"30 Seconds with a Steam Iron, 60 Seconds with Dry Heat" Bedbug Eradication Method Revealed by KDCA

KDCA Produces Bedbug Control Experiment Video
Iron and Hair Dryer Found Effective

What if you find bedbugs at home? Some people might hastily try to hit them with their palm or a fly swatter to avoid missing them. However, experimental results have shown that applying physical impact to bedbugs is not very effective for bedbug control.

On the 17th, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) uploaded a video titled "Various Easy Bedbug Control Methods at Home" on their YouTube channel 'KDCA Don't Get Sick TV'. In this video, KDCA presented the results of experiments on several easy bedbug control methods that can be done at home.

Bedbug control experiment tools conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency
[Image source=Captured from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency YouTube channel]

First, when bedbugs were wrapped in clothes or fabric and steam was applied at the highest temperature of a steam iron for 30 seconds, the bedbugs died. KDCA noted that bedbugs died even after 10 seconds of steam application, but since the performance of home appliances varies, it is recommended to spend enough time for reliable control.

A regular iron was also effective for bedbug control. When clothes or fabric wrapped around bedbugs were ironed at about 90 degrees Celsius for 30 seconds, it was confirmed that the bedbugs died just like with the steam iron. Bedbugs could be killed in 10 seconds with a regular iron as well, but KDCA advised spending more time for thorough control.

Hair dryers, which are commonly available in households, were also effective for bedbug control. When hot and weak air was applied to bedbugs with a hair dryer for 60 seconds, the bedbugs died. However, it is important to keep the airflow weak because if the hair dryer’s airflow is too strong, bedbugs might be blown away to other places. It is also necessary to check if bedbugs try to escape from the hot air.

Hot water also showed control effects. When boiling hot water was poured onto clothes or fabric wrapped around bedbugs and left for 20 seconds, the bedbugs died.

Experimental results showed that applying physical impact with palms, fly swatters, or books was ineffective for bedbug control. Bedbugs hit by palms, fly swatters, or books only paused briefly but did not die and resumed active movement. In the case of electric fly swatters, direct contact can kill bedbugs. However, since bedbugs are smaller in size than flies, it should be noted that the electric shock may not be properly delivered.

KDCA also introduced how to handle bedbug carcasses after killing them. The bedbug bodies should be vacuumed with a vacuum cleaner and then sealed in a plastic bag. When using a vacuum cleaner, it is important to vacuum thoroughly with maximum suction power.

KDCA stated, "Bedbugs can be easily exterminated by heating above 50 degrees Celsius," and added, "Bedbugs do not transmit infectious diseases, so if found at home, do not be alarmed and carry out physical control methods."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.