Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed Bug Treatment
Book freezing
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zyoung86
newbite
Joined: Jul '09
Posts: 1
Posted 3 months ago
Sat Jul 18 2009 12:20:05
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I looked at other posts on this subject, but couldn't find a conclusive answer. My freezer is 12 degrees fahrenheit (-11 degrees celsius). Would this be sufficient to kill bed bugs/eggs? If so, how long do books need to be left in there? If not, how cold does it need to be? Is this method good at all?
edit: whoops, I just found the FAQ that says the answer to this question is unknown. Any info is still helpful though.
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Freezing in your items in your freezer will kill bed bugs, but it is not uncommon for some to survive the process .... Heat tends to be more reliable...
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Fearful_and_Buggy
junior member
Joined: Jun '09
Posts: 53
Posted 3 months ago
Sun Jul 19 2009 23:32:02
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I would go check out the UNESCO guidelines for treating books. None of them are specific to bedbugs per se, but since we believe that bedbugs bite it (har) at around 120 degrees, these instructions are worth it.
Remember that UNESCO is in charge of archiving and protecting some of the world's most precious books, so these directions are worth heeding.
From the site:
If a localized, limited infestation is found in a library, isolate the infested books and subject them to a heat treatment. By placing the books in a standard oven at the lowest temperature possible (130° F for 3 hours) and placing wet newspaper or a pan of water in the bottom of the oven to maintain humidity inside the oven chamber, all stages of this insect, and in fact any insect, will be killed. This technique is commonly used in herbarium collections in various parts of the world. It is much easier to kill all stages of insects with heat than it is by freezing. If a source of humidity is supplied in the chamber, the books should not dry out during treatment.I am wondering if NoBugs could add this link to our known FAQs.
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de-selftreat
junior member
Joined: Jul '09
Posts: 43
Posted 3 months ago
Mon Jul 20 2009 13:25:57
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If you live somewhere where you can get access to a sauna, that'd be hot enough too, I think?
It's an alternative to Packtite, though I'm sure there are people here who'll say it's less reliable, even if presumably there are thermometers you could find to measure the inside of the item in the oven. The wet newspaper to act against drying-up tip is interesting.
To pre-empt any big politics here about this site's link to Packtite (who advertise, and whose manufacturer regularly contributes here): I'm not against it, but there are many people who come here who can't afford it, and if the oven works too it seems fair to let people know that.
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cilecto
senior member
Joined: Aug '08
Posts: 459
Posted 3 months ago
Mon Jul 20 2009 14:17:07
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2 things WRT to baking books:
1. Greater risk of damage to the book than freezing. Do it wrong and it's "toast"
2. The book conservator is probably more interested in ridding the book of insects, not as concerned about what happens next. I'd hypothesize (and I'm no expert) that with BBs, unless you wrap the book, some might escape into the surrounding environment.WRT a 12 degree freezer. That seems a little warm even for long-term frozen food storage.
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spideyjg
oldtimer
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 1,524
Posted 3 months ago
Mon Jul 20 2009 15:20:16
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Typically only an electric oven holds steady at low enough temps. My gas stove can't go below 170 I think but years ago I had an electric and 130 or 140 was reachable.
I'm not affiliated with them but the packtite is essentially a small convection oven. If you have an electric convection oven perhaps you can replicate the circulating air at low enough temps but you better test and confirm it.
IMHO the best thing for books is to put some desiccant in there, dried rice will work, seal in a ziploc, keep in the warmest spot you can, and starve the bugs to death. If you need the book sooner bag with a Vapona, DDVP, strip.
High temps are too risky.
Jim
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