Can A Dehumidifier Get Rid Of Bugs? [ A Complete Guide]

Insects and bugs love our homes because they provide a safe haven for them to live and breed. They are frequently found in warm, humid environments such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.

Many people wonder if they can use a dehumidifier to kill bugs because they are an effective way to combat humidity problems.

Yes, running a dehumidifier can help keep insects at bay in your home. Many bugs in the home, including spiders, dust mites, cockroaches, silverfish, centipedes, moisture ants, and others, require moisture to survive. Dehumidifiers can kill or limit their reproduction by removing water from the air.

When using a dehumidifier for bugs, you need to know more details, and this post has provided the most important information for you.

Why should you eliminate bugs and insects at home?

Not every species of bug or insect is harmful. However, many common species we find at home can wreak havoc on our home and well-being.

Some insects can produce allergens

Many insects will not bite you, but their feces and other secretions can be allergens for many of us. For example, feces and decaying bodies of dust mites can trigger allergic reactions. 

If you are prone to allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues, don’t leave these bugs in your house. They will pose health risks to you all the time.

Bugs can carry viruses and bacteria

Bugs and pests can spread diseases. Malaria, yellow fever, and Zika are common diseases found in bugs. Sometimes, a small bug will endanger you.

Furthermore, these creatures proliferate at an alarming rate. To avoid any potential dangers, you must eliminate them as soon as possible.

Bugs have the potential to cause structural damage

Some bugs can endanger your property’s safety. They feed on wood, which will eventually eat away at windows, frames, and furniture.

Will a dehumidifier repel bugs and insects?

Yes, a dehumidifier can be used to repel bugs and insects. This is based on the fact that a large proportion of bugs need moisture to sustain or proliferate. (This is also why a humidifier can attract bugs.)

When the air or surfaces do not have enough moisture to absorb, they will try to flee or stop reproducing.

The indoor humidity level in your home can be kept at a comfortable level by using a dehumidifier. This machine can keep removing excess moisture from the air, rendering these insects incapable of survival.

However, when the dehumidifier is turned on, you may still encounter bugs, which I will cover in more detail later. 

Will a dehumidifier get rid of centipedes?

Centipedes like to stay in damp and dark places. They prey on other insects, so they are not exactly bad for us.

You can get rid of centipedes and other insects all at once by using a dehumidifier. When the humidity is low, insects migrate to other areas, causing centipedes to lose their food sources. Meanwhile, they dislike living in dry places.

If you’re afraid of centipedes, turn on your dehumidifier and let it scare them away.

Can you kill dust mites by running a dehumidifier?

Dust mites are invisible to us, but they are the primary cause of high humidity in the home. Many people, including myself, are allergic to dust mites, which makes living in a humid climate unbearable.

Luckily, running a dehumidifier can kill dust mites. When the humidity is below 50%, they will die off automatically, and a dehumidifier is such an appliance that can achieve it. 

Why do you still get bugs when the dehumidifier is on?

Some people report that even when their dehumidifier is turned on, they still get bugs. This issue has several root causes.

Your dehumidifier takes some time to work

Generally, a dehumidifier will take a few hours to work. Meanwhile, it will take some time for pests to immigrate. 

You can expect fewer bugs in several days rather than a few hours. Be patient and allow your dehumidifier to run longer.

Your dehumidifier doesn’t have a proper capacity

Not all dehumidifiers are created equal; some can only handle a small amount of moisture.

If you live in an extremely humid area or have a large room, make sure your device has enough capacity to carry out the moisture content in the air. Otherwise, it may be unable to reduce humidity to a certain level, leaving bugs and pests with sufficient water sources to survive.

Wrong placement 

The location of your dehumidifier is critical to its effectiveness.

Basements, for example, are typically the most humid areas of a home. Running a dehumidifier in the basement can benefit the entire house because moisture and mold spores will no longer spread to other rooms.

However, in general, a room dehumidifier only works in the room it is installed in. If a few rooms in your home are infested with bugs and pests, installing a whole-house dehumidifier may be a good idea.

Aside from that, where you put it in a room is important.

Water damage

High humidity problems can occur due to the weather, such as too many rainy days in the area, but they can also occur when there is water damage inside your home. Leaking pipes, broken sump pumps, and clogged gutters are all common causes of water damage.

In this case, you should address the source of the water damage because it will continue to add moisture to your home, rendering your dehumidifier useless.

Bugs can resist low humidity 

While most bugs prefer moist environments, some can survive for extended periods of time without water. Some cockroaches can survive for a week without water. To deal with it, you can use a dehumidifier as well as other methods.

How to use a dehumidifier to get rid of bugs?

Now that you have ensured using a dehumidifier can get rid of bugs let’s explore how to do it exactly.

Locate the bugs

You should place your dehumidifier near the bugs to maximize the effect. Examine your home to see where the bugs like to congregate. Basements, bathrooms, attics, and crawl spaces are particularly vulnerable to this issue.

Pick a dehumidifier with a proper size 

Once you’ve determined where the bugs are, you can determine how many rooms require a dehumidifier and how large these rooms are.

Based on this information, you can select the appropriate size dehumidifier or activate the whole-house dehumidifier.

Look for a good placement 

Make sure your dehumidifier receives adequate airflow by positioning it at least a few feet away from the wall. If you want to drain water through a hose, place it slightly higher than the floor drain.

Set the humidity level

Make sure the desired humidity level is less than 50%. If you want it to take effect faster, set it to 40%. Don’t go too far and set it too low, as this can lead to other issues.

Close the windows and doors

When running a dehumidifier, it is critical to keep the windows and doors closed. Otherwise, moisture will continue to enter the house, overloading your dehumidifier.

Conclusion

Bugs and pests can appear anywhere in your home, which is very inconvenient. Fortunately, you can get rid of them with a dehumidifier because most of them prefer humidity and require water to survive.

When using a dehumidifier to combat bugs, please place it in a suitable location and ensure it has sufficient capacity. Allow it to work for a few days, and those repulsive insects will most likely vanish.