Does Rubbing Alcohol kill Bed Bugs? Which one is best to eliminate bed bugs?
If you have Bed Bugs at home, you must be going through difficulties daily. These small wingless insects feed on human blood and thus can turn their lives miserable.
Once your bed is infested with Bed bugs, a simple cleaning might not help you. However, it does not mean that you are out of solutions at all.
Though getting rid of Bed Bugs is a daunting task, it isn’t impossible. Specially for individuals who have a bottle of Rubbing Alcohol at home, the remedies are easy.
Wondering “Does Rubbing Alcohol Repel Bed Bugs?” Yes, they do and here we will discuss answers for the same.
How effective is rubbing Alcohol on bed bugs?
Does rubbing alcohol kill bed bugs instantly? Well Yes, Rubbing Alcohol or Isopropyl Alcohol is known for eliminating and killing Bed bugs.
Rubbing Alcohol is a solvent that dissolves into insects’ cells and acts as a desiccant or a drying agent. It kills insects like Bed bugs simply by drying the entire moisture from their body.
The process, if thought deeply, may virtualize brutal, though for getting rid of Bed Bugs, the only way is to kill them.
However, Rubbing Alcohol does not kill Bed Bugs instantly. Though it works really fast, it still takes some time to dry out the insects.
Thus, after using Alcohol on bug-infected regions, individuals may require to leave it unattended for a day or two.
How much do you dilute rubbing Alcohol to kill bed bugs?
When dealing with Rubbing Alcohol for bed bugs, one has to behave extremely thoughtfully.
Even though using the solution is quite simple, you cannot just pick some and splash over the surfaces.
Here’s how you should use Rubbing Alcohol on Bed Bugs for achieving maximum results:
- Firstly, identify all the Bed bugs infected areas in your house. It can be over and under the mattress, laundry, bags, shoes, couch, bedsheet, pillow covers, and other such areas.
- Avoid cleaning the areas first. By cleaning or disturbing the infected regions, you may alert or scare the Bed bugs. As a result, they can leave the place, making alcohol treatment a failed attempt.
- Now take a big spray bottle, fill it with Isopropyl alcohol and spray it evenly over all the infected areas. Avoid diluting the Alcohol solution as it may limit its effect on treating the bed bugs.
- For things like bed sheets, pillow covers, shoes, and bags.
Spray all of the above things evenly with Isopropyl alcohol and seal them inside a huge plastic bag. Seal it properly for treatment further.
- Now allow the Alcohol spray for drying for at least a day. Avoid using the treated things during the process or do not wipe the Alcohol.
- If the damage is in huge amount, repeat the process twice or thrice.
- After three or four days, wipe all the infected things (bed, shoes, couch, etc.) with a damp cloth. If possible, let each of them soak and dry under Sun. This will make all the foul alcohol smell evaporate, making the things ready for use.
Does 70% isopropyl alcohol kill bed bugs?
Both 70% and 91% Isopropyl (Rubbing) Alcohol will work effectively for killing bed bugs.
Because 91% of Isopropyl alcohol possesses a stronger concentration, it will work effectively and quickly.
Does 91% isopropyl alcohol kill bed bugs?
However, 70% Isopropyl alcohol is a great option that will deliver effective results.
Before going forward with using Isopropyl alcohol on Bed bugs, make sure the product you are treating (wooden bed, shoes, bag, etc.) is safe with the effect of such solutions.
For example, it is advisable to avoid using alcohol solution over varnished or treated wood. If used, it can damage the furniture.
Similarly, rubbing Alcohol is not meant to be used with leather products, be it bags, shoes, or jackets.
Will 50% Rubbing Alcohol kill bed bugs?
50% Rubbing Alcohol is a diluted concentration of Isopropyl. It might work upon minor bed bugs;
however, the effectiveness will definitely size down from that of 70% and 91% Isopropyl (Rubbing) Alcohol.
Thus, if you are suffering from a Bed Bugs issues at home, consider going for 70% and 91% alcohol concentration instead of 50%.
Does Alcohol Kill Bed Bug Eggs?
Yes, Rubbing Alcohol definitely kills Bed bugs eggs, but one needs to reapply the concentration.
Bed Bugs lay eggs on corners and nooks of mattresses, beds, or other common regions.
During times of treatment, individuals often overlook such regions, and it is what makes Bed bugs reappear time and again.
Also, because Bed Bugs eggs can take up to 14 days to hatch, one needs to reapply the solution every 10 to 15 days for at least a month or two in order to get rid of the issue completely.
Things to remember while using Rubbing Alcohol on Bed Bugs
- Alcohol is highly concentrated and flammable. Thus, while using it as a treatment for Bed Bugs, keep all the heat and electricity sources away.
- Rubbing Alcohol can stain fabric; thus, read about the regions and products and ensure they can handle the treatment.
- Rubbing Alcohol has a strong and unpleasant smell; thus, keep doors and windows open after using it as a Bed Bugs treatment.
- Rubbing Alcohol will only provide temporary relief from Bed Bugs; thus, for best results, repeat the treatment for at least a month.
- Avoid keeping the treated products under the Sun until the Alcohol is completely dried.
Home Remedies for Killing Bed Bugs
While Rubbing Alcohol is a popular treatment for treating Bed Bugs, there are several other solutions as well.
For someone who is skeptical of using Rubbing Alcohol or cannot withstand its smell, we have compiled a list of other effective remedies.
Also, for queries including,
Does peroxide kill bed bugs? Will bleach kill bed bugs? Can Lysol kill bed bugs? Can Spirit kill bed bugs?
Can Hand Sanitizer Kill bed bugs?
All the answers are explained below:
- Use Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen Peroxide works as an effective treatment for Bed Bugs. However, because it contains bleaching agents, using it can result in discoloration of fabrics.
- Use Undiluted Bleaching agent.
Undiluted Bleach, be it powder or liquid, can help in getting rid of Bed Bugs. However, because it will bleach your fabric as well, be mindful of the usage.
- Use Lysol Spray
One of the most effective commercial solutions for bed bugs is Lysol Spray. Though because it contains chemicals and toxic agents, be mindful of its usage.
- Use Methylated spirits
If the problem of Bed Bugs has just arisen in your home, consider using Methylated spirits for treatment.
Spirits come in handy in eliminating bed bugs, though only when they are low in the count.
- Use High Heat
For treating Bed Bugs in clothes, wash them at the highest temperature. Further, let them dry with a heat setting.
- Use Vacuum cleaner
For Bed Bugs, try running a Vacuum cleaner over furniture, upholstery or carpet. If the insects are over the surface, the vacuum cleaner will do the job.
- Use Steam cleaning or Cloth Iron.
As said above, heat can eliminate Bed Bugs; thus, electronics like Steamer or Iron can come in handy for the treatment.
For Further Reading
Wrapping up…
Because Bed Bugs are the most difficult house insects to deal with, it is ideal to treat them before they double up in numbers. And for the job, rubbing (Isopropyl) Alcohol comes in handy.
With all the information, methods, and tips above, we hope you now have an idea of how to process eliminating Bed Bugs.
If you aren’t successful at the first attempt, give at least 2 to 3 tries and monitor the results. At times due to the density of insects, the treatment might take longer and get difficult.
My name is Logan, and I’m a 36-year-old dad who owns a small pressure-washing company in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. My main goal with rubbing-alcohol.com is to show you how versatile isopropyl rubbing alcohol can be! I hope. You find it useful.
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