15 DIY Bed Bug Heaters (Cheap & Easy to Use)

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If you have ever dealt with a bed bug infestation, then you can attest to it that it’s a horrific experience. Bed bugs are the most resilient pests. Once they set foot in your home, your life is thrown into disarray.

It all begins with long sleepless nights where you turn and toss in bed as they wreak havoc on your body. Given that it is extremely hard to see them during the day, the infestation can go for a while before you notice it. And by the time you realize it, they will have multiplied.

When you see a bed bug crawling across your bedroom’s carpet, know that there are many more hidden out of plain sight.

Bed bugs hide pretty well. However, they like to stay near their hosts. That said, bed bugs will hide around your bed. These include the tag of your mattress, cracks of your bed frame, headboard, box spring, and seams.

In a heavily infested room, you’ll undoubtedly see some signs of bed bugs. These signs are reddish, rusty stains on your beddings and dark spots, which are usually excrement, pale yellow skins.

Depending on the level of infestation, you might see live bed bugs when changing your bedsheets, or cleaning a room. Also, you are likely to find them on your couch, curtains, and the seams of your chairs. Before you start seeing bed bugs, you may encounter itchiness, inflammation, and peculiar bite marks on your skin. In case this is already happening to you, then there is an infestation of some sort. And if what you are going through coincides with what we have described so far, it is a bed bug infestation.

Now that you have a clue of what you might be dealing with, you need to move fast and get rid of the bed bugs, before it turns into a full-blown infestation. But before you do that, there are a few things you need to understand about these pesky creatures.

Killing bed bugs requires a lot of patience and determination. Why? Bed bugs are hardy pests that don’t die easily. Even more worrying, most insecticides will not kill bed bugs. These little vampires have, over the years, become resistant to insecticides.

Some insecticides may kill bed bugs upon direct contact. And even so, bed bugs hide in cracks and crevices that are difficult to access. This way, the insecticides may not penetrate such hideouts and eliminate them.

Does this make killing bed bugs an impossible task? Certainly not. Pest control experts have found out that you can use heat to kill bed bugs. Heat treatment is the most effective method of eradicating a bed bug infestation. These pests can’t stand high temperatures. So, if you can heat a room that is infested with bed bugs to about 120 degrees Fahrenheit, you will kill them within a few hours. The best part is that no matter where they are hiding in your house, there is a way to kill them with heat.

Heat treatment can be deployed to kill bed bugs in several forms. For instance, steam heat will kill bed bugs hiding in furniture, carpets, and headboards. Portable dryers and DIY heat chambers are effective in killing bed bugs that hide in household items. Large heat chambers are ideal for treating infested furniture. And professional systems are well suited for rooms and other structures.

Unlike other less effective bed bug treatment methods, heat treatments have more advantages. First off, this treatment isn’t toxic. Apart from that, it’s quite thorough. Heat treatment not only kills bed bugs in their different stages of development but also kills their eggs. This brings the infestation to a halt and restores the much-needed comfort in your home.

Moreover, you don’t have to hire a pest control expert. With the right heat treatment equipment, you can eradicate the bed bug infestation in your household quite easily. While at it, ensure that you expose the bed bugs to about 113 degrees Fahrenheit for 90 minutes. But when you expose them to 118 degrees Fahrenheit for 90 minutes, you’ll achieve 100% mortality, and effectively contain the infestation.

When it comes to heat treatment equipment, you can buy a portable heat chamber. This is a tested and proven heat treatment system that performs exemplary well. You can also rent a bed bug heater. The heat treatment option to use depends on your budget.

In the next section, we will list for you 15-bed bug treatment packages that may come in handy during an infestation. Read on, and you’ll find a package that can work well for you.

Bed Bug Heat Treatment Packages

1. ZappBug Oven 2 Bed Bug Heater (Dual Heaters)

The ZappBug Bed Bug Heater is an effective bed bug killer. With a heat of up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, this heating system will kill bed bugs in all their life stages. It helps kill bed bugs hidden in clothing, books, and so on.

To increase its effectiveness, the manufacturers have installed dual heaters. It’s easy to set up as it allows you as the user to operate it with the utmost ease. It can also be used as both a bed infestation prevention and treatment measure.

Additionally, this bed bug heater has ample space to accommodate two suitcases, nightstands, a fully packed closet, and clothes.

For maximum effectiveness, this bed bug killer depends on excellent airflow. You should, therefore, not put your belongings too close to its walls as you might compromise its effectiveness. With automatic timers, the system shuts itself off once the treatment process is complete.

