Bed bugs are the parasitic, creepy and tiny insects who feed only on blood. Cimex lectularius is the common type of bed Bug that feeds only on human blood and causes itchy bites and skin irritation. Unlike many pests, Bed Bugs do not spread any diseases but certainly turns your nights into nightmares!
It bites the exposed area of the person and sucks the blood through an elongated beak. After its feeding completes, it moves away unnoticed. At first, bed bug bites are painless but the skin gets itchy and slightly-raised spots afterwards.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) all consider bed bugs a public health pest.
Some Facts about Bed Bugs
- Bed bugs not only feed on humans but also animals and birds.
- An adult bed bug has an oval-shaped flat body, which is about the size of an apple seed but swells after feeding.
- Bed bugs cannot fly but can quickly travel about 5 – 20 feet on walls, floors and ceilings to feed on humans.
- It becomes active at night but comes out during the day time if it is hungry. It takes 3 to 12 minutes for feeding.
- Bed bugs get attracted by body heat and the carbon dioxide that humans produce while breathing.
- A female bed bug lays 200 to 500 hundred of eggs during her lifetime.
- The nymph shed its skin 5 times before becoming an adult bed bug. It needs a feeding before each shedding of the skin.
- In favorable conditions, a bed bug can produce 3 or more generations.
- Bed bugs can survive without food for a few months.
- A bed bug can survive at temperatures as low as 7°C (46°F), but it dies when its body temperature reaches 45°C (113°F).
Causes of Increase in Bed Bug Infestation
The problem of bed bugs was almost eliminated during the 1940 but again became active in the United States of America as well as other parts of the world. Bed bugs started spreading due to the following reasons.
- Over the time bed bugs became pesticide resistant.
- Government banned the use of certain effective pesticides.
- The increase in international travel.
- Increase in the exchange of the second-hand furniture and furnishings.
How to Know that Your House is Infested with Bed Bugs
It is really a daunting task to know whether your house is infested with bed bugs or not because bed bugs are really small and can hide in the smallest place possible. And on the top of that they become active only at night. The itchy bites on your skin, which you are thinking bed bug bites, may be caused due to some other insect bites.
So, it is very important to know whether your house is infested with bed bugs or not? It is advisable to look for physical signs of bed bugs. Some of them are:
- You can find reddish stains of the crushed bed bug on the bed sheets or mattresses.
- Dark spots on the bed sheets or other bed bug-infested areas that are caused due to bed bug excrement.
- You can find bed bug eggs and shells. Also, you can find brown little bodies that look like dead bed bugs.
- Creeping live bed bugs.
Where Can You Find Bed Bugs
To get rid of bed bugs, it is very important for us to know their hiding places. As these creepy creatures become active mostly at night, during the day time they hide in different places, which we can’t even think. Its tiny body shape helps it to slip into the tiniest of spots.
- Bed bugs hide mainly in bed frames, mattresses, box springs, and headboards as they can easily bite people at night.
- They lurk in groups in the seams of the cushions, sofas, couches etc. You can also find them between the folds of the curtains.
- They hide in the joints of the drawers, chairs, cupboards, etc.
- Loose wall hangings and wall papers make good hiding places for bed bugs.
- The meeting point of the wall and ceilings is also a hiding place for the bed bugs.
- They are also found in electrical appliances and receptacles.
- To your surprise you can also find them even in the head of a screw.
Home Remedies for Bed Bugs
Bed bugs not only enter your house easily though clothing, luggage, bags or other items but also spread quickly to make your life more difficult. They can infest the entire room within a very short span of time and may spread to other rooms. Before it becomes very late, it is wise to get rid of them as early as possible. You can take the help of pest-control professionals to eradicate bed bugs if your house is highly infested with these pesky critters. But at the initial stage you can always go for the home remedies for the bed bugs that are effective, cost effective as well as easy to use.
1. Spread Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth powder is one of the safest, non-toxic and effective ways to get rid of bed bugs. It dehydrates and kills the bed bud bug as it destroys the outer protective layer of these pesky critters. As per a study, diatomaceous earth powder can completely eradicate bed bugs within 12 days. This fine powder can easily work on furniture and can be placed easily on tight and tiny places.
Things You Need:
- Pure and Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth Powder –The amount depends on the area of infestation
Process:
- Take the powder and spread it on the places that are infested with bed bugs.
- Repeat the process in every 2 to 3 days for at least 2 weeks to remove the bed bugs completely.
Note: Before applying this powder to kill the bed bugs, ensure to clean the linens with extremely hot water. Also vacuum clean your bed, furniture and your home completely.
2. Baking Soda:
Baking soda proves to be a good remedy for bed bugs. Its use dries out the bed bugs and kills them by sucking the moisture from them.
Things You Need:
- Baking Soda – the quantity depends on the bed bug-infested area.
Process:
- Spread a layer of baking soda on the bed bug- infested areas properly. Look for all the tiny places where there is a possibility of bed bug infestation.
- Leave it for at least a week and then use a vacuum cleaner to remove the baking soda, bed bugs and their eggs.
- Repeat this process till you get rid of bed bugs completely.
3. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree oil is best known for its antifungal, antiviral, antibiotic, antiseptic properties. It also works as a good expectorant. Its properties help to kill the insects including bed bugs and at the same time checks further spreading of bed bugs.
Things You Need:
- 100% Pure Tea Tree Essential Oil – 2 tsp
- Lukewarm Water – 50 ml
- A Spray Bottle
Process:
- In the spray bottle take the lukewarm water and mix 2 tsp of tea tree oil, and shake well.
- Spray it on your furniture, walls, carpets, mattresses, cushions, furnishings and all other bed bug infested areas.
- Spraying tea tree oil twice a day for a week will help to remove the bed bugs to a great extent.
- After using this tea tree oil spray, if there is no improvement, then you can add few more drops of tea tree oil to the water to get effective results.
4. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender Essential Oil works as a good bed bug repellant as bed bugs cannot withstand the toxicity of this oil. It also helps to destroy the