How To Get Rid of and Kill Bed Bugs Without Chemicals

Infestation with Bed Bugs is a problem that has been in the news a lot, especially just recently; But how do you kill bed bugs and get rid of bed bugs that have infested your home or workplace if you do not want to use poisonous chemicals and pesticides? The answer is with steam.  Temperatures of around 125° will prove fatal to almost all insects. The great advantage with using steam to exterminate bed bugs is that the results are immediate – eggs and bed bugs are killed on contact.

Use a low moisture (termed 'dry vapor') steamer if possible as when treating mattresses and soft furnishings, drying could be a problem and you do not want to end up with mold growth. Use a large cleaning head so that the steam is not emitted at high pressure through a small nozzle – this is not the effect you are going for as this could result in the bugs being blown away by the force of the steam and if they do not all die, you could just be spreading the problem.

You must move the steamer head in close contact with all the surfaces you are treating – this is the only way to ensure that the bugs are treated with the highest possible temperature and make sure that they are killed instantly. Another tip I have read online suggests that the temperature of the steam emitted from the cleaner head can be raised by wrapping the head in a tea towel and by this means a temperature high enough to be lethal to the bed bugs and their eggs can be achieved several inches from the head which can help to ensure that 'difficult to get at' areas can also be treated effectively (obviously, you may have to replace the tea towel periodically as it becomes moist).

Use steam wherever bed bugs may lurk. The most likely areas include the floor under and around the bed, the bed itself, carpet edges, furniture and soft furnishings. You cannot use steam on polished wooden surfaces or on any item that might be damaged by the high temperatures generated – if in doubt, check with the manufacturer or test on a small inconspicuous area and allow to dry to test for colour-fastness before continuing.

Obviously using steam is a great way to sanitize and eliminate bed bugs and it avoids the use of poisonous chemicals and pesticides in your home or workplace. However, unlike the pesticide option for exterminating bed bugs, there is no residual protection – in other words, because there is not pesticide residue left in your home, there is no protection against re-infestation and you may have to repeat the treatment if eggs and/or bed bugs have been missed the first time. To make your steam cleaning treatment as effective as possible, you should also follow all recommendations about laundering bed linen, mattress covers and clothing from rooms affected by bed bugs. It is probably a good idea to purchase bug proof mattress covers and pillow covers which will ensure that your mattress and pillows do not become re-infested.

1. You MUST wear a respirator - this is NOT the same as a dust mask. Why do you need one if you are only using steam and not using any chemicals? Because the steam will vaporise any chemicals in the surfaces you are cleaning and may cause serious problems.
2. Choose a steamer that states dry steam - dry vapor steam is very important for reducing any potential for mold growth.
3. You need a steamer that produces a steam tip temperature of around 200 degrees or more in order to hit the bugs with a temperature in excess of 125 degrees which will kill them on contact. You can purchase an infra-red thermometer to check the surface temperature immediately after you have passed the steamer over it and it should register around 160 - 175 degrees.
4. Steam is DANGEROUS, obviously it is very hot so take extra care.
5. Look for a steamer with a large water reservoir to cut down on refills and a good warranty on the boiler.
6. VERY IMPORTANT - all information contained in this hub has been researched by me. I do not personally endorse, or recommend ANY product or products for the treatment or eradication of bed bugs but am passing on the recommendations from the results of my research.

• This model is sturdily built with attachments comparable to those found on commercial machines and a very good quality aluminium boiler that heats a tank of water in 10 – 15 mins (allow unit to cool for around 20 minutes before refilling the boiler).
• The Whitewing Vapor steam cleaner uses steam at 285°F to enable deep sanitizing cleaning and deodorising without using any chemicals.
• Steam cleaning is great for anyone who suffers from allergies or who prefers not to use chemicals for cleaning in their home as it helps to improve the indoor air quality in the home aHelps reduce allergies, improves indoor air quality, great for degreasing the kitchen and removing mildew and soap scum.
• This steam cleaner not only cleans by dissolving and emulsifying grease on contact but it also kills germs, viruses, bacteria, dust mites and bed bugs as well as molds and fungi.
  

• The Ladybug is a high end machine, safe, versatile and reliable and features a top quality stainless steel boiler (285° F, 58 PSI)
• This machine has been upgraded to include the new TANCS disinfection capability to enable you to disinfect while you clean.
• The Ladybug comes with extended warranty and $30 bonus pack of accessories for added versatility.

• The Enviromate steam cleaner allows for cleaning, sanitizing and deodorising, without using chemicals in our home.
• Built to be tough and reliable, the cleaner is equipped with high quality components including an 18/10 gauge steel boiler tank and a powerful 1450 watt water heater
• Safe in operation with automatic shut-off. Uses CSS technology (Continuous Steam System) to enable you to just refill the water tank when the low water indicator advises - without any waiting during operation.
• Comes with a 1 year warranty and an eleven piece accessory kit.

 Use this link to visit the Respirator Masks page where you can choose one suitable for you.

If you are looking for a natural way to get rid of bed bugs and would rather kill bed bugs with steam than use harmful chemicals and pesticides, a steam cleaner is a great solution.

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