What Home Remedy Will Kill Bed Bugs?

“Myth: Bed bugs live in dirty places.

Reality: Bed bugs are not attracted to dirt and grime; they are attracted to warmth, blood and carbon dioxide. However, clutter offers more hiding spots.” reported by the epa.gov website.

So what causes bed bugs infestation? How hard it is to get ride of them?

If you suspect that your home is infected you should call a pest control professional immediatley. If you’re looking for other natural alternative treatements then let’s explore what home remedy will kill these bed bugs?

So, What Home Remedies Will Kill Bed Bugs?

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Many homeowners are doubtful that there are natural remedies for bed bugs that work. After all, the first thing most people usually get upon confirming that there are bed bugs in the house are pesticide sprays.
Here are some examples of natural remedies for getting rid of bed bugs:

• Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the infested area.
• Run a commercial steamer on carpet flooring.
• Spray isopropyl rubbing alcohol on infested areas.
• Dry clothes in the dryer after they are washed.
• Use baking soda.
• Use a boiled solution of 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, grated ginger, and oregano.
• Spray bed bug hiding areas with boric acid powder (8).
• Wash walls and furniture with bleaching powder (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) (9)
• Stick double sided tape on the beds bottom (10).
• Heat the area using a hair dryer set at the highest setting for an hour to kill bed bugs and their eggs
• Sprinkle talcum or baby powder.
• Apply ground silica gel.
• Scrub the seams of the mattress using a stiff brush.
• Apply caulk to seal gaps, cracks, and crevices.

The use dryer sheets is another popular bed bug remedy but some experts deny its effectiveness. Moreover, no study has ever supported this claim. So you may give it a try but don’t count on it to solve all the problem.

How to Use Tea Tree Oil for Bed Bugs?

Tea tree oil is an effective way to get rid of many indoor pests, including bed bugs. Tea tree oil should never be used undiluted. It is toxic to humans and deadly to animals in its undiluted state. Tea tree oil can also stain some furniture.

Diluted tea tree oil is unlikely to kill bed bugs, but it is a strong deterrent and it can help make other treatments more effective by chasing bed bugs from the safety of their hideouts. The most common and most effective method of using tea tree oil is to dilute it in a spray bottle of water. The ratio is 10-20 drops of tea tree oil per spray bottle (About 750ml).

Once you have mixed your solution, use it to spray any infested furniture, bedding, and baseboards. Mist the solution in and around common bed bug hiding places. You can lift your mattress to spray your box spring and bed frame. This process can be repealed daily to keep the bugs away from treated areas.

Once you are done, store the remaining mixture out of reach of children. The mixture will not go bad and can be stored for an indefinite amount of time, in a cool place away from direct sunlight.

It is worth mentioning that you should not use tea tree oil if you, or anyone in your home has experienced a previous allergic reaction to this essential oil.

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Does Apple Cider Vinegar Kill Bed Bugs?

As a contact killer, spraying Apple cider vinegar on bed bugs will immediately kill them. It works effectively alongside a bigger and more permanent bed bug eradication plan. Vinegar can help put the bed bug issue at bay while you try to figure out how to get rid of them permanently. Meanwhile, applying apple cider vinegar on the bite relieves the burning and the itching.

Does Lavender Really Repel Bed Bugs?

Essential oils act as repellents that offer a short-term solution for your home critters problem. For instance, spraying a tea tree oil solution can put bed bugs at bay. Dilute 20 drops of the oil in a spray bottle and spray away. Applying lavender oil can also keep them away. Mix 30-40 drops of lavender oil to 1.5 oz. water. Alternatively, you can apply Neem oil on your skin after taking a shower. It’s another natural bed bug repellent you can use instead of commercial ones.

Other essential oils and herbs you can use to treat bed bugs are:

• Indian lilac
• Bean leaves
• Sweet flag
• Thyme
• Black walnut tea
• Mint leaves
• Cedar oil
• Oregano oil
• Clove
• Lemongrass
• Pyrethrum

The downside of using repellents is that bed bugs can stay in their hiding places for up to 18 months without having any blood meal. You don’t really get rid of bed bugs permanently or kill them, but just put them into hiding for a while but they can strike back when you least expect it months later.

Does Alcohol Get Rid Of Bed Bugs?

Alcohol works to kill bed bugs and their eggs. It acts as a solvent, which means it dissolves, or destroys the bugs outer shell. Under normal circumstances, a damaged outer shell would pose a serious risk to the bug, leaving it susceptible to dehydration and death over time.

