Even though bed bugs have proven to be very persistent in their infestation, there are reliable methods to eliminate them. Can bed bugs survive in a dryer? Is a dryer one of these reliable methods?
A dryer can be used for other purposes, but it is out of curiosity that I wonder how effective this gadget can be against bed bugs.
Can bed bugs survive in a dryer? Let us now find out!
Can Bed Bugs Survive in a Dryer?
Can bed bugs survive in a dryer? Yes, bed bugs can survive in a dryer. Most bugs are incapable of surviving under high temperatures that their bodies cannot take so they die, and the bed bug is not an exception either.
A clothes dryer produces heat that is way beyond the control of the bed bug’s body. Now, as the heat increases, the body of the bed bug tries to balance with this temperature till it cannot anymore.
Will putting pillows in the dryer kill bed bugs? Yes, of course, putting a pillow in the dryer will kill bed bugs. The dryer is in fact one of the simplest methods to eliminate these pests from your clothing (even pillows).
What makes the dryer very efficient is that it will not only kill bed bugs as adults but also eliminate them in all their life stages:
- Egg
- Nymph
- 1st instar nymph
- 2nd instar nymph
- 3rd instar nymph
- 4th instar nymph
- Adult
All of these life stages of the bed bug can easily be killed with a dryer as this gadget produces heat for an extended period of time, hence, reducing any chances of survival.
The time frame you use the dryer is very important as adult bed bugs may prove stubborn. So I’ll explain this with something I was taught in physics, Elasticity!
ELASTICITY is the ability of a stretched material to return to its original state (or form) after being stretched.
This implies that when the material is being overstretched, it gets to a point known as the breaking point. At this point, the stretched material can no longer return to its original form and is then deformed.
You’d discover that when heat is applied to infested clothing, the eggs and nymphs are more susceptible to being killed by the heat than the adults.
Applying elasticity as explained above to heat, you’d discover that when heat is applied, the Adult bed bug is able to withstand a certain temperature of heat and will still survive, and then you’d begin to wonder why.
Well, the heat temperature was not high enough to kill (stretch) the bed bug so its body can balance its temperature, and then it returns to normal (according to elasticity, it is not deformed).
But increasing the heat gradually makes the bed bug’s body unable to keep up with this temperature increase, and so the adult bed bug dies (according to elasticity, unable to return to its original state).
Increasing the temperature of your dryer to at least 54.44 degrees Celsius will certainly do the job.
Read also: Can Bed Bugs Survive In A Storage Unit?: Bed Bug Survival Chance
How To Use a Dryer To Kill Bed Bugs
It is one thing to have a dryer and it is another thing to know how to actually use it well. Below are steps on how to use the dryer to kill bed bugs:
- First, you must be certain that you are dealing with bed bugs and that you have your dryer from Amazon ready.
- Bed bugs are quick at spreading across clothings and rooms in the house so it is advisable that you separate the infested clothings from the rest and place them in a plastic bag to ensure that they do not escape.
- Before even drying, it is important that you wash infested clothing to ensure cleanliness. So move the infested items from the plastic bag into your washing machine and ensure that the temperature of the water is hot enough to kill the bugs.
- Now the process you’ve all been waiting for: the use of the dryer! So now you are ready to use the dryer, so do well to get your already purchased dryer and set the temperature to 54.44 degrees Celsius.
- The clothes should be in the dryer for about 30 minutes, and after that, you should have bug-free clothes.
- Fold the clothes and put them away in your box or where you store your clothes.
Read also: Can A Black Light See Bed Bugs?: The Power Of A Black Light
How To Prevent Bed Bugs From Infesting
You may have eliminated these bugs, but carrying out frequent preventive measures will definitely keep them away for long and prevent a re-infestation.
Below are ways to prevent bed bugs from returning:
- Regular inspection of your home for bed bugs and their hiding spots is one way to prevent these bugs from surging in your home, as you will be able to identify an infestation before it even spreads.
- Bed bugs are very good climbers and will easily crawl onto your furniture and accessories. It is therefore advisable to move some of this furniture from the walls to prevent bed bugs from easily climbing.
- If you are a frequent traveler, there is a high possibility that you may return home with this bug. It will be the right thing to do by always checking yourself and your luggage before and after your travels to ensure you did not transport these bugs as well.
- When washing, you’d want to ensure that your clothes are exposed to high temperatures to effectively kill these bugs and prevent an infestation.
Read also: Can Bed Bugs Get Into Leather Furniture?: Our 3-Way Removal Methods
Conclusion
A dryer has proven to be a resourceful way to kill bed bugs and permanently keep them away from your home and belongings, but then again, these bugs can be very persistent in their infestation.
In cases like this, it is always advisable to contact pest control experts to help you in your quest to permanently eliminate these bed bugs.
What do you think of the dryer? Do you think this item is really that effective? Let us know your thoughts via the comments section below!
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