Does Rubbing Alcohol Kill Bed Bugs?
The Isopropyl Promise
If you search online forums, you will inevitably find someone suggesting a spray bottle of 70% or 91% Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to fight bed bugs. It sounds perfect: it's cheap, available everywhere, and dries quickly.
The Truth: Yes, But...
Technically, rubbing alcohol does kill bed bugs. It acts as a desiccant, drying out their outer shell, and acts as a solvent that can dissolve their cells. However, two major conditions must be met:
- Direct Contact: You must spray the alcohol directly on the bug. It has no residual effect. Once it dries (which is fast), it is harmless to any bug that walks over it.
- Not Eggs: Studies have shown that rubbing alcohol has a very low success rate at killing bed bug eggs, meaning the next generation will hatch in a few days regardless of your spraying.
The Danger Factor
The biggest reason we do not recommend this method is safety. Rubbing alcohol is highly flammable. During the bed bug craze of the 2010s, there were multiple news reports of house fires started because desperate homeowners soaked their mattresses and furniture in alcohol, only to have a stray spark ignite the fumes.
A Better Alternative
If you want a contact killer, look for sprays containing surfactants or essential oils that simplify the process without the extreme fire risk. For long term control, you need a residual pesticide like CrossFire or a dust like Diatomaceous Earth.