How to heat up the apartment to kill bedbugs in Southeast Asia

bedroomheatheatinghvac

I have a bedbug problem in my apartment and I want to fix it myself with heat. (I do not want chemicals sprayed around.)

Apparently, getting a room to 140 degrees for two hours is sufficient to kill the bugs, or 130 degrees for a few more hours.

My first thought was to get a space heater for my room (I think the infestation, which is minor and new, is confined to my room, and that's where I'll start at least).

However, I live in Cambodia, where "cold" means 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so I don't think heaters are exactly flying off the shelves here.

My next thought was to put black trashbags over the windows (maybe 3 square meters) to absorb heat (my room gets direct sunlight during the day). Given that my room already gets to at least 100 degrees with the window open (it's the top floor apartment, which gets hot), do you think that trashbags + closed windows + closed door would be sufficient to heat it to at least 130?

If not, what cheap electronics could I buy here that would emit enough heat to tip the scales? I know my desktop computer with the graphics card running used to pump out a bunch of heat, but obviously I want to get something more economical… Perhaps some powerful halogen lights? Candles under overturned clay pots? Would a hairdryer work, or would it turn off? Rice cooker filled with water?

The good news is that the bugs have nowhere to run to, as the room is really well sealed. Also, it's heating up to 97 this week.

Any other thoughts on how to heat the already-hot room?

Edit

There is almost nothing in the room. Just the heavy, wooden bedframe, mattress, and a small bedside table. No carpets- all tile. Oh, and an armoire made from thin, cheap wood.

Also, turns out that bedbugs die at 113 degrees for 90 minutes (source: http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/bb-heat1.pdf). Which is why professionals heat it to 140, to ensure the heat gets everywhere. So I'm just looking for about 20 extra degrees.

Another question- will my room get hotter with black trashbags over the closed windows, or without?

Best Answer

The bigger issue is that if there are bedbugs in your apartment, the whole building is probably infested.

Your best bet is probably to isolate yourself from the bedbugs and set a CO2 bedbug trap. Look into finding a new apartment.