After thorough research, the InsectCop team has independently hand-picked the products presented on this page. However, when you click on any of the affiliate links within the article, we may receive a small commission from qualifying purchases.

The Best Bed Bug Steamers

Bed bugs are nasty pests that are very difficult to get rid of. They can hide in crevices, furniture, mattresses and other hard-to-reach spots. Which makes it difficult to exterminate then. Luckily, it’s been found that steam treatments is one of the best ways of getting rid of bed bugs. So, in this guide, we will try to show you how to choose the best steamer for bed bugs. Because with the right steam cleaner for bed bugs, your bed bug worries will be a thing of the past in no time.

Bed bugs are nasty pests that are very difficult to get rid of. They can hide in crevices, furniture, mattresses and other hard-to-reach spots. Which makes it difficult to exterminate then. Luckily, it’s been found that steam treatments is one of the best ways of getting rid of bed bugs. So, in this guide, we will try to show you how to choose the best steamer for bed bugs. Because with the right steam cleaner for bed bugs, your bed bug worries will be a thing of the past in no time.

BEST MULTI PURPOSE

PurSteam Steam Cleaner

Multi-purpose handheld cleaner for bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms and living rooms, even for barbecue cleaning.

BEST ELECTRIC STEAMER

DBTech Handheld Steamer

Best steamer kit that includes various nozzles and accessories for every surface and hard to reach points and works on electricity.

BEST FOR HARD SURFACES

BISSELL Steam Shot

Using high pressure steam, this product can clean all your problem surfaces to get rid of dirt and small pesky insects like bed bugs.

1

PurSteam Stram Cleaner

BEST MULTI PURPOSE

What we like :

What we don't like :

  • It is not suitable for bigger steaming jobs because once the water in the tank is exhausted, you cannot immediately refill and continue the job but have to wait about 20 minutes for it to de-pressurize before it can be refilled

PurSteam Stram Cleaner Review

PurSteam believes that steam products should be easily available to every household. This is mainly because of their efficiency and environmental safety. This desire to offer steam products that are effectively powered for home use led the brand into the business. The steam product was previously a reserve of industries and other such outfits. With the likes of PurSteam, many homes today can now enjoy steam products that increase their cleaning efficiency and also help them do away with the harsh and harmful chemicals they were once forced to use.

Today, PurSteam offers the Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner with 9-Piece Accessory Set, a steam product with multiple uses and applications. This steam cleaner boasts of delivering up to 30% more high-pressure steam than the competition while costing less. It is compact, lightweight and easy to use with a 9.8-foot long cord that makes it easy for it to be used both indoors and outdoors.

Its superheated pressurized steam will assist in cleaning difficult stains, grease, mold, grime and even pests. In fact, it can also be regarded as a bed bug steamer. With its superheated pressurized steam and accessories that enable the steam to get to difficult to reach places, it is indeed an ideal steamer to kill bed bugs. We all know that bed bugs really know how to hide. They can hide, staying without food for a long time. Just when you think they are no longer there, they emerge. With this bed bug steamer, you can direct the superheated steam into the crevices where they are hiding in wooden structures, sofas or any other tight space, killing them and ridding your home of their scourge.
It’s wonderful to be able to get rid of pests like bed bugs, clean out tough stains, grime, grease, mold and more. But to be able to do these without the use of any harsh chemicals, that’s way more than wonderful. You and your family are saved from the residue that these chemicals leave, substances that are not safe health-wise for your family.

Use this to make your cleaning much more effective and efficient. Use it on ceramic, waterproof wood flooring, granite, laminate tiles, wool carpets, washable wallpaper and more. Enjoy its ease of use while saving money you would have spent on chemicals.

The water heats up very quickly so you do not have to wait for long for it to get sufficiently heated. You really have no reason to continue to use the harmful and ineffective methods of cleaning your home and ridding it of pests, dirt and bad odor. This sure is something every home should own.