Rubbing alcohol speeds up that dehydration process because it is also a desiccant. That means rubbing alcohol is a substance that induces and speeds up the evaporation of moisture. With the bug’s outer shell dissolved, the alcohol enters the bug and begins to dry out the bug’s body.
It kills bed bug eggs the same way.

The downside to using alcohol to kill bed bugs is a bit difficult to apply. The undiluted alcohol must be applied to the bed bugs directly. Some people choose to do this with a spray bottle, but that can even be more difficult and risky. Direct contact means you will have to find and expose the bed bugs from their hiding places, even with a spray bottle.

Can Bed Bugs Survive The Washing Machine?

Most bed bugs that may be hiding in your clothing or bedding will not survive a wash cycle. However, some may.

Bed bugs can survive for long periods of time in water. They cannot swim, but they can float and even go without air for prolonged periods of time. So, yes it is possible for bed bugs to survive a washing machine cycle, even on the hottest temperature.

The dryer is a much more effective killer. Dryers get very hot in the process of drying clothes. The average dryer reaches temps of 135 degrees F on a high heat, or normal/cotton setting. The lethal temperature for a bed bug falls between 117-122 degrees F. If you wash and dry your laundry on the hottest settings, no bed bugs will survive.

How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs On Clothing

The first step to getting rid of bed bugs in your clothing is to sort them out. You don’t want to treat clothes that aren’t infested, creating more work for yourself. You also do not want to keep infested clothing anywhere near un-infested clothing.

You should sort infested clothing by washing instructions. Keep jeans separated from delicate items and things that can’t be washed in hot water, etc. This will make it easier for you while you are handling the infestation. Hot water and a hot dryer are what will kill the bed bugs on your clothing.

If something can’t be washed in hot cycle, or washed at all, you can place the item in a deep freezer for at least a week. This will kill any bugs, or eggs on the item. If you are unable to wash all infested items on the same day, keep unwashed items stored in plastic airtight totes, or tightly tied bags to prevent the bugs from spreading.

Wash and dry the clothes on the hottest settings you can and dispose of any bags used to store the un-laundered clothing. After you are done, store the clean clothing in a place where it cannot be re infested.

To prevent re-infestation, clothing should not be kept in areas of the house that are being treated for bed bugs. One of the best ways to store freshly cleaned clothing is in airtight totes, or zippered clothing bags.

Laundry Soap That Kills Bed Bugs

None of the laundry soap in the cleaning aisle at the supermarket is going to affect bed bugs. But, that doesn’t mean there aren’t laundry soaps that will assist in the killing process. These bed bug killing detergents will mention bed bugs in the name and may be found in the pesticide areas of larger stores. Some detergents that kill bed bugs are:

Bed Bug and Dust Mite ERADICATOR Laundry Treatment, Non-Toxic and Ready to Use

EcoClear Products 774371, Stop Bugging Me! All-Natural Non-Toxic Bed Bug Killer

Hygea Natural Exterminator Combo Pack, Non Toxic Treatment

These treatments and detergents aren’t always necessary when washing and drying at high temperatures, as the heat alone is enough to kill them. But, when washing delicate items that need cold water, or fluff only, these detergents help get the job done.

Treating your Home for Bed Bugs

If you are wondering how to get rid of bed bugs, the answer is quite simple. Bed bug heat treatment is a common practice. (5) (6) Using a steam cleaner on mattresses and cracks every week can help get rid of these pesky bugs. They’re sensitive to heat and can’t stand temperatures higher than 111 to 113°F. On the other hand, exposure to low heat (32-48°F) for a long period of time is just as effective as a heat treatment. Vacuuming regularly can also help with eliminating the bed bugs. Put them in a sealed plastic bag to prevent cross infestation. You can also use pesticides as long as they are labeled for bed bug use. (7) If you’re not confident you can get rid of bed bugs on your own, hire an experienced pest control expert who can take care of the problem for you.

Remedies for Bed Bug Bites

Bed bug bites do not require medical treatment, but you can remedy them to avoid bigger health issues later on. First, avoid scratching the bite to prevent skin breakdown and getting the bite infected. Then, disinfect it with an antiseptic soap and water. You can apply an OTC antihistamine cream or take the pill if you develop itching after. Applying a corticosteroid cream, calamine lotion or a hot washcloth also offer relief. If you experience itching and swelling, apply an ice pack for relief. (11) Lemon juice can also be applied to relieve itching to dry the rashes or apply witch hazel to calm the itching. You may be prescribed an oral antibiotic or ointment if an infection sets in.

What Causes Bed Bugs Infestation?

