There is always a lot of buzz online about how to kill bed bugs. There are lots of crazy DIY suggestions out there, but some people on the internet seem to think that the answer is using bleach or rubbing alcohol. But does this really work? While bleach and alcohol may reportedly help with bed bugs, this really isn’t a sensible option. If you’re wondering why, then here’s a more in-depth explanation.

Why bleach or alcohol will not kill bed bugs

First of all, what you have to understand is that this is an extremely inconvenient remedy. What some sources recommend doing is to spray bleach or alcohol on your bed and mattress. You would also have to spray it in the area around your bed. Ask yourself the following, is this really something you want to do? You don’t need to be a bed bug expert to work that out.

Both of these substances are extremely harsh. What this means is that you really should not safely sleep near to where they have been sprayed. Apart from this, we’re sure you’d prefer not to sleep on a mattress that was sprayed with bleach or alcohol. Not to mention alcohol is flammable!

But what if you’re desperate to kill bed bugs?

What if you’re ready to try anything, and don’t care about alcohol or bleach on your sheets? Do these substances actually work?

Alcohol will eventually destroy bed bugs. The reason why is because it’s a dissolvent and desiccant. This means that it “melts” the pests exoskeleton, which eventually causes them to die. The same goes for bleach. This substance is basically an acid. It will kill bed bugs just the same as alcohol. The insects’ bodies eventually absorb the acid and they die.

That being said, neither of these methods are very effective, or even efficient. The simple reason is because bed bugs are not as stupid as you think. These pests have evolved over millions of years, and know how to avoid danger. If there is alcohol, or bleach on your bed, then these pests will stay away from it. What you have to remember is that bed bugs can hide away and lie low in deep crevices and holes, places that humans often cannot get to. Not only that, these pests can live for a considerable period of time without eating.  

So yes, these DIY solutions may work at a pinch to drive bed bugs away from the immediate area temporarily, but they will reemerge once it is no longer dangerous to them. If the bed bugs are still in your environment, it will not end your problem for good. This is why it’s a far better and safer idea to seek other solutions, and get professional London bed bug control wherever possible.