It’s bad enough that bed bugs are infesting your mattress. But now they are plaguing your electronics too.
While it may seem unlikely, bed bugs can and will live in electronics.
Our electronic devices are usually near us, which provides the bed bugs easy access to their bloodmeal.
Bed bugs also look for shelters with little air movement and plenty of cracks. Both of which are present in electronics.
But no one wants these tiny pests living in our laptops and TVs.
In this article, we’ll go over the different methods of eliminating bed bugs from electronic devices.
Let’s dive in.
1. Vacuum
Vacuuming out your bed bugs is one of the easiest methods you can eliminate them.
Unlike other methods, it does not require any special equipment or chemicals.
Vacuuming works well in electronics that you can easily open, including laptops, desktop computers, computer monitors, digital alarm clocks, humidifiers, etc.
These electronics will typically let you access the inside by removing the backplate.
Before opening your device, place it inside a container or an l plastic to trap any bed bugs that fall out or crawl away.
Next, open your device and begin vacuuming.
Remember to be gentle and avoid hitting any of the electrical components inside.
I recommend using a small paintbrush to remove any feces or live bed bugs while you’re vacuuming.
Fecal matter can melt and damage your electronics in the future.
Electronics have small crevices that can protect bed bugs against the vacuums, so I recommend using compressed air such as dust-off.
After you’re done vacuuming remember to throw your bed bugs away.
If you have a non-bag vacuum I suggest applying Diatomaceous Earth to the container.
This will kill all the bed bugs that get vacuumed up.
2. Nuvan Pro Strips
Nuvan Pro strips are strips that kill bed bugs through vapors.
These strips use a chemical called DDVP, which attacks the bed bugs nervous system and kills it.
These strips are most effective when used as a fumigant.
To Use Nuvano Pro, place it inside an airtight container or bag with your electronics.
You can use a storage bin for smaller devices and plastic tarps for larger electronics.
Whichever container or cover you choose, make sure it’s airtight.
You can either tie the bag shut or use duct tape or zip ties to ensure no air escape.
Next, leave the electronics and the strips inside the container for several days.
This process takes around three days to kill adult bed bugs and about 7 days to kill bed bug eggs.
I recommend removing your electronics from the container outdoors or in a well-ventilated room, such as the garage.
Once you’ve removed your device, let it air out for around 12 hours.
3. Heat Treatment
Heat can be an effective way to eliminate bed bugs inside your electronics.
Temperatures of 122 degrees Fahrenheit or higher are fatal to bed bugs.
Remember to be cautious, however, as specific devices may not be able to handle high temperatures.
Smaller electronics such as alarm clocks, humidifiers, keyboards, computer fans, portable fans, and stereos, can generally withstand high temperatures without any damage.
But laptops, computers, TVs, and monitors should be handled with caution.
Heat can cause some electronics can malfunction or break altogether.
Check your devices’ manual or go online to look up the acceptable temperature for your electronics.
For smaller electronics, you can use heat chambers or a bug zap.
4. Freeze Treatment
Freezing is another way you can eliminate bed bugs.
For this method, you can place your electronics inside a zip lock bag and put them in the freezer.
Placing your electronics in an airtight bag will help prevent moisture from building up inside and damaging your electronics.
Leave your electronics inside the freezer for at least four days at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
Make sure that you use a thermometer to confirm you meet the proper temperature.
Bed bug eggs have hard cases and can survive temperatures above 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Fumigation
Fumigation treatments release fumigant gas into bed bug-infested areas to control bed bugs in all life stages.
The great thing about fumigation is its ability to penetrate areas that are difficult to access, such as tiny folds, seams, and intricate fabric.
The easiest way to fumigate your electronics is by using Nuvan Pro Strips.
Nuvan pro strips use a chemical called DDVP, which attacks the bed bugs nervous system and kills it.
To use Nuvan pro, place your electronics and one strip inside an airtight container.
Make sure your choice of container is airtight for proper fumigation.
If you are using a storage bag, twist the bag’s opening and seal it with a zip tie.
Leave your electronics in the bag for seven days to kill both eggs and adult bed bugs.
After seven days, take your container outside and break the airtight seal.
Make sure to wear a mask before opening the bag.
DDVP is toxic, and so you want to use it away from people and areas where people frequent.