Specifications:

  • Manufacturer: PurSteam
  • Power consumption: 950 – 1100 watts
  • Tank Capacity: 12 oz
  • Steam temperature: 212 0F
  • Product dimensions: 16 x 10 x 7.7 inches
  • Product weight: 5.4 pounds
  • Other features: Generates 30% more steam and comes with a 9-piece accessory set

2

DBTech Handheld Steamer

BEST ELECTRIC STEAMER

What we like :

What we don't like :

  • The steamer is heavy and fragile

DBTech Handheld Steamer Review

Distributing its products to a whopping 110 countries worldwide, DBTech has gained considerable recognition as a manufacturer of quality products with some of the best innovative technologies. It is well versed in the production of hi-tech digital amplifiers and speakers, as well as great home accessories. It does not rely on yesterday’s success but constantly goes back to the drawing board to develop better ways to keep its numerous customers satisfied, recognizing that times change and so do needs.

Whether your need is to have your voice heard over a huge din or to simply have a clean and safe space around you, DBTech will make sure you get the best, just like you would get if you buy the Handheld Multi-Purpose Pressurized Steam Cleaner for Stain Removal for deep cleaning and ridding your home of insects.

The constant and powerful emission of hot steam for about 20 minutes from this steamer makes it a great steam treatment for bed bugs. If you have been looking for a steam cleaner for bed bugs, you have come to the right place because this is a multi-purpose one. As much as bed bugs are drawn to heat, there is a level of heat that they cannot withstand. No matter where they may be hiding, be it in carpets, in cracks and even in clothes, this powerful steamer will get to them at the high temperature it works with. There is no escaping from it. The most amazing part of this is that it needs just a meager 2-3 minutes of heating time to get it that hot! You do not need to keep it plugged for a long time before you can use it.

And talking about bugs not being able to escape its power, dirt and grime cannot also get away from under its powerful pressure. It removes grease, grit and stubborn stains. The constant supply of steam to those areas that need attention ensures that you begin to see results within those 15-20 minutes of application, both inside and outside your home. You can even use it on more than just hard surfaces; it is effective in removing wrinkles from clothes without damaging them.

So to make sure that you successfully get more spots without continuously unplugging, the steam cleaner comes with a 9.5 feet long power cord. You can move the steamer around you, targeting areas and spraying. And coupled with the fact that it comes with 9 different accessories that include a long spray nozzle, the distance between it and that stubborn stain is further shortened. Would you call it the best steam cleaner for bed bugs as well as cleaning your home? You would not be too far from the truth.

Specifications:

  • Manufacturer: DBTech
  • Power consumption: 1050 watts
  • Tank Capacity: 6 oz
  • Steam temperature: 210 0F
  • Product dimensions: 8.8 x 5.3 x 11.2 inches
  • Product weight: 3.28 pounds
  • Other features: Power cord is 9.5 feet long, 9 accessories inclusive; it’s multi-purpose and doesn’t use chemicals

3

BISSELL Steam Shot

BEST FOR HARD SURFACES

What we like :

What we don't like :

  • It would have been great if it could clean soft surfaces too

BISSELL Steam Shot Review

Bissell has been around for many years so you can rely on its experience and expertise to deliver on its specialization. When it comes to home care, Bissell is up there in the food chain. With a commitment to research and innovation, it knows just how homes need to be cleaned. It adopts superior level engineering and innovation for creating its products which offer solutions in the most efficient of ways.

If you have been looking for a way to clean your mattress and get rid of bugs, the Bissell Steam Shot Hard-Surface Cleaner can double as your best steamer to kill bugs and your best steam cleaner for the mattress. This product is great because of its practical use but what makes it awesome is its level of versatility. You can use it to clean fixtures, tiles, kitchen surfaces, and many more.

It has a 1000-watt power rating powered via a 20 feet electric cord which allows you to cover a good distance while plugged in. It shoots out hot steam at high pressure which provides deep cleansing of surfaces and kills germs. Bed bugs are known to hide in tight corners of mattresses. This steamer comes with different nozzle attachments that let you use it in different ways. You can attach one of the nozzles that let you reach those corners to steams those pesky bugs to death.

It is compact and easy to use. All you have to do is fill it up with water using the measuring cup that came with it. Let it heat up for about 30 seconds and you can start blasting away. This product is an ideal method of cleaning surfaces and killing germ without the use of toxic chemicals that might damage the surface. In this case, you use just water. You can use it to clean sealed hardwood, vinyl, ceramic, laminate, marble, or any other hard surfaces you might have.

