Have you ever woken up in the morning with itchy, inflamed spots with a dark spot at the center? If so, there’s a good chance you’ve been bitten by bed bugs.
Those bites can be very itchy, causing some level of discomfort. The good news is that there are many natural ways to eliminate bed bugs.
In this article, we’ll cover the most effective methods to do so, using home remedies and natural methods.
Here’s how to get rid of bed bugs naturally:
1. Diatomaceous Earth
The abrasive qualities of DE will scratch away the protective outer waxy layer of bed bugs, leading to dehydration and eventual death.
Just sprinkle it on your mattress and let it sit for a few hours before vacuuming it up. You can also use it in other areas where the pests feel safe, like inside furniture joints or in crevices.
Just be careful not to inhale the particles, as they can irritate the nasal passages.
2. Hot Water
One of the quickest ways to eliminate bed bugs and their eggs from your clothing and bedding is with boiling water.
Yes, just wash the items in very hot water for about 30 minutes. The heat from the scalding water will kill the critters.
3. Clove
Clove oil has insecticidal properties [1], so you can use it to make a homemade solution for killing bed bugs.
All you need to do is add a teaspoon of clove oil to a cup of water. Use this solution to mist your mattress and the entire room.
Clove itself also works as a natural repellent, so you can place them around your bed and in areas where the critters are likely to show up. It will keep them away.
And if you replenish it often, they’re less likely to come back. It may permanently get rid of bed bugs!
4. Steam Cleaner
Steam cleaners work by supplying what works best against these critters: heat. The heat from the steam will kill them instantly.
Use the steamer in all possible areas where bed bugs might be.
5. Vacuuming
One bed bug removal strategy you can try at home is to vacuum them up. This can help reduce the numbers, especially if they are in clusters or groups.
So vacuum your mattress and furniture regularly. This will go a long way, as the vacuum will suck up the bed bugs and their eggs that come in its way.
6. Lemongrass
Lemongrass is effective against a range of bugs, including bed bugs. They do not like the smell of it.
To make a homemade bed bug repellent using lemongrass, simply add a few leaves of lemongrass to a pot filled with water. Next, put it on the stove and let it boil until the water changes color.
Afterward, turn the heat off and let it sit overnight. You can then spray the mixture all over your mattress, bed frame, and any other areas where you’ve seen bed bugs.
This home remedy also works wonders at keeping mosquitoes at bay.
7. Baking Soda
Baking soda application is another DIY bed bug treatment that has worked for many, though it will not clear away an infestation.
For starters, you need to know where the critters are hiding. Usually, they like to congregate in the seams of mattresses as well as in the crevices of furniture. So that’s where you need to apply the baking soda.
The baking soda will dehydrate the bugs.
8. Beauveria Bassiana
A study shows that Beauveria Bassiana can kill bed bugs [2], which is pretty impressive. And the good news is that it’s easy to use.
Following the product instructions, prepare it accordingly and spray it on the areas where you think bed bugs might be lurking.
9. Essential Oils
Spraying your clothes, bedding, luggage, and even the interior of your home with certain essential oils can deter these critters. The oils work because their scent is strong enough to repel bed bugs.
Here are a few of the best essential oils to use for these pests: lavender, peppermint, oregano, lemongrass, and thyme.
Add a few drops of oil (one or a combination) to a spray bottle of water and use it to mist areas and items of concern.
10. Cayenne Pepper
Create a natural bed bug remedy all on your own using cayenne pepper.
For the recipe, combine cayenne pepper powder with water to make a spray. You can also soak crushed hot peppers in water and strain them to use as a repellent spray.
Use it to spray target areas, but be careful not to get it in your eyes. The scent of it will keep them away, but if you want to kill them, add some ginger to the concoction.
11. Vinegar
You’ve probably heard that vinegar is a great remedy to kill bed bugs. And it is—but you have to know how to use it correctly.
To get the best results, do not dilute it. Spray the vinegar straight on the bugs and their eggs. This will dry them out.
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 de-clutter and vacuum thoroughly, as bed bugs love to hide in the seams of chairs, in cracks, in curtain folds, and in other places. Vacuum the furniture and floors as well, and be sure to dispose of the contents afterward.
If you have pets, it’s a good idea to keep them out of the room until the infestation has been cleared up. And lastly, don’t forget to seal up any holes or gaps in the walls that might be serving as entry points for bugs from other apartment units.
13. Rubbing Alcohol
Yes, it’s true. People have been using rubbing alcohol to get rid of bed bugs and their eggs. And it works really fast—almost instantly.
Also, it kills on contact, so you must spray the critters directly for it to work.
You can also put some on a piece of cloth and use it to wipe down box springs, headboards, and all things necessary.
14. Traps
There are a few different traps you can use for this purpose. One favorite is the sticky glue trap. All you need are pieces of paper and glue.
Smear the papers with glue and place them around the bed, and the bugs will get stuck as they try to cross over.
Another great trap is the Harris Bed Bug Detection Trap. It’s a little bit expensive compared to a homemade glue trap, but it’s worth it because it’s so effective.
Place them near your bed posts and other susceptible areas.
15. Indian Lilac (Neem)
Indian Lilac has been used for centuries as an organic treatment for certain pest problems, and it also works against bed bugs.
You can buy neem oil concentrate online or at a local farm store. Use it accordingly to spray the areas where you’ve seen these pests.
16. Mint Leaves
The oil in mint leaves acts as a natural insect repellent. All you need to do is crush up a few leaves and sprinkle them in problem areas.
17. Bean Leaves
You might not know this, but kidney bean leaves are great for trapping bed bugs. The microscopic hairs in the leaves will stab the bugs and trap them as they attempt to cross over.
Therefore, spread some of these leaves on the floor next to your bed to stop these critters in their tracks.
18. Pyrethrum
Pyrethrum works by attacking the nervous system of the bed bug, causing paralysis and eventually death. And unlike some of the harsh chemicals out there, pyrethrum is relatively safe for humans and pets.
So if you’re dealing with a bed bug infestation, pyrethrum is definitely worth considering. It is sold as an organic pesticide.
19. Thyme
Another powerful-smelling herb for keeping away bed bugs is thyme. Place some of the leaves in a net bag and put the bag in problem areas.
You can also burn thyme leaves for this purpose. The fumes will drive the critters out of their hiding places.
20. Black Walnut Tea
Black walnut hulls contain a substance that has a powerful insecticidal effect against bed bugs.
Brew up a pot of black walnut tea and pour it into a spray bottle. Then simply spray the infected areas. You can also place the used tea bags in the corners of your house.
21. Hygea Natural Bed Bug & Lice Exterminator Laundry Treatment
If all of the above home remedies don’t seem appealing, you can still exterminate bed bugs without having to call an exterminator.
You should know that there are some natural products available that are ready-to-use and can get the job done effortlessly. One such product is Hygea’s Natural Bed Bug & Lice Exterminator Laundry Treatment.
Hygea Natural is a trusted brand, and it also works to control fleas, lice, and ticks.
Takeaway
Bed bugs can cause a few negative physical health consequences, but luckily there are some natural ways to do away with them. From the list above, there are a few methods that might work for you. Try them out until you find the one that does.
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