Do Bed Bugs Smell?

What do bed bugs smell like?

Bed bugs are hitchhikers that can attach themselves to people and their personal belongings. They use people as their means of transportation to homes and other places. Often, people can spot signs of a bed bug infestation in several ways including a peculiar odour. The smell of wet towels is often attributed to bed bugs. It is when the outbreak is large that this smell easily comes into play.

Other infestations sign includes

  • Blood stains and fecal stains on sheets and fabrics
  • Irritated skin from bites
  • Skin shed and eggs

Impact of bed bugs infestation

These small creatures can wreak havoc in homes and unsettle people. At night when they bite, they utilise an anesthetic in their saliva to numb the pain. They attack any exposed skin although they often prefer the neck and head. These tiny pests are not known to spread any disease although their bites can be uncomfortable. They can be difficult to control.

Detection and Removal

Bed bugs like other insects are equipped with a responsive defence mechanism. They use an alarm pheromone to enhance their movement in certain unfavorable situations.

What Temperature will kill bed bugs?

Changes in temperature are one thing bed bugs is sensitive to most times. But most times people often confused by which temperature can ideally kill bed bugs.

The simple fact is that only extreme temperatures can kill bed bugs and get rid of them. Natural temperature cannot harm these insects in any way. So, turning off heaters during winter seasons or keeping infested items outside on a hot summer day, won’t do any damage.

Utilizing extreme cold temperatures to eradicate bed bugs is a useful option. Put the infested object in a freezer and set It to 0oF or lower. Leave the infested item for a minimum of four days for the treatment method to be effective.

The temperature that kills bed bugs

Extreme temperatures of heat can also have a catastrophic effect on bed bugs. Adult bed bugs are killed at 119oF and eggs are killed at 125oF or more. If the infested object is suitable for treatment at these extreme temperatures, you can bake them in the oven for up to five hours to eliminate the bugs.

Safety should be the first point of call when deciding which treatment method to utilize.

The Entire Home Bed Bug Solution…

Extreme temperature treatment method is only effective on isolated cases. DIY temperature treatment method is not practical and feasible for home wide infestations. Only use temperature methods on items that won’t be damaged when subjected to such extreme temperatures of heat and cold.

Written by 

Hi, I'm Nicholas. My mission is to create and promote natural substitutes for toxic pesticides. I hope to prevent people, pets, and the environment from being negatively affected by potentially harmful pesticides. Here at Bed Bug Bite, I share my research and understanding of bed bugs with you. So that you can use safe solutions to defeat bed bugs!