Can Hand Sanitizer Kill Bed Bugs

Can hand sanitizer kill bed bugs? While it is recommended for germ prevention, research from Rutgers University's Department of Entomology shows that the active ingredients in most popular alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective enough to be an effective insecticide. Laboratory studies have suggested that concentrations of at least 70% ethanol may inflict mortality on bed bugs if they come into contact with it.

However, further testing is needed to determine its efficacy against bed bugs. Household cleaners such as laundry detergent and dish soap have been known to exert some level of toxicity on bed bugs when used individually or combined together. But their practical application remains unclear due to a lack of research data supporting their effectiveness. Moreover, these products should never be sprayed directly onto mattresses as they could potentially damage material fibers in the long run.