In my years tackling pest problems, I’ve seen countless homeowners turn to DIY methods before calling in the pros. Lysol, salt, bleach — you name it, someone’s tried it on bed bugs. But one solution that keeps coming up is rubbing alcohol.
Many homeowners often ask me if it’s as effective as chemical pesticides. It’s a fair question, given how persistent and troublesome bed bugs can be.
In this article, I’ll cut through the myths and give you the real scoop on rubbing alcohol and bed bugs. We’ll look at its effectiveness, how it stacks up against other treatments, and whether there are any risks you should know about. Let’s get to the bottom of this common home remedy and see if it’s really up to the task.
How Does Rubbing Alcohol Work Against Bed Bugs?
Rubbing alcohol contains a high concentration of isopropyl alcohol, which gives it strong drying and disinfecting abilities.
This allows rubbing alcohol to kill bed bugs in two ways:
- As a desiccant: The alcohol evaporates moisture and dries out the waxy outer layer of a bed bug’s exoskeleton. Without this protective coating, bed bugs are more vulnerable and prone to dehydration.
- As a repellent: Rubbing alcohol has a pungent odor that bed bugs dislike. They tend to avoid areas where the smell is present.
These properties are similar to some commercial bed bug pesticides. Powder desiccants like diatomaceous earth also dry out bed bugs. Sprays may contain repellent ingredients to deter bed bugs from nesting in certain areas.
However, homemade rubbing alcohol treatments are not as strong as professional products designed to kill bed bugs.
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Is Rubbing Alcohol Effective At Killing Bed Bugs?
Unfortunately, rubbing alcohol is not very effective against bed bugs compared to professional products.
In studies, direct spaying killed around 50% of bed bugs. The alcohol odor and residue also did not strongly repel them from treated areas.
There are a few reasons why rubbing alcohol does not work well:
- The concentration is too low. Store-bought rubbing alcohol contains around 70% isopropyl alcohol. Higher concentrations of around 90% work better.
- Bed bugs have resistant exoskeletons. The waxy coat protects them from drying out easily. Eggs are also immune.
- It does not last long. The alcohol quickly evaporates, limiting exposure time for bed bugs.
- Bed bugs must contact the alcohol directly. Lingering smells or residues left behind do not deter them.
Overall, rubbing alcohol can kill some bed bugs, but it will not remove a full infestation. Eggs and newly hatched nymphs deep inside cracks and crevices will be difficult to reach.
Overall, rubbing alcohol can kill some bed bugs, but it will not remove a full infestation. Eggs and newly hatched nymphs deep inside cracks and crevices will be difficult to reach.
- On direct contact, rubbing alcohol can kill bed bugs almost instantly, usually within 15 to 30 seconds.
- However, this rapid action only occurs when the alcohol directly touches the bed bug’s body.
- For bed bugs not directly sprayed, the effects may take longer or not occur at all.
- It’s important to note that while alcohol can kill quickly, it doesn’t provide lasting protection. Once it evaporates, which happens rapidly, it loses its effectiveness.
- Eggs and nymphs hidden in cracks or crevices may not be affected at all, which is why alcohol alone is not a comprehensive solution.
Remember, while the immediate kill time might seem impressive, the overall effectiveness of alcohol in controlling a bed bug infestation is limited. Professional treatments, which use more potent and longer-lasting methods, are generally more reliable for complete eradication.
Dangers of Using Rubbing Alcohol Yourself
While rubbing alcohol is readily available and affordable, there are some risks to using it as a DIY bed bug treatment:
- It can spread bed bugs further. Alcohol will irritate bed bugs and cause them to scatter, looking for new nesting areas. This scattering can spread the infestation to more rooms.
- Fire hazard. Rubbing alcohol is extremely flammable, especially in high concentrations. Take extreme care if applying it around potential ignition sources.
- Skin and eye irritation. Prolonged exposure can dry out and damage the skin. Rubbing alcohol can severely irritate the eyes.
- Inhalation risks. Breathing in too many alcohol vapors is dangerous. Work in a well-ventilated area.
- No residual effects. Once dried, rubbing alcohol leaves nothing behind to continue killing bed bugs over time. Eggs may hatch and reinfest.
For these reasons, it is generally safer and more effective to hire a licensed exterminator for bed bug removal.
