Bugs?

Exposing them to this much concentrated heat can kill them, as long as the exposure time is constant.

That brings us to the question: would a hair dryer be able to get rid of them indefinitely? Given the heat they can provide, is it possible to terminate them using your hair blower?

Can a Hair Dryer Kill Bed Bugs?

Yes and no, it depends. Let me elaborate.

Yes, because there are hair dryers that can produce the recommended heat to kill these nasty insects. You can use hair dryers to kill bed bugs that are only on the surface of things.

And no, simply because the heat would not sip through crevices and tight spaces like wall cracks, under-carpets, a bed frame, etc. You can get rid of them on the surface. About the ones hiding — you won’t reach them.

So, hair dryers would only be effective for killing bed bugs that are on your pillows, bed sheets, and comforters.

However, those that are in steep and narrow spaces like mattress seams, underbed storages, and other spots, would survive.

I tried using this once to get rid of the bed bugs on my bed, and it was effective just for a night. The bed bug infestation was still there, and its nuisance continued.

So, what better option do you have to exterminate the pests lurking in your room at night?

READ MORE: Can a Blow Dryer Kill Lice?

How to Effectively Kill Bed Bugs?

My experience with bed bugs has not been pleasant. I needed to experience a bed bug bite multiple times before I resolved it.

I actually took the time to learn a few things to do the job with little effort, and luckily, I found them to be effective.

Here’s a video [2] discussing the best homemade tools to get rid of those nasty adult bedbugs! 

Let us approach the situation in two (2) ways: treating items that have been infested and treating areas and spaces that have been infested. Let me break it down for you.

You can always use an insecticide for the job. However, this will require you to evacuate the area for a few hours until the chemical smell of the product is gone. Use other, more effective options instead!

QUICK NOTE: Needless to say, before you push through with treatment, you need to clean the things/items first by washing them with mild, anti-bacterial detergent.  

CHECK: Can a Hairdryer in Bathtub Kill You?

Treating Infested Items and/or Things

Here are some things I consider effective to be able to treat bed bug-infested things and items and effectively get rid of them:

1. Hair Dryers

Would we go on with the list without including hair dryers? — Of course not!

Remember, they’re only effective for the surfaces of items; or areas where the nozzle of the dryer can cover the entire space.

2. Clothes Dryer

For children’s clothing, toys, and other items that you can’t spray insecticide on, using a clothes dryer would be the second-best thing to do.

Set the dryer on “high,” and then start to sterilize the items by placing and putting them inside.

3. Portable Heaters (Heating Device) 

Heating devices such as ceramic heaters, heat bulbs and lamps, as well as other equipment, can also be effective in exterminating these bed bugs.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Make sure that the heating device reaches the temperature required to kill these critters.

4. Flat Iron 

A flat iron can be an effective means of destroying bed bug hiding spots under your sheets. Thanks to its high heat output and optimal temperature, it can effectively kill bed bugs!  

5. Alcohol

Last, but most definitely not least, is alcohol. According to experts, you can use alcohol to kill and indefinitely exterminate these critters [3].

Direct contact of bed bugs with alcohol will instantly kill them. This also includes their eggs!  

Check out this video:

@ceithgriffith

How to kill bedbugs #cartricksandtips #isitworhthemoney

♬ original sound – Ceith Griffith

Treating Infested Spaces and Areas

Can’t find their hiding spots? Here are some safer alternatives to the insecticide that you can try and be your own pest control operator!

1. Specialized Heaters

These devices are among the best and most effective machines you can use to exterminate an army of bed bugs.

Set the heater close to the hottest or maximum temperature and leave it on inside the area for about two (2) hours. Turn the device off and wait for the heat to escape the room.

NOTE: Take extra precautionary measures as space heaters can possibly cause fires.

Say goodbye to that unpleasant, musty odor from their scent glands!

2. Steam Machines

A safer alternative would be steam machines. They’re less likely to cause a fire, plus your room would be disinfected, too!

Start the steaming process immediately because this is the extermination process that takes the longest — about three (3) to four (4) hours.

3. DIY Room Heaters

If you have devices that can effectively heat rooms up, you can use that to your advantage! They don’t necessarily have to reach 120 °F, about 110 to 115 °F would do — it’ll just take longer!

Also Check: How To Curl Hair With Blow Dryer?

FAQs

In case you still have bed bug questions, here are a few of the most frequently thrown questions regarding the topic.

Final Thoughts – Would You Use Your Hair Dryer to Kill Bed Bugs?

So, can a hair dryer kill bed bugs? Yes, they can, but only on surfaces that it can cover. Using them for a room or for a large area wouldn’t be as effective as how you want it to be.

Get the right bed bug treatment you need without the help of a pest control company by following our guide! 

References

• 1. Miller D. Using Heat to Kill Bed Bugs [Internet]. Available from: https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/bb-heat1.pdf
• 2. BedBugSupply. How to Kill Bed Bugs With Household Items [Internet]. YouTube. 2015 [cited 2019 Dec 15]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjZxUk8heZA
• 3. Stanborough R. Does Rubbing Alcohol Kill Bedbugs: Yes, but Is It Worth the Risk? [Internet]. Keith Fisher J, editor. Healthline. 2019 [cited 2022 Jan 27]. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/does-rubbing-alcohol-kill-bed-bugs#:~:text=While%20isopropyl%20alcohol%2C%20known%20as
• 4. Dunkin MA. Bedbugs – Signs of an Infestation & How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs [Internet]. DerSarkissian C, editor. WebMD. 2020. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/bedbugs-infestation

Can a hair dryer kill bed bugs? Let us know your opinion below!