The words ‘bed bugs’ is enough to make you cringe. If they’ve made their way into your home, you need to eliminate them as soon as possible. Leaving this issue unattended is not only uncomfortable, but it will also allow them to multiply and only make matters worse.
If you’re here, you’re likely dealing with them yourself and wondering, “Does sunlight kill bed bugs?”. There are several ways to kill these little monsters, and sunlight may be one of them.
Keep reading to learn whether or not sunlight is a feasible choice to get rid of these critters.
Do Bed Bugs Hate Light?
Bed bugs are not a fan of light and will hide when it’s daytime. When the sun falls, they’ll come out to feed on human blood. Therefore, if your mattress has become infested with them, you’ll most likely notice the signs of these creatures at night.
While they hate the light, they may feed while the sun is out if they’re hungry enough and there’s a resting host.
Can Direct Sunlight Kill Bed Bugs?
Direct sunlight is one of the ways to get these pests out of your bed.
They can’t survive under direct sunlight due to the high temperatures. This is why many people think leaving infested items outdoors will kill them. This isn’t always the case.
For direct sunlight to kill bed bugs, temperatures must be between 117 and 120 degrees. Unless you live in a state with extreme temperatures, this may not be the best choice. Also, these critters will look for hiding places where the heat can’t reach them.
Will Sun Heat Treatment Remove Bed Bugs?
Sunlight won’t kill them on contact. You’ll need to let the infected items sit outside for several hours in the sun’s heat. And, if the temperatures aren’t high enough, your efforts will be wasted. This is why if you have a bed bug infestation, the fastest way to get rid of them is by calling a pest control company.
How Does Heat Eliminate Bed Bugs?
When temperatures are high enough, the pests’ cells in their bodies don’t function properly. This causes them to stop working, leading to their death.
If you want to use the sun to kill them, we suggest putting your affected items like clothing or bedsheets in a black plastic bag. Seal the bags and keep them out during the hottest time of day.
The black color will attract sunlight, and the plastic will increase the temperature within. This will cause the bed bugs to heat up with nowhere to go for cover. Along with this, you’ll need to flip the bag frequently to prevent one side from cooling.
You can also conduct a heat treatment inside your home. If you choose this route, you’ll probably have to leave your home for a while as the temperature may be uncomfortable.
Say Good-bye To Bed Bugs!
Does sunlight kill bed bugs? Not quite. But killing these critters with heat treatment is possible. However, it will take some labor and time. Sunlight is an option but probably not the best choice. If all your efforts don’t work, call a professional.