can bed bugs survive in hot car

[MacKaleb]

Yes, bed bugs can be killed in a hot car, but it requires specific conditions to be effective and is not always reliable. The critical factor is sustaining a high enough temperature throughout the entire vehicle for a sufficient amount of time. The thermal death point for bed bugs, the temperature at which they die, is between 117°F (47°C) and 122°F (50°C). Simply parking a car in the sun on a warm day is often not enough to consistently reach and maintain these lethal temperatures in all areas, especially in hidden spots like the trunk, under seats, or within the glove compartment.

For this method to work, you need a combination of intense, direct sunlight and high outdoor temperatures. The interior of a closed car acts like a greenhouse, trapping heat. However, the distribution of this heat is uneven. Dark-colored dashboards and upholstery will absorb more heat, but cooler spots will persist. The process also depends heavily on the climate and season; a 90°F day in Arizona will be far more effective than an 85°F day in a more humid region.

Vehicle Area	Typical Temperature on a 90°F (32°C) Day	Time to Reach Lethal Temperature (approx.)	Notes
Dashboard Surface	160-180°F (71-82°C)	1-2 hours	Easily reaches lethal temps, but bugs are rarely here.
Front Seats (fabric)	130-150°F (54-65°C)	2-4 hours	Gets hot, but bugs deep in seams may survive.
Back Seats / Floor	120-135°F (49-57°C)	4-6 hours	May not consistently reach the upper lethal threshold.
Inside Glove Box	110-120°F (43-49°C)	6+ hours or never	A major survival spot; often remains too cool.
Trunk Interior	105-115°F (40-46°C)	May never be lethal	The most insulated area; highly unlikely to work.

While this passive solar heating can kill some bugs, it's not a guaranteed eradication strategy. For a confirmed infestation, the most reliable approach is professional heat treatment, where technicians use specialized equipment to evenly heat the entire car cabin to over 120°F for several hours. If you attempt the solar method, park in the sunniest spot possible, roll up the windows, and use a thermometer to monitor the temperature in the coolest parts of the car for at least 6-8 hours.

[CadenLynn]

I tried this when I found a bed bug on my seat after a hotel trip. I parked my black SUV in the direct July sun for a whole day. It felt like an oven when I got in, but I was still paranoid. I learned that the heat has to penetrate everywhere—deep inside the seat seams, the cracks in the console, the trunk. It might kill the ones out in the open, but if they’re hidden away, they could survive. It’s better than nothing in a pinch, but I wouldn’t bet my sanity on it alone.

[KayleeRose]

The science is sound: sustained heat above 117°F kills bed bugs. However, a car's interior has significant temperature variation. The dashboard may scorch, but the critical zones are the micro-environments like inside the spare tire well or under the floor mats. These areas act as insulation. Without verified, uniform heat penetration, this method is a partial solution at best. It should be considered a supplementary step to a more thorough cleaning and vacuuming regimen, not a standalone fix.

[VonFrancisco]

My main concern is safety. Leaving a car to bake seems easy, but you have to think about other risks. You should never leave items like aerosol cans, lighters, or electronics in a car getting that hot—they can explode or be damaged. Also, the extreme heat can warp plastic interiors and fade upholstery over time. If you do this, it’s a trade-off. You’re potentially saving on an expensive treatment but risking damage to your vehicle. Weigh the pros and cons carefully.