Can Bed Bugs live on Carpet? Does Vacuuming Get rid of Bed Bugs?

While there is no proper way of eradicating bed bugs without using harsh chemicals, there are certain methods like Vacuuming, that can help you in getting temporary relief.

Vacuuming is quite efficient as it is a two-in-one method that will not only keep bed bugs at bay but would also make sure that you maintain a good environment with a consistent cleanliness routine.

Vacuuming is also one of the best methods to get rid of Bed Bugs under Carpet.

Does vacuuming get rid of bed bugs?

Vacuuming is not a permanent solution as it will not eradicate bed bugs from your place, but it is definitely a highly effective option.

Before you opt for vacuuming as an option to get rid of bed bugs, you need to remember that if you don’t make vacuuming your habit or a part of your day-to-day routine, bed bugs would be able to make their way inside your place again as vacuuming is often used in conjunction with various other treatments.

Vacuuming helps you to control rid of bed bugs in following ways:

  • Quickly reduce the large clumps of clustering bed bugs
  • Physically eliminate isolated bed bugs
  • Eradicate insecticide-resistant bugs
  • Reduce the usage of insecticide severely infested areas
  • Control bed bugs in sites or on furniture where insecticide can’t be used or is not safe or effective
  • It gives you an alternative control method in sites where the cluttering is worst
  • Removes dirt, dead bugs, shed skins, and other debris that can enhance the effectiveness of insecticide treatment, and provide you with a clean slate for follow-up inspections

Top 3 Best Vacuum Cleaners to Get rid of Bed Bugs

1Ivation 1800W Canister Steam Cleaner
2Vapamore MR-100 Primo Steam Cleaning System
3Atrix VACBP1 HEPA Backpack Vacuum

How frequently do you need to vacuum to get rid of bed bugs?

Timing plays a crucial role when operating any product to get rid of pests. Vacuuming is most beneficial when bed bugs are not disturbed and grouped in clumps.

Once disturbed, they become tough to dislodge with a vacuum since they firmly cling to the nearest rough surface (like fabric and wood) available to them.

Eggs of bed bugs are hardest to vacuum as they are coated with a transparent, sticky material that can stick easily to almost every surface.

Where should you vacuum to avoid and get rid of Bed Bugs?

The following are some of the best sites where you should vacuum on a regular basis as bed bugs mostly dwell in these areas:

  • Under and around your Bed
  • Upholstered furniture
  • Under Upholstered Furniture like carpets
  • Junction of the Baseboard and Floor near the bed
  • Possible Infested Cracks and Crevices in or near the bed frame, and furniture
  • Walls near Infested areas

Can Bed Bugs live on carpet?

Yes, the bed bugs can live on any type of carpet, and the type of carpet and the material used in it plays a crucial role in determining the severity of the infestation.

If you find bed bugs on your carpets, there are very high chances that they have already infested your beds, mattresses, and clothes, because they often use carpets as a means to travel around your house before they stick to any other piece of clothing.

In certain situations, bed bugs would prefer to live on carpets, especially where there is an absence of a bed in a certain room or area. An infested bed can be thrown, but you could still have bed bugs on your carpet as they mainly use carpets as a means of transportation.

How long can Bed Bugs live on carpet?

Bed bugs can survive for about six months without food and therefore, their infestation doesn’t decrease quickly.

Once they have made your carpet a resting place, their breeding will not stop as they consider carpets as the best place to lay eggs. Therefore, there is no natural way to get rid of bed bugs.

How to get rid of Bed Bugs on Carpet using Vacuum?

You just need to vacuum the infested place under the carpet about two to three times a day, and you will start seeing the results within a week of regular vacuuming.

The following are the tips and steps to effectively get rid of bed bugs on carpet through vacuum

  • A vacuum cleaner which includes a bag to collect debris is much more efficient in getting rid of bed bugs, as compared to a bag-less vacuum cleaner. This is because the presence of the bag eliminates the chance of bed bugs escaping along with the need of manually collecting all the debris.
  • Before you start vacuuming, apply and spread Diatomaceous Earth (DE) all over the surface where you will be vacuuming as it helps to kill bed bugs and other bugs that may be lying in or near the area.
  • Make sure that you vacuum the place thoroughly and go over every square inch of carpet every time you vacuum.
  • Once you are done vacuuming, clean your vacuum cleaner by taking out the bag and empty all the debris from it at a place outside your house. Doing this makes sure that bed bugs don’t infest any other space of your house again.
  • For additional care, it is preferred that you use a carpet steamer or cleaner to clean your carpet.

