Bed Bugs

Home Remedies for Bed Bugs

 

When it comes to bed bugs, there isn’t much a homeowner can do to get rid of these pesky intrusions on their own. Before calling professional help, some have found slight success with the following home remedies for bed bugs:

 

 

 

b) Fruit and Vegetable Insecticides:

 

Some insecticides comprised of pyrethrins and canola oil are sometimes used by those who wish to lay down a home remedy that is safe for children and pets.

 

c) Steam Treatments:

 

It is not uncommon to see some pest control companies use steam treatments to deal with mattresses and other pieces of upholstered furniture. While very limited effectiveness is associated with this type of remedy, it shows great promise in treating items with less than ½ inch of penetration. At home, one may use small steam cleaners to care for their mattresses and other bedding selections.

 

d) Dry Heat [5]:

 

Placing clothing, footwear, rugs, toys, stuffed animals, backpacks and other non-launderable items in the dryer for a certain length of time can conveniently remove bed bugs. When an average clothes dryer is run for five minutes at low, medium or high heat, they generate temperatures of about 140, 150 and 180 degrees (respectively). It is believed that when drying a bundle of infected clothes, high temperatures are able to kill bed bugs. It is suggested to run the dryer for more than 20 minutes.

 

e) Hot Sun:

 

Since temperatures over 113 degrees are said to kill bed bugs, it is suggested to wash and dry clothing and linens at high temperatures. When living in a hot desert climate, you may hang your bedding and clothes in the beaming sun to destroy lingering bed bugs.

 

f) Duct Tape:

 

To get rid of any bed bugs on your mattress, pillows, clothing or floor, you can use the sticky side of duct tape as a removal tool. You can also wrap the legs and rails of your bed with the sticky side of duct tape to help keep the pests away from your sleeping area.

 

 

g) Scented Dryer Sheets:

 

Since the odor of most scented dryer sheets is repulsive to bed bugs, you can create a layer of Kryptonite by lifting your mattress and placing 8-10 sheets of scented fabric softener between the box spring and mattress. Repeat the same number of sheets on the surface of your mattress before putting your sheets back on. Stash one to two dryer sheets inside of your pillowcases as well. Use the sheets as protection against the bugs by placing in your clothes and throughout your linen closets.

 

h) Baking Soda:

 

Some people have used the drying-out (desiccation) properties of baking soda as a way to get rid of bed begs. One approach is to dip a paintbrush into a bowl of baking soda, and use the brush to spread a light layer of the soda around the cracks and crevices where you believe bed bugs are hiding. Don’t forget to address between the mattress and bed spring. Cover all surfaces of the mattress, including the frame. Vacuum the baking soda after a couple of days, and then reapply treatment.

 

i) Lavender:

 

The scent of lavender is a turn-off for bed bugs; therefore you may want to try placing fresh lavender or rubbing the oils of the plant around your bed and other areas where the pests are active.

 

j) Lavender, Rosemary & Eucalyptus:

 

In addition to lavender oil, the essential oils of rosemary and eucalyptus are also powerful against pesky bed bugs [6]. Add a few drops of all three oils into a cup of water, and then spray onto the bugs and around your sleeping area to kill and get rid of the pests.
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k) Mint Leaves:

 

Mint is another herb that bed bugs aren’t too fond of…and when left around the house, it can act as a bed bug repellent. Even early Native Americans used the leaves of wild mint to get rid of bed bugs by crushing the leaves and sprinkling around sleeping areas. They also tucked mint leaves inside of the cradle board of babies and small children. Before going to sleep, they’d also rub crushed mint leaves across their skin. You can also try adding sachets of dried leaves between your mattress and in your linen closets.

 

l) Cayenne Pepper:

 

Some say that cayenne pepper can stop bed bugs from entering spaces in your house. Try sprinkling some of the spice in certain areas, and see if the pests avoid crossing over it.

 

m) Hair Dryer:

 

Since bed bugs cannot survive in temperatures greater than 113 degree Fahrenheit, the highest heat setting of a hair dryer can serve as a bed bug home remedy. After turning the dryer on, position the hot air over places that bed bugs frequent – start with around your mattress. Place the hot air towards mattress seams and other crevices that may contain eggs. Continue heating the areas to get the best results – your goal is to treat the surfaces for approximately 60 minutes to make sure all pests have died. To remove all traces of the bugs, vacuum the heated areas, and promptly clean the vacuum filter afterwards to prevent surviving pests or eggs from escaping.

 

n) Vacuum Cleaner:

 

The suction wand of a strong-powered vacuum can be used to remove bed bugs and their eggs from your sleeping quarters [7]. Don’t forget to target the seams of mattresses and box springs, along perimeters of carpets, under baseboards, and in any other spaces and crevices associated with the pests. You won’t get all bugs and eggs with a single vacuum treatment, so repeating the process a couple of times is highly recommended.

 

o) Flashlight and Mirror:

 

Research suggests that 85 % of bed bugs are found in or near the bed, as this is where most of the pests come to feed on their sleeping, unsuspecting victims. One of the first things you can do to treat a bed bug infestation is identify its existence and pinpoint the whereabouts of the pests. To inspect your sleeping area, focus on the mattress, box spring, bed frame and headboard. Using a flashlight and small mirror to aid your inspection, lift the mattress, address the seams, look at the surfaces, and eyeball the nooks and crannies of the box spring. For the best results, you may even want to dismantle you