Can Steam Kill Bed Bugs? Yes, Here’s How

When applied correctly during the early stages of an infestation, steam can effectively kill bed bugs at all life stages—including eggs, nymphs, and adults.

Steam Treatments

Steam is an effective, eco-friendly method for killing bed bugs. High temperatures from steam can penetrate deep into mattresses, furniture, and other hiding places, instantly killing bed bugs and their eggs on contact.

Nowadays, professional bed bug exterminators have shifted away from steam treatments due to the prevalence of heat- and moisture-sensitive electronics in modern homes. Nevertheless, steam remains a viable, non-chemical option for homeowners tackling early-stage bed bug infestations.

According the EPA’s Integrated Pest Management Tips for Bed Bugs:

“Steam cleaners (wet or dry) can get into cracks and fabrics to treat carpets, baseboards, bed frames, and other furniture. The steam temperature must be at least 130°F but should not have a forceful airflow, or it may cause bed bugs to scatter. Use a diffuser to prevent scattering.”

How Steam Kills Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are highly sensitive to heat: adult bed bugs die at around 118°F (48°C) within 90 minutes, while both adults and eggs are killed in minutes at 122°F (50°C).¹

Steam forms from water at 212°F (100°C), which far exceeds these lethal temperatures, making it a highly effective method for killing bed bugs at all life stages. However, during application you must also consider what might insulate the insect from having the steam directly applied to it.

How To Kill Bed Bugs with a Steamer

Pest expert Kevin Carrillo from MMPC discusses how to effectively kill bed bugs with steam.

Selecting the Right Steamer

Both consumer-grade and professional-grade steamers are effective for eliminating bed bugs found on mattresses, fabric-covered furniture, and within cracks or crevices. Affordable consumer steamers, when used properly, offer similar efficacy to professional machines for bed bug control.²

To maximize the effectiveness of treatment, we recommend using a steamer with these features:

• Consistent high temperature: Look for steamers that maintain a steady temperature above 130°F to ensure that steam remains lethal to bed bugs.
• Wide nozzle: Opt for nozzles that disperse pressurized steam evenly across surfaces. Avoid pinpoint nozzles, as they can scatter bed bugs and eggs onto other surfaces.
• Large water tank: Provides sufficient time to steam all necessary surfaces without frequent refills.

Best Practices for Applying Steam

To kill bed bugs effectively, directly apply the steam slowly and evenly. You should also consider what might insulate the insect from having the steam directly applied to it.

• Apply steam at a steady pace of 10–30 seconds for every 12 inches.³
• Avoid moving too quickly, as the heat may not reach the necessary lethality for bed bugs in a single pass.

Steam treatment for bed bugs is only effective with direct contact—it kills bed bugs by exposing them to lethal heat. However, certain items and conditions can insulate bed bugs from the steam, reducing its efficacy. Here’s how to maximize steam effectiveness and ensure thorough coverage:

• Clothing: When steaming clothing, use a steamer wand and move slowly, treating both the inside and outside of each item. Pay attention to pockets and pocket flaps, where bed bugs can hide.
• Furniture: For steam-safe furniture, move the steamer wand across flat surfaces, focusing on seams, bolts, and screws—key hiding spots for bed bugs.
• Deep upholstered furniture: Recliners and couches can present challenges, as steam may not penetrate deep enough into the cushions. If possible, remove cushions to treat individual sections.

Conclusion

While steam is an effective method for killing bed bugs, it works best when combined with other treatment methods, such as diatomaceous earth (DE) and bed bug traps. Steam is particularly useful in the early stages of an infestation, before bed bugs have spread to other rooms. For larger infestations, however, steam alone may drive bed bugs deeper into hiding spots, making them harder to eradicate.

At MMPC, we provide eco-friendly bed bug inspection and extermination services for clients throughout the Tri-State Area. If you have questions or concerns about bed bugs, we are just a phone call or email away!

About the Author

Timothy Wong is the technical director of MMPC, an eco-friendly pest control company in Long Island City. He has over 20 years of pest control experience, holds professional licenses in NY, NJ, PA, and MA, and has published papers on bed bugs and pest control methods.

References

1. Bed bug prevention and control in the home. (2023). Umn.edu. https://extension.umn.edu/bed-bugs/bed-bug-prevention-and-control-home ↩︎
2. Wang, D., Wang, C., Wang, G., Zha, C., Eiden, A. L., & Cooper, R. (2018). Efficacy of three different steamers for control of bed bugs (Cimex lectularius L.). Pest Management Science, 74(9), 2030–2037. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.4933 ↩︎
3. Puckett, R. T., McDonald, D. L., & Gold, R. E. (2013). Comparison of multiple steam treatment durations for control of bed bugs (Cimex lectulariusL.). Pest Management Science, 69(9), 1061–1065. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.3467 ↩︎