Heat: adults 94.8 min at 45 °C and dead on reaching 48.3 °C; eggs about 7 h at 45 °C, 71.5 min at 48 °C, dead on reaching 50 °C (Kells & Goblirsch 2011). Cold: 80 h at −16 °C, 48 h below −20 °C; recommended 0 °F for at least 3.5 days (Olson et al. 2013); 3 weeks at −7 to −10 °C (Rukke et al. 2017). Dryer: 30 minutes on high heat (University of Minnesota).
What temperature kills bed bugs?
Bed bugs die when their bodies reach about 45 °C (113 °F) and stay there long enough, or when they are held below freezing for days. The EPA puts it simply: "Bed bugs die when their body temperatures reaches 45°C (113°F)". The research adds the crucial detail — time:
- Heat, adults and nymphs: 99% die after about 95 minutes at 45 °C, and all die as they reach 48.3 °C during a slow warm-up (Kells & Goblirsch 2011).
- Heat, eggs: about 7 hours at 45 °C, 72 minutes at 48 °C, or immediately at 50 °C (122 °F) (Kells & Goblirsch 2011).
- Cold, all stages: 80 hours at −16 °C, 48 hours below −20 °C, or almost instantly at about −31 °C (Olson et al. 2013). The practical recommendation is 0 °F (−17.8 °C) for at least 3.5 days.
So what temperature kills bed bugs? Any temperature from about 45 °C up, or −7 °C down, if it's held long enough; the hotter or colder, the shorter the wait. What temp kills bed bugs in practice is decided by the temperature inside the mattress seam, suitcase or pile of clothes, not the air around it. The calculator gives the time for any temperature.
The same question comes in many forms — what temperature kills bedbugs, what is the temperature that kills bed bugs, what temperature kills a bed bug, what temperature can kill bed bugs, what temperature will kill bed bugs — and the answer is always a pair: a temperature and a time.
At what temperature do bed bugs die?
At what temperature do bed bugs die quickly? In heat, from about 48–50 °C. What temperature do bed bugs die at all? Adults and nymphs die within a day at 40 °C (Drenski 1928, via Johnson 1941), and a review puts the upper limit for short exposures of eggs, nymphs and adults at 40–45 °C (Benoit 2011). What temperature does a bed bug die in the cold? Below about −7 °C, given weeks; below −16 °C, given days. Whether you ask what temp do bed bugs die, at what temp do bed bugs die, at what temperature does a bed bug die, at what temperature does a bedbug die or bed bugs die at what temp, the table and calculator answer it for heat and cold.
Bed bug temperature chart
The calculator's scale bar is a bed bug temperature chart: it marks the sourced thresholds from 20 to 60 °C for heat and from −35 to 5 °C for cold, and shows where your temperature falls.
What heat temperature kills bed bugs, and how long it takes
What heat temperature kills bed bugs? The best modern data come from a University of Minnesota study designed to mimic professional whole-room heat treatments, where temperatures rise slowly (Kells & Goblirsch 2011). Older studies fill in the cooler end:
| Temperature the bugs reach | Adults and nymphs | Eggs | Calculator uses (adults / eggs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 °C (104 °F) | Killed within 24 h (Drenski 1928) | Survived 24 h (Mellanby 1935) | 24 hours / not lethal |
| 41 °C (105.8 °F) | 24 h | Killed by 24 h (Mellanby 1935) | 24 hours / 24 hours |
| 43 °C (109.4 °F) | Half die by this point in a slow warm-up (Kells & Goblirsch 2011) | 1 h: none died (Mellanby 1935) | 24 hours / 24 hours |
| 45 °C (113 °F) | 99% dead after 94.8 min (Kells & Goblirsch 2011) | 99% dead after 428.5 min, about 7 h (Kells & Goblirsch 2011) | 95 minutes / 7.1 hours |
| 48 °C (118.4 °F) | Dead by 48.3 °C in a slow warm-up | 99% dead after 71.5 min (Kells & Goblirsch 2011) | 95 minutes / 72 minutes |
| 50 °C (122 °F) | Dead on reaching it | Dead on reaching it; no nymph survived (Kells & Goblirsch 2011) | on reaching it / on reaching it |
The calculator uses the nearest tested temperature at or below yours, so its times are on the safe side: at 47 °C it gives the 45 °C times. What heat temp kills bed bugs for certain? 50 °C at every hiding place, or 48 °C held for at least 72 minutes, which is the minimum Kells and Goblirsch recommend for whole-room treatment. So what temperature heat kills bed bugs depends on how long you can hold it — and what temperature of heat kills bed bugs fastest is 50 °C and above.
