Home Remedies for Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are small wingless insects which belong to the family of Cimicidae. There are two kinds of bed bugs that bite people. The first one is an adult bed bug which is reddish brown color and the second one is Nymphs which are bright red in color after feeding. Both the types are very well at hiding themselves during the day time. But you can know about their presence when you see black stains on the mattress and sometimes when they are crushed you can see the blood. They live on human blood and hence can cause certain health issues. In this article, you will come across some home remedies for bed bugs.

Causes for Bed Bugs:

• Too much traveling.
• Poor pest control practices.

Places Where They Hide:

• Bed frames.
• Mattresses
• Furniture
• Carpets
• Baseboards
• Box springs.
• Sofas

Home Remedies for Bed Bugs

1. Cayenne Pepper to Get Rid of Bed Bugs:

This important ingredient used in the kitchen can also help you to get rid of those horrible nights, which you spent because of these bed bugs. The strong smell of cayenne pepper is unbearable for the bed bugs and make them run away from the mattresses, box frames or furniture. The antimicrobial properties of cayenne pepper make it an amazing home remedy for bed bugs.

How to Use:

• Take a pan and add water.
• Add one teaspoon of cayenne powder and oregano.
• Add one teaspoon of grated ginger.
• Boil the ingredients.
• Strain it, and fill the liquid in a spray bottle.
• Spray the liquid around the infested areas.

2. Tea Tree Oil for Bed Bugs:

The antibacterial properties of tea tree oil help to eliminate bed bugs in your home. The strong smell of tea tree oil makes the bed bugs run away.

How to Use:

• Fill a spray bottle with lukewarm water.
• Add 2% of tea tree oil.
• Spray the liquid around the mattresses, bed springs, furniture, and carpet.
• Alternatively, you can directly add few drops around the infested areas.
• Repeat this process twice a week to get rid of bed bugs completely.

3. Baking Soda to kill Bed Bugs:

This is a non-toxic remedy to kill bed bugs. The drying properties of baking soda will dry out the bed bug’s body and the antimicrobial properties will kill it.

How to use:

• Find out the places where these bed bugs hide.
• Spread the baking powder in all those areas.
• No stone should be left unturned, so  use a flashlight to see the dark corners.
• Leave it for a week.
• After a week, use a vacuum cleaner to clean the infested areas.
• Repeat the same process until all the bed bugs are killed.

4. Alcohol for Bed Bugs:

The dehydrating properties of rubbing alcohol eradicates the bed bugs in your home. According to an information, 90% of the isopropyl rubbing alcohol kill the bed bugs.

How to Use:

• Remove the bed sheets and pillow cases.
• Fill a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol.
• Spray the rubbing alcohol around the infested areas.
• Do this on a regular basis.

5. Heat Treatment for Bed Bugs:

This is a natural and simple way to get rid of bugs. You just need a little patience and time for this remedy. The heat from the sun will dry out the eggs and will destroy the bugs.

What to do:

• Remove the things kept on your bed.
• Keep all the furniture and your bed under the shining sun.
• Leave it for a few hours or days depending upon the infestation.

Precaution: Do not use that furniture for that particular time otherwise it will give nourishment to the bed bugs.

6. Boric Acid to Kill Bed Bugs:

This home remedy for bed bugs is non-toxic and environment-friendly. Boric acid not only kills the bed bugs but also removes stains and urine odor from the mattresses and other furniture. It destroys the protective coating of the exoskeleton leading to the death of bed bugs.

How to Use:

• Search for the places where the bugs hide.
• Spread the boric acid.
• Do this on a regular basis to eradicate bed bugs completely.

7. Hair Dryer for Bed Bugs:

The high temperature if the hair dryer is unbearable for the bed bugs. Though this remedy can be a little time consuming, but for sure it will destroy all the eggs as well as the bed bugs.

How to Use:

• Switch on the hair dryer in its full speed.
• Position it on the infested areas like furniture, carpet, mattresses and box frames.
• Leave it for about 1 to 2 hours.
• Use a vacuum cleaner to remove the traces of bed bugs.
• Clean the vacuum filter.
• Repeat this several times a week for encouraging results.

8. Mint Leaves to Remove Bed Bugs:

Mint leaves act as a natural bed bug repellent. The strong smell of mint leaves will suffocate the bed bugs.

How to Use:

• You can spray the mint oil around the infested areas.
• You can put dried mint leaves between the mattresses and the other furniture.

9. Black Walnut Tea for Bed Bugs:

The anti-fungal and antibacterial properties of black walnut tea destroys the bed bugs. It is a natural repellent and is 100% safe. You can place these tea bags around the infested areas such as a closet, mattresses, and other furniture.

10. Herbal Sachet to Repel Bed Bugs:

The strong smell from this herbal sachet will suffocate the bed bugs and will destroy them. This is one the best remedies for bed bugs.

How to Make:

• Take a sachet and add one part of mint.
• Add one part of lavender and 3 parts of black walnut tea.
• Add 3 parts of thyme and one part of the sweet flag.
• Hang this herbal sachet in your home.

11. Lilac to Get Rid of Bed Bugs:

The antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of lilac make it one of the amazing remedies for  bed bugs. It will for sure kill the bed bug and is not harmful to humans.

How to Use:

• Spread the leaves on the infested areas.
• Keep replacing the leaves every week.
• You can also massage neem oil on your skin.
• The aroma of the lilac will kill the bed bugs.

12. Cold Treatment for Bed Bugs:

This is a time-consuming method but for sure will help you to get rid of bugs. Bed Bugs are unable to survive in the cold.

What to do:

• Wash your clothes in chilled cold water.
• You can also leave your clothes in ice cubes.
• During the cold season you can keep your mattresses and furniture outside and during that particular time avoid using them.

13. Steam Treatment to Kill Bed Bugs:

As you, all know bed bugs cannot resist high temperatures. The temperature in which they like is below 50 degrees. So this can be among the amazing remedies for bed bugs.

What to do:

• Steam your carpets, mattresses, and pillow cases.
• Steaming will destroy the bed bugs and the eggs.

14. Lavender Oil to Repel Bed Bugs:

The pleasant aroma of lavender oil is hated by the bed bugs. The smell is unbearable for these wingless creatures and keeps them away. This is one of the remedies for bed bugs which will leave your home with a pleasant smell.

How to Use:

• Spray it around the infested area.
• You can also dilute it with water.

15. Vacuum Cleaners for Bed Bugs:

This is one of the simplest home remedies for bed bugs. Find the places where the bed bugs hide. Vacuuming will remove the eggs and the dry skin flakes so that nothing is left for the nourishment of bed bugs. Vacuum everything from carpets to mattresses and cushions. Do this vacuuming every day for a week to eradicate the bed bugs.

Tips to Prevent Bed Bugs:

• Look for the traces of bed bugs like black stains on the mattresses.
• Whenever you come from outside wash your clothes with hot water or hang them outside under the shining sun.
• Properly clean the house using a vacuum cleaner.
• Keep the area around your bed clean.
• Don’t confuse bed bug bites with cockroach or mosquitoes.