Will Electric Blanket Kill Bed Bugs?

Sleepless nights, itchy skin, and red welts,bed bugs make even the softest bed a nightmare. If you’ve wondered, “Will an electric blanket kill bed bugs?” 

you’re not alone. Many assume that a little extra heat will solve the problem. But relying on this myth can worsen infestations and delay real solutions. Let’s separate fact from fiction,and explore what actually works.

• Don’t Rely on Electric Blankets: They don’t get hot enough to kill bed bugs.
  
  

• Watch for Early Warning Signs: Bites, stains, and shed skins often signal an infestation.
  
  

• Use Heat or Cold Properly: High heat (above 118°F) or deep freezing (below -13°C) can be effective.
  
  

• Combine Cleaning Methods: Vacuuming and steam work better together than alone.
  
  

• Try Natural Aids, But Don’t Depend on Them: Essential oils and powders help—but only as part of a bigger plan.
  

According to  WebMD  , bedbugs are small, wingless insects that feed on human and animal blood, often while people sleep.

These reddish-brown pests are about the size of an apple seed and hide in tiny cracks and crevices, making them hard to detect and eliminate. 

Bedbug infestations occur when the insects are accidentally introduced into a home—commonly through luggage, used furniture, or by migrating from nearby infested spaces in apartments or hotels.

Primary causes include:

• Travel : Hitchhike on luggage and clothing.
  
  

• Used items : Infested furniture or bedding.
  
  

• Shared living spaces : Spread from neighboring units in apartments or dorms.
  
  

• Clutter and hidden spaces : Provide ideal hiding spots for reproduction and feeding.

An electric blanket will not kill bed bugs. While heat can eliminate them, electric blankets don’t reach the necessary temperature. 

Bed bugs thrive at 70°F–80°F, which overlaps with typical blanket settings. Instead of killing them, the warmth may attract and encourage their activity.

• Unexplained Bites: Small, itchy red welts on your skin, often in a line or cluster, that appear overnight.
  
  

• Stains on Bedding: Rust-colored or dark spots on sheets or mattresses, which may be bed bug excrement.
  
  

• Shed Skins: Dry, empty bed bug shells or shed skins found near bedding or furniture.
  
  

• Strange Odor: A musty or sweet smell in the room, especially in severe infestations.
  
  

• Blood Spots: Small blood stains on pillowcases or sheets from crushed bed bugs.
  
  

• Eggs or Eggshells: Tiny white eggs or eggshells found in mattress seams or cracks.
  
  

• Visible Bugs: Live bed bugs spotted in mattress seams, headboards, or furniture joints.

Heat treatment is one of the most effective non-chemical ways to kill bed bugs at home, because it targets all life stages, including the eggs. 

When exposed to temperatures around 118°F, adult bed bugs die within 20 minutes, while eggs require up to 90 minutes. 

Whole-room treatments work by blasting heated air into infested spaces until every hidden corner reaches this “thermal death point.”

A University of Florida study confirmed heat’s power, noting that even bed bug eggs can’t survive long at 120°F. With the right setup, heat can outsmart bed bugs where sprays and powders often fail. 

Cold treatment is another effective way to get rid of bed bugs by exposing them to freezing temperatures that their bodies simply can’t handle. 

When infested items are placed in extremely cold conditions, typically below -13°C,for an extended period, it leads to 100% bed bug mortality across all life stages. 

One study found that bed bugs are freeze-intolerant, with eggs being the most cold-resistant, but still unable to survive below their supercooling point of -30.3°C. 

These findings support cold treatment as a reliable method to eliminate bed bugs completely when done correctly.

Vacuuming is a great start for tackling bed bugs, especially when focusing on mattress seams, carpets, and furniture cracks. 

While it doesn’t kill the bugs, it helps remove live ones and their eggs. For better results, use a vacuum with strong suction and a HEPA filter. 

After vacuuming, follow up with steam cleaning. Steam, when hot enough, above 160°F, can kill both bugs and their eggs on contact. 

Always vacuum before steaming to clear debris and allow steam to penetrate more effectively. 

Still, neither method alone will solve a full infestation, but together, they offer a powerful one-two punch.

Diatomaceous earth is a natural powder that kills bed bugs by cutting into their exoskeletons and drying them out. 

It's safe to use around kids and pets if you stick to food-grade versions and apply lightly along baseboards, mattress edges, and cracks. 

Unlike sprays, it doesn’t work instantly, it takes days for bugs to die after contact. It’s best used with other treatments, not as a stand-alone solution. 

While other powders like boric acid or baking soda are often mentioned, they’re far less effective. 

Diatomaceous earth remains one of the top non-chemical options for reducing bug numbers over time.

Certain essential oils can repel bed bugs by making surfaces less appealing for them to rest or hide. 

For example, compounds like geraniol, eugenol, citronellic acid, and carvacrol interfere with bed bugs’ natural behavior, causing them to avoid treated areas, even after 24 hours. 

According to Insects 2021, these natural repellents may not block feeding completely but show real promise in helping prevent infestations without harsh chemicals.

Mattress encasements trap bed bugs inside and prevent new ones from hiding within your bed. 

They starve any bugs already inside and keep your sleeping space cleaner and easier to inspect. 

It's important to encase both the mattress and the box spring for full protection. Furniture encasements work the same way, containing bugs in couches or chairs and stopping them from spreading. 

Make sure the encasement is tear-resistant and closes fully with a secure zipper. If installed incorrectly, bugs can escape and continue multiplying. Encasements are a smart, passive way to support your overall bed bug elimination plan.

Hiring a professional exterminator can save you time, stress, and repeated failures. Experts know where to look and use powerful treatments like heat, steam, and insecticides to wipe out both bugs and eggs. 

Prices range based on the size of your home and the severity of the infestation, but the investment often pays off with faster results. 

Reputable exterminators may offer follow-up visits and service guarantees. If home remedies aren’t cutting it, a professional can provide a thorough, targeted plan to fully eliminate the problem and help prevent future outbreaks.