Which method is effective for treating bed bugs?

Dry heat exposure at temperatures of 120-130°F for 20 minutes is effective for treating bed bugs because this method can effectively kill all life stages of bed bugs, including eggs. Bed bugs are vulnerable to heat; exposure to these temperatures for the specified duration disrupts their biological processes and ultimately leads to their death.

Using heat as a treatment method is advantageous as it can penetrate various materials—furniture, textiles, and cracks—where bed bugs may hide. It is essential for the heat to be maintained for the full 20 minutes because the temperature must be sufficient to ensure that it reaches the core of the infested items.

Other methods, such as cold exposure for just a few hours, may not consistently kill bed bugs, as it depends on the temperature and duration of exposure. Alternative treatments like natural remedies might lack the efficacy provided by precision heat treatments and generally do not guarantee the elimination of bed bugs across all life stages.