Steam is a very effective method for killing bed bugs in all the stages of development, if applied correctly. ... Steam is very effective when bed bugs are on the surface of items and can be effective up to 3/4″ into fabric surfaces. In cracks and crevices, steam will kill bed bugs up to 2-3/8” into a gap.

Does steam kill bed bugs instantly?

Continued exposure to a temperature around 110 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit will kill bed bugs in a matter of 15-20 minutes. Steam cleaners, on the other hand, can shoot steam with temperatures reaching up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. In this condition, bed bugs, nymphs, and their eggs can die almost instantly.

How long do you have to steam bed bugs?

An adult bed bug needs only about 118°F (48°C) for complete lethality within 90 minutes. Both adult bed bugs and bed bug eggs will die within minutes at 122°F (50°C). Steam forms from water at 212°F (100°C), so it's already way over the killing point required to exterminate bed bugs immediately.