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, does UV Light really kill bed bugs?
UV Light & Its Principles
UV light is used extensively in laboratories, hospitals, and hotels for its effective disinfection and sterilization capabilities. UV-C light uses germicidal properties to disrupt the DNA and RNA of microorganisms like bacteria and viruses. This process blocks the reproductive cycle for these microorganisms and effectively kills 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.
Top Challenges of Using UV Light for Bed Bug Removal
- Limited light penetration into cracks and fabrics.
- Reduced effectiveness with distance (inverse square law).
- Requires direct and prolonged exposure to kill bugs.
- Ineffective against eggs and hidden bed bugs.
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 Bed Bug Heaters, the original heat treatment innovator and the best supplier for bed bug heater equipment.
UV Light is Not Viable for Bed Bug Removal in 2025
So, does uv light kill bed bugs? While UV light holds promise for certain applications, it is NOT YET a practical method for holistic bed bug removal. With its effectiveness greatly reduced by distance and inability to penetrate through material barriers like bed frames or furniture, it is even less effective than squishing the bugs one-by-one. 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.
I was just looking into the Hala Clean UV Testimonials to get rid of bedbugs! I don’t know what else to do I’m on a set income and my landlord refuses to pay for extermination! There are other apartments here and I’m thinking they came from the guy next door from me! I would invest with this light but want to get rid of all of them even if it takes time! I have Diatomaceous Earth that I’ve been using around and I just bought hot shot bedbug killer dust! However I have a lot of birds in one room and don’t want to hurt or kill them plus I have a dog! I just want to get rid of them and I honestly think when the landlady.Had these places exterminated they were still in the walls! I also put my clothes outside in the cold to kill off any that may be in them! Does anyone have any suggestions on what I could do without it costing a lot?
Hi Carol,
I’m so sorry you’re dealing with bed bugs—it’s an incredibly frustrating situation, especially when landlords refuse to take responsibility. You’re not alone in this, and I’d love to offer some guidance to help you get rid of bed bugs in a way that’s safe for your pets.
While UV light has potential to kill bed bugs, it’s not an effective real-world treatment method because it requires direct and prolonged exposure at very close range (within 6 inches). Unfortunately, bed bugs tend to hide in cracks, furniture, and walls, making it almost impossible for UV treatment alone to achieve a comprehensive extermination.
Since you’re looking for low-cost, pet-safe bed bug solutions, here are a few strategies that might help:
1. Diatomaceous Earth & Bed Bug Dust – You’re on the right track with diatomaceous earth (DE) and bed bug killer dust, but it’s important to apply them correctly. Use food-grade DE (not pool-grade), and lightly dust areas where bed bugs travel, like bed frames, baseboards, and behind furniture. Over-applying can make it less effective.
2. Steam Treatment – A high-temperature steamer (above 160°F) can kill bed bugs and their eggs on contact. Focus on mattresses, seams, furniture, and carpeting. This is an extremely tedious task but needs to be done with immense, meticulous focus to be effective and worth your time.
3. Encase Your Mattress & Box Spring – Bed bug-proof encasements prevent bugs from escaping or hiding inside your mattress, which can significantly reduce infestation over time.
4. DIY Bed Bug Traps – You can use interceptor cups under your bedposts to trap bugs trying to climb up.
5. Heat Treatment Options – Since you mentioned putting clothes outside in the cold, heat is actually far more effective than cold. Running infested items through a dryer on high heat for at least one hour will kill bed bugs and eggs instantly.
It’s very possible that bed bugs are coming from neighboring units, especially if they weren’t fully eradicated during past exterminations. If your landlord refuses to help, you might consider contacting tenant rights organizations in your area.
If you’d like more advice tailored to your situation, feel free to reach out! Our team specializes in bed bug heat treatments that eliminate infestations in a single day, and we’re always happy to offer guidance on affordable options.
Wishing you the best in getting rid of these pests!
– Tyler Spragg
Voyd Bed Bug Treatment