But doesrubbing alcoholkill bed bugs?
Meet the Expert
Does Rubbing Alcohol Kill Bed Bugs?
Rubbing alcohol does kill bed bugs.
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It works by dissolving their exoskeleton and dehydrating their insides.
Rubbing alcohol can kill bed bugs, but its not a magic solution, Eason says.
It doesn’t eliminate eggs or deeply hidden bugs.
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Does Rubbing Alcohol Kill Bed Bugs Instantly?
Adult and nymph bed bugs that come in direct contact with rubbing alcohol will die almost immediately.
However, once the rubbing alcohol dries up on fabrics and surfaces, its no longer effective.
Use rubbing alcohol sparingly and avoid soaking fabrics in it.
Rubbing alcohol and other natural methods are only effective if the issue is minor.
Rubbing alcohol will kill bed bugs almost instantly if applied directly to the the bugs.
Eason recommends spraying water mixed with essential oils to repel bed bugs.
Some oils like lavender or tea tree oil can repel bed bugs, he says.
However, they dont kill them, so theyre best used as a preventative measure.
According to Eason, bed bugs tend to dislike strong odors.
Scents like mint, neem, or citrus can be off-putting to them, Eason says.