The accessories this product comes with takes its cleaning abilities to a whole new level. You just need to switch them around depending on the type of cleaning you need to do. Hard to reach areas, places that need scrubbing, scraping, chipping, etc. there are nozzle heads that make the cleaning easy. Furthermore, it comes shipped in certified frustration-free packaging.

Specifications:

  • Manufacturer: Bissell
  • Power consumption: 1000 watts
  • Tank Capacity: 6.6 oz
  • Steam temperature: 212 0F
  • Product dimensions: 8.5 x 13.2 x 10 inches
  • Product weight: 4.65 pounds
  • Other features: Packaged with needed accessories

Other products to consider

4

Cop Rose Steam Cleaner

BEST FOR EVERYDAY CLEANING

What we like :

What we don't like :

  • The steam does not last long if unplugged
  • The cord is not long enough to reach high surfaces

Cop Rose Steam Cleaner Review

Cop Rose stands for excellence, quality and durability in its production of trusted lightings and home and kitchen appliances, with over 30 years of manufacturing experience to back up its name. If you are in the market for lightings and powerful steam cleaners that serve different kinds of purposes around your home, then you cannot go wrong with Cop Rose. In other words, relying on this company to cater to your home and lighting needs is a wise choice.

The Cop Rose HD-168 Multi-Purpose Pressurized Handheld Steam Cleaner is a good way to showcase the strength and trustworthiness of Cop Rose’s products. Are you tired of using steamers that are below standard or that just do not hit the mark you want? Rest assured you have come to the end of the road with this steam cleaner from Cop Rose.

This great steam cleaner solves all types of cleaning needs, ranging from cleaning surfaces in your kitchen, sitting room and bedroom to ridding your house of bed bugs and mites, as well as other types of insect infestation. How? You can fill it with water, up to 250ml, and heat it for up to 5 minutes. The high-pressure steam from it is hot enough to kill off bacteria and bed bugs around the home while being mindful of elderly people, kids, and pets in your home. The thing with this steam cleaner is that when it gets hot enough, it automatically turns itself off; even if you are not there, you do not have to worry about it overheating the house.

The high steam is also good enough to get deep stains off the floors, walls, and windows all over the house. The heat loosens the stains so that you can easily wipe them off. And it cleans not just surfaces but also clothes which have stains and wrinkles which had hitherto been difficult to remove. Even without chemicals, the stains disappear.

Accompanied with 9 extra accessories with each purchase, like brush plate, towel sleeve, measuring cup and even extended nozzle for easier cleaning, you would not be wrong to call this steam cleaner the answers to all your prayers. So if you are looking for the best steam cleaner for bed bugs, and other purposes for that matter, you are welcome.

Specifications:

  • Manufacturer: Cop Rose
  • Tank Capacity: 8 oz
  • Steam temperature: 266 – 320 0F
  • Product dimensions: 9 x 6 x 9.5 inches
  • Product weight: 3 pounds
  • Other features: Comes with 9 free accessories, can be used for deep cleaning

5

Comforday HH2221

BEST FOR MATRESSES

What we like :

What we don't like :

  • It is not big enough to clean a huge area

Comforday HH2221 Review

Everybody likes and appreciates a clean and safe environment but what you do about it is a completely different pot of soup. With Comforday, you have all you need to have a clean space around you, as well as keep it secure, with its super quality timers and cleaning accessories. You do not have to worry about having mildew and mold in your home with Comforday’s dehumidifier and from the comfort of your couch or bed, control your light and electronic devices with its digital timers.

The company goes a step further in its quest to give you comfort and cleanliness with its Comforday Multi-Purpose Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner, a fantastic mattress steamer and bed steam cleaner. What more could you ask for in a steam cleaner? It hardly gets better than this.

It is not often you get a great steam cleaner that you can comfortably use on different surfaces, including beds and mattresses, as well as closed surfaces, without worry of destroying something. In fact, it is termed to be best suited for surfaces like marble, vinyl, ceramic, hardwood, car seats, BBQ grills, mattresses and so on. It works well in getting dirt and grit off without being too much of a task, by heating up to 270 degrees Fahrenheit to weaken the stains. That is some powerful hot steam which lasts for as long as 20 minutes. Imagine what you can get done in that time. So if you have difficult stains or even tiny insects like bed bugs in any part of your house, using this steam cleaner will get the job done for you.

