In this article, we will answer the question: How to get rid of bed bugs in a sauna?
Bed bugs are pesky little creatures that can turn our peaceful sleep into a nightmare. These tiny, blood-sucking insects have been plaguing humans for centuries. However, could the heat of a sauna be a potential weapon against these unwelcome guests?

We will see the intriguing question of whether saunas can offer any respite from bed bug infestations. We’ll explore the characteristics of these insects, the impact of heat on their survival, and the feasibility of using saunas as a means of control. Join us as we uncover the fascinating connection between bed bugs and the steamy world of saunas.

What is a Sauna?

A sauna is a small room or building where people go to experience high temperatures for relaxation and health benefits. It originated in Finland and is now popular worldwide. Saunas use dry heat or steam to raise the temperature, typically ranging from 70 to 100 degrees Celsius (160 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit). They can help relax muscles, improve circulation, cleanse the skin, and provide stress relief. It’s important to use saunas in moderation and stay hydrated.

Can Bed Bugs live in a Sauna?

They cannot survive in a sauna environment. The high temperatures and low humidity in a sauna are not suitable for their survival. Sustained exposure to the elevated temperatures typically found in steam rooms, ranging from 70 to 100 degrees Celsius (160 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit), will effectively kill bed bugs and their eggs.

How long can Bed Bugs live in Sauna?

They cannot survive in a sauna for an extended period of time. The high temperatures and low humidity in a sauna are unfavorable for their survival. Sustained exposure to the elevated temperatures typically found in saunas, ranging from 70 to 100 degrees Celsius (160 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit), will quickly kill bed bugs and their eggs. They will die within minutes to hours when exposed to such extreme heat conditions. Therefore, the time they can live in a steam room is very short, typically not more than a few hours at most.

Does a Sauna help Bed Bugs bites?

No, a sauna does not help with bed bug bites. These bites can cause itching, redness, and discomfort, and a sauna will not alleviate these symptoms. Saunas primarily provide relaxation and potential health benefits such as muscle relaxation and improved circulation. If you have been bitten by these insects, it is best to focus on treating the bites directly. Such as by applying soothing lotions or creams, using over-the-counter anti-itch medications, and keeping the affected area clean to prevent infection. Additionally, it’s crucial to address the underlying bed bug infestation through multi-faceted DIY methods to eliminate the source of the bites.

Will Steam get rid of Bed bugs?

Yes, steam can be an effective method for getting rid of bed bugs. They are sensitive to heat, and exposing them to high temperatures can kill them and their eggs. Steam treatment involves using a steam cleaner to apply steam to infested areas such as mattresses, furniture, cracks, and crevices where they hide. The high temperature of the steam effectively eliminates them by denaturing their proteins and dehydrating them.

To be effective, you should apply steam directly to the bugs and their hiding places. The steam cleaner nozzle should have a narrow opening to ensure that the steam reaches deep into cracks and crevices. It’s important to move the steam cleaner slowly over the infested areas to ensure adequate heat penetration.

Best is to combine steam with other DIY methods such as mattress encasement, vacuuming and laundering on high heat.

How to get rid of bed bugs in a Sauna?

To use sauna for bed bugs, follow these steps:

Prepare the infested items: Place the items you want to treat inside the sauna. This can include clothing, bedding, stuffed animals, or other small items. Ensure that the items are free of clutter and placed in a way that allows for proper heat circulation.

Monitor temperature: Set the sauna to the appropriate temperature required to eliminate them and their eggs. The recommended temperature is typically above 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit – source) to ensure effective eradication. Use a reliable thermometer to monitor and confirm the temperature inside the sauna.

Heat treatment duration: Maintain the elevated temperature inside the steam room for a sufficient duration to kill the bed bugs and their eggs. The exact duration typically ranges from a few hours to several hours.

Cool down: Once the treatment duration is complete, allow the sauna and the treated items to cool down before removing them. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the cooling process to ensure safety.

Inspect and store: After the items have cooled, carefully inspect them for any remaining signs of bed bugs. If you find no evidence, store the items in a clean and bed bug-free area to prevent reinfestation.

Another way to fight bed bugs is to use boiling water. To learn more, you can check our article on Bed Bugs and Hot Water.

Can you treat your items for Bed Bugs in a Sauna?

While the idea of using a sauna to treat items for bed bugs may seem appealing, it is generally not a practical or effective solution. Saunas are designed for personal relaxation and wellness, not for pest control purposes. There are several reasons why using a steam room to treat items for bed bugs may not work:

• Inadequate heat distribution: Saunas are primarily designed to heat the air within the enclosed space, rather than individual items. The heat distribution may not be uniform or sufficient to penetrate deep into items such as furniture, mattresses, or clothing, where they and their eggs may be hiding.
• Potential damage to items: Exposing certain items, especially delicate or heat-sensitive materials, to the high temperatures in a steam room may cause damage or deformation.

Instead of relying on a sauna, it is advisable to use more appropriate methods such as for example Heat treatment. By using specialized equipment designed for heat treatment, such as a portable heat chamber or professional-grade dryers, to expose infested items to temperatures that are lethal to bed bugs.

Why should you not rely on a Sauna to get rid of Bed Bugs?

Using a sauna as a method to get rid of bed bugs is not a practical or recommended solution. While saunas can reach high temperatures that are lethal to bed bugs, there are several reasons why it is not an effective approach:

• Saunas are not designed to be pest control devices: Saunas are intended for relaxation and wellness, not for pest eradication. The structure and ventilation of a steam room may not be suitable for containing and effectively treating a bed bug infestation.
• Limited exposure time: Saunas are typically used for short periods of time, ranging from a few minutes to an hour. They require sustained exposure to high temperatures to be effectively killed. The limited time spent in a steam room is unlikely to eliminate all bed bugs and their eggs.
• Bed bugs can hide: They will find hiding spots in cracks, crevices, and other inaccessible areas. They may not be directly exposed to the heat in a steam room, allowing them to survive and reinfest once the steam room is no longer in use.

Does Sweat bring Bed Bugs?

No, sweat itself does not attract or bring bed bugs. They are primarily attracted to carbon dioxide and body heat, which are emitted by humans and animals. Sweat, on its own, does not release these signals that attract bed bugs.

However, it’s important to note that excessive sweating or the presence of sweat on your body can create a humid environment, which may contribute to an overall increase in humidity in your living space. They prefer environments with lower humidity levels. So, an excessively humid environment may not be as unfavorable to them.

Additionally, sweat can create moisture on bedding or clothing. Which could potentially provide a conducive environment for bed bugs to thrive. As they prefer hiding in and around mattresses, furniture, and fabric.

Conclusion

In this article, we answered the question: How to get rid of bed bugs in a sauna?
While saunas may seem like a tempting solution to combat bed bug infestations, the reality is that they are not effective for a total eradication of these insects. These insects are resilient pests that require sustained exposure to high temperatures to die. Which is difficult to achieve in a sauna setting.
For optimal results, we recommend you to use other do-it-yourself methods like using bed encasements, vacuuming the infested room, steaming on high heat and laundering on high heat.

To know the best bed bug steamers available online, you can check our Bed Bug Steamers Buying Guide.