2. ZappBug Room Bed Bug Heater

This is a huge bed bug heater with an impressive 280 cubic feet of space. This is enough room to accommodate 50 PackTites. What’s more, is that you can use this system to treat your couch, bed frame, mattress, and any other household item that fits in it.

The heater makes your work extremely easy. You don’t need to think about what to heat, and in which order the items will follow each other. You can also treat most of your belongings at once. All you need to do is gather all your belongings, put them in the heater, and get the timer going.

What makes this bed bug heater effective is that it has 4 fan heaters. Each one of these heaters comes with a timer. Wireless thermometers are also strategically placed in the Room to ensure the ideal heat is distributed evenly.

With superb insulation, this heater is safe and efficient. For maximum effectiveness, you should arrange all your small house items on organizers such as racks.

According to experts, bed bugs die in a minute after exposure to 120 degrees Fahrenheit of heat. This bed bug heater can heat up to 155 degrees Fahrenheit killing bed bugs and their eggs.

3. Tri-Flo 120 Square Foot 110 Volt 20 Amp Bed Bug Heat Treatment Kit

When it comes to killing bed bugs, heat treatments are undeniably the most effective solutions. They are not only vigorous but also quick. Nonetheless, setting up a heat treatment heater can be quite daunting. Luckily, the Tri-Flo heat treatment systems are user friendly. Besides being ETL certified, these bed bug heaters don’t require extra electrical equipment to get the job done.

This system comes with a robust metal body heating unit. It also has a reliable circulation fan.

With the Tri-Flo system, you don’t need fuel and generator. You only need one plug per heater to get the treatment process going. Furthermore, it is a cost-effective and safe bed bug killing system.

4. Tri-Flo 325 Square Foot 220 Volt 30 Amp Bed Bug Heat Treatment Kit

If you want to get rid of these pests from your home entirely, you have to kill the bed bugs, their nymphs, and destroy their eggs. This isn’t something that you can achieve with any insecticide. But with heat treatment, you can definitively eradicate bed bugs from your home. The Tri-Flo 325 Square Foot Volt 30 Amp Bed Bug Heat Treatment kit is exactly what you need to quell a bed bug infestation. This kit will help you save time and money that you might spend on replacing furniture if you left the infestation unattended.

This kit comes with a simple and portable design that is ideal for homeowners.

It is made in the USA and has earned an ETL-certification after meeting the highest pest control standards. You can treat any room that’s at least 325 square feet with this heat solution.

Hotel owners losing money due to bed bugs can also invest in this bed bug heater and restore their business reputation.

With a single 220 volt, one 15 amp circulation fan plug, and a 30 amp plug per heater, it is an efficient kit that can end the bed bug menace affecting your home.

5. Tri-Flo 325 Square Foot 110 Volt 20 Amp Bed Bug Heat Treatment Kit

Tri-Flo bed bug heaters continue to offer the best solution in eliminating infestations. This effective non-chemical solution is lethal enough to deliver a 100% bed bug mortality rate.

It is made with replaceable UL-recognized parts for easy repair. After setting it up, you will only need a few minutes to kill bed bugs hidden in different locations of your house.

You don’t have to throw away your furniture due to an infestation as this kit will get rid of all the bed bugs for you. The kit is suited for rooms that are 325 square feet and less.

6. Tri-Flo 325 Square Foot 110 Volt 15 Amp Bed Bug Heat Treatment Kit

A bed bug infestation will disturb your peace. Every member of your household will dread going to bed at night due to the physical and psychological torture inflicted by these stubborn bloodsuckers. For a hotel owner, your occupancy level drops drastically. Some of your clients may even sue the hotel because of the harm caused by bed bugs. In case you’ve seen some early signs of bed bugs on your premises, you need to get rid of them as quickly as possible.

Bed bugs can never withstand high temperatures. This is where heat treatment comes in. The Tri-Flo 325 Square foot 110 volts 15 amp bed bug heater will help you cover as much ground as possible. It is a single plug heater treatment solution that kills bed bugs and their eggs. Also, you can set it up and operate it effortlessly.

Given that this kit is ETL certified, its safety and effectiveness is on another level. Its results are satisfying for homeowners, property owners, and hotel managers.

7. Tri-Flo 500 Square Foot Combo 220 Volt 30 Amp Bed Bug Heat Treatment kit

With a 500 square foot room coverage, the Tri-Flo 500 Square Foot heat treatment kit is arguably one of their largest bed bug heaters. As a proven form of bed bug treatment, you can use this kit to quell a massive bed bug infestation before it gets out of hand.

It comes in a portable design, allowing you to move it from one room to another hassle-free. You can even carry it from one location to another. Business owners can use it to combat an infestation in their premises and get their businesses running smoothly.

