You find yourself itching your legs a bit lately and can’t find the cause. You mention it in passing and you hear the dreaded words that you have been suppressing in the back of your mind: bed bugs. No matter how clean you keep your house, bed bugs are easily spread, especially for those who travel often. Once you confirm an infestation, you might find yourself rushing to determine how you can get rid of them — and quickly!
You might automatically consider one of the harshest chemicals that you probably already have on-hand: bleach. Luckily, Clorox kills bed bugs. However, it takes very specific, targeted contact in order for the bed bug to die.
At that, you might sacrifice the well-being of the materials and fabrics that surround the location of the attack. Worse, successfully killing one bed bug won’t rid of a probable infestation. Where you see one bed bug… there are likely plenty more nearby, hiding from your view.
Luckily, there are other tactics to rid of bed bugs effectively, both professionally and DIY.
Will Clorox kill bed bugs?
Yes. Clorox is one of the many bleaches that, when sprayed directly onto bed bugs, will kill them. Most harsh chemicals similar to bleach are strong enough to kill bed bugs.
If sprayed onto the infested surface, the bleach will not be as effective since bed bugs have the ability to hide. Bed bugs are also incredibly fast, so even direct contact is a challenge.
Bleach can also be hazardous to the fabric upon which it is being sprayed. Unless the attack is extremely narrow and targeted, the use of bleach to directly kill bed bugs is discouraged.
Will Clorox kill bed bugs and their eggs?
Although direct contact with bleach is powerful enough to kill bed bugs and their eggs, it will not prevent an infestation. Bed bugs usually hide in crevices or under mattresses, which is why they often go unseen by human beings.
So, while you can kill a couple of bed bugs that you see in the middle of the night crawling across your mattress, there might be hundreds more bed bugs on the flip side.
Why does Clorox kill bed bugs?
Clorox, or any type of bleach for that matter, kills bed bugs by oxidizing their body by the use of sodium hypochlorite.
The process is powerful enough to break down their shells’ components, slowly deteriorating their bodies and abilities.
Will bleach kill bed bugs in the washer?
Bed bugs will perish from the mix of harsh chemicals and hot water. However, as a result of those that are able to quickly hide within the washing machine prior to the cycle, an infestation could remain.
Will bleach kill bed bugs on hard surfaces?
Bed bugs do not prefer hard surfaces, however, should they somehow end up there, direct contact with bleach will kill them.
Bleach can be harmful to the hard surface itself, so be sure to review its compatibility with the surface material prior to spraying.
Will Clorox wipes kill bed bugs?
Since Clorox wipes contain bleach, they can be used to kill bed bugs if used as direct contact. However, Clorox wipes alone are not sufficient to rid of a bed bug infestation.
Does bleach kill bed bugs and fleas?
Diluted bleach kills both fleas and bed bugs. Even though you can spray a diluted bleach mixture in areas where fleas and bed bugs gather, it is not the most effective means of ridding an infestation since these pests can exist in hidden areas. The bleach can also be very damaging to your fabrics, furniture, flooring, and walls.
Can bed bugs survive bleach?
Bed bugs cannot typically survive bleach. The oxidation of their shells makes it extremely difficult to survive. However, since the chemical is so harsh to these little pests, you can imagine how damaging it could be to the user as well, so it’s not a recommended means of eliminating bed bugs long-term. Not only is inhaling the chemical unsafe, it can also unintentionally ruin your fabrics.
What can I spray on my mattress to kill bed bugs?
It is best to come into direct contact with bed bugs in order to eliminate an infestation. Spraying harsh chemicals on to your mattress is not only unsafe for both you and the fabric, it is largely ineffective in ridding of an infestation.
This is because bed bugs typically hide. They’re also extremely quick. Where you see a couple of bed bugs, unfortunately, there are hundreds more hiding in a crevice nearby. Direct contact is required in order to kill the entire infestation.
You can, however, safely spray diluted rubbing alcohol onto your mattress. It will not ruin the fabric. The only downfall is the potentially strong smell it leaves behind, but this could be covered with essential oils. Some essential oils are bed bug repellents, which helps.
What kills bed bugs instantly?
For those who prefer to try to rid of bed bugs themselves, an effective solution is a mix of rubbing alcohol with water. The alcohol kills bed bugs instantly.
It’s also helpful to use preventatives and repellents, such as essential oils. Bed bugs also do not like heat, so professional heat treatments can be used to rid of infestations. When conditions are cool and dry, they are considered ideal for a bed bug.
How can I prevent bed bugs?
Unfortunately, bed bugs are very easily spread. Frequent travelers are often victim to bed bugs. Hotels and public transportation services are hubs for these pests.
They can hitch a ride within your belongings, clothes, luggage, purse, etc. and humans are usually none the wiser since these pests excel at quickly hiding and making themselves cozy in crevices.
You can proactively use essential oils on your fabrics to repel bed bugs. Bed bugs are not fans of certain smells, such as lavender.
Should I throw out my mattress if I have bed bugs?
You never need to toss an entire mattress just because of bed bugs, even if you’d prefer to do so. In fact, tossing your mattress into the trash could actually cause the infestation to spread throughout your community. Bed bugs don’t like being outside and, once they are, they’ll find a way in.
You can treat the infestation with the use of professional extermination services or try some DIY methods. You may need to find another place to sleep for a couple of nights depending on which route you take, but all methods will surely amount to less than the cost and hassle of finding a new mattress.
How fast does bleach kill bed bugs?
It truly varies how quickly bleach can kill bed bugs. At times, bed bugs have perished instantly upon being sprayed with the harsh chemical.
However, it’s recommended that you give the spray 48 hours to truly dry and work its magic.
How do you get rid of bed bugs in one day?
Getting rid of bed bugs takes a lot of time, effort, and consistency. They spread so easily that you can kill them in one spot just for their infestation to spread to another area of your home. They are quite challenging due to their ability to hide and their rapid speed.
If you would like to rid of bed bugs in one day, it’s best to call the professionals. Exterminators can perform a heat treatment on the affected areas that can rid of bed bugs in one full day.
Most DIY methods can take days, and, at that, it’s difficult to confirm that all infestations have been rid of without the assistance of professionals.
What are some home remedies to get rid of bed bugs instantly?
Diluted bleach is an effective means of getting rid of bed bugs instantly, however, it is not recommended since it can be so damaging to the fabric or areas surrounding it. The use of excess bleach can also be hazardous to the user when it comes to the inhalation of fumes.
One of the safest ways to rid of bed bugs instantly is to dilute rubbing alcohol with water and use that to spray directly onto the pests. This usually kills them instantly. However, it will not rid of any hidden infestations.
Proactive repellents, such as essential oils, can also be sprayed on your preferred fabrics in order to prevent an infestation. They can also be used in the midst of their removal to help expedite the process. Hint: bed bugs hate the smell of lavender.
Final thoughts
Bed bugs are like certain types of cockroaches. They’re not the prettiest, they usually only come out at night, and, once you actually see one, you can be sure there are hundreds nearby. Luckily, there are plenty of natural repellents, such as essential oils, that you can spray on your favorite fabrics. Essential oils, such as lavender, not only repel pests, but they also encourage a restful night’s sleep.
If you don’t have the time, effort, or confidence going into your bed bug battle, it’s probably best to call the professionals. They are trained to go after the areas that bed bugs typically inhabit, and they know how to quickly and efficiently rid of them. Sometimes enlisting an expert helps you rest a bit more easily– no pun intended!