Cold treatments is one of the method you should know to control a bed bug infestations. Often underrated, professionals use cold techniques with excellent results.
To be effective, it is important to use the correct temperature and treatment times. Our article will also show you when and where it is best to kill bedbugs with cold treatments. So make sure to read till the end to find out complete information.
Table of Contents
Method #1 – CRYONITE
This is one of most effective cold treatment to get rid of bed bugs. The snow generated kill bedbugs in a second. You can count on this technique to kill bed bugs in almost all stages of life.
Advantages
- The treatment can be carried out even on vulnerable surfaces
- Can be done on any type of surface
- No toxic chemicals
- 100% organic technology use CO2 snow
- Dry ice do not any form of the mess by involving dry ice
- Safe on fragile objects
- Kill Bed bugs instantly
Drawbacks
- Cryonite might not reach couch recesses or areas requiring deep penetration
- It might not effectively work with substantial piles of clothing
- You must have Cryonite training formality done to perform the treatment
How does it Work?
- It uses freezing characteristics of liquid CO2 to eradicate all types of insects, including bed bugs.
- The equipment works by turning the liquid CO2 into dry freezing ice at -110°F (-79°C).
- And this dry ice provides a lethal temperature to kill bed bugs effectively and safely.
You can expect all bed bugs to die immediately after the dry ice contact. Bed bugs are not accustomed to surviving such harsh cold temperatures.
So the dry ice pressure spray using Cryonite is enough to keep bed bugs at bay.
Should it be Done by the Professionals?
No, but here a few things you should know:
- Handling Cryonite equipment requires a proper training.
- The equipment is also quite expensive for a one time use.
This is why the Cryonite system is not intended for single use but for someone who needs such equipments at large scale. It is best suited for hotels, hospitals, movie theaters or businesses that regularly receive the public. Staff can be trained to control recurring infestations.
However, you can perform the procedure by renting out the device for a specified time.
When to Use?
Sometimes, bed bugs are hiding in electronic appliances and kitchen equipments. That is when you can confidently use the Cryonite method as it is safe to do so.
It is highly unsafe to apply heat processes when it comes to the presence of bed bugs inside electrical appliances.
- Cryonite system uses dry ice to strike down all types of bed bugs on immediate contact.
- And dry ice is wholly safe for almost all fragile household objects.
Safety Concerns
There are some safety concerns when performing the Cryonite method. It is important to safely carry the cylinder with the equipment.
- The CO2 cylinder that is connected with hose & trolley is about 25 kg. It has a substantial weight when we combine trolley and hose alongside. Disconnect the cylinder from trolley & hose when carrying.
- You will have to keep the cylinder from falling as it can explode.
- The individual will have to avoid exposed skin contact with the targeted surface. As dry ice can drop the temperature of targeted surface making it harmful for exposed skin.
- If you are undertaking Cryonic treatment in a closed room, then ensure taking breaks to avoid suffocation.
Method #2 – FREEZER
| Lethal Temperature | Lethal Duration |
| 3.2°F (-16°C) | 3.5 days |
| -4°F (-20°C) | 48 hours |
This is a slow-paced method for killing bed bugs under a specific temperature requirement. The process can take a couple of days to ensure the death of all bed bugs.
The freezer method is best when you have no access to professional bedbug treatment equipment. It can complement a heat treatment.
Advantages
- You can treat items that are not compatible with heat methods such as fabric, shoes, picture frames
- No toxic chemicals
- It doesn’t provoke health risks or allergies
- Free to use when you have a freezer
- This freezer method is very clean
Drawbacks
- Need a couple of days to be effective
- Your freezer’s usage will be limited during the time of this process
- Some hot regions might impact the freezer’s working efficacy to reach 0°F (-18°C) (extremely low temperature)
- Not practical for big items because they should fit in the freezer.
How to do?
The process is simple as it sounds.
- Locate the affected items
- Seal the items in a plastic bag
- Place the bags into the freezer
- Observe 0°F (-18°C) temperature or below inside your freezer. You can check the temperature with a thermometer
- Start counting four days after your freezer reaches the required temperature mark
- The freezing process will bring ice formation inside bed bugs, and ice will cause them lethal injuries
- You can get back your items after the four days
That is the overall working of the freezer method to get rid of bed bugs safely.
When to Use?
You can’t use a steamer or pesticides on every items infested by bedbug. On the other hand, many items can survive freezing temperatures. The freezer method avoid damaging those items:
- clothes (that aren’t suitable for excessive heating and dryer)
- shoes
- books
- frames
- picture albums,
- Electronics without LCD screen
Therefore, if you notice signs of bed bugs inside such an item, you can rely on the freezer method. It will take some time, but you receive results without creating a mess.
You should not put in the freezer electronics items with LCD screen, items that may be damaged if condensation occurs and items with liquids inside.
Why Cold Treatment Is Underrated?
There is a debate of people’s opinions about killing bed bugs using cold as it might not be effective.
Insects are generally resilient against cold temperatures because of cold fluid inside their bodies. So, most people might not subscribe to the idea of using cold to exterminate bed bugs, but that’s not all.
Many people aren’t aware that bed bugs can’t survive low temperatures like 0°F (-18°C) or below. So when we apply cold methods to kill bed bugs, we actually achieve some very promising results.