How long at 120 °F to kill bed bugs?
120 °F is about 48.9 °C. Adults and nymphs die as they reach it, but eggs need about 72 minutes at 48 °C (Kells & Goblirsch 2011). So hold 120 °F for at least an hour and a quarter, measured inside the item, to kill eggs too. A presentation of the same work in Fahrenheit listed 113 °F as needing about 90 minutes for adults and 7 hours for eggs.
Bed bug heat treatment temperature
The bed bug heat treatment temperature targeted by companies is 45–52 °C, and "the air-space within a heat treated room may approach 55 to 65 °C" so that heat reaches the bugs inside furniture and walls (Kells & Goblirsch 2011). Professionals use temperature sensors to find places that haven't reached 50 °C and keep heating those. So what heat to kill bed bugs in a whole room is far higher air heat than the bugs need, because insulation slows the warm-up — one reason this is a job for professionals.
What temperature kills bed bugs instantly?
What temperature kills bed bugs instantly? There's no truly instant point you can reach at home, but the research gives these "on reaching it" thresholds:
- 50 °C (122 °F) and above: Kells and Goblirsch (2011) say treatment can stop "once ≥50 °C is achieved in all sites where bed bugs may hide". Some eggs hatched at 50 °C but no nymph survived, and no survival was seen above 50 °C.
- 45 °C for minutes kills nymphs: older studies found 5 minutes at 45 °C kills nymphs (Blacklock 1912) and that 1 hour at 45 °C killed every egg (Mellanby 1935) — but the slow-warming modern study found eggs survived up to 7 hours at 45 °C, so don't rely on it.
- About −31 °C in the cold: a short exposure to −31.2 °C killed all stages (Olson et al. 2013). Earlier, adults left out overnight died within an hour at −18 °C (Kemper 1936, via Johnson 1941).
Steam is the closest thing to instant heat at home: the EPA says steam must be at least 130 °F (54 °C), and the University of Minnesota says the surface should read 160–180 °F (71–82 °C) right after the steam passes.
What temperature kills bed bug eggs?
Eggs are the hardest stage to kill with heat. What temperature kills bed bug eggs? In the Minnesota study, half the eggs died at 47.5 °C and 99% at 54.8 °C during a slow warm-up — though the authors say the egg figure "may be an over-estimate" — while adults reached 99% at 48.3 °C (Kells & Goblirsch 2011). At a fixed temperature, eggs needed about 7 hours at 45 °C but only 72 minutes at 48 °C.
So what temp kills bed bug eggs in practice? 48 °C (118 °F) held for at least 72 minutes, or 50 °C (122 °F) reached everywhere. And what temperature to kill bed bug eggs in a freezer? The same as adults: Olson et al. (2013) found eggs no harder to kill by freezing than other stages when time was included; their 0 °F, 3.5-day rule covers all stages.
What temperature kills bed bugs and their eggs?
What temperature kills bed bugs and their eggs together? Use the egg figures, because they're the toughest: at least 72 minutes at 48 °C, or 50 °C at every hiding place. Asked as what temperature kills bed bugs and eggs or what temp kills bed bugs and eggs, choose "Both" in the calculator and it shows the longer time. A hot wash at 60 °C or a hot tumble dry for at least 30 minutes killed every stage including eggs (Naylor & Boase 2010). For how long untreated eggs take to hatch, see the bed bug egg hatch timer.
What cold temperature kills bed bugs?
