The question is about the fastest way to kill bed bugs in an unused bed. To get rid of bed bugs, you need to expose them to extreme temperatures. The thermal death point is a combination of time and temperature that leads to their death.

Bed bugs die when exposed to 113 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 90 minutes or 118 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. To kill bed bug eggs, expose them to 118 degrees Fahrenheit for 90 minutes. Higher temperatures can kill bed bugs faster, such as 131 degrees Fahrenheit in a few hours or 140 degrees Fahrenheit after a few hours for all stages of bed bugs.

Professional exterminators use whole-room heat treatments at a thermal death point of 113 degrees Fahrenheit and use industrial fans to disperse the heat for faster results. Some exterminators use steam techniques at temperatures of 160 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

DIY methods include using a household steam cleaner that reaches 130 degrees Fahrenheit, but it's better to have a professional exterminator perform steaming at higher temperatures.

Bed bugs can also be killed by exposing them to 0 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 3 days. Professional exterminators use devices that spray a snow-like substance made using carbon dioxide to freeze the bugs. DIY methods include sealing affected clothes and items in bags and storing them in a 0 degree Fahrenheit freezer for a few days.

These methods must be sustained for a certain period of time depending on the temperature point. Bed bugs can survive for as long as 4.5 months or more in an empty house before dying off completely. The primary factors that determine how quickly bed bugs die off are the existence of a blood meal host and the temperature of the house. Hiring a professional exterminator is recommended due to the risks involved and the need for sustained exposure.

Using 90 proof rubbing alcohol to kill bed bugs and their eggs comes with several risks. First, it's highly flammable, with a flash point of 53-57°F, which means it can easily ignite and cause fires or explosions in enclosed spaces. Prolonged skin contact can cause dryness, stinging, redness, and cracking.

Eye damage is another potential hazard due to splashes of rubbing alcohol. Inhaling the vapors can irritate the nose, throat, and lungs. Drinking or extensive skin absorption can lead to alcohol poisoning, causing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, dizziness, coma, or even death.

In terms of effectiveness, research shows that rubbing alcohol only kills around 50% of bed bugs and is less effective against their eggs. This means using rubbing alcohol may not be the most efficient option, and you might still have a bed bug infestation despite your efforts.

High concentrations of rubbing alcohol can be toxic to pets and contribute to groundwater contamination as hazardous waste. It can also damage various surfaces, such as staining or dissolving paints, varnishes, plastics, and other materials.

Given these risks and limitations, it's not recommended to use 90% rubbing alcohol for bed bug control. Instead, opt for EPA-approved pesticides specifically labeled for bed bugs or consider hiring a professional exterminator for severe infestations. Always follow safety precautions when using any pesticide and adhere to label directions for proper usage.

90 proof rubbing alcohol can indeed kill bed bugs and their eggs through direct contact. However, it's not very effective at reaching hidden areas where these pests often reside. Direct spraying only kills about 50% of bed bugs, and eggs and newly hatched nymphs are less susceptible to alcohol.

Alcohol evaporates quickly, so frequent reapplication is necessary for effectiveness. Moreover, rubbing alcohol is highly flammable and can cause fires if used near flames or sparks. The fumes from rubbing alcohol can be hazardous to breathe, so it should only be used in well-ventilated areas.

Rubbing alcohol can also cause skin and eye irritation, so direct contact should be avoided. Spot treating specific areas where bed bugs are seen is more effective than broad spraying. Use a spray bottle to apply the rubbing alcohol directly to the bed bugs without saturating the area.

Caution should be exercised when treating mattresses and furniture due to flammability risks. Treated areas should be allowed to fully dry before introducing flames or sparks. Rubbing alcohol does not effectively reach hidden bed bugs or eggs, and many may survive treatment.

Using rubbing alcohol can cause bed bugs to scatter and spread the infestation. Thorough and repeated applications of rubbing alcohol are necessary for best results. However, it should not be used as a standalone solution and should be integrated with other IPM methods for optimal control.

Professional help may be needed for heavy infestations. Always use rubbing alcohol safely and strategically, following proper usage tips.

Rubbing alcohol, with its 45% alcohol content, has low to moderate effectiveness against bed bugs and their eggs. Direct spraying can kill 40-50% of adult bed bugs, but they often hide to avoid contact with the alcohol. The effectiveness on bed bug eggs is even lower, with studies showing less than 20% kill rate.

Heat treatment is the most effective non-chemical method, killing all life stages at 120°F - 140°F throughout the entire structure. Diatomaceous earth (DE) is 70-90% effective on bed bugs and more effective on eggs.

Essential oil sprays like EcoRaider have a 95% kill rate but require direct contact like rubbing alcohol.

Professional chemical treatments with insecticides, such as Aprehend, are the most effective option, providing long-lasting protection for months after a single application. Integrated pest management, combining various methods like vacuuming, steam, isolation, and targeted insecticide use, is the best approach. For heavy infestations, fumigation by professionals offers the best results, with monitoring and follow-up treatments necessary.

Prevention is crucial to avoid major infestations. Regularly inspect used furniture, reduce clutter, seal cracks, and monitor for early signs of infestation. Despite its low effectiveness and fire risk, rubbing alcohol is not generally recommended by experts compared to other options available for bed bug control.

Yes, a fogger can kill bed bugs and their eggs, but its effectiveness is questionable. The pesticides used in bed bug foggers, such as synthetic pyrethroids like permethrin, are often weak and many strains of bed bugs have developed resistance to them. In fact, a study showed that bed bugs collected in the field had almost no reaction to permethrin-based bed bug foggers.

Bed bugs and their eggs often hide in hard-to-reach places called harborages, such as mattress seams, baseboard cracks, furniture cracks, under carpets, and behind outlet covers. Bed bug foggers can't be aimed at specific areas where the bugs and their eggs are likely to be hiding, so only a small proportion of the population is likely to be killed. Moreover, bed bug foggers can pose health risks including nose and throat irritation, difficulty breathing, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps.

Experts recommend using bed bug sprays that can be directly applied to areas where bed bugs are hiding. These sprays use higher concentrations of chemicals and are more effective and safer than foggers. Other recommended methods for eliminating bed bugs and their eggs include heat treatments and hiring experienced pest control professionals with specialized techniques.

While a fogger may kill some bed bugs out in the open when the fog is released, it is not an effective solution for eliminating an entire infestation or their eggs. Bed bug sprays, heat treatments, and professional pest control services are more targeted and effective solutions for bed bug infestations.