In addition to the above, you are totally safe while using it. It employs the use of no chemicals and leaves no poisonous fumes or residue. All it uses is steam from the boiling water which you are still protected from, in case of an accident, because it has a safety lock and cap. You do not need to worry about spills with this multi-purpose steamer.

More than these, the steam cleaner comes with 9 extra accessories to make the cleaning and steaming job even easier. With extras like a spray cup with a brush, extended nozzle to reach farther, long spray cup and funnel, you do not need to spend more money on these accessories. You get them all in one package.

Specifications:

  • Manufacturer: Comforday
  • Power consumption: 1050 watts
  • Tank Capacity: 12 oz
  • Steam temperature: 250 – 270 0F
  • Product dimensions: 9.6 x 4.7 x 8.6 inches
  • Product weight: 3.28 pounds
  • Other features: No chemical, steams for up to 20 minutes, comes with 9 extra accessories

6

Qualitus Cleveland Steam Cleaner

BEST FOR BEGINNERS

What we like :

What we don't like :

  • It can only contain very little water at a time

Qualitus Cleveland Steam Cleaner Review

Dealing with quality services and products that range from pharmaceuticals to cleaning the environment, Qualitus has served the public with a passion and dedication that is equal to none. Over the years, customers have come to trust and depend on the products and services that come from the stables of Qualitus because it has proven to be reliable.

As is exemplified in the Qualitus Cleveland Steamer, expertise comes with experience and Qualitus has both. And understanding that today’s products will determine tomorrow’s output, the company is continually committed to giving you the very best every day, all day.

This steamer comes with 1050 watts of power that enables it to shoot out steam for up to 25 minutes, non-stop. The steam is powerful enough to be deeply effective in ridding your home of mites, bed bugs, lice and even scabies. 25 minutes may seem like a short time to get them but the heat is powerful enough to be effective in even less than 25 minutes. Wherever they may be hiding, the heat from the steam will unearth them and even kill them.

At the same time as killing the bugs, this steamer works its magic on tough stains in carpets, curtains, clothes, and bedclothes that have stayed for a long time and have defied other attempts to get them off. The steady stream makes them easier to get off than before.

Apart from removing stains, it also works in removing dirt and grit wherever they may be around your home. The heat weakens them and as soon as you put a cloth to them, they will come off faster than you can say “Eureka!” The long power cord makes this task even easier, combined with the long nozzle that comes with other accessories. Some users of steamers have been known to complain of having to keep unplugging the steamer and plugging back in order to be able to get to hard-to-reach places. But this one goes the extra mile of reducing this labor.

Specifications:

  • Manufacturer: Qualitus
  • Power consumption: 1050 watts
  • Tank Capacity: 12 oz
  • Steam temperature: 212 0F
  • Product dimensions: 11 x 5.5 x 8.5 inches
  • Product weight: 4.18 pounds
  • Other features: Steam runs for up to 25 minutes; multi-purpose; portable; long power cord

7

Zitronik Steam Cleaner

BEST FOR QUICK CLEANUP

What we like :

What we don't like :

  • Cannot be used for a long stretch. Has to have breaks for quick reheats

Zitronik Steam Cleaner Review

Zitronik is a manufacturer of a wide variety of products which include household maintenance tools like bathroom countertop dispensers, handheld steamers and camera and photo accessories. Its household products are simple but very critical tools that most homes that eventually get one will wonder how they managed without it for so long.

One such product is the Handheld Multi-Purpose Pressurized Steam Cleaner. This is one tool that may at first not appear to have a very clear use. However, by the time its uses become apparent to you, you will be scrambling to get one for your household.

This is a simple but highly efficient environmentally safe product. All it uses is water and electricity (which powers the heating section). Still wondering what exactly it does? It converts water into high-pressure steam which can then be put to different uses.

