How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs with Alcohol – Does Rubbing Alcohol Kill Bed Bugs?

Terry Stephanie

Can you get rid of bed bugs with alcohol? Does alcohol kill bed bugs? What type of alcohol kill bed bugs? Does rubbing alcohol kill bed bugs? Learn more in this post how to eliminate bed bugs with alcohol. We will also top 3 alcohol-based to use to kill bed bugs.

If you have an infestation of bed bugs in your home, you will always find ways to get rid and kill the bed bugs. You may have stumbled upon alcohol products that are considered safe and worked in killing bed bugs.

Any product that contains good amount of alcohol is able to get rid and kill bed bugs. In this case, alcohol can be said to be effective to eliminate bed bugs. Note that products containing a high level of alcohol evaporates quickly in the process drying out anything organic that it comes in contact with.

Alcohol kills the bed bugs by dissolving their outer shell and then drying them out from inside. But keep in mind that alcohol meant for human consumption is not effective in eliminating pests and bed bugs since their alcohol percentage is too low.

Other than the alcohol meant for human use, which have low alcohol content, the rest are affective in getting rid of bed bugs. These products with high content of alcohol meant for killing of bed bugs are commonly referred to as rubbing alcohols.

Disinfectant have alcohol content high enough to eliminate bed bugs. Their alcohol content is usually between 70% to 99%. This making them effective in killing bed bugs. Other than killing bed bugs, these type of products have shown to repel the pests including bed bugs.

Bed bugs will move away and avoid the places where alcohol or products containing alcohol has been sprayed. In fact, bed bugs cannot withstand such places and they are likely to avoid laying their eggs in such areas. But if you have an infestation of bed bugs, spraying the alcohol-based products will not be enough to eliminate the bed bugs.

We will discuss on a number of issues to consider before buying that alcohol-based product. You may consider factors such as effectiveness, safety etc.

What type of Alcohol Kills Bed Bugs?

Before running to the stores or online market to purchase any alcohol to get rid of the bed bugs, you should make sure that you know what you are buying and the right kind.

Keep in mind that only a product that have at least 70% alcohol or more is effective in getting rid of the bed bugs. You should actually go for alcohol solution that is 90%.

So, what are the kind of alcohol based products that are effective in getting rid of bed bugs.

a) Isopropyl Alcohol for Bed Bugs

Does isopropyl alcohol kill bed bugs? Absolutely yes! If you are thinking of getting rid of bed bugs, then this is one will be the ideal for you.

b) Rubbing Alcohol

Will rubbing alcohol get rid of the bed bugs? Like we’ve mentioned earlier in the post, other than alcohol meant for human consumption, rubbing alcohol has a higher alcohol content that is above 70%. This means that it is effective in killing the bed bugs.

In fact, rubbing alcohol is common household term used for any solution that contains isopropyl alcohol. The unique feature is that this kind of solution has at least 70% or more of alcohol. But the recommended solution will be one that has 90% or more of alcohol. If the solution falls below this range then it will be a waste of time.

c) Green Alcohol

This is another type of alcohol variety that falls in the same category as rubbing alcohol. It can be found in your store or online market. The only different is it has winter green additive as well as menthol.

Although this type of alcohol is effective in killing bed bugs, you shouldn’t use on fabrics. The green color will likely stain your fabrics.

Does Spraying Alcohol Kill Bed Bug Eggs?

This is a common question readers ask before settling on alcohol to get rid of pests and in this case bed bugs. Yes, alcohol does kill bed bugs but only on one condition which we have mentioned in the post.

To eliminate bed bugs, make sure the solution you are spraying has a high alcohol content. If you intend to spray the bed bugs, the solution must have alcohol of at least 70% to 99%. Anything less, it will be ineffective and waste of time.

Remember, when you spray the solution directly, the alcohol will penetrate the shell, then dries out from the inside. And in this case of the bed bugs eggs, they will need to come in direct contact with the alcohol solution.

How does Alcohol Kill Bed Bugs?

Here in this section, we will briefly discuss how alcohol kill bed bugs. Let’s begin. When you spray or use rubbing alcohol on bed bugs, it first causes their cells to dissolve. One would think that bed bugs have a tough skin but not when they directly come into contact with alcohol.

What alcohol does to the skin of the bed bugs is brutal. It burns through the skin causing serious damage to all the internal organs.