8. Bed Bug Block Heat Package

In your battle against bed bugs, you need to use an effective weapon. Otherwise, these little vampires will take over a household or a business and force you out. To prevent that from happening, you have to react quickly and in the best way possible.

The Bed Bug Block Heat Package can get you the results that you so much desire. It is perfect for single rooms, which are about 200 square feet.

Moreover, this bed bug heater will kill all bed bugs, including nymphs and eggs. It is both power and budget-friendly.

Some of its best features include a thermostatic control, an inbuilt timer, and a CFU internal fan. This equipment is a worthy long-term investment for you as a homeowner or business owner. To use it properly, follow all the manufacturer’s instructions.

9. Fiscal Elite Bed Bug Heat Package

A heat treatment solution with wider room coverage saves you time and reduces the cost of eliminating bed bugs. The Fiscal Elite Bed Bug Heat Package is a treatment system that covers up to 400sqft at 110 volts.

It is designed as an affordable do-it-yourself bed bug solution. It’s suitable for hotel owners and homeowners who are on a budget. With this equipment, you’ll win battles against bed bugs each time.

10. Home Bed Bug Heat Package

High air movement bed bug heaters have exceptional effectiveness on bed bug eradication. The Home Bed Bug Heat package happens to fall within this category. It boasts of a 500sqft room coverage.

For average home settings, it is the best solution in regards to efficiency and power. This bed bug heater comes with an extra fan to boost air circulation within a room. If you have been trying to get rid of this mulish pests without success, this package could be your savior.

11. Bed Bug Heat Master Package

Most people feel ashamed of calling pest control professionals to help exterminate bed bugs from their premises. They wonder what the neighbors are going to think.

As you can see, a bed bug infestation will affect you in many different ways. Having the knowledge and equipment to stop a bed bug infestation can save you from the embarrassment and shame associated with bed bugs. The Bed Bug Heat Master Package can help you squash a bed bug infestation without drawing any unwanted attention. The best part is that you can do it yourself.

The bed bug heat master package isn’t a sophisticated system. You can set it up in 5 minutes and get going. You probably won’t need an extra hand when doing it. It is an exemplary 110-volt bed bug heater that suits commercial and home use. This system can save you a lot of money in terms of extermination expenses. On top of that, it is durable.

12. Bed Bug Heat Super Sale Package

Most people would rather hire a professional exterminator than invest in a bed bug heater. But the cost of exterminating bed bugs using heat treatments depends on many factors. For instance, some professionals are likely to charge a lot of money for bed bug removal in a single room.

If you own an apartment block, this can translate to thousands of dollars. What you might not know is that you can find an affordable bed bug heat treatment package. The bed bug heat super sale package will not cost you much. You can use it to eliminate bed bugs in the whole block, room by room. And it will turn out to be quite economical.

In terms of efficiency and power consumption, this system is befitting for rooms that are up to 450sqft. Assembling it is extremely easy. It comes with various sensors, thermometers, and lighted power codes. And when it comes to killing bed bugs, it doesn’t spare their eggs and nymphs.

13. ePro 400 Electric Heat Bed Bug Package

The ePro Electric Heat Bed Bug Package is versatile in the sense that you can choose the number of fans you want. However, with each additional fan, the price goes up.

This bed bug heater comes with a powerful heating unit. And this makes it ideal for hotel rooms, apartment blocks, and homes. With the Air Mover 4000, expect this heater to kill all the bed bugs in your house within a short time. Eight hours is enough time for it to squash a bed bug infestation.

The heater weighs about 38 pounds. This makes it portable. When it’s done killing bed bugs, you are advised not to get into the room just yet so that it can cool off. It also tends to be more efficient in small rooms.

14. DIY 400 Bed Bug Heater Package

The DIY 400 Bed Bug Heater Package is another excellent heat treatment solution. Its standard version doesn’t come with additional fans. But you can get one with a few additional fans depending on your budget. More fans translate to faster treatment. With a production of 3500 cfm airflow, you can expect 100% bed bug mortality. Within 8 hours, your bedroom should be free of bed bugs.

15. Eliminator Elite Electric Bed Bug Heater

The last package is the Eliminator Elite Electric Bed Bug Heater. It is a 120-volt bed bug heater that covers up to 300sqft of occupied rooms.

Among its best features include a safe automatic extermination process. Once you put your belongings in it and switch it on, you don’t have to stick around, and closely supervise the process.

Its automatic sensor shuts it off when the process is complete. The heater can easily heat up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, thus eliminating any chances of the bed bugs surviving.

