Bed bugs are tiny insects that can cause infestation if not attacked in time. They are very nasty pests that live on the blood of humans and pets. There are many methods and techniques on the market that you can use to get rid of these pesky insects.
Does alcohol kill bed bugs? Answer is Yes. One of these treatments that you can try is alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol is a DIY solution that is often used to kill bed bugs effectively. With alcohol, you can eliminate bed bugs as quickly as you come in contact with them.
Alcohol evaporates quickly and is, therefore, safer to use than other products. Also, alcohol is inexpensive and can be found in any store or pharmacy.
Bed bugs can enter your house on clothing, luggage, bed, furniture, mattresses, etc. Although they do not fly, bed bugs can move quickly on floors, ceilings, and walls. How do you know if you have bed bugs in your home? You should be aware of the following signs:
- Bloodstains on the sheets and pillows
- The characteristic musty smell of this type of insects
- See dark stains of stool on your mattresses, clothes, sheets, walls, etc.
- Have stings when you wake up
Below you will find the information you need on using alcohol to kill bed bugs.
What’s The Difference Between Rubbing Alcohol And Alcohol?
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Getting rid of bed bugs is often a daunting task. They are insects that can hide very well and are nocturnal; people always look for simple isopropyl alcohol to kill them.
Alcohol can kill insects and even their eggs. You should be aware that using isopropyl alcohol in infestations is not a good idea and can even be a bit dangerous.
Alcohol works in 2 ways when it comes to killing bed bugs. In the first place, it works as a solvent; this means that it erodes the insect’s outer layer. Also, it acts as a desiccant, which means that it induces desiccation.
The alcohol that people can drink is ethyl alcohol; this alcohol can be consumed in moderate amounts. Isopropyl alcohol is toxic, so it cannot be consumed. It is used as a disinfectant because of its main component, which is very strong.
This difference between both types of alcohol is that it can be efficient for bed bugs. And the ethanol alcohol is not as effective as isopropyl alcohol.
Does Rubbing Alcohol Actually Kill Bed Bugs?
You should know that domestic alcohol is not that effective in killing them. Recent studies have verified that bed bugs that are sprayed with isopropyl alcohol only have a mortality rate of 50%.
They could also notice that the bed bugs did not enter the areas that had been sprayed with this type of alcohol. With this, you may notice that with isopropyl alcohol, you can reduce bed bugs, but it will not eliminate them.
If you decide to use alcohol, you should know that you must spray the bed bugs directly to be successful. You must know how to do it to prevent bed bugs from leaving their nest and looking for another place to hide. Bed bugs do not go to the same place, so that you may have a bigger problem.
If this happens, you should call a specialist to help you solve this problem safely and effectively.
Also Read: Can Bed Bugs Live In Carpet?
How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs With Rubbing Alcohol?
Bed bugs can turn your home into hell, so you should find a quick solution so that the situation does not get out of control. Isopropyl alcohol is one of the DIY home treatments that have become more common.
Isopropyl alcohol is a solvent and, therefore, can kill bugs by dissolving their outer cells. Being a desiccant or the same as a drying agent can destroy bed bugs and eggs because it will dry them.
To keep your home away from bed bugs, you must do constant cleaning; doing an early intervention will help keep your home free of pesky insects. Rubbing alcohol can help and will be a temporary relief if you have a small number of pests.
If you see that you have an infestation, you should call a specialized exterminator to know what products to use and have the necessary knowledge. There are certain things you should know about isopropyl alcohol:
- Rubbing the areas with alcohol will prevent insects from crawling or laying eggs on that surface that has been sprayed with the substance.
- Spraying furniture and bedding has earned people’s trust and reputation to eliminate bed bugs.
- A 91% solution gives you better results. However, a milder solution will also be acceptable.
- To be successful, you must spray the surfaces directly.
You should be aware that isopropyl alcohol can stain bedding, mattresses, and painted or varnished furniture. Therefore, you must spray small areas of the surface using a spray bottle.
Risks of Using Rubbing Alcohol To Kill Bed Bugs
If you want to use this substance as an insect repellent, you must consider certain aspects. Remember that like other alcoholic substances, isopropyl alcohol is also highly flammable.
When using isopropyl alcohol, you should avoid smoking near or around the areas you have sprayed. You should also keep open flames away, be very careful when using alcohol. There is recent news where people have suffered accidents trying to eliminate bed bugs using alcohol because they have set furniture and beds on fire.
Since rubbing alcohol will evaporate quickly, you must have other options and treatments to eliminate bed bugs. If you want to kill the eggs, you will need to spray the surface every 2 to 3 days for two weeks. You should do this because bed bug eggs can take 14 days to hatch.
You can also use the following tips to get rid of bed bugs as an alternative:
- Wash your clothes regularly and don’t mix clean clothes with unwashed clothes that may be infested.
- Clothes should be dried so that high temperatures can kill bed bugs.
- Using a steamer will also be very beneficial to eliminate insects from cabinets and other surfaces.
- Regularly clean your home to prevent them from spreading.
If you notice that you already have an infestation, it is recommended that you do not use isopropyl alcohol because the problem can be more serious. Alcohol can be used for small amounts of insects, and you should know that you need to spray it directly to see positive results.
Use a product with the correct amount of alcohol; more than 70% of alcohol is always recommended.