Alcohol naturally is a drying agent, so when used against bed bugs, it dries them out completely.

Can Bed Bugs Smell Alcohol?

It is said that bed bugs can smell or detect quite a number of scents. This is according to some research. In fact, bed bugs are able to detect the presence of humans this is through the level of carbon dioxide usually produced when they breathe out.

Interestingly, bed bugs can also smell each other. For this reason, bed bugs are able to detect the smell of alcohol. Is alcohol smell bad for the bed bugs? Obviously, the smell is strong enough to repel the bed bugs.

How Long Does It Take For Alcohol To Kill Bed Bugs?

When alcohol comes in direct contact with the bed bugs, it works almost instantly. Similarly, when you spray the alcohol on the bed bugs, the destruction begins right away. The task to find all the bed bugs at once is the problem.

If you find all the bed bugs, then as soon as you spray the alcohol on them their death begins. Bed bugs are cunning, some will run away and hide. In the process, they will lay eggs and you may end up dealing with a large infestation.

The trick is to spray not just once, but repeatedly. You may need to repeat application of the spray a day after if you want to successful eliminate all the bed bugs.

Does Rubbing Alcohol Repel Bed Bugs?

Absolutely Yes! Other than killing bed bugs on contact, rubbing alcohol rebel bed bugs effectively and keeps them away for a while. It can also reduce by far the spread of infestation of the bed bugs.

How to Kill Bed Bug with Alcohol – Procedure

In this section, learn how to kill bed bugs with alcohol. The instructions and procedures discussed below are simple to follow and execute.

1. Safety is key

Remember, alcohol is flammable. Make sure while spraying the alcohol, you and your items in your home are safe. The kind of alcohol you intend to use kill bed bugs is highly concentrated.

Remember to take precaution. But also keep in mind that, when alcohol has dried out, it is no longer flammable. While using the alcohol, make sure any source of heat is kept off until the alcohol dries out.

Don’t drench your whole house with alcohol, just target the areas infested with the bed bug. The smell of this kind of alcohol is strong and unpleasant.

Finally, remember that alcohol especially the green alcohol may leave stains on fabrics.

2. Find the bed Bug Hideouts

Bed bugs are good at playing hide and seek. It is important to know where the bed bugs are in your home. Alcohol only kills the bed bugs when it comes in direct contact with the bed bugs. This is the case on their eggs.

An infestation of bed bugs is not only limited to your bedroom or the mattress and the beddings. Check in places where you highly suspect the bed bugs are hiding such as the carpet, furniture, inside the drawers and curtains.

3. Identification of the bed bugs

You cannot go about spraying alcohol on any crawling insect or pests. You target here are the bed bugs. It is important to know what you are looking for.

Bed bugs are usually small, about the size of a grain of rice. They appear as reddish-brown in color with a flat and oval-shaped body. A recently fed bed bug appear a bit longer. Like most insect and pest, they have six legs and two antennae.

The eggs of the bed bugs are about the size of a pinhead. Their color are either white or off-white and are usually hard especially when you try to brush off the surface.

4. Pick the Type of Alcohol you intend to Use

We earlier on mentioned the types of alcohol to use. There are quite a number of alcohol to use to kill the bed bugs, but they should all meet the simple condition: their percentage should be at least 70%. But if you can get one with 90% or more the better.

5. Spray the infested area

This is the final and most important section. Once you follow the procedure, spray the infested area with alcohol. If the solution you intend to use doesn’t come in spray bottle, you may have to make one.

Don’t just focus on the bed bugs you see but keeping on looking for areas the bed bugs are likely to hide. We’ve mentioned such areas including the furniture, carpet, drawers and behind curtains.

Other than the bed bugs, make an effort to spray the bed bugs eggs. If you miss on any of this, you are likely to have a re-infestation. Do not just spray once, do this repeatedly to eliminate the bed bugs including their eggs.

Top 3 Alcohol-Based Products to Kill Bed Bugs

In this section, let’s look at some of the top 3 alcohol based product that you can use to kill bed bugs.

1. Solimo 99% Isopropyl Alcohol

This product has 99% of alcohol that you can use to effectively kill bed bugs. But you should take precaution while using it. You should not let it come into contact with your skin. After use, make sure, you wash your face, hands.

Do not eat, drink or smoke while using this product. Remember it is 99% alcohol thus flammable.

On killing bed bugs, it is very effective and satisfactory.