- Killing bed bugs with cold are very safe and practical at the same time.
- There are no harmful chemicals involved when we kill bed bugs using cold methods
- Conducting cold treatment methods is safe on all surfaces and objects
Cold Methods VS Heat Methods
Both methods are highly effective in completely rooting out bed bugs. But there are some points to remember as we compare heat and cold processes to exterminate bed bugs.
So let’s discuss these points for both ways below!
| FEATURES | KILLING BEDBUGS WITH COLD | KILLING BEDBUGS USING HEAT |
| Way of Execution | To freeze bed bugs causing lethal injuries | Heating bed bugs to death |
| Killing Duration | Cryonite method can kill immediately while freezer method can take up to 4 days | The steamer can kill bed bugs on contact |
| Safety | Freezer is safe to use. Precaution might be taken to do the Cryonite method. In both case the treatment do no cause subsequent risk. | Heating methods can cause serious burns if carried out without prior knowledge |
| Caution | You can carry out cold methods on almost all objects and surfaces | Some objects can’t endure excessive heat, so they must be avoided |
Cold Methods VS Pesticides
Now let’s compare a conventional bed bugs treatment method (Pesticides) and a cold method to kill bed bugs. There are many health risks and other complications involved with the pesticide treatment method for bed bugs. So you must be aware of the following issues as we discuss the use of pesticides for bed bugs.
Resistance against Pesticides
Many medical types of research took place to demonstrate the immunity level of bed bugs. In the past, bed bugs have shown high resistance against almost all types of pesticides.
So there is a population of bed bugs that is resilient to pesticide treatment. That is the reason why non-chemical methods are in significant consideration these days.
Bed bugs don’t have resistance against cold, unlike chemicals. Freezing bed bugs will undoubtedly kill them.
Professional Aid is required
In some cases, people treat bed bugs with pesticides without seeking professional aid. And that can make things even worse if the process carried out is non-directed.
Besides, this incorrect treatment can also lead bed bugs to hibernate or disperse, making things worse.
Health Risks
There are many health risks involving pesticide treatment. When the process is being carried out, the people who enter or leave the place are susceptible to a number of health complications.
That can include headaches, breathing problems, cancer, and nausea, for example.
You can’t use powered pesticides anywhere as they can cause serious health risks. Make sure to cover the area that is inaccessible for children.
The cold treatment eliminates bed bugs by freezing them to death (without using harmful additives like chemicals).
Need for re-treatment
Pesticides won’t clear away eggs to avoid infestation again. Therefore, you will have to repeat the treatment after some time.
Zone of application
Cold methods are more reliable as they can be carried out on any surface, unlike pesticide treatment. You no longer have to restrict the area of treatment as ice methods are entirely safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cold temperature kills bed bugs?
You need to have 0°F (-18°C), to trap bed bugs for at least 4 days. You can put the objects in a plastic bag that you can store in a freezer for a couple of days.
This freezing temperature develops ice inside bedbugs’ bodies. So they eventually die with lethal injuries along with their eggs and nymphs.
Can you kill bed bugs with cold air?
If you are referring to the idea of placing bed bugs in cold climatic conditions, then it might not properly help. You will eventually have to contain these insects inside an artificially cold environment like a freezer.
Moreover, the temperature doesn’t drop to 0°F (-18°C) in all parts of the world. So the idea isn’t practical if we look this way.
Do colds kill bed bugs instantly?
Yes, you can use a cryonic treatment that generate snow at -110°F (-79°C) and kill bedbugs instantly.
It is generally easier to kill bedbugs with a domestic steamer. The steam pressure exhibits 212°F (100°C), enough to get rid of bed bugs and their eggs.
Does Cold Repel Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are likely to hibernate if they are exposed to cold temperatures. They will hide to warm places to sustain energy.
Besides, cold temperature might not kill them instantly but it would certainly make a difference.
Do bed bugs go away on their own?
You always have to take necessary precautions against bed bugs. If temperatures do drop significantly, bed bugs will enter a hibernation-like state but will not go away permanently.
Bed bugs can hibernate and survive without feeding for months.
The treatment methods must be carefully observed as a single bedbug survival can lead to a disaster again.
What is rapid freeze treatment for bed bugs?
We are talking about Cryonic treatment that sprays dry ice to kill the bed bugs immediately. Basically, it is a RapidFreeze device that converts liquid CO2 into dry ice, and this dry ice promotes a lethal impact on bed bugs at contact.
Can bed bugs live in the cold?
Bed bugs can absolutely survive in cold temperatures, but not for long. These insects like to hibernate when they face such a challenging weather situation.
They will find their way in the places like, gaps inside couches, upholstery, and mattresses.
How long can bed bugs survive in the cold?
Any prolonged extremely cold conditions can ultimately kill bed bugs. If the temperature is equal or below to 0°F (-18°C) for four consecutive days, they will undoubtedly die.
Can bed bugs freeze to death?
Freezing bed bugs can only occur if a really low temperature is maintained for a few days. Most freezers usually don’t reach the temperature this low. So it is better to complete a check using a digital thermometer.
Final Thoughts
The idea of killing bed bugs with cold has evolved powerfully with raising awareness among the public. Cold methods are highly effective with no chemicals involved. Now you will be able to get rid of these blood-sucking creatures safely and effectively.