How Freezing Kills Bed Bugs – A Scientifically Proven Method
Bedbugs in your suitcase? Many travelers bring home more than just souvenirs – namely bedbugs, or bedbugs. Bedbugs have become more common in Finland in recent decades, and they typically spread with travelers in their luggage (Joukanen, 2023). The small pest can hide in a hostel bed, for example, and sneak into your bag unnoticed. Bedbugs that have invaded your home cause itchy bites and sleepless nights. So it is understandable that people are worried about bringing bedbugs home.
How to get rid of bedbugs at home? One scientifically proven method is freezing. In this blog post, we explain why freezing is effective for bedbugs, what the research says about it, how you can practically freeze objects or luggage to fight bedbugs, and we share tips and warnings regarding freezing treatments. All advice is based on research data and expert recommendations.
Why is cold effective against bedbugs?
Bedbugs are insects that cannot tolerate the freezing of their body fluids – they are freeze -intolerant ( Olson et al., 2013). In practice, this means that bedbugs try to survive in the cold by lowering the freezing point of their body fluids, a kind of “antifreeze built into their bodies” (Olson et al., 2013). They can enter a state of cold hibernation at cool temperatures, which slows down their vital functions. However, cold temperatures alone do not kill bedbugs: the pests can survive for months without eating if the temperature remains around zero (Joukanen, 2023).
For a bedbug to die, its body fluids must actually freeze. When the temperature drops low enough, the bedbug’s supercooling strategy fails and its cells begin to freeze, which is fatal for the insect (Olson et al., 2013). In other words, a sufficiently cold environment will rupture the bedbug’s cells, and the bedbugs and their eggs will die as a result of freezing (Entomological Society of America, 2013).
It’s worth noting that bedbugs are a bit more cold-resistant than previously thought. New research suggests that bedbugs may be more resistant to freezing than old beliefs suggest, but prolonged exposure to cold will still kill them (Entomological Society of America, 2013). So don’t believe the urban legend that a few hours outside on a freezing night is enough – science shows that freezing only works if done correctly.
How cold and how long is needed?
Exposure time: The effectiveness of freezing treatment depends on both temperature and time. For example, Olson et al. (2013) reported that at a temperature of –16 °C, at least 80 hours (about 3.3 days) of continuous exposure are required to kill bedbugs at all developmental stages . When the temperature was lowered even colder, the time was shortened: at –20 °C, about 48 hours (2 days) were enough for complete mortality (Olson et al., 2013). Correspondingly, at slightly milder temperatures, more time is needed – at temperatures above –12 °C, some bedbugs may survive for up to a week. This explains why, for example, just freezing outside on a balcony may not help: the temperature on the balcony does not stay cold enough for long enough for the bedbugs to actually die (Tukes, 2020).
Practical recommendations: Since home freezers are typically around –18 °C, experts recommend a small margin of safety for the scientific minimum values. In Finland, the general guideline is to freeze items containing bed bugs for a week at a temperature of at least –18 °C (Marttaliitto, nd; Joukanen, 2023). This ensures that even the most tenacious individuals, and especially the eggs, will definitely have time to die.
It is also important to consider bedbug eggs. Bedbug eggs are the most resistant to cold, and a study even found that eggs survived a short-term shock freeze of -25 °C (Olson et al., 2013). Therefore, a long exposure time is critical: only a sufficiently long continuous freeze ensures that the eggs are also completely destroyed.
How to freeze bedbugs in practice?
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Choosing suitable items: Freezing is particularly suitable for items and materials that cannot withstand high temperatures. Many textiles, books, shoes, backpacks, soft toys and even electronics can be treated with frost. It is worth freezing items that are sensitive to heat (Tukes, 2020).
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Tight packaging: Before freezing, seal the items to be processed tightly in a plastic bag or garbage bag. Close the bag carefully so that no bedbugs or their eggs can escape (Tukes, 2020).
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Freezer Use: Place the bag in a chest freezer or freezer compartment that can maintain a temperature of preferably -18°C or colder. Do not overfill the freezer to allow cold air to circulate (Marttaliitto, nd).
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Freezing for a sufficiently long time: It is recommended to freeze the goods for at least 3–4 days , and preferably for a week (Joukanen, 2023).
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If you want to ensure the exact temperature and treatment, you can also use a professional freezing service. Pakastus.fi offers a powerful freezing service suitable for bedbug control, where the temperature and time are ensured by continuous measurement. The service is suitable for suitcases, textiles and small furniture, for example.
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After thawing: When the freezing time is up, let the bag warm to room temperature while still closed before opening (Marttaliitto, nd).
Tips and warnings for freezing
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Freeze as a preventative measure: If you have returned from a trip to a country where bedbugs are present, consider freezing your luggage as a preventative measure (Joukanen, 2023).
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A balcony is not always enough: Outdoor treatment is ineffective if the temperature fluctuates (Tukes, 2020).
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Professional help: In case of extensive infections, professional help is needed; some companies also offer industrial freezing services (Tukes, 2020).
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Safety: Liquid products can break when frozen – so do not freeze glass bottles full of liquid (Marttaliitto, 2025).
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Freezing.f i offers consumers and businesses a reliable alternative if you want to be sure of the result without the temperature uncertainty of a home freezer. In our service, items are frozen in an industrial environment at a temperature of -18–30 °C, which guarantees the complete destruction of bedbugs and their eggs.
Do you want to get rid of bedbugs safely and reliably?
Check out the Pakastus.fi service and easily book a freezing time online.
Reference list
Entomological Society of America. (2013) Bed bugs can Survive freezing temperatures, but cold can still kill them . ScienceDaily , 9 December. Available: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131208133632.htm
Joukanen, T. (2023) Expert tips for preventing bedbugs – start prevention at your destination . Yle Uutiset , 4 November. Available: https://yle.fi/a/74-20058317
Ask the librarian. (2016) Bedbug extermination in the cold . Helmet libraries . Available: https://www.kirjastot.fi
Marttaliitto. (nd) Textile pests and bedbugs .Martat.fi – Home care . Available: https://www.martat.fi/kodinhoito/kodin-kutsumatomata-vieraat/tekstiilituholaiset-ja-lutikat/
Olson, JF, Eaton, M., Kells, SA, Morin, V. & Wang, C. (2013) Cold Tolerance of bed bugs and practical recommendations for control . Journal of Economic Entomology , 106(6), 2433–2441. doi:10.1603/EC13032.
Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes). (2020) Bedbugs are spreading in luggage and used furniture . Tukes.fi , 7 February. Available: https://tukes.fi/-/lutikka-leviaa-matkatavaroissa-ja-kaytetyissa-huonekaluissa