Does Hot Water Kill Bed Bugs? What Works And What Doesn’t

Dealing with a bed bug infestation can be exhausting, and if you're waking up with itchy red marks, you're probably wondering if there's a simple solution. One question we often hear is: Does hot water kill bed bugs? The short answer is yes, high heat is lethal to bed bugs. But there's more to it than tossing your sheets in the washer.

Let’s break down how hot water fits into an effective bed bug treatment plan and when it’s time to consider more serious options.

Key Takeaways

• Hot water can kill bed bugs, but only at temperatures above 120°F, and it’s most effective when followed by high-heat drying.
• Washing alone won’t solve an infestation; bed bugs often hide in areas like box springs, bed frames, and wall crevices.
• Steam cleaning and diatomaceous earth are helpful DIY tools, but thorough coverage is key.
• For widespread or persistent infestations, professional heat treatment is the most reliable solution.

Can You Kill Bed Bugs with Hot Water?

Yes, hot water can kill bed bugs, but it has to be hot enough. Bed bugs, including their eggs and nymphs, die when exposed to temperatures of 120°F or higher for several minutes. That means using your washing machine on the hottest setting is a smart first step for treating infested items like sheets, pillowcases, and clothing.

Just remember: it’s not about warm or lukewarm water. You need high temperatures to make a difference.

How to Use Hot Water to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Getting rid of bed bugs is not an easy task, so take your time and make sure to follow the steps listed below if you want to use hot water. Washing and drying are your best friends. Here’s what you should do:

1. Gather infested items: Clothing, bedding, curtains, anything soft that’s safe to wash.
2. Transport in a sealed plastic bag: This helps prevent spreading bugs to other areas.
3. Wash in hot water: Use the highest heat your washer allows.
4. Dry on high heat: Dry items for at least 30 minutes. The dryer is often more effective than the washer because of the extreme temperatures.

Don’t skip the dryer. Even if your washer doesn’t reach bed bug-killing temps, the heat from the dryer can pick up the slack.

What Hot Water Won’t Do

Here’s the catch: Hot water only works on items you can wash. That leaves out:

• Your box spring
• The bed frame
• Baseboards, headboards, and wall crevices
• Furniture you can’t throw in the washer

If bed bugs are hiding in hiding places like these (and they usually are), then washing your clothes alone won’t solve your bed bug problem.

Other High Heat Options: Steam and Professional Treatments

When you need to go beyond laundry, steam cleaning is a solid DIY option. A good steamer reaches high heat levels that can penetrate deep into mattress seams, cracks, and crevices. Just be thorough; missing a few bed bug eggs can set you right back to square one.

For larger infestations, heat treatment from a professional pest control company is often the most effective method. These treatments heat the entire home or room to kill bugs at all life stages, including eggs. No need for guessing if you missed a spot.

What About Other DIY Methods?

In addition to hot water, some people try:

• Diatomaceous earth: This powder scratches and dehydrates bugs. It's great around baseboards, behind your headboard, and in floor crevices.
• Vacuuming: Use a strong vacuum cleaner, and don’t forget to seal and toss the vacuum bag afterward.
• Encasements: Sealing mattresses and box springs with tight covers keeps bugs from hiding or escaping.
• Bleach: It can kill bed bugs on contact, but it’s harsh, smelly, and can damage fabrics and surfaces. Use with caution and only on non-porous areas.

Just avoid bug bombs and over-the-counter insecticides. These often scatter bugs deeper into your home or make the infestation worse.

If DIY steps aren’t cutting it, it may be time to escalate your approach.

When to Call an Exterminator for Bed Bug Control

If you're still seeing bed bug bites, or if bugs keep showing up after your best DIY efforts, it’s probably time to call in a professional pest control service. At Native Pest Management, we use targeted bed bug treatment strategies that go beyond the surface, so you don’t have to keep guessing.

Bed bugs multiply quickly, and missing just a few can turn a small issue into a major bed bug infestation. If the bugs are in your furniture, bed frame, or walls, professional help is your best bet.

Final Thoughts

So, does hot water kill bed bugs? Yes, it does, but only when used the right way. It's a valuable step for handling infested laundry, but it’s not a complete fix. Combine it with heat treatments, diatomaceous earth, and, if needed, a call to your local pest control service for bed bug control.

If you're in South Florida and still dealing with bed bugs, you don’t have to handle this alone. We’ve helped countless homeowners get back to sleeping comfortably. Without bites, without stress, and without guesswork.

Contact us today and let us help you figure out what’s going on and build a plan that works for your home. Because the only thing worse than bed bugs is not knowing what to do about them.