The simple bedbug killer

Bedbug Infestation: More Than Just a Health Issue

A bedbug infestation carries not only health consequences but also cultural stigma. Around the world, a home plagued by bedbugs is often associated with poor hygiene, even when that’s not the case. While this might not seem like a serious issue to some, in certain cultures, the shame is so intense that people go as far as burning their furniture just to rid themselves of the stigma. This extreme response hints at a key weakness of bedbugs: heat.

If you catch a bedbug and expose it to direct sunlight, it will die within minutes. The challenge, however, lies in finding them. Bedbugs are masters at hiding in tight, dark spaces and can move surprisingly fast. To make matters worse, they've developed a degree of resistance to many common insecticides. I learned this firsthand during a months-long infestation. I tried several insecticides, but most had little effect—except when I submerged the bugs directly in the liquid.

So, the big question is: how do you fight back effectively against a bedbug infestation?

The most straightforward and effective answer is heat treatment. That’s how I eventually won the battle—by using a steam cleaner that could reach into narrow crevices. In my case, I used the Beldray Flexi 6-in-1 steam cleaner. The "12-in-1" version (which I later upgraded to) offers various nozzle types, from wide ones for large surfaces to narrow tips that can direct steam into small gaps in sofas, bed frames, and other tight spots. Any high-temperature steam cleaner with similar attachments will do the job.

While there are countless chemical and non-chemical methods—both scientific and folk remedies—bringing the heat directly to the bugs remains one of the most effective strategies. Consistency is key: you’ll need to apply heat multiple times over a period to completely eradicate the infestation.