Bed bugs are sneaky little pests that have high survival ability. These creatures have grown to develop resistance to pesticides and avoid toxic compounds. Can hydrogen peroxide put an end to bed bugs infestation?

What Is Hydrogen Peroxide?

Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent that has anti-bacterial, antiviral, and disinfectant properties. It can cause oxidative damage by producing free radicals when it comes in contact with biomaterial. The action of oxidizing ions can stop the spread of infection by destroying the pathogens. It can successfully inactivate germs.

Does Hydrogen Peroxide Kill Bed Bugs?

Yes, hydrogen peroxide is capable of killing bed bugs. It can kill all forms of this blood-sucking pest, such as eggs, larva, and adult bed bugs.

However, it is effective only when sprayed directly over the bed bug. It is still useful as bed bugs are stubborn creatures and do not die quickly by leaving them to starve or by suffocation. Additionally, there are a lot of precautions that you need to follow and take care of.

Keep reading to know how it works and what kind of precautions you need to follow to use it effectively on bed bugs.

How To Use Hydrogen Peroxide To Kill Bed Bugs?

As mentioned earlier, hydrogen peroxide must come in contact with a bed bug for killing it. It works by oxidizing the outer shell, i.e., their exoskeleton. It is a hardened shell with a protective waxy coating to keep themselves safe and hydrated.

Hydrogen peroxide breaches this protection, which leads to the rapid dehydration of bed bugs that eventually kills them. The process is quite similar to some bed bug powders in the market.

Precautions When Using Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide also has bleaching action, so you cannot spray it on surfaces that are susceptible to the action of bleach. You should not use it on your skin as it can irritate sensitive skin. Also, accidental ingestion is harmful and not recommended.

Therefore, by keeping in mind its benefits and its undesirable effects, it is not an effective solution for killing bed bugs though it can do so.

Better Ways Of Killing Bed Bugs

There are several other highly effective ways of killing bed bugs. You can use the below-mentioned methods to deal with bed bugs safely and successfully. However, please note that you can control the bed bugs using the below methods only when your home is not heavily-infested.

If you have a full-blown infestation, you must consider a professional exterminator. You may also consider tossing out the highly infested furniture or the mattress if you can afford it. Here are some safe, and probably more effective approach to killing bed bugs.

Steam Cleaning

Heat is an effective way of killing bed bugs. When you can subject bed bugs to heat above 119°F, they die instantly. Bed bug eggs, which are more sturdy, are destroyed at 130°F. Therefore, steam cleaning is effective in killing bed bugs as a steamer is capable of producing higher heat.

You can treat the bedbug-infested areas using high-pressure steam cleaners that are capable of producing extreme heat. Currently, it is the most effective method of getting rid of bed bugs.

Diatomaceous Earth

This abrasive dust is capable of scratching the protective coating that keeps the bed bug from drying up. It acts as a desiccant that dries up the bed bug. Though it is not a quick way of killing them, it is an eco-friendly way. It takes anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks for bed bugs to die using diatomaceous earth.

Bed Bug Spray

Bed bug sprays are capable of killing bed bugs effectively. They also offer protection for 2 to 3 weeks after spraying. Bed bugs have developed resistance to pesticides such as pyrethroids. Make sure that you choose effective sprays that contain advanced formulation and non-toxic ingredients that can effectively kill bed bugs.

Summary

There are many methods to kill bed bugs. Some are very effective but toxic, while some are not so useful but eco-friendly. This leaves only a handful of highly effective and environmentally friendly solutions.

Using two or more methods simultaneously gives you quick and effective results. Good luck in killing those nasty pests.