One experience with bed bugs is often all it takes to traumatize a victim into figuring out every way these pests can be prevented moving forward. From the use of natural repellents to your local pest control service, you might even rush to throw your most prized possessions into the safest areas you can imagine just to escape these gross little creatures.
You might even consider throwing them in the trash! As you toss your preferred spring wardrobe into a plastic bin and hope for the very best, you might find yourself suddenly wondering, “can bed bugs get into plastic bins?”
Most plastic bins are not air-tight, and bed bugs are able to pass through holes the size of the tip of a needle. They can manipulate a small opening thanks to their extremely flat bodies. As a result, bed bugs can get into plastic bins, unless the container is air-tight. If air-tight, bed bugs will not be able to enter (or exit!).
Can bed bugs live in plastic bins?
Bed bugs will ultimately starve in air-tight plastic bins. They will not suffocate since they can live on the amount of area left within the bin. They cannot, however, live after a year without a meal.
If not air-tight, they will sooner find a small hole to escape.
Plastic bins should primarily be used to protect your garments from bed bugs as opposed to providing a murderous atmosphere for the pests.
Bed bugs do not like having to climb or reside on smooth surfaces, so they would prefer to not inhabit a plastic bin. However, if the temperature conditions are ideal and there are garments to enhance their experience, bed bugs will gladly play house inside these bins.
Remember that the right temperature will allow a bed bug to live up to an entire year without having to feed. If comfortable, they will escape only to feed and then will return to their cozy atmosphere.
Can bed bugs get into plastic bins with lids?
Lids on plastic bins must be air-tight in order for bed bugs to stay out (or in). A gasket typically helps achieve this necessity.
If using a regular lid, there will likely be a gap large enough for bed bugs to pass through since they can fit their flat bodies through holes the size of a needle head. Worse, bed bugs do not even need to leave a plastic bin unless it’s for a meal, which could take an entire year.
Even in an air-tight plastic bin, if bed bugs are already inside, they are able to spend the duration of their life happily inside the bin with no food needed.
How do I keep bed bugs from getting into plastic bins?
Using plastic bins with air-tight seals or gaskets will keep bed bugs from being able to enter.
However, plastic bins with “regular” lids that leave even the smallest hole (the size of a needle head) will let bed bugs walk right in.
You could always wrap your plastic bin in plastic wrap to create an air-tight seal that will not allow bed bugs to enter or exit.
Also, know that air-tight plastic bins that already contain bed bugs will not cause them to suffocate. If anything, they will perish as a result of starvation, but this could take as long as a year.
Can bed bugs get into plastic bags?
Since plastic bags are usually open and bed bugs are able to pass through extremely minimal holes, yes, bed bugs can absolutely get into plastic bags. Even tied plastic bags will provide a hole small enough for these pests to get through. Bed bugs only need an opening the size of the tip of a needle in order to enter or exit!
However, they are not a fan of the material nor are they content to get cozy on such a smooth surface, so it’s not their preferred place. Bed bugs would much rather make house within comfortable clothing or soft bedding, which is how they earn their name.
Can bed bugs crawl on plastic garbage bags?
Bed bugs can crawl on any material, but they prefer not to be on smooth surfaces of any kind. Still, they can crawl across plastic garbage bags.
Bed bugs would much rather get cozy inside of clothing, bedding, or even the inside of mattresses.
However, when plastic wrap or plastic garbage bags are used in combination with plastic bins, you can significantly reduce your potential encounter with bed bugs.
How long can bed bugs live in a sealed container?
Bed bugs can go for a year without having to eat a single meal so, even if a container is sealed, they can survive with the air that remains for quite some time.
Worse, if the lid on the container is not actually air-tight, bed bugs will find a very small opening to use just to find a meal and then return to their preferred environment.
As long as that small opening exists, bed bugs can spend the duration of their lives within the plastic bin, which usually maxes out around a year.
Does plastic kill bed bugs?
Bed bugs can live for up to one year inside of a plastic bin or plastic bag. The temperature inside either atmosphere will determine how long the bed bug actually lives.
Even if the bin is air-tight, bed bugs can survive on the amount of air that remains in the bin. They will ultimately perish, but only as a result of starvation, not suffocation.
Since bed bugs can go for over a year without having to leave the bin for one single meal, it is a lengthy process to use plastic bin suffocation as a means of eradicating bed bugs.
Can bed bugs go through plastic?
Bed bugs cannot chew through plastic. They have no mouth or teeth. In fact, they do not actually bite you. They have a small straw for a “mouth” that extracts blood from your body and your body reacts accordingly, but there is no actual biting involved.
However, all it takes is a very minimal opening the size of the tip of a needle for a bed bug to migrate to another area of your home to make itself cozy.
Can you suffocate bed bugs in a plastic bag?
Bed bugs will not suffocate inside of a plastic bag. In fact, bed bugs cannot really suffocate at all. However much area remains in any sealed-off area is usually enough for bed bugs to thrive.
Chances are that, with any given plastic bag, when you tie it up or seal it, there will almost always be a very small opening that would still allow a bed bug to pass through.
In any sealed environment, as long as the temperature remains tolerable, bed bugs can survive for up to a year with the air that remains. If anything, they will eventually starve. Seeing as bed bugs can survive for up to a year without having one single meal, it would be a very lengthy process to utilize plastic bags as a means of suffocating and ridding of bed bugs.
Can bed bugs live in plastic toys?
Although they wouldn’t like to, yes, bed bugs have the capability of inhabiting your children’s toys. Fortunately, since they are probably used often, bed bugs have a hard time hiding in them or safely laying eggs.
It’s a different story if the toys are under your bed since bed bugs are more likely to be found around your mattress or soft bedding. Perhaps obviously, bed bugs prefer stuffed animals over plastic toys.
What kills bed bugs instantly?
Diluted rubbing alcohol has proven to be very effective in killing bed bugs. Diluted bleach is just as powerful, however, it’s not as safe. Rubbing alcohol is particularly impressive when mixed with hot water.
The alcohol evaporates quickly, which makes it a safe option for those seeking DIY methods. The hot water accelerates this process and also expedites the death of the bugs.
Can I wrap my mattress in plastic to kill bed bugs?
Unless you are able to create a fully air-tight seal around your bed with plastic, this is not an effective means of suffocating bed bugs. At that, bed bugs can still find enough air in an air-tight environment to survive for a while.
Bed bugs can live inside of plastic for as long as one year without needing one meal.
Final Thoughts
Air-tight plastic bins are a pretty effective means of protecting your preferred garments from a bed bug infestation. When air-tight, no small gaps exist for these pests to easily fit through.
If the bed bugs happened to be inside of the bin prior to its closure, the bed bugs will likely perish, but it can truly take an undetermined amount of time. Any bed bugs inside the bin will ultimately pass away, but from starvation, not suffocation.