Wednesday , November 13 2024

Top 14 best home remedies for bed bugs | First Aid Buy

home remedies for bed bugs

Are you searching for home remedies for bed bugs? Bed bugs are bloodsucker insects that feed on animals and humans. These nocturnal insects thrive in dark corners, cracks, and crevices thus making your mattress the ideal spot for habitation.

Your mattress also gives them easier access to your skin and that is where the name “bed bugs” comes from.

Physically they are oval-shaped, rusty brown in color, and around 5mm in size thus making them very difficult to spot with naked eyes. Unlike other bugs, they are physically incapable of jumping or flying.

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Although their bites are harmless and do not spread any diseases, it is itchy and uncomfortable enough to hamper your goodnight’s sleep. Some people can also experience a reaction to their bites.

Where do they come from?

Before we get to know the remedies to eliminate bed bugs, it is important to understand where do they come from and what causes them.

People assume that bed bugs thrive because of dirt but breaking your bubble here, they have nothing to do with dirt so an extra shower a day won’t keep them away. As they feed on blood, anywhere with animals or humans is practically a breeding ground for them.

They do not just spontaneously appear one night, they come from outside. Outside can mean literal outside or you may pick them up from a hotel, a friend’s house, or from buying used clothes and covers.

Their tiny size and flattened body allow them to hide and slip through cracks and crevices including your bedsheet or even your T-shirt.

Signs of Infestation

Think you have these annoying critters in your house? They are hard to spot because of their tiny structure but besides actually catching them crawling under your bedsheet, you can look for the below-mentioned signs to know about a potential infestation.

  • Bites on your skin:

The most significant sign is having bite marks on your skin. The bites appear in groups unlike any other flea or insect bite. This is because these bugs travel in a straight line across your legs or arms sucking continuously on your blood.

  • Red/ Rusty stain:

If you have recently spotted red rusty stains on your bedsheet or mattress, that is probably dried blood from those critters. The stains could be either blood from your bites or those critters crushed by your weight after a heavy feast.

  • Eggshells:

These are very difficult to spot because of their small structure and light color, but if you spot any speck of ivory or white on your carpet, bed, or your furniture, you can confirm that these bugs have successfully invaded your living space.

  • Black dots:

If you see black dots or dark stains on your bed or mattress, it is most likely fecal matters and the skin shed by younger bugs.

  • Living Bed Bugs:

Although these insects are hard to spot, if you look close enough you can spot them occasionally.  Once they feed, they grow in size and become more visible.  So the next time you spot these critters on your bed, mattress or furniture make sure to eliminate them immediately.

Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs

  1. Vacuum 

Before you try out any other home remedies for bed bugs make sure you vacuum every nooks and corner of your bed and also your house. Do not miss out on any cracks or opening on your bed or around it.

Vacuuming will help in getting rid of the eggs also along with the bugs. Starting from mattresses to curtains, furniture, carpets, you must vacuum everything.

After you have done vacuuming seal the bags before throwing them off and also clean the vacuum cleaner after doing the work.

  1. Usage of Extreme Hot or Cold Water

This might turn out to be the easiest home remedies for bed bugs. If you want to get rid of them at the earliest, wash your bedsheets, clothes, or any kind of soft toys with extremely hot water, say, 140° Fahrenheit or above.

Or, if you think that certain things will not react well with hot water or are not washable then what you can do is pack them inside a bag and throw them in the freezer.

You can take it out after 24 hours or so and give the stuff a good shake it will remove all the bugs and their eggs

  1. Diatomaceous Earth

Every time when the question occurs how to get rid of bed bugs naturally Diatomaceous Earth should always be on your list. It is a type of sand that is chemical-free and is extremely useful in killing any kind of bugs or insects.

They have very sharp particles that are quite harsh for the bugs to survive on. The particles simply tear them into pieces. Sprinkle the powder in the areas where you think they might be and leave it for 24-48 hours.

This is a slow process but an effective one. It can take up to 2 days to show its results. Be very careful while dealing with Diatomaceous Earth as it can be easily inhaled. So. it is advised that one should wear a mask before dealing with the powder.

Always use the EPA approved powder for household purpose

  1. Tea Tree Oil

For ages, the Tea Tree oil is famous for its antibacterial, antifungal, and antibiotic properties. Using tea tree oil as a home remedy for bed bugs is very useful since its antiseptic properties will kill the bed bugs.

This home remedy is effective only if you have a smaller number of bugs to kill. Before spraying it all across the room dilute the tea tree oil with water. 20 drops of the tree tea oil would do good.

Spray the solution all over your cushions, mattress, curtains, cabinets, bedsheets, and every other furniture. You can also use the oil undiluted but some people can be allergic to such a strong smell that is why undiluted is preferred.

  1. Borax

Borax is somewhat similar to Diatomaceous Earth as it also comes in the form of powder. It is a useful home remedy for bed bugs since it will kill the bugs by suffocating them.