What cold temperature kills bed bugs? Freezing works, but slowly. Bed bugs can supercool — their body fluids don't freeze until about −21 to −30 °C — and they survive mild freezing for weeks (Olson et al. 2013). The studies give these times for every stage:
| Temperature | What the studies found | Calculator uses |
|---|---|---|
| 0 °C (32 °F) | Most survived 3 weeks (Rukke et al. 2017) | not lethal |
| -5 °C (23 °F) | 9–79% of adults and 1–54% of nymphs died over 2–3 weeks (Rukke et al. 2017) | not lethal |
| -7 °C (19.4 °F) | 100% dead after 3 weeks (Rukke et al. 2017) | 3 weeks |
| -10 °C (14 °F) | 100% dead after 3 weeks (Rukke et al. 2017) | 3 weeks |
| -12 °C (10.4 °F) | Some survive more than a week (Olson et al. 2013) | 3 weeks |
| -15 °C (5 °F) | All stages controlled after 3.5 days (Olson et al. 2013) | 84 hours (3.5 days) |
| -16 °C (3.2 °F) | 100% dead after 80 hours (Olson et al. 2013) | 80 hours (3.3 days) |
| -17.8 °C (0 °F) — 0 °F | Recommended: at least 3.5 days (Olson et al. 2013); EPA 3 days; Univ. of Minnesota 4 days | 80 hours (3.3 days) |
| -20 °C (-4 °F) | 48 hours is enough if it stays below −20 °C (Olson et al. 2013) | 48 hours |
| -31.2 °C (-24.2 °F) | Lower lethal temperature for a short exposure, all stages (Olson et al. 2013) | on reaching it |
The calculator uses the nearest tested temperature at or above yours — the conservative side. At 0 °F it shows the 80 hours measured at −16 °C; Olson and colleagues round their practical freezer advice up to 3.5 days to allow for real freezers. What cold temp kills bed bugs reliably at home? A freezer at 0 °F (−17.8 °C) or colder, for at least 3.5 days. Warmer than −7 °C, what temperature cold kills bed bugs has no reliable answer: most bed bugs survived 3 weeks at 0 °C. Being fed or unfed made no difference to cold tolerance (Olson et al. 2013). For what this means for homes, garages and furniture left outside, see do bed bugs die in winter.
Does freezing kill bed bugs?
Does freezing kill bed bugs? Yes, if it is cold enough for long enough. In tests with three household freezers averaging −13.7 to −15.1 °C, every bug died within 24 hours — but the freezers' defrost cycles dipped as low as −24 °C, so the authors still recommend the longer, controlled times (Olson et al. 2013). The EPA warns that "Home freezers may not be cold enough to kill bed bugs; always use a thermometer".
Using a dryer, steam or freezer safely
These non-toxic methods are recommended by the EPA and university extension services for items you can move:
Does a dryer kill bed bugs?
Does a dryer kill bed bugs? Yes. Tumble drying on a hot cycle for at least 30 minutes killed all stages, including eggs (Naylor & Boase 2010). The EPA recommends a clothes dryer on high heat.
How long in the dryer to kill bed bugs?
How long in the dryer to kill bed bugs? At least 30 minutes at the highest heat the item can take (University of Minnesota; Naylor & Boase 2010). Shoes, bags and dry-clean-only items that can go in a dryer can be treated the same way; washing first at the hottest safe temperature helps, and washing at 60 °C (140 °F) killed every stage. Seal infested laundry in a plastic bag on the way to the machine.
Does steam kill bed bugs?
Does steam kill bed bugs? It can, on surfaces it reaches directly. The EPA says the steam must be at least 130 °F (54 °C) "but should not have a forceful airflow, or it may cause bed bugs to scatter"; use a diffuser. The University of Minnesota recommends a commercial steamer holding at least a gallon, with the surface at 160–180 °F right after the steam passes, checked with an infrared thermometer. Steam can burn you, so take care.
How long in the freezer to kill bed bugs?
How long in the freezer to kill bed bugs? Bag the items, then freeze at 0 °F (−17.8 °C) or below for at least 3.5 days, or 48 hours if the freezer averages below −20 °C (Olson et al. 2013). The EPA says 3 days at 0 °F; the University of Minnesota says at least 4 days. Item size matters: insulated items take 1–3 more hours to reach the lethal temperature (Olson et al. 2013), and a 2.5 kg load of loosely packed laundry took about 8 hours to cool to −17 °C (Naylor & Boase 2010) — start counting once the centre is cold. Use a thermometer, and remember freezing can damage some items.
For a step-by-step plan for each type of clothing, see the clothes and luggage laundry plan; for how long to leave bagged items sealed, use the plastic bag quarantine timer.
Why DIY heat often fails
Heating a whole room yourself is dangerous and usually doesn't reach the bugs:
- The EPA's warning: "Do not try to kill bed bugs by increasing your indoor temperature with a thermostat, propane space heater, or fireplace - this does not work and is dangerous."
- Insulation: mattresses, sofas, wall voids and clutter warm up slowly — as slowly as 3.6 °C an hour in monitored treatments — which is why professionals run the air at 55–65 °C and track hiding places with sensors (Kells & Goblirsch 2011).
- Eggs survive lower heat: eggs lived 7 hours at 45 °C, a temperature often quoted as "enough" (Kells & Goblirsch 2011).
- Black bags in the sun: the EPA says this "might work" for luggage or small items if the contents get hot enough, but success depends on your climate; the University of Minnesota says it "will not get hot enough to kill all the bugs".