Leave your electronics to air out for several hours.
If you’re doing this in a room or garage, keep the windows and doors open.
6. Neem Oil
Neem oil is an oil that is pressed from the fruit and seeds of the Neem tree.
This oil has been found to both kill and repel bed bugs.
To use Neem oil on your electronics, spray it on a rag.
Next, place the electronics and the rag inside an airtight container for five days.
The fumes from the will kill anything hiding inside your electronics.
One of the most popular products used for this treatment is Cirkill.
Cirkill uses Neem oil as its active ingredient to kill bed bugs.
You can also spray Neem oil directly on bed bug-infested furniture and items around the house.
7. Isolation
Isolation is the process of killing bed bugs in your electronics through starvation.
To do this, you will need to place your electronics in a sealed container undisturbed.
For this to work, you will need to isolate your electronics for up to a year.
That’s because bed bugs can survive for that long without food or water.
Obviously, this method is not ideal if your device is an essential item.
If the bed bug-infested electronic item is not essential, then this method is an easy and cheap way to eliminate bed bugs.
FAQ
Do Bed Bugs Hide in Electronics?
Yes. Although rare, bed bugs can aggregate inside electronics.
Bed bugs like to be as close to their host as possible, so they prefer to be on mattresses and headboards.
However, if you have a significant infestation, bed bugs may go to your electronics for space.
Since we store our electronic devices near our bed, they can provide a good hiding place for bed bugs.
They may also use your devices as a shelter after a bed bug treatment.
Heat treatments will draw the bed bugs out of their harborage area.
If they survive, they will retreat into small cracks and crevices provided by electronics nearby.
Can Bed Bugs Live in Electronics?
Bed bugs can live in electronics.
However, they will typically only do so if there is a large infestation in the home.
Bed bugs inside electronics are looking for somewhere safe to live that is close to the host.
Since our electronic devices are usually near us, electronics can be an ideal hiding place for bed bugs.
Bed bugs also look for shelters with little air movement and plenty of cracks and crevices. These factors are also present inside electronics.
Which Devices Are At Most Risk of Bed Bug Infestations?
Bed bugs are most likely to infest items that are near your bed.
Some examples are laptops, lamps, alarm clocks, and TV.
Can Bed Bugs Damage Your Electronic Devices?
Bed bugs will not chew or directly damage your electronic equipment.
But their presence inside electronic equipment can cause damage.
Bed bug droppings can melt when electronic equipment is turned on and cause a short circuit.
Their eggs and skin casings can also cause your electronic equipment to work harder and break faster.
When will bed bugs infest electronics?
There are a few reasons that bed bugs might infest your electronics.
The first is if you have a significant infestation in your home.
With limited space around the host, bed bugs will venture into electronic equipment, searching for shelter.
Bed bugs will also infest electronics that are near your bed.
Electronics such as alarm clocks, lamps, laptops will allow bed bugs to leave the electronic equipment to feed easily.
Finally, bed bugs may also use your devices as a shelter after a treatment.
Heat treatments will draw the bed bugs out of their harborage area.
If they survive, they will retreat into small cracks and crevices provided by electronics nearby.
How Common Is It to Find Bed Bugs in Electronics?
Whether you will find bed bugs in your electronics has a lot to do with the infestation size.
With small or new infestations, you will rarely find bed bugs in your electronics.
As infestations get more substantial, the chances of bed bugs infesting your electronics grow.
Can Pre-owned Electronics Have Bed Bugs?
Yes, pre-owned electronics can have bed bugs.
If the previous owner had an infestation, the device might have bed bugs.
As such, it’s always good to open or inspect any pre-owned electronics after buying.
You could also use Nuvan Pro Strips to fumigate the device before bringing it inside your house.
What Are the Signs of Bed Bugs inside Electronic Equipment?
Some signs that there might be bed bugs inside your electronic equipment are:
- Bloodstains and droppings on or around the device
- Skin casings on, around, or inside the device
- Live bed bugs walking around the device
- Dark or rusty stains
- Dead bed bugs around or inside your device
The best way to find the signs of bed bugs in your equipment is to inspect it. Check under the bottom and the sides of your electronics.
If possible, open up the device and look inside. If you see any of the signs of bed bugs on the surface of your device, it’s likely that there are active bed bugs inside it.