More Effective Ways To Remove Bed Bugs
Instead of relying on rubbing alcohol, use an integrated pest management (IPM) approach that combines several proven methods to get rid of bed bugs completely:
- Inspections to find all bed bugs. A pest pro will use tools like a flushing agent and a thermal camera.
- Targeted applications of stronger pesticides. Licensed chemicals like Aprehend and Crossfire are more lethal to bed bugs. These products keep killing for weeks or months after application.
- Heat treatments. Heating infested rooms and belongings to lethal temperatures kills all stages of bed bugs.
- Freezing treatments. Lowering temperatures below 0°F also kills bed bugs. You can freeze Items in cold storage units.
- Fumigation. Sealing off and flooding a whole building with lethal gas is the strongest treatment for severe infestations.
Combining methods like pesticides, heat, and fumigation is the most effective way to remove bed bugs. Rubbing alcohol alone just cannot match the thoroughness of professional bed bug removal.
Final Thoughts on Rubbing Alcohol and Bed Bugs
Rubbing alcohol does have some pesticide-like properties to repel and kill bed bugs. However, it is not very effective when used by homeowners compared to commercial bed bug sprays.
The low concentration, quick evaporation, and lack of residual effects mean rubbing alcohol will only kill some adult bed bugs on contact. It does not remove entire infestations. There are also safety risks to using large amounts indoors.
If you encounter a severe bed bug problem, hiring a pest control company is the smartest and safest solution. Licensed bed bug exterminators have access to stronger products and proven treatment methods that will get rid of bed bugs permanently.
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FAQs About Killing Bed Bugs With Rubbing Alcohol
The typical 70% rubbing alcohol concentration available in stores is not strong enough to eliminate bed bugs. Studies show concentrations of 90% or higher, when applied directly, can kill about 50% of bed bugs.
However, this method does not guarantee complete eradication.
The correct method for applying rubbing alcohol to kill bed bugs is to spray it directly onto bed bugs in areas where they hide, such as along baseboards, in cracks and crevices, on mattresses, and on furniture. Rubbing alcohol is only effective while it remains wet.
Rubbing alcohol evaporates quickly and kills bed bugs while the liquid is still wet. Once the alcohol dries, it loses its effectiveness and does not provide any lasting protection.
To achieve longer-lasting results, consider using alternative sprays designed to remain potent for weeks.
Rubbing alcohol is harmful to pets because it irritates paws and skin. Also, it is toxic if ingested. To ensure the safety of your pets, it is essential to keep them away from areas treated with alcohol.
For pest control in a pet-friendly environment, it’s advisable to consult with a pet-safe exterminator who can provide effective solutions without endangering your pets.
Using rubbing alcohol alone is not a reliable method for eradicating an entire bed bug infestation. It may kill some of the bed bugs it comes into contact with, but it won’t address all infestation points.
For a comprehensive approach to bed bug elimination, it’s recommended to combine various methods and consult a professional pest control service.
While it’s possible to spray alcohol on your mattress, I don’t recommend it for several reasons:
- Fire hazard: Mattresses are flammable, and alcohol is highly combustible. This combination poses a significant fire risk.
- Limited effectiveness: Alcohol evaporates quickly, so its killing power is short-lived. It may not penetrate deep enough to reach all the bed bugs hiding in the mattress.
- Potential damage: Repeated alcohol use can deteriorate mattress materials, especially foam.
- Inhalation risks: Sleeping on a mattress recently sprayed with alcohol can lead to respiratory irritation.
- Incomplete treatment: Spraying the mattress alone won’t address bed bugs in other areas of the room.
Instead, consider using mattress encasements specifically designed for bed bug control, and consult a professional for safe, effective treatment options.
In my experience, cleaning with vinegar and water is not an effective method to kill bed bugs:
- Limited efficacy: While vinegar can kill bed bugs on direct contact due to its acidity, it’s not potent enough to remove an infestation.
- No residual effect: Once the vinegar solution dries, it doesn’t continue to kill or repel bed bugs.
- Inadequate penetration: Vinegar and water can’t reach bed bugs hiding deep in cracks, crevices, or inside furniture.
- Eggs unaffected: Vinegar doesn’t effectively kill bed bug eggs.
- Potential damage: Repeated use of vinegar can damage some surfaces or fabrics.
While cleaning with vinegar and water can help with general hygiene, it’s not a reliable bed bug control method. For effective bed bug elimination, it’s best to use targeted treatments recommended by pest control professionals, such as heat treatments, specialized pesticides, or a combination of approved methods.
