How to Kill Bed Bugs in a Refrigerator
Although a refrigerator is not a natural home for bed bugs, they sometimes find their way inside, either by crawling in through small cracks or jumping off of people into the fridge. Unfortunately, the temperature inside your refrigerator is not cold enough to kill the pests, and they can survive without food (blood) for 12 to 18 months, so you'll need to take action to get rid of them yourself. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Vacuum cleaner with attachments
- Sponge
- White vinegar
- Washing soda
- Protective gloves
Instructions
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1
Turn off the fridge, unplug it and throw everything out. Although it's unlikely that bed bugs will be on the food, it's best to discard everything, including any storage containers, in case the bugs have laid eggs.
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2
Vacuum the inside and outside of the fridge. This will help get rid of most of the bugs and eggs.
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3
Wipe down the fridge using vinegar and washing soda. Vinegar is a known bedbug deterrent.
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4
Put on protective gloves and wipe down the inside and outside of the fridge again, this time using very hot or just-boiled water. Hot water that's around 120 degrees Fahrenheit will kill bed bugs and their eggs; the temperature of boiled water is around 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Dry the refrigerator with a clean towel.
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5
Vacuum the fridge again, to ensure that no bugs or eggs remain; vacuum the coils as well. The fridge should now be bug-free.
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Refill the fridge, plug it back in and turn it on.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have bed bugs in your fridge, it's likely that you have them elsewhere in your house, too, so you may need to have your home serviced by a professional exterminator.
The U.S. National Park Service recommends putting a handful of dry, loose black walnut tea leaves in your refrigerator for a few weeks to kill bed bugs.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images
