HOW TO STEAM CLEAN TO KILL PESTS - Bedbugs, Fleas, Dust Mites, Moths, Lice, Carpet Beetles

STEAM CLEANING TO KILL PESTS - Bedbugs, Fleas, Dust Mites, Moths, Lice, Carpet Beetles
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Steam cleaning has become a popular means to get rid of pests, providing an effective and non-chemical option.
By harnessing the power of high temperatures, steam becomes a valuable tool in an integrated pest management strategy.
Steam cleaning involves applying hot, pressurised steam to areas infested with pests, including mattresses, furniture, baseboards, cracks and crevices where these pests tend to hide.
The elevated temperature of the steam proves lethal to bugs at all life stages.
As the steam makes contact with the pests, the intense heat quickly permeates their bodies, causing cellular damage and ultimately leading to their demise.
Lets get straight into how to kill certain types of pests.
1.
Bedbugs.
Steam can be an effective, non-chemical option for homeowners to get rid of bed bugs before an infestation gets out of hand.
An adult bed bug needs only about 50 degrees Celsius to be killed.
Both adult bed bugs and bed bug eggs will die within seconds at this temperature.
Steam forms from water at 100 degrees Celcius, so it’s already way over the killing point required to exterminate bed bugs immediately.
Steam will kill pretty much any insect at that temperature.
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. If you have clothing that you can use a steamer wand on, slowly drag it across like you normally would.
If you have certain pieces of furniture that can handle the moisture and temperature, slowly go over the flat planes and focus on crevices and areas where there are bolts and screws, because that’s where bed bugs would hide.
In terms of time, only a few seconds are needed to directly apply the steam when killing bed bugs.
•Where it gets trickier is if you have things like a Lazy-Boy recliner or upholstered couch-it might be difficult to get deep enough into the cushions.
If the cushions come off, you can separate those areas and get the steam in, or you can get a helper to hold the steam wand for you.
Killing bed bugs with steam gets tricky whenever there are deep crevices that the steam can’t penetrate into.
That’s when you might want to fall back on other methods, such as using bed bug traps that mimic the human body.
Those will help draw bed bugs out from those areas.
In most cases, steam directly applied slowly and evenly to pretty much any surface, which can safely have steam applied to it, will be effective at helping you kill bed bugs.
Obviously don’t apply steam to electronics in your home, as these are sensitive to excess heat and moisture.
2.
Fleas.
Fleas are remarkably resistant pests, but even they cannot survive in extremely hot conditions.
Steam cleaners can raise the temperature of a room very high.
Fleas die in temperatures exceeding 35 degrees celcius, so this is an effective way to wipe out entire flea colonies at once.
Steam cleaners take temperatures much higher to ensure that no fleas survive and then reproduce, causing another outbreak.
Surface level cleaning is not enough when it comes to a flea infestation.
For example Vacuuming alone won’t do the trick.
Yes, you may suck up some of the adult fleas only to have them live in your vacuum’s dirt bag, but the larvae and eggs, when nestled nicely into your carpets will be unaffected.
Steam cleaners are designed to go beneath surface level when they clean, effectively extracting dirt and debris from deep within fabrics, floors and furniture.
You need this level of deep cleaning to purge fleas from every corner and crevice of a room, and steam will penetrate all soft materials to ensure that every flea has been killed.
Follow these general rules to steam clean properly.
Remove all pets and children from the premises when steam cleaning.
Steam all your pets’ blankets, bedding and toys. You can also wash them in hot water or dry them on the highest heat setting of your dryer.
Scrub and clean the areas where your pet rests and sleeps. You can use a steamer or a strong household cleaner.
For the treatment to be effective, steam these areas a few times a week to eliminate newly hatched fleas, eggs, larvae etc. If you have hardwood floors, test the steamer first to ensure it does not damage the surface.
The same is true of delicate linen, rugs, upholstery and curtains.
Pay special attention to cracks and crevices.
This is where fleas can lay their eggs.
Steam down your bedding, box springs, mattresses and pillows.
Wash all washable items in hot water and bleach detergent.
Also Steam the windows and blinds.
You can also steam the inside of your car, porch and deck or other areas where your pet spends time.
3.
Dust mites.