- Professionals only: the University of Minnesota says whole-room heat treatment should only be done by a pest management professional; the EPA notes professionals "can even treat whole houses with heat".
Never use open flames, ovens, heat guns or flammable liquids — the EPA warns that rubbing alcohol, kerosene and gasoline "can easily ignite". For an infestation in your home, contact a licensed pest professional.
How this temperature calculator works
- Heat (20–100 °C): uses the highest tested temperature at or below yours. Adults and nymphs: 24 hours from 40 °C (Drenski 1928), 94.8 minutes from 45 °C, and death on reaching 48.3 °C (Kells & Goblirsch 2011). Eggs: 24 hours from 41 °C (Mellanby 1935), 428.5 minutes from 45 °C, 71.5 minutes from 48 °C and death on reaching 50 °C (Kells & Goblirsch 2011).
- Cold (−40 to 15 °C): uses the nearest tested temperature at or above yours: 3 weeks from −7 °C (Rukke et al. 2017), 3.5 days from −15 °C, 80 hours from −16 °C, 48 hours from −20 °C and death at about −31 °C (Olson et al. 2013). Warmer than −7 °C is "not reliably lethal".
- Both: shows the longer of the adult and egg times.
The cold times are the same shared figures the winter calculator uses. All times are for the bugs themselves reaching the temperature — add the time it takes for the inside of an item to get there.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature kills bed bugs?
Heat from about 45 °C (113 °F) held long enough: 95 minutes at 45 °C for adults, 72 minutes at 48 °C for eggs, and immediately at 50 °C (Kells & Goblirsch 2011). Cold from −7 °C held for weeks, or 0 °F for at least 3.5 days (Olson et al. 2013).
What temperature kills bed bugs instantly?
About 50 °C (122 °F) for all stages including eggs (Kells & Goblirsch 2011); in the cold, about −31 °C for a short exposure (Olson et al. 2013).
What temperature kills bed bug eggs?
48 °C (118 °F) for at least 72 minutes, or 50 °C (122 °F) reached. At 45 °C eggs needed about 7 hours (Kells & Goblirsch 2011).
What cold temperature kills bed bugs?
Below −7 °C, given 3 weeks (Rukke et al. 2017); 80 hours at −16 °C and 48 hours below −20 °C (Olson et al. 2013).
How long at 120 °F kills bed bugs?
Adults and nymphs die as they reach it; eggs need about 72 minutes at 48 °C (118 °F), so hold 120 °F for at least that long inside the item.
Does a dryer kill bed bugs?
Yes — at least 30 minutes on a hot cycle killed all stages, eggs included (Naylor & Boase 2010; University of Minnesota).
How long in the freezer kills bed bugs?
At least 3.5 days at 0 °F (−17.8 °C), or 48 hours below −20 °C (Olson et al. 2013), timed from when the item's centre is cold. EPA says 3 days; University of Minnesota 4 days.
Does steam kill bed bugs?
Yes, where it reaches them: at least 130 °F (EPA), with the surface at 160–180 °F just after the steam passes (University of Minnesota). Use low airflow so bugs don't scatter.
Can I kill bed bugs by turning up the heating?
No. The EPA says raising the thermostat or using space heaters or a fireplace doesn't work and is dangerous. Whole-room heat treatment is a job for professionals.
Does washing kill bed bugs?
A 60 °C (140 °F) wash killed all stages; a hot tumble dry for 30 minutes did too. Soaking alone didn't kill eggs (Naylor & Boase 2010).
At what temperature do bed bugs die in heat?
Within a day at 40 °C for adults and nymphs (Drenski 1928); 41 °C for eggs over 24 hours (Mellanby 1935); faster as it gets hotter.
Are bed bug eggs harder to kill than adults?
With heat, yes: eggs needed about 7 hours at 45 °C versus 95 minutes for adults (Kells & Goblirsch 2011). With freezing, no meaningful difference (Olson et al. 2013).
Does putting items in black bags in the sun work?
Sometimes, for small items in a hot climate if the contents get hot enough (EPA), but the University of Minnesota says it won't get hot enough to kill all the bugs.
These calculators give estimates from laboratory studies, for education. Real bed bugs vary with strain, insecticide resistance, humidity and how easily they reach a host. Bed bugs are not known to spread disease (CDC), but if bites trouble you, talk to a doctor or pharmacist. For an infestation, contact a licensed pest professional or your local extension service. We give no pesticide advice.