We often receive inquiries from trucking companies and drivers asking how to kill bed bugs in a tractor trailer cab of their trucks. The answer is a resounding “yes”, but with some precautions. Heating the cab of a tractor trailer to kill bed bugs is an effective method, similar to bed bug heat treatments used in both residential and commercial settings. You can heat the cab to temperatures between 125-140 degrees F for a set duration can eliminate both the bugs and their eggs.
To be more specific, some heaters are better suited for this application compared to others. The following instructional will provide the steps for how to kill bed bugs in a tractor trailer cab, including the preparational steps to assist the user in reducing the chances of damaging any contents of inside the cab. Additionally, we will cover
Recommended Steps for Heating the Cab of a Truck for Bed Bug Elimination:
- Preparation:
- Remove Heat-Sensitive Items: Before starting the heat treatment, remove any items from the cab that could be damaged by high temperatures, such as aerosol cans, or any pressurized cylinders such as fire extinguishers. For over the road truck cabs, make sure any perishable foods are removed as well. Unplug any mini-fridges or microwaves.
- Clean the Area: Remove trash such as food wrappers, papers, or any other loose debris that can be drawn into the back of the motors in the equipment.
- Choosing a Heating Method Before we explore our product recommendations, we would like to address the types of equipment that we do not recommend using. The first type of heater is standard electric space heaters. Standard electric space heaters typically do not contain components that can withstand persistent high temperatures such as 140 degrees F. They also have thermostatic controls limited to 105 degrees F, which is inadequate to kill bed bugs. The same applies to electric construction space heaters.
Barrel type or open flame heaters, or small camping heaters, are also not recommended for this process. Asphyxiation from carbon monoxide and exposed flame can result in serious injury or death. These products are not intended for use in confined spaces or near flammable objects such as fabrics.
What we do recommend:
- Portable Electric Bed Bug Heaters(Preferred): We recommend the use of the single-room bed bug heater for killing bed bugs in a tractor trailer. This heater professional-grade portable heaters specifically designed for pest control. These heaters can raise the temperature inside the cab to the necessary temps to kill bed bugs in a safer, controlled manner. They process air in larger volumes to keep the output temperature lower, which in turn drastically reduces chances for damage. They also have a small footprint, and operate off standard 110 volt wall outlets. To see a video on the system, click here.
- Small portable, ductable gas-fired systems: While we prefer to use electric bed bug heaters for tractor trailer cabs, more experienced operators could also use one of our smaller ductable enclosed-flame heaters such as the HST115. The unit would need to be equipped with a high-temperature remote thermostat to cycle the system on and off to maintain temperature. The machine does discharge a much higher temperature, resulting in a quicker rise to “kill” temperatures, but also increases risk for damage. The discharge of the duct should be directed at the floor board, which is least likely to have material susceptible to damage. The system should not be left unattended.
- Heat Chambers: Some pest control companies offer mobile heat chambers that can enclose the entire truck, heating it uniformly. This is a less desirable choice of the three due to it being labor intensive, and sealing the exterior cab properly can be extremely difficult.
- Sealing the Cab:
- Ensure that the cab is sealed as much as possible to retain heat. Close all windows and doors, and check for any gaps or openings that could let heat escape. When running extension cords through a window, 6 mil painters plastic and tape can be used to seal the small gap created by the cords.
- Temperature and Duration:
- Target Temperature: The goal is to reach a temperature of at least 120 degrees F (49°C), but preferably between 130-140 degrees F inside the cab, to account for cooler interstitial cracks and crevices that may be cooler than the air temperature. Adult bed bugs and their eggs begin to die at 113 degrees F, but mortality rates increase substantially with direct exposure to 120 degrees F.
- Duration: Maintain this temperature for several hours to ensure all bed bugs and eggs are killed. Typically, 4-6 hours is recommended, but this can vary based on the infestation level and the heater’s efficiency.
- Monitoring:
- Use the heater thermostat and sensors such as the TR4 to monitor the temperature inside the cab to ensure it reaches and stays at the lethal level throughout the treatment.
- Move the heater and use a high-temperature circulation air mover to distribute heat evenly and avoid cold spots where bed bugs could survive.
- Safety Precautions:
- Fire Safety: Ensure that heaters are used safely to prevent fire hazards. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and keep heaters away from flammable materials.
- Ventilation: After the treatment, ventilate the cab to cool it down and remove any residual heat.
Advantages of Heat Treatment
- Chemical-Free: Heat treatment is a non-toxic method, making it safe for the environment and for those who frequently use the truck.
- Effectiveness: Heat penetrates into cracks and crevices where bed bugs hide, ensuring a thorough kill.
- Immediate Results: Unlike some chemical treatments that may require multiple applications, heat treatment can eliminate bed bugs in one session.
Heating the cab of a truck is a practical and effective method to eliminate bed bugs, ensuring the vehicle remains free of these pests and safe for use.
