Is there a tougher and more notorious household pest than bed bugs? These pests are most active at night, and they often leave behind small, red bite marks on you and your pets. These little bumps on your skin will likely be incredibly itchy, and while bed bugs don’t pass on any diseases of their own to humans, the scratching can lead to open sores that are vulnerable to infection.
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We would like to show you a few steamers you can use to get rid of these pests. We have picked out some the best ones on the market to help you make the right choice when it comes to buying something to get rid of the bed bugs.
Best Rated Steamers for Bed Bugs Reviewed
We would like to show you a few quality products that can effectively eliminate bed bugs in your home.
McCulloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner
This is a super versatile steam cleaner, offering 18 different attachments, so you can get into all those places other cleaning machines cannot. It doesn’t need any toxic chemicals to do its cleaning, and it provides powerful pressure to reach deep into cracks and crevices. The large tank can provide up to 45 minutes of continuous steam cleaning spray, allowing you to get the job done in one run.
This is a heavy-duty machine, so it should be no problem to use it wherever you think bed bugs are hiding, including your attic, garage and vehicle.
Pros
- Massive tank permits thorough cleaning without the need for refills
- Very durable design
- Numerous attachments make this cleaner right for any job
Cons
- While the cleaner itself is very durable, the attachments and hose are less so
Vaporer MR-100 Primo Steam Cleaning System
For really powerful steam cleaning, you can’t get much better than Vaporer’s offering. This is a steam clear that can reach temperatures of up to 220°.
It also doesn’t use any harmful chemicals when it cleans, resulting in a residue-free home that is safe for pets and children. This is one of many experts’ recommended picks for bed bug killing steam cleaners.
The tank can keep going for a very long time, giving you up to 60 minutes of continuous spray, which is really incredible. It also comes with a few attachments that you can use to get in all those out-of-the-way places. The only real downside to this machine is its price tag, which is around $300-$400, depending on where you buy it.
Pros
- Needs no chemicals for thorough cleaning
- Gets incredibly hot
Cons
- Somewhat pricey, comparatively speaking
PurSteam Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner
If you want to do some steam cleaning to get rid of bed bugs, but you are working with a small budget, then this PurSteam product may be the way to go.
It’s a handheld cleaner that won’t be as robust or powerful as some of the other options, and of course the tank is much smaller, but it can still get the job done. It comes with nine different accessories, and it heats up fully within just a few minutes.
The PurSteam cleaner is designed to be quick and easy to use, and it is ideal for cleaning in those areas that you might not be able to access with a larger cleaner.
Pros
- Priced very affordably
- Heats up fast
- Hand-held and easy to maneuver
Cons
- Not as powerful as other steam cleaners
- Very small tank
DBRoth Handheld Multi-Purpose Pressurized Steam Cleaner
You can get a decent 15-20 minutes of steam cleaning from this handheld machine. It’s great for getting rid of bed bugs in places that are difficult to reach. You don’t have to worry about finding an outlet or maneuvering a large machine into a small space.
This cleaner won’t cost you very much, but it may not last very long either. There are reports of parts breaking off after a few months of use, so just know that you get what you pay for. It is incredibly versatile and works well just about anywhere, but some of the parts are not of the highest quality.
Pros
- Inexpensive steam cleaner
- Chemical-free cleaning
- Warms up in as little as two minutes
Cons
- Not very durable
McCulloch MC1385 Deluxe Canister Steam System
The McCulloch steam cleaner is one of the more economical choices when it comes to large steamers. It has lots of attachments, a huge tank and a reasonable price point. It also offers onboard storage for all the accessories, and it comes with a lengthy hose for cleaning in barely accessible locations.
This is great for handling serious bed bug infestations, as it easily passes the necessary minimum temperate for killing bed bugs.
Pros
- Cleans continuously for nearly two hours
- Tons of accessories
- No need for harmful chemicals
Cons
- Not very durable
What to Consider Before Buying Bed Bug Steamers
You could try to use pesticide to get rid of bed bugs, but it isn’t likely to have much success. Even with the best bed bug elimination method, you will need to keep checking for signs of these pests, as you may have missed some eggs that hatched. According to the EPA, you need to check about every 7 days after treating an area for bed bugs to see if new ones have appeared.
Here are some things to consider when buying bed bug steamers:
- Make sure it is a steam cleaner and not a regular carpet cleaning machine– That’s because carpet cleaning machines do not reach high enough temperatures to kill bed bugs, according to researchers at the University of Minnesota.
- The steam cleaner needs to be very hot– It has to reach a temperature of somewhere between 160 and 180°F. If you use something that is cooler than that, then the bed bugs may not die.
- Use something other than a pin-point nozzle– You need a steam cleaner that offers other attachments besides just a pin-point nozzle, as that kind of nozzle can push the bed bugs out of the treatment area instead of killing them.
- Buy a high-quality steamer– Something that is cheap is likely to provide inconsistent temperatures, and you may think you are killing bed bugs but may actually be just warming them up a little bit.
Final Thoughts
As always, common sense will be the best consideration, when shopping around for a steamer for bed bugs. You should base your decision on where the bed bug infestation is and how bad it is. If you have to cover a very large surface area, then you might want to opt for one of the more heavy-duty steamers.
If you need to clean a spot that is located in a tight space, then the hand-held steamer would be a wise choice. Just be sure to choose the steamer that will suit your needs best, for a happy and bed bug-free home.