It has a 10-ounce tank where the water is stored. It takes just between 1 and 3 minutes to be ready for use. 1000 watts of heat release high-pressure steam at the rate of up to 1 ounce per minute. You can actually have between 15 to 20 minutes of this high-pressure steam which is released at the simple click of a button.

For those still wondering what this can be used for, we will list a few examples. It can be used to clean your home. Not just regular cleaning but deep cleaning. The hot steam will reach areas that you may not be able to reach normally, it will also be able to remove stubborn stains, grime, mold, grease and more. You can use it indoors or outdoors.

It also very effective against stubborn pests and can be used as a steam cleaner for bed bugs. Bed bugs are very difficult to get rid of once they settle in a place. They find the most difficult to reach places to hide and only emerge to feed. Sometimes, you apply insecticides and pesticides and they are not able to reach their hiding places. You are exposed to the residue from the pesticides even if the purpose is not achieved. So using a bed bug heat treatment can be an efficient and healthy solution for you.

With its high-pressure steam, the heat from the steamer to kill bed bugs will travel into those deep hiding places and terminate the bed bugs and any other pests. Now that’s not all. With the special accessories that come with it, you can use it to scrub surfaces, straighten rumpled fabric, clean doors and windows, kill germs, get rid of odors, disinfect and many more. It comes with 9 different accessories so the possible applications are extensive.

The interesting thing is that you achieve all these without the use of any chemicals, just natural water. The hot steam can be harmful to children and pets so it comes with a safety feature that ensures accidental discharges won’t occur. If you’re looking for the best steamer for bed bugs, this certainly qualifies.

Specifications:

  • Manufacturer: Zitronik
  • Power consumption: 1000 watts
  • Tank Capacity: 10 oz
  • Steam temperature: 337 – 365 0F
  • Product dimensions: 10.1 x 9.3 x 5.9 inches
  • Product weight: 3.99 pounds
  • Other features: Easy to use high-pressure steam with several accessories for multiple applications

8

Comforday 72764

BEST BUDGET PICK

What we like :

What we don't like :

  • You will need a voltage adapter to use it with 220V

Comforday 72764 Review

Aspectek is a Canadian brand committed to keeping your home spick and span. It has products for almost every area of your home. With ingenious and practical designs, it has created numerous solutions for pest control in homes. Its products are environment-friendly and are superior in performance.

The Comforday Handheld Steam Cleaner is a high-pressure steam cleaner that can work on almost any surface without causing any damage. The versatility of this product is admirable. You can use it indoors or outdoors; on tiled floors, wood finish, furniture, in the kitchen, upholstery, clothing, you name it. The limit to how you can apply this steamer is down to your imagination.

It is hand-held and easy to carry around. You can even use this steamer for pest control. Use it, with an applicable accessory, on your mattress to get rid of bed bugs. There is a nozzle that comes with it that you can use to reach those tight areas bed bugs are known to hide. This steamer emits a hot blast bed bugs cannot survive. This is a nice steamer to get rid of bed bugs and can also be used in many other areas of the home.

It uses a 1050 watts steam pressure at 0.32Mpa to splash out hot steam from the kettle storage through the nozzle at the tip. The package consists of different nozzle types for different applications. This is the reason this handheld steam cleaner can be a dry steamer for bed bugs at one time and you are using it to steam somewhere in your kitchen later in the day.

It has a temperature control that lets you specifically adjust the steam’s temperature. It also has a safety lock button to help avoid accidents. With all its 9 accessories included in the package, this will surely make a great buy for your home to do a lot of different types of cleaning and pest control.

You won’t need to spend money on professional cleaners for your upholstery and mattress cleaning anymore. With this handheld cleaner, you are a professional cleaner already. When steaming your mattress to get rid of bed bugs, you can add some essential oil fragrance to the water to leave your mattress with a nice smell.

Be careful to follow usage instructions. Even though this steamer is small, it spits hot steam at high pressure which can be dangerous if used carelessly.

