A bed bug infestation is a huge nuisance and getting rid of them properly is essential in order to make sure they are completely eliminated. Baking soda is commonly regarded as a DIY remedy for bed bugs, but does it actually kill them?

To find out, we asked Sammy Wang, a senior scientist for P&G fabric care and Shay LaRue, a virtual handy person expert at Frontdoor, to weigh in.

"Baking soda is not a proven method for eliminating a bed bug infestation", Wang says. LaRue also cautions against the DIY remedy explaining how bed bugs are extremely resilient and baking soda isn’t strong enough to kill them on contact or after prolonged exposure.

Read on to learn about what baking soda actually does to bed bugs, what the different DIY elimination methods are, and whether they really work.

What Does Baking Soda Actually Do to Bed Bugs

Many people think baking soda kills bed bugs, but not only is that not the case, but this ineffective treatment can actually cause them to spread.

"Bed bugs reproduce quickly and using ineffective DIY solutions like baking soda could potentially allow for the infestation to grow and become even harder to treat", Wang warns.

It is incorrectly assumed that because baking soda absorbs moisture, it will dehydrate bed bugs and therefore kill them. Baking soda may stick to their bodies, however, it will not dehydrate, hurt, or kill bed bugs and both cleaning and pest control experts say it is not an effective way to kill them.

"We recommend consulting the EPA or the National Pesticide Information Center sites for effective home treatments or contacting a professional pest control service", Wang says.

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5 Alternatives That Will Kill Bed Bugs

Heat

LaRue explains how the only true way to eliminate bed bugs without having to use pesticides and chemicals is extreme climate.

Heat is the easiest solution for killing bed bugs, and can be implemented both on the DIY level and by hiring a professional. The amount of heat exposure for bed bugs varies due to multiple variables in a home, LaRue explains.

Bed bugs don't just stay in a mattress, they can get into small voids, outlets, electrical fixtures, and furniture.

"At 122 degrees Fahrenheit, the bed bug eggs will die, at 118 degrees, the exposure will kill adult bed bugs", LaRue says, adding that the exposure must be a base minimum of 20 minutes.

A heat solution of this magnitude should be trusted to professionals, LaRue advises, sharing that most professionals will treat a home at around 125 degrees Fahrenheit for over an hour. To kill bed bugs on laundry items, LaRue says using a dryer for articles of clothing on the highest setting is a good DIY strategy for homeowners.

Freezing

The other temperature extreme for killing bed bugs is freezing them.

"Freezing bed bugs is effective as well, so long as the insects are removed, as due to their resiliency and their ability to adapt, bedbugs could potentially become active again once they thaw and warm up", LaRue explains.

Place items such as clothing, accessories, or toys in sealed bags and place them in the freezer for up to a week to kill bed bugs, then immediately discard the frozen bed bugs to ensure they don't reappear.

Bed Bug Pesticides

Use an EPA-registered bed bug pesticide to kill an infestation. This is essential, as it ensures the product is safe and legal to use. There are a variety of bed bug pesticides available, some to any consumer, others to professionals only. Look for products that have an EPA registration number on the label and carefully read and follow the directions.

Diatomaceous Earth

For a non-chemical removal method, turn to food-grade diatomaceous earth which is made from fossilized remains of diatoms. It's similar to baking soda in that it comes in powder form, it absorbs moisture, and it is abrasive.

However, diatomaceous earth is more effective in killing bed bugs on contact than the pantry staple. To use this natural solution, generously sprinkle mattresses, furniture, and other bed bug-infested surfaces in your home with the powder. While this is an effective method, it works slowly and can take anywhere from one to three weeks to kill bed bugs.

Call a Professional

The most reliable method for completely eliminating bed bugs is to call a professional pest control service. They may use a variety of treatment methods including heat, chemicals, and pesticides to kill bed bugs on mattresses, furniture, and the small nooks and crannies in your home.