This is a high performing heater. But cold weather, inadequate power, and poorly insulated rooms can compromise its performance.

Bed Bug Heater Rental

Many people debate about the cost of heat treatment. Usually, the cost will vary depending on the professional you hire. The size of your property also matters. For those who own apartment blocks, hotels, or massive homes, you are likely to pay per room.

For DIY, you can buy your heat treatment equipment or rent one.

Can you rent bed bug heaters?

Heat treatment is a safer bed bug elimination method. It also has a high success rate. Nevertheless, the equipment may be expensive. Renting a bed bug heater is possible for anyone who doesn’t want to own one. Several commercial outlets rent out heat treatment equipment. You can always rent one, use it for a few days, and return it.

How much does it cost to rent a heater?

Many factors come into play when you want to rent a bed bug heater. In case you are wondering how much it costs, it is not as clear cut as you would expect. Different companies have different rates. The size of your property, the duration you want to use the equipment, and the type of equipment that you require also matters. For example, a hotel owner would pay more than an average homeowner.

Can a hairdryer kill bed bugs?

A hairdryer is among the tools that you can use to kill bed bugs at home. Even so, killing bed bugs with a hairdryer may be an uphill task. It is easy to use it on the bed bugs that you can see. But the fact that these notorious pests hide in their harborages, you’ll have to find a way to open up the hideouts and blow in hot air.

Within 30 seconds of exposure to heat from a hairdryer, the bed bugs will die. Forcing a card or knife into the cracks and blowing hot air in between can also work. However, this method won’t be effective where there is a widespread infestation.

Can I turn my heat up and kill bed bugs?

To kill bed bugs, you need a controlled heat that’s about 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Turning on your home’s thermostat, or even leaving the oven open will not kill bed bugs. Heat treatment is a bed bug elimination process that entails placing heaters at different points of a room strategically. Even heat distribution is the ultimate objective of this process. It is a dangerous process, and anyone who takes part in it needs protective gear. Further to that, once the temperatures reach an optimal point, it is regulated.

Do bed bugs heaters really work?

According to pest control experts, bed bug heaters are the most effective bed bug killers. How do they achieve this? Electric heaters heat a room to about 120 degrees Fahrenheit and bed bugs can’t stand the heat. After a few minutes, their bodies begin to dry up, and they die. The nymphs and eggs are also not spared during the process

How do I get rid of bed bugs permanently?

Getting rid of bed bugs is difficult. There is always a possibility of re-infestation a few days after heat treatment. This method doesn’t have residual activity. And even though heat treatment remains to be the most effective bed bug eradication method, other residual activities such as fumigation are required. The application of a residual insecticide on the borders of the treated area will keep bed bugs at bay.

Heat Treatment for Bed Bugs Preparation Guide

Before conducting heat treatment in a bedbug-infested property, you have to prepare it for the exercise. Poor preparation may hamper the effectiveness of the treatment. So, to achieve a 100% bed bug mortality rate, do the following things;

Clean the property

Remove all the clutter from the room you want to treat to create space for the bed bug heaters. Vacuum all the rooms you intend to treat and empty your garbage baskets as well as the vacuum bags. Also, put all the clothes in washing baskets.

Bed bugs are likely to hide in things that you have packed away, including stacks and piles for long. For this reason, ensure that you don’t pack the washing baskets tightly. This is important because you want the heat from bed bug heaters to penetrate such areas.

Identify and remove heat-sensitive household items

The heat emanating from bed bug heaters may damage heirlooms, heat sensitive items, and other valuables. You want to get these out of the way before treatment commences. Here is a comprehensive list of all the items that you should remove from your household before treatment;

Potted plants
Cosmetics
Medicines
Liquor, wine, and alcohol bottles
Carbonated drinks
Oxygen tanks
CDs and DVDs
Perfumes and aerosol tanks
Musical instruments and related equipment
Paintings

Items to leave behind for the bed bug heat treatment;

When deciding on which items to leave behind, focus on bed bug harborages. These are places where these little vampires are most likely to hide.