Specifications:

  • Manufacturer: Aspectek
  • Power consumption: 900 – 1050 watts
  • Tank Capacity: 12 oz
  • Steam temperature: 230 – 270 0F
  • Product dimensions: 9.9 x 5.6 x 9.2 inches
  • Product weight: 3.28 pounds
  • Other features: Works on any surface

9

HeroFiber Xtech

BEST WHOLE HOUSE CLEANER

What we like :

What we don't like :

  • The refill cap is a bit of a bugger to use

HeroFiber Xtech Review

Xtech is a serious manufacturing company that is specialized in the design and creation of practical consumer electronics. This is a type of company that listens to its customers to know exactly what they want and in turn, implements them in its products. This gives it the leverage to consistently create solutions that customers need. This is one of the reasons it is successful.

The Xtech Electric Easy Handheld Steam Cleaner is your go-to for a compact handheld steamer for all your low-duty cleaning purposes. This product relieves you of several forms of unnecessary manual labor you go through to keep your house clean. No more aches and pains after long hours of cleaning the floors, kitchen, bathrooms, etc.

It uses 1050 watts of power and can jet out powerful steam non-stop for up to 20 minutes. This will help you get rid of all those stubborn greases, grimes, and stains. You can use this handheld steamer on multiple surfaces without fear of damaging them. No toxic chemicals required, the cleaning is done with the use of high-pressure steam only.

The steam can help disinfect surfaces you clean it by using just tap water. If the steam is hot enough, it will go as far as killing bacteria. This steamer can also be used to eliminate bed bugs instead of spending a lot of money on a commercial steamer for bed bugs that are used by professionals.

This shows the extent of versatility this product has. You can clean almost every area of your home with it. It will also even be there for you as your personal pest terminator. It will do all that without costing anything but water and electricity.

This product is quite easy to use. Just fill the container with water, using the measuring cup and funnel that came with it. Plug it in and give it time to heat up, which is not long at all. Affix whichever nozzle is applicable to the type of cleaning you want to do and there you go. Start getting your surfaces squeaky clean and disinfected.

The steamer can hold 10 oz. of water and weighs in at just 3 pounds which makes it easy to carry around for cleaning. It is important to keep the steamer plugged in while using as the pressure won’t last long and that is what is needed to keep it highly effective. It is also better not to exceed the stated maximum capacity of the container as this might cause some water to spill out along with the steam.

Do read the instruction manual to get the best out of this product and to stay safe.

Specifications:

  • Manufacturer: Xtech
  • Power consumption: 1050 watts
  • Tank Capacity: 10 oz
  • Steam temperature: 365 – 338 0F
  • Product dimensions: 10.1 x 9.3 x 5.7 inches
  • Product weight: 3.95 pounds
  • Other features: Packaged with useful accessories

10

Pure Enrichment Steam Cleaner

BEST FOR INDOORS AND OUTDOORS

What we like :

What we don't like :

  • This would have been a perfect product if it could suck up water as well

Pure Enrichment Steam Cleaner Review

Pure Enrichment is a premium home, personal care, and health brand. It aims to offer its users a healthy and balanced lifestyle. This aim is apparent in its wide array of top quality and aesthetically pleasing products — Not only do they offer useful solutions to you and your home, but they also beautify your space.

The PureClean Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner is the way to go if you want to clean every crevice, nook, and cranny of your home. From the kitchen to the living room, bathroom, ovens, upholstery, baseboards, carpets, etc., this steamer will help you clean almost any surface without causing any damage. All it needs is water. You don’t need any chemicals to keep your home squeaky clean anymore if you have this product.

It has a fast-heating kettle which you need to fill with water and then you plug it in with its 9.8-foot long electric cord. Once the water is heated, it’s time to start spraying away the dirt. This handheld steamer will work on molds, stains, grime, grease, and will even help you eliminate bed bugs. Since it can work on both hard and soft surfaces, it is safe to use it on your mattress to clean it and kill bed bugs. When using on mattresses and upholstery, you can add a bit of scented essential oil to the water so it leaves your surfaces smelling great.

This steamer is packaged with other useful accessories that help extend the usefulness of this product. Some of the attachments allow you to clean hard to reach areas, some let you steam and scrub, and others let you clean smooth and glassy surfaces. You can even steam your clothes with it or disinfect your kids’ toys so it can be safe for them to play with.

The water tank can accommodate 8.4 oz of water at a time. To be sure you are filling it with the adequate amount of water, use the measuring cup that comes with it and fill through the funnel. It is always important to read the instruction manual that comes with products like this. This is so that you can know how to safely use it and how to get the best out of it.