Bed bugs have been around for thousands of years especially in tropical climates. They only increased again in population in 1995 primarily because they have evolved and have become resistant to pesticides. Other factors that have contributed to their widespread comeback are international travel, the banning of effective pesticides by the government, and dense urban living conditions. They can also move from one place to another when infested clothing, mattress, furniture, or luggage is transported by people.

What’s possibly worse than bed bugs is their bite. People who constantly get bed bug bites may develop skin infections or scars from too much scratching of the skin. They may also become anxious and suffer from insomnia because they have a hard time sleeping in a bed bug infested bed and bedding. Well, if it were you, would you be able to sleep soundly at night thinking that there are tiny blood-sucking critters crawling around feeding on you? You can also get severe bed bug allergies. Bed bugs are quite sneaky. They inject a sort of anesthetizing agent to bite you painlessly at first. Afterward, the bite starts to itch and becomes red leaving you with painful welts. See your doctor and get a checkup if you experience any of the following symptoms of bed bug bites:

• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty swallowing or tightness in the chest
• Swelling of the tongue
• Chest pain
• Itchy body rash
• Fever
• Redness around the bite

How to Avoid Bed Bugs

• When sleeping in new beds like in hotels, check for signs of feces, tiny dark brown or black dots on the sheets.
• Watch for a “coriander-like” odor, which is a tell-tale sign of their presence in some heavily-infested places.
• Clean your luggage and wash clothes in hot water if you suspect you have been exposed to bed bugs during travel.
• Leave luggage on a hard surface when traveling instead of upholstered furniture or carpets where bed bugs frequently hide in.
• Sleep wearing pajamas with long sleeves and pants.
• Sleep under the covers and tuck them in.

How to Prevent Bed Bugs At Home

• Use a flashlight to look for bedbugs at night when they are active and look for:
  – Live or dead bed bugs
  – Empty skins
  – Eggs
  – Blood smears or dried blood on bedding
  – Fecal stains or droppings
  Use gloves, prongs, and putty knives when probing, and never hold them with your bare hands.
• Make sure the issue concerns bed bugs and not other insects like ticks, mites, or fleas.
• Inspect places where pets sleep for signs of these blood-sucking insects.
• Inspect used clothing or furniture before bringing them into the house.
• Clear your clutter to reduce the number of their hiding places.
• Protect the bed, pillows, and box springs using encasements or sturdy zippered covers that trap bed bugs (4).
• Don’t use pesticide right away since most over-the-counter pesticides are not very effective with killing the adult bugs and their eggs.
• Get rid of bed bug infested mattresses and furniture. Make sure they have a label and put them in a locked dumpster and not just out in the streets
• Wash blankets, bed sheets, bedspreads, and other bedding and clothing that have touched the floor with hot water

What are Bed Bugs?

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cimex lectularius (common bed bug)

They are parasitic insects from the cimicid family that feed solely on blood. (1) The common bed bug is what bothers us the most because they prefer feeding on human blood without their hosts noticing it. They get their name because these parasites prefer to live in warm homes, especially on beds, bedding, and other sleeping equipment. They hide in the seams and crevices of infested mattresses, bed frames, box springs, headboards, behind loose wallpaper and even in old furniture. Despite being more active at night, bed bugs are not nocturnal insects.

Although not considered by experts as disease vectors that transmit pathogens and cause diseases in humans, their presence can still make the lives of many people miserable. Bed bug bites can cause skin rashes, allergic reactions, and nasty psychological effects on a person. Since bed bugs infestations are growing at an alarming rate, experts have now considered them to be a rising health issue. (2)

They look for hosts by sensing for:

• • Carbon dioxide
  • Warmth
  • Certain chemicals

Exposed body areas of a sleeping person are their favorite feeding places such as the neck, arms, etc.

What do Bed Bugs Look Like?

Adult bed bugs are flat, light brown to reddish-brown insects with an oval shape, segmented abdomen giving them a banded appearance, have microscopic hair, and no hind wings. They resemble the size and color of apple seeds. (3) Nymphs that have just hatched have a light translucent color that turns into a bright red to brown after feeding. Bed bugs don’t jump but they’re good at hiding in small cracks and crevices.

Conclusion

We all coexist with the different organisms on the planet. However, there are species that can do us harm and make our life a little more difficult. Bed bugs are one of them. The thought of these nasty critters crawling on your bed and furniture waiting for a chance to suck the blood out of you can make sleeping in your own bed a terrifying thought.

Fortunately, there are many remedies for bed bugs. Try the solutions offered above, and if you’re not successful, you can always ask for the help of a professional exterminator to get rid of the bugs for you.