Do Bed Bugs Die in the Cold?
Bed bugs can be very resilient pests. Many can survive in long periods of time in what we would consider being cold weather without dying. Not only do they have a high tolerance to colder temperatures but they can also adjust to the temperature after several days of exposure. These are known as freeze-intolerant strategies where pests lower the freezing point of their bodily fluids to survive.
According to research, bed bugs can be exposed for up to 80 hours at 3.2 degrees Fahrenheit for it to be fatal. Once the temperature drops down to minus – 13 F, bed bugs are likely to die shortly after.
That being said, if you are waiting for winter as a solution to rid your bed bugs, think again. These pests are a year-round problem that requires ongoing defense. While freezing out your building, putting infested items outside, or just waiting for winter are not solutions to controlling bed bug infestations, there is a way to kill these pesky creatures with the cold.
Can You Freeze Bed Bugs?
Yes, you can freeze bed bugs. As we stated above, it is unlikely that just inclement weather will be the death of these pests. The majority of bed bugs seek the warmth of indoors anyway so surviving winter in fully possible.
On the other hand, bed bugs can not survive in extreme temperatures. This is why some exterminators recommend using heat treatments. While this can be an effective method (especially for large infestations), it is also expensive and time-consuming.
In comparison, freezing a very effective solution. Freezing is non-toxic, fast, chemical-free, and easy to do making it a great way to rid these pests quickly. Freezing these pests requires extreme
Unlike using heat or chemicals, when you freeze bugs you don’t have to worry about collateral damage to items. You can also take care of the infestation with having to vacate the entire property during or after the treatment. Using the Cryonite machine is simple. Property owners and/or staff can be quickly trained. This helps to avoid the exorbitant fees of exterminators.
How Does Cryonite Work?
Cryonite technology was developed in Sweden and introduced to the U.S. in 2005. Its versatility in application and ability to kill any smaller pests on contact was of huge benefit, particularly in sensitive environments like hospitals, food processing facilities, long term health care facilities, schools and more.
At Cryonite, we want to help people, and our equipment does exactly that. Our technology has been tried and tested, and the results are unanimous. Cryonite is an alternative to insecticide and chemical-based pest control solutions. This technology is non-toxic and effective.
The method consists of spraying frozen liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) to kill pests immediately. The “snow” expelled by the Cryonite wand is -110 degrees Fahrenheit, which is much colder than anything a bed bug would experience in nature. Upon contact with the insect’s, mite’s or spider’s exoskeleton, the evaporating dry ice snow creates a quick transfer of heat from the pest, instantly freezing it to death. Smaller pests are most susceptible to Cryonite’s effects while larger insects, such as American cockroaches, might be able to survive the initial contact with the snow and may require a second application.
Due to the fact that Cryonite contains zero chemicals, pests will not develop a resistance to the treatment like they can with other treatments. Our formula is non-staining and non-damaging to most any objects and surfaces. Cryonite can be used in buildings, including homes, office buildings, restaurants, and medical facilities. Many of the top-ranked pest control companies employ Cryonite treatments because it is versatile, convenient, and more cost-effective than steam or heat treatments.
For more information about this freezing technology, contact Cryonite.