Best Vacuum brands to get rid of bed bugs

The following are some of the best Vacuum products along with their brands that will help you in getting rid of bed bugs:

Let us check more details about top 3 best vacuums to get rid of bed bugs.

1. Ivation 1800W Canister Steam Cleaner

The product is a multi-purpose vacuum cleaner as it can be used to get rid of bed bugs and clean all the surfaces, at the same time.

The vacuum cleaner includes a 14-piece accessories kit along with a high capacity tank that can store up to two liters of water for 30 minutes of Continuous Steam Cleaning. It also includes a sanitizing action ensuring that there is no mess.

Components or Accessories: The product includes the following accessories that would provide you maximum utility in order to get rid of bed bugs:

  • Angled Power Jet Tip
  • Brush Holder
  • Cleaning Cloth
  • Floor Scrub Brush
  • Floor Scrub Brush Adaptor
  • Funnel
  • Measuring Cup
  • Rotating Brush
  • Round Bristle Brush (Large in size)
  • Round Bristle Brush (Small in size)
  • Small Tip Adaptor
  • Steam Gun
  • Team Cleaner
  • Two Extensive Tubes
  • User Guide
  • Window Squeegee

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 19.69 inches * 12.6 inches * 42.91 inches
  • Cleaning Power: 1800 watts
  • Maximum temperature: 338°F (170°C)
  • Working Pressure: 29-65 PSI (2-5 bar)
  • Maximum Pressure: 65 PSI (5 bar)
  • Water Tank Capacity: 3.8 pints (1.8L)
  • Maximum Tank Fill capacity: 4 pints (1.95 L)

2. Vapamore MR-100 Primo Steam Cleaning System

Vapamore provides you all the latest tools and accessories along with a much stronger ability to get rid of bed bugs. The brand improved its design so that it can cover a larger floor area.

The product provided by Vapamore is a Solenoid-operated Steam Control so that the product can operate on almost every kind of surface with ease and effectively get rid of bed bugs.

Moreover, the product works without making use of any chemical or toxic substance making it absolutely safe for use around children and pets.

Components or Accessories: The product includes the following accessories that would provide you maximum utility in order to get rid of bed bugs:

  • Angled Power Jet Tip
  • Brush Holder
  • Cleaning Cloth
  • Clothes / Fabric Tool
  • Fabric Tool’s Cotton Cover
  • Floor Cleaning Head
  • Floor Scrub Brush
  • Floor Scrub Brush Adaptor
  • Funnel
  • Measuring Cup
  • Rotating Brush
  • Round Bristle Brush (Large in size)
  • Round Bristle Brush (Small in size)
  • Small Tip Adaptor
  • Steam Gun
  • Team Cleaner
  • Triangle Corner Brush
  • Two Extensive Tubes
  • User Guide
  • Water Level Dipstick
  • Window Squeegee

Specifications 

  • Dimensions: 33 cm * 38.1 cm * 35.6 cm
  • Weight: 20.5 pounds
  • Cleaning Power: 1500 watts
  • Steam produced: 210⁰ to 220⁰
  • Lifetime of per tank: 60 minutes
  • Flow Rate: 40 gallons/min.
  • Voltage: 120 volts

3. Atrix – VACBP1 HEPA Backpack Vacuum

The Backpack Vacuum Cleaner offered by Atrix is portable as it comes in a perfect size and hence, can be used anywhere around the house. It is meant for both, residential and commercial use, as it effectively removes bed bugs.

The product is an appropriate choice if you are facing a severe infestation as it includes a special 8-Quart HEPA filter that safely captures the bed bug and can be changed easily,

Components or Accessories: The product includes the following accessories that would provide you maximum utility in order to get rid of bed bugs:

  • Air-driven Turbo Brush
  • Blower Adapter
  • Blower Nozzles (Set of three)
  • Crevice Tool
  • Exhaust Filter Cover
  • Extension Cord Strain Relief
  • Extension Wand (22 inches to 37 inches)
  • Filter Plugs
  • Floor Brush
  • Furniture Nozzle
  • HEPA Bags
  • HEPA Filter
  • Hose
  • Pre-motor and Exhaust Filter Set
  • Round Brush
  • Shakeout Bag

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 12 inches * 9 inches * 20 inches
  • Weight: 10.3 pounds
  • Cleaning Power: 1400 watts
  • Filtration System: Level 4

Conclusion

There is no permanent way to get rid of bed bugs, but vacuuming is one of the best ways to get rid of them as it also helps in eliminating other pests. It serves multiple purposes as it can also be used to clean various surfaces, ensuring that there is no mess, and is safe to do with children and pets in your house.