21 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Have you ever noticed small red, itchy welts that appear in clusters or lines after sleeping? If so, there’s a good chance bed bugs have bitten you.

Those bites can be very itchy, causing discomfort. The good news is that there are many natural ways to control bed bugs.

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs Naturally

Below, we will cover the most effective methods using home remedies and natural processes.

However, severe infestations are difficult to eliminate with home remedies alone and may require professional pest control.

1. Diatomaceous Earth

The abrasive properties of DE will scratch away the protective waxy outer layer of bed bugs, damaging it and slowly causing dehydration over time.

Apply a thin layer of food-grade diatomaceous earth to cracks, crevices, bed frames, and other hiding places. Leave this DIY bed bug treatment in place for several days before vacuuming.

Just be careful not to inhale the particles, as they irritate the nasal passages.

2. Hot Water

Hot water is one of the quickest ways to eliminate bed bugs and their eggs from clothing and bedding.

Wash bedding and clothing in hot water (at least 60°C / 140°F) and dry on high heat. The high temperatures reached during washing and drying will kill bed bugs and their eggs.

3. Clove

Clove oil has insecticidal properties [1]. It may help repel or reduce bed bug activity, but there is limited evidence that it significantly reduces infestations.

Add a teaspoon of clove oil to a cup of water. Use this solution to mist your mattress and the entire room.

You can also place whole cloves around your bed and in areas where critters are likely to appear. They may help deter bed bugs, although there is limited evidence of their effectiveness.

4. Steam Cleaning

Steam is one of the most effective natural tools for bed bug control. The high-temperature steam kills bed bugs and their eggs on contact.

Slowly apply steam along mattress seams, furniture joints, curtains, and cracks where bed bugs hide. The key is to move slowly so heat penetrates deep into surfaces.

This method is chemical-free and works well as part of a larger control plan.

5. Vacuuming and Physical Removal

A powerful but often underestimated method is regular vacuuming. This helps physically remove bed bugs, eggs, and shed skins from mattresses, furniture seams, and floor cracks.

Use a vacuum with a strong-suction nozzle and focus on hidden areas such as bed frames, seams, and baseboards. Immediately empty the vacuum into a sealed bag and dispose of it outside the home.

This reduces the population and prevents spread.

6. Mattress and Bedding Encasements

Special bed bug-proof encasements trap bed bugs inside your mattress and box spring [2]. This prevents them from feeding, which eventually causes them to die.

They also prevent new bugs from hiding in seams and cracks, which are among the most common sites of infestation.

This method doesn’t kill instantly, but it works well for long-term control and prevention.

7. Baking Soda

Some people use baking soda as part of a broader cleaning routine. However, there is no scientific evidence that it kills bed bugs.

To give it a try, sprinkle it in areas such as mattress seams and furniture crevices.

8. Beauveria bassiana

Studies have shown that Beauveria bassiana can kill bed bugs [3]. The good news is that it’s easy to use.

Follow the product instructions, prepare it as directed, and spray it on areas where bed bugs might lurk.

9. Essential Oils

You can also use a blended essential oil spray as a repellent barrier.

Mix a few drops of peppermint, lavender, or tea tree oil with water in a spray bottle and lightly mist around bed frames, baseboards, and luggage.

This works best as a preventive step, helping to discourage bed bugs from spreading. However, it will not eliminate an infestation.

10. Sunlight Heat Exposure for Fabrics

Direct sunlight can help reduce bed bug activity in items that can’t be easily washed.

Place cushions, shoes, or small furniture items outside in strong sunlight for several hours. The heat buildup can make conditions less survivable for bed bugs hiding inside.

However, sunlight alone rarely reaches temperatures high enough to eliminate an infestation.

11. Vinegar

You’ve probably heard that vinegar is a home remedy for bed bugs. While vinegar may kill some bed bugs on direct contact, it is not an effective stand-alone treatment.

To get the best results, do not dilute it. Spray the vinegar straight on the bugs and their eggs.

It should only be considered a spot-killing contact spray, not a control method.

