The battle against bed bugs is an ongoing challenge for both homeowners and pest control professionals. As these resilient pests continue to thrive, we’re constantly exploring new technologies and methods to improve our arsenal. One such technology that has piqued interest is ultraviolet (UV) light. While UV light has shown promise in various applications, its effectiveness in exterminating bed bugs warrants a closer look.

UV Light & Its Principles

UV light is used extensively in laboratories, hospitals, and hotels for its highly effective disinfection and sterilization capabilities. UV-C light, in particular, uses germicidal properties to disrupt the DNA and RNA of microorganisms like bacteria and viruses, rendering them unable to reproduce and effectively killing them.

UV-C Light for Bed Bug Removal

UV light’s germicidal properties are well established in science, even for bed bug extermination. Jaime Iten’s 2013 study from Ohio State University examines the impact of ultraviolet light on bed bug survival and behavior. The researchers exposed different groups of bed bugs to UV light over a 14-day period, with exposure times ranging from 1 second/day to 10 seconds/day. Iten’s research demonstrated that UV light can kill bed bugs, as mortality rates increased with longer exposure times compared to control groups.

Applying UV Light to Bed Bug Removal

Despite the promising results of Iten’s research, several critical factors must be considered when applying UV light in real-life infestations.

The Inverse Square Law

A major barrier to using UV light for bed bug removal is the principle of the inverse square law. This law states that the intensity of UV light decreases proportionally with the square of the distance from the source. For instance, if UV light is 6 inches away from a target, it is 100% effective. At 12 inches, its effectiveness is reduced to approximately 25%, and at 18 inches, it drops to around 11% (Bard, 1989; Ieshenko et al., 2018). This dramatic reduction in effectiveness with increased distance significantly impacts UV light’s practical utility for bed bug extermination, as the pests often reside in hard-to-reach areas.

In Iten’s research, the distance of the bed bugs to the source of the UV light was 4 centimeters (1.5 inches). Essentially, a UV lamp like the Lumivyx HaloClean is only effective for killing bed bugs if they are regularly exposed to the light at a distance of 6 to 12 inches. Additionally, UV light’s effectiveness is compromised by its inability to penetrate materials like sheets, bedspreads, carpets, and upholstery. This limits its ability to reach bed bugs that are concealed under or within these materials.

Complete Eradication of A Bed Bug Infestation

It’s essential to distinguish between killing a bed bug and completely eradicating an infestation. The simplest way to kill a bed bug is the “squish & flush” method. This simple method is, as the name suggests, squashing a bed bug when seen and flushing it down the toilet. You don’t need to be a certified bed bug expert to use the squish & flush method. But if squashing a bed bug with toilet paper and flushing it down the toilet were an effective way to achieve complete eradication of bed bugs, this pest would not be as prominent as they are today and most Bed Bug Extermination companies wouldn’t need to exist!

Many methods, including rubbing alcohol, bleach, or blow dryers, can also kill individual bed bugs upon direct contact, like the squish & flush method. The reason why these methods fall short when it comes to treating an entire infestation is that they only kill the bed bugs that you see. Hidden bed bug adults, bed bug nymphs and bed bug eggs are not accounted for, and therefore they will keep mating, hatching and growing until every bug is destroyed. Techniques that only kill visible bugs, such as UV light or direct application of rubbing alcohol, are limited in their effectiveness against a full-blown infestation and are not any more effective than the “squish and flush” method.

While UV light demonstrates potential in killing bed bugs with daily exposure of at least 10 seconds at about 2 inches of distance, its practical application in managing complete infestations is, at best, extremely limited.

The Voyd Approach: Comprehensive Bed Bug Extermination

Our entire team at Voyd Bed Bug Treatment is comprised of bed bug specialists with thousands of successful treatments in different states and municipalities using various methods. Dry heat treatments coupled with residual liquid sprays address all stages of a bed bug’s life and penetrate deep into hiding spots, ensuring comprehensive treatment. The propane bed bug heaters that our team uses for this treatment are made by Greentech Heat Solutions, the original heat treatment innovator and the best supplier for bed bug heater equipment.

Final Evaluation of UV Light for Bed Bug Removal in 2024

While UV light holds promise for certain applications, its current limitations in bed bug extermination are significant. With its effectiveness reduced by distance and limited penetration through material barriers, UV light is not yet a viable standalone solution for bed bug infestations. However, ongoing research and technological advancements may enhance its effectiveness in the future. For now, dry heat treatments and residual liquid sprays remain the most reliable methods for both residential and commercial bed bug control.

Call or text our team of bed bug experts today to discuss your situation and set up a Bed Bug Inspection to receive a quote for services!

References

• Iten, J. (2013). Evaluating the Efficacy of UV Light for Bed Bug Control. Ohio State University.
• Bard, J. B. L. (1989). The Inverse Square Law and Its Applications. Journal of Physics.
• Ieshenko, V., Adams, K., & Taylor, D. (2018). The Effectiveness of UV-C Light in Pathogen Control. International Journal of Applied Microbiology.