Content Updated: January, 27, 2026

Key takeaways

  • Bed bugs are challenging to eliminate. These small hitchhiking pests can hide in mattresses, furniture, cracks, and personal items.
  • DIY methods, such as using rubbing alcohol, bleach, or hydrogen peroxide, may kill some bugs on contact. However, they typically do not reach bed bug eggs and can pose safety risks.
  • Natural methods can help, but aren’t enough alone. High-heat laundering, vacuuming, and steam treatments can help reduce bed bug numbers, but they usually do not fully eliminate an infestation.
  • Professional treatment is the most effective solution. Our experts conduct thorough inspections, provide targeted treatments for bed bugs, and offer follow-up visits as needed.

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Bed bugs can be one of the most difficult household pests to eliminate. These small, apple-seed-shaped insects are expert hitchhikers, often entering homes by hiding in luggage, backpacks, and other personal items. Once inside, bed bugs can settle in anywhere people spend time resting.

If you find bed bugs in your home, you might research DIY methods to get rid of them. You may be wondering, “Does alcohol kill bed bugs?” Rubbing alcohol can only kill bed bugs with direct contact, but it isn’t 100% effective. It does not eliminate bed bug eggs or those that are hidden, making it an unreliable solution.

Continue reading to learn about the most effective methods for killing bed bugs and how Terminix’s Bed Bug Control services can help eliminate an infestation.

bed bug on towel

Should I use alcohol to kill bed bugs?

While rubbing alcohol can kill bed bugs on direct contact, research shows it is not an instant or reliable solution. A study conducted by Rutgers University found that even when sprayed directly, rubbing alcohol kills only about 50% of the exposed bed bugs and does not affect hidden bugs or their eggs. This means rubbing alcohol will not eliminate bed bug infestations and does little to prevent them from returning.

Rubbing alcohol does not repel bed bugs and won’t stop them from spreading to new areas. Using alcohol can also pose various safety risks. It is highly flammable and can be dangerous when applied to mattresses, upholstered furniture, or fabrics. Exposure may cause skin irritation and respiratory issues.

Are there other chemical bed bug treatments that work?

Now that we know rubbing alcohol and bed bugs won’t work, you may be tempted to turn to other household chemicals, such as bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or DIY sprays, in an attempt to kill these pests. While some of these substances may kill bed bugs on direct contact, they will not resolve an infestation.

  • Bleach can kill bed bugs if it comes into contact with them, but it does not reach hidden bugs or their eggs. It can damage surfaces, discolor fabrics, and release harmful fumes. Mixing bleach with other cleaners can also create toxic gases.
  • Hydrogen peroxide may kill exposed bed bugs, but it breaks down quickly, offers no lasting control, and can bleach fabrics.
  • Over-the-counter sprays and foggers often fail to reach cracks and crevices where bed bugs hide and may cause bugs to scatter.

bed bug fogger in bedroom

What kills bed bugs naturally?

While DIY methods are typically ineffective against bed bugs, there are a few steps you can take to help remove these unwelcome pests in your home. Some proven methods include:

Using high heat on clothing and linens

Does washing clothes kill bed bugs? Frequent laundering is an effective way to kill bed bugs and their eggs on clothing and linens. Place infested items directly into the washing machine and wash them using the hottest water temperature allowed by the manufacturer, then dry on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes. Always follow care label instructions to prevent damage.

Vacuuming

Vacuuming can be an effective way to remove visible bed bugs from furniture, upholstery, and carpets. While vacuuming does not eliminate eggs or hidden bed bugs on its own, it can support other treatments. After vacuuming, immediately empty the canister or bag into a sealed plastic bag and dispose of it in an outdoor trash container to prevent re-infestation.

Steam cleaning

High temperatures are extremely effective at killing bed bugs. Steam reaches temperatures of around 212°F and can kill bed bugs on contact when applied correctly. Using a steamer on cracks, crevices, and seams in furniture, mattresses, and other upholstered surfaces can help eliminate visible bed bugs. However, steam treatment must be thorough, as it may not reach all hiding places or eliminate an infestation on its own.

Purchasing a mattress encasement

Bed bug mattress covers are protective liners that are effective at preventing bed bugs from hiding in beds and can trap any bugs already inside, making infestations easier to identify. While encasements won’t eliminate a bed bug infestation on their own, they are a valuable tool for containment and prevention when used alongside professional treatment.

Decluttering

Although it won't kill them, you can help deter bed bugs by eliminating their hiding places. Keep items off the floor, keep clutter away from your bed, and store items in sealed plastic containers.

What treatments work best to get rid of bed bugs?

Because bed bugs can be extremely difficult to eliminate, effective control is best left to the professionals. DIY methods, such as rubbing alcohol or store-bought sprays, may kill a few visible bugs, but they rarely reach hidden bed bugs or eggs, allowing the infestation to return.

Our experts begin with a thorough inspection of your home, carefully checking mattresses, furniture, baseboards, and other common hiding places to confirm activity and assess the severity of the infestation. Based on the findings, our technicians will create a custom treatment plan designed to help eliminate bed bugs at all life stages. Follow-up visits can also be scheduled as needed.

tech inspecting bed frame

Don’t let bed bugs disrupt your sleep or peace of mind. Schedule your free bed bug inspection with Terminix today.

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