Specifications:

  • Manufacturer: Pure Enrichment
  • Power consumption: 1000 watts
  • Tank Capacity: 8.4 oz
  • Steam temperature: 212 0F
  • Product dimensions: 12 x 10.8 x 7.8 inches
  • Product weight: 5.3 pounds
  • Other features: Comes with a 5-year warranty

How do you choose the right bed bug steamer?

There are certain factors that will determine the suitability of a bed bug steamer for each individual. We will look at the most important of these factors so you can easily identify which will work best for you. Some of these factors include capacity, temperature, pressure and pressure adjustment, the percentage of water in the steam, flow, and attachments.

Capacity

This refers to the amount of water the steamer can hold at one time. This is usually indicative of the type and extent of steaming you can do with any particular bed bug steamer.

You have handheld steamers that can hold about 10 ounces of water which can deliver about 15 to 20 minutes of steaming.

For bed bug treatment, this may be an ineffective way and here’s is why. When the water gets exhausted and you go to get the tank refilled, by the time you are ready to continue, the already treated areas would have sufficiently cooled down to allow some bed bugs move back into them. If you then decide to continue from where you stopped, you may just find that during the stop for refilling, the already treated areas became re-infected.

Your best bet is to get a bed bug steamer that can deliver continuous steam for about an hour. These will however not likely be handheld models. If what you really want are the compact handheld versions, then understand the implication as far as it has to do with bed bug treatment.

Temperature

It is important that the temperature of the steam is enough to kill the bed bugs and their eggs. To kill bed bugs, the temperature should be at least 120 to 130 degrees as that is the temperature at which the heat can kill them. However, for better effectiveness go for steamers that achieve temperatures up to 170 degrees and above. You will then have ensured that any bed bug or egg will be killed immediately upon contact.

Pressure and pressure adjustment

Look out for the pressure the steamer is capable of. This is usually given in psi (pressure per square inch). The higher the pressure, the hotter and dryer the steam will be. The minimum psi you should consider should be about 40 psi.

You should also try to go for a model that allows you to adjust the pressure at the tip. This helps both with the efficiency of the treatment and also the proper utilization of the steam. Some areas may require higher pressure than others.

Expert tips

If you want to treat an area that has a lot of deep hiding places and crevices, you will certainly need a higher pressure so the steam can reach deep into those hiding places. If however, you want to treat a hard material with little hiding places, you may not need as much pressure.

Percentage of water in the steam

The idea behind using steam is so you won’t end up leaving the treated areas wet. As we noted above, the higher the pressure, the dryer the steam will be. The maximum percentage of water you should have in the steam should be about 5%.

If you have more than this, then you will likely leave a trail of wetness after you. In addition to this, you will also promote the growth of mildew and mold.

Flow

Some steamers – especially those used for commercial steaming – allow for continuous flow. This means you can refill the tank as it works. You do not need to unplug, wait for the de-pressurization before refilling and then waiting for heating. Once the water in the tank gets low, you can have it refilled even as you continue with the steaming.

This type will be ideal for major projects and maybe not for home treatment of bed bugs unless you think the treatment requires such heavy steaming.

Attachments

Steamers are not just used for treating bed bug infestations. They are great for cleaning, disinfecting and even straightening rumpled clothes.

However, to do any of these you need the right attachment. Ensure the unit you are going for comes with attachments that will allow you to use the steamer for other applications. It will be a waste if you had to pack it up simply because you finally succeeded in decimating the bed bug infestation in your home when actually there are other uses you can put it in.

There you have it. We have looked at important factors you should consider especially if you are looking out for the best bed bug steamers since the bed bug heat treatment costs are much lower if you use your own steamer for bed bugs. And to help you some more, we have put together a list of 10-bedbug steamers for your consideration. Go through our review and see if one of these meets your requirements.

Conclusion

From the buying guide to our detailed list of products from trusted brands, you have received valuable bits of information you need concerning bed bug steamers. All you need to do now is to use this information to guide your decision on the best bed bug steamer for you.

Submit a comment

Your email address will not be published*