Leave all furniture and mattresses in the rooms undergoing treatment. The chances are that bed bugs are hiding and thriving in such areas
Bed bugs also hide in electronics such as stereos, DVD players, and TVs. It is important to check if the electronics you intend to leave behind can withstand 130 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit of heat. If the directives on any electronic item suggest otherwise, remove it from the room. Bed bugs love to hide in large electronics. These must remain in the room during the entire heat treatment session

Identify specific items that must be treated

All items that you put in lockers and other places that can harbor bed bugs need treatment. Remove them and prepare them for a thorough heat treatment session
Get rid of all bed bug-infested items that can’t withstand the heat treatment. Don’t donate such items as this may transfer the infestation to other residences. Also, don’t sell these items
Remove all linens that are not being treated and have them washed in a laundry mat at high temperatures

What to expect after bed bug heat treatment session

Refrain from entering the room for about 6 hours after treatment
As a result of heat treatment, the rooms may feel a little bit warm, even after they are ready for re-entry
You are likely to encounter some dead bed bugs. Just vacuum them

Follow up treatment

After bed bug heat treatment, a follow-up treatment is necessary to prevent re-infestation. Some bed bug eggs and larvae could have escaped unscathed after the first session.

Spraying an insecticide with residual material will also help keep bed bugs at bay. If you follow this guide, you can consider the heat treatment as successful.

Commonly asked questions

Can a regular heater kill bed bugs?

A regular heater will not kill bed bugs. First off, it is incredibly difficult to distribute heat from a regular heater in a room evenly. And the moment bed bugs start feeling the heat, they’ll go deeper into their hideouts. The chances are that they will successfully hide from the heat.

There are special heaters that are specifically made to kill bed bugs. Such heaters kill bed bugs that are hidden on your furniture, baseboards, and cracks in the walls.

How long does it take to kill bed bugs with heat?

According to scientists, bed bugs’ thermal deaths occur at 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Bed bugs die within 90 minutes of constant heat exposure at 113 degrees Fahrenheit. If you crank the heat up to 118 degrees Fahrenheit, bed bugs die within 20 minutes. Note that you need about 6-8 hours to kill all the bed bugs in a room.

Do bed bugs like heating blankets?

Bed bugs like all types of beddings, including heating blankets. They hide in these blankets, but they don’t live on them. Bed bugs are much comfortable when hiding within their host. A heating blanket doesn’t have unbearable temperatures to scare the bed bugs away. This means that despite having a heating blanket, bed bugs will still hide in it, and bite you.

Does rubbing alcohol kill bed bugs?

Rubbing alcohol will unquestionably kill bed bugs. Isopropyl alcohol kills bed bugs in two ways. Since alcohol is a solvent, it eats away a bed bugs exoskeleton. The alcohol’s dissolving effect eventually kills the bed bugs.

Rubbing alcohol is also lethal to bed bugs because it plays the role of a desiccant. This means that it dries bed bugs bodies, killing them in the process. But in case you are tempted to think that rubbing alcohol is the silver bullet against bed bugs, it is not. Why? Alcohol will only kill bed bugs through direct contact. And given that bed bugs are hiding champions, rubbing alcohol isn’t a sustainable solution in eliminating these tiny bloodsuckers.

Does washing and drying clothes kill bed bugs?

Washing and drying clothes in the hottest dry cleaning conditions recommended will kill bed bugs. For some clothes, you may have to run the dryer for about 30 mins so that you can kill the bed bugs.

If you suspect that you are from a bed bug-infested area, remove and put your clothes in a plastic bag immediately. This will prevent these pests from moving around your apartment. Wash and dry your clothes as described above before arranging, or hanging them in your closet.

What don’t bed bugs like?

There several things that bed bugs don’t like. The first one is extreme heat. Bed bugs will take off when the temperatures rise beyond a certain level. These bloodsucking pests also don’t like scents and aromas that emanate from diatomaceous earth, lavender oil, and pepper powder. Apart from heat treatment, you use these substances to protect your home from a possible bed bug infestation.

Can sunlight kill bed bugs?

With a little help, direct sunlight can kill bed bugs. Wrapping some household items such as sofas with a black plastic bag and exposing them to sunlight can kill bed bugs. The heat from the sunlight trapped inside the plastic bag will kill both the bed bugs and their eggs. This is ideal during the summer months. However, you might need several days to completely get rid of bed bugs.

Is heat or chemicals better to kill bed bugs?

Over the years, bed bugs have developed resistance against insecticides. Insecticides take a longer time to kill bed bugs and are largely ineffective. The same can’t be said about heat treatment as it takes a few hours to kill bed bugs. Aside from that, bed bug heaters are non-toxic and harmless to human health. Bed bug heaters also deliver a 100% bed bug mortality rate. You can’t get such results when using chemical solutions.

Pest control experts recommend heat treatment as the best bed bug treatment method. This is because insecticides are not only harmful to the user’s health but also ineffective. If you resort to using heat treatment to eliminate bed bugs from your premises, ensure that you also apply strong bed bug insecticide on the borders of your property after heat treatment to avoid re-infestation. And with the help of either of the above DIY bed bug heaters, you will be sure to get rid of these harmful pests successfully.