12. Clean the Infested Area

The first step in getting rid of bed bugs is to clean the infested area. This means washing all of the bedding and clothes in hot water.

It’s also important to declutter and vacuum thoroughly, as bed bugs love to hide in chair seams, cracks, curtain folds, and other places. Vacuum the furniture and floors, then dispose of the contents.

If you have pets, it is a good idea to keep them out of the room until the infestation is cleared.

Lastly, don’t forget to seal any holes or gaps in the walls that might serve as entry points for bugs from other apartment units.

13. Isopropyl Alcohol Spray (Spot Treatment)

Rubbing alcohol can be used as a direct contact killer. It’s especially useful for treating visible bugs on surfaces like bed frames, seams, and cracks.

Pour 70% isopropyl alcohol into a spray bottle and apply it directly where you spot the bugs. It works by breaking down the insect’s outer layer, causing rapid dehydration.

However, it only works on contact and should be used carefully due to its flammability.

14. Traps

You can use several different traps for this purpose. One favorite is the sticky glue trap. All you need are pieces of paper and glue.

Smear the papers with glue, place them around the bed, and the bugs might get stuck as they try to cross.

Another great trap is the Harris Bed Bug Detection Trap. It’s a bit more expensive than a homemade glue trap, but it is worth it for its effectiveness.

Place them near your bedposts and other susceptible areas.

15. Indian Lilac (Neem)

Indian lilac has been used for centuries as an organic treatment for specific pest problems, including bed bugs.

You can buy neem oil concentrate online or at a local farm store. Use it to spray the areas where you’ve seen these pests.

Neem may help repel or reduce bed bug activity. However, it is unlikely to eliminate an infestation on its own.

16. Heat Treatment (Clothes Dryer Method)

One of the most effective natural methods for killing bed bugs is high heat. Unlike herbal remedies, heat actually destroys bed bugs and their eggs.

Therefore, place infested clothing, bedding, or fabric items in a dryer on high heat for at least 30–40 minutes. The sustained heat is what kills them at every life stage.

This method is simple, chemical-free, and highly reliable when used consistently.

17. Kidney Bean Leaves

Kidney bean leaves have tiny hairs that can sometimes trap small insects that crawl across them.

Because of this, some people place fresh leaves near beds. However, this method is not regarded as a reliable or proven treatment for bed bugs.

It’s best seen as a minor supportive idea, not a real solution for an infestation.

18. Pyrethrum

Pyrethrum works by attacking the bed bug’s nervous system, causing paralysis and eventually death.

So, if you’re dealing with a bed bug infestation, pyrethrum is worth considering. It is sold as an organic pesticide.

It is less toxic than many synthetic pesticides when used properly. However, it should be used with caution around pets, especially cats, as certain forms can be toxic [4].

19. Interceptor Traps Under Bed Legs

Interceptor traps are small cups that you can place under bed legs [5]. They physically block bed bugs from climbing onto the bed.

They also capture bugs moving in or out, helping you monitor the severity of an infestation.

This is one of the most effective non-chemical monitoring tools available.

20. Black Walnut Tea

Black walnut hulls contain compounds that have shown insecticidal activity against some insects. However, there isn’t enough research on their effectiveness against bed bugs.

To give it a try, brew a pot of black walnut tea and pour it into a spray bottle. Then, spray the infected areas.

You can also place the used tea bags in the corners of your house. Still, this method is not well-studied and should be used cautiously, especially around skin and pets.

21. Hygea Natural Bed Bug & Lice Exterminator Laundry Treatment

Some commercial laundry treatments are also marketed for bed bug control.

One example is Hygea Natural Bed Bug & Lice Exterminator Laundry Treatment, which is marketed for use against bed bugs, fleas, lice, ticks, and other pests.

Takeaway

Bed bugs can affect our health and well-being by causing itchy bites, allergic reactions, sleep disruption, and stress. Luckily, there are natural ways to get rid of them.

Methods such as heat treatment, steam cleaning, vacuuming, mattress encasements, and interceptor traps are generally the most effective natural options. For severe infestations, professional treatment may be necessary.