Those annoying bed bugs have invaded your house again and you have made futile attempts to prevent them from ruining your house. There are many home remedies in the market for the battle against bed bugs.
Today let’s discuss whether readily available bleach is a good enough option to terminate a bed bug infestation in the house. We will look at the good side and the bad side, along with our views, so make sure you read the article till the end.
What is Bleach?
Bleach is a chemical that you will find in extensive use in almost all households. So, what is this hype all about? What exactly is bleach and why is it so popular?
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Bleach is a chemical compound that has bactericidal properties and also removes colored stains from white fabrics. The main compound is sodium hypochlorite, with small parts of sodium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide, and calcium hypochlorite.
There are many types of bleach- chlorine bleach, peroxide bleach, and oxygen bleach, with chlorine being the strongest. It is generally used to clean water and households to keep insects at bay.
Why is Bleach Used Against Insects at Home?
Bleach is not, I repeat, NOT the scientist-approved idea of killing insects at home. Yet, most people use it against insects.
You would find any typical household having a packet of bleach and no one is surprised. Why is bleach used so extensively at home against insects when the basic work of bleach is not even killing insects? Let’s understand why.
Bleach affects bacterial proteins, eventually making the cells of the insect collapse. This, in turn, doesn’t allow the insect to breathe. The sodium hypochlorite in the bleach is known for its suffocation properties in insects.
Bleach is also relatively safer than many chemical insecticides which are not safe to use by the common people. Another reason why bleach is most commonly used is that it is not only cheap but also readily available.
Is Bleach Effective against Bed Bugs?
Let’s address the issue at hand, now that we know what bleach is and what it does to other insects.
Bleach has a pungent smell, very typical of bleach. Though it helps suffocate the bed bugs, it becomes difficult to lure the bed bugs into the trap of bleach suffocation.
The most effective way to kill bed bugs with bleach would be through direct contact. Bleach has sodium hypochlorite which interferes with the protein membrane, making the cells rupture and eventually killing them.
This happens because sodium hypochlorite has very similar effects on protein as heat. Heat, as we have all seen in the case of eggs, hardens the protein membrane, killing the cells in it.
The important thing to keep in mind here is, bleach has a very pungent odor, which not just insects, but humans hate as well. Due to the smell, many try to dilute it and then use it. This, however, won’t kill bed bugs. It is recommended that you use 1 part of the water in 1 part of bleach.
The Dark Side of Using Bleach
Bleach has been used for a long time to clean houses and it has proved to be a worthy companion in your home-cleaning adventures.
It is said to give results within a very short time, but every good thing comes with a certain price to pay. Bleach is a dangerous chemical if not used with precautions and can prove to be hazardous.
You must keep the bleach out of reach of your children because it is highly toxic. Bleach combines with other chemicals found in the household like ammonia and acetic acid to form chlorine gas which can cause respiratory illnesses in humans.
Additionally, when the fumes are inhaled, bleach causes discomfort and a stinging sensation in the eyes and nose. It is common knowledge that bleach irritates the skin.
Lungs and eyes are also said to be affected by the ill effects of bleach. A lot of other issues like migraine, headaches, and nausea are common with the excessive use of bleach.
Warning: Never mix bleach with household cleaners. The chemical fumes released can prove to be hazardous and it is not recommended to use them together.
Final Words
Bleach is a chemical compound commonly used in homes to keep insects at bay. Though scientifically it isn’t proven to give amazing results, it works like a miracle.
Bed bugs are annoying and it becomes even more annoying when there’s an army at your home. Bleach can be your savior at these times since it chokes the bed bugs.
Now, you won’t get those bed bug nightmares, thanks to bleach! However, the usage of bleach is not entirely safe and it is recommended to use it in safe amounts.
Precaution is better than cure, so make sure you are prioritizing safety. Let’s get rid of those irritating bed bugs with bleach safely!