Sprinkle some good amount of the powder over your mattress and on the areas where you notice cracks or openings and leave it for 24 hours.

It will give them a hard time breathing. Another way of using Borax is you can add it to your washing machine while cleaning the clothes. The acid and salt present will kill them.

  1. Baking Soda

Just like the other two powders baking soda is also a useful home remedy for bed bugs. Once you sprinkle it on the infected areas it kills the bed bugs by dehydrating them.

It will take a week to show its results and, every time it kills the bugs you must vacuum the areas to get rid of the bed bugs. Vacuuming must be done often to ensure there are no eggs left. This is a slow but effective method.

  1. Vinegar

We all know that vinegar is a useful kitchen product but only a few of us know that it can also be a very effective home remedy for bed bugs. This can be the easiest home remedy to use against the bedbugs as it is available in most houses.

Vinegar affects the nervous system of the bed bugs thus, killing them. However, vinegar cannot destroy the eggs of the bedbugs.

While applying vinegar to kill the bedbugs, put some white distilled vinegar on all the sides of the infected areas, and after that, directly apply the vinegar on the bedbugs.

In this way, they will be unable to escape. Since it does not kill the larvae, it is necessary to use a vacuum with vinegar.

  1. Make the Bed Bugs Starve to Death

You can also try this home remedy to get rid of the bedbugs. To starve the bedbugs, the first step is to vacuum the infested areas thoroughly.

After that use some Ziploc bags and leave them on your mattress for seven days. This will not allow the bugs to come out of the mattresses and get their foods.

  1. Hydrogen Peroxide

You can also use Hydrogen Peroxide instead of alcohol as a home remedy for bed bugs. However, hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent and it stains the place where it is applied. It is also not as strong as isopropyl alcohol.

  1. Silica Gel

Silica Gel can also be used as a great home remedy for bed bugs. It can be used over the infected areas. Silica gel sticks to the bed bugs and can kill them by dehydrating them.

However, Silica Gel is injurious for health and thus, be cautious, do not inhale it. In case, there are pets or children at home, do not use silica gel.

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  1. Lavender

Using lavender as a bug repellent is probably one of the oldest home remedies for bed bugs. Bed bugs feel nauseous because of its smell and a stronger dosage can even lead to their death.

Keeping lavender in your house can also eliminate bad odor as the smell is quite pleasant to humans. The effectiveness of lavender can be increased by spraying lavender oil on hotspots, spreading dried leaves on affected areas, and washing accessories with lavender soap.

  1. Peppermint Leaves

Peppermint leaves have the same significance as lavender and drive away bed bugs with equal efficiency. Apply the same strategies as said for lavender and most importantly, remember to replace old leaves with new ones at regular intervals until the infestation is completely eliminated.

  1. Black Walnut Tea

Another useful home remedy for bed bugs is black walnut tea. Due to its insecticidal, antibacterial, and antifungal features, it can be a great option to get rid of bed bugs.

You can put black walnut tea bags in cracks and holes, where the bed bugs reside. You can also use dry tea leaves instead of tea bags and can put them on the mattresses to kill the bed bugs and their larvae.

  1. Cayenne Pepper

Another great home remedy for bed bugs is the mixture of cayenne pepper, ginger, and oregano. Though this method is not sufficient to kill the bed bugs, the strong smell and spiciness of the mixture are enough to control the pests.

To make the mixture, take 1 tsp of oregano, 1 tsp of ginger, and 1 tsp of cayenne pepper, and 1 cup of water. Mix them and boil them in a pan for a while. And then, spray the mixture on the infected areas.

Conclusion:

Facing a bed bug infestation can be gruesome and tiring, especially when they continue to return again and again even though you remember eliminating the last of them.

That being said, until professional help arrives, you can use the above-mentioned remedies to keep a check on their annoyance.

FAQ

  1. Does cold temperature help in killing bed bugs?

Ans: Yes, a temperature less than 0-degree Fahrenheit helps in killing the bed bugs. What one can do is, they can pack the things that are not washable inside a bag and throw them in the freezer.

  1. What kind of diseases do bed bugs cause?

They do not cause any kind of disease, although if you get bit they cause red marks on the skin.

  1. Which is the instant and effective ingredient to kill a bed bug?

The most effective and instant ingredient that kills a bed bug is alcohol. Rubbing diluted alcohol over the infected areas kills the bugs as soon as it comes in contact with it.

  1. Is there any household cleaner that kills bed bugs?

There are some effective household cleaners that one can try to get rid of bed bugs such as Lysol, bleach, vinegar

  1. Does Tea Tree Oil help in killing the bugs?

For ages, the Tea Tree oil is famous for its antibacterial, antifungal, and antibiotic properties. Using tea tree oil as a home remedy for bed bugs is very useful since its antiseptic properties will kill the bed bugs.

This home remedy is effective only if you have a smaller number of bugs to kill.

Home Remedies For Bed Bugs Tutorial:

YouTube Channel Name: Natural Health Remedies

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