Publish Time: 2025-08-28 Origin: Site
Cockroaches are some of the hardiest creatures on the planet, and extreme temperatures can definitely be used to kill them. Understanding the temperature thresholds can be useful when planning to heat or cool homes or personal items. The extreme heat and cold are also a method of integrated pest control that can be utilized.
Cockroaches cannot survive long exposure to temperatures above 120°F (49°C), and most quickly die when exposed to 140°F (60°C) or for a time when they are exposed to 130°F (54°C). Occasionally professional pest control will use heat treatments to increase room temperature, thus eliminating adult cockroaches, nymphs, as well as eggs all at once.
Heat can be used in the home for smaller infested items. Fabrics and bedding can be washed in hot water (at a minimum of 140°F or 60°C) to kill roaches and eggs. It can also help knock out hiding roaches without chemicals to steam clean furniture, carpets or baseboards in infested areas.
It is also possible to freeze cockroaches, but it will take awhile. Freezing small items at 0°F (-18°C) can kill both adults and eggs after 24–48 hours. Freezing is less practical in a full home, but it can be effective for clothing, toys or other transferable items.
Another approach to manage cockroach populations is to introduce unconventional temperatures (hot or cold) too. A combination of temperature based methods with sanitation, sealing entry points and cockroach specific insecticides could be a holistic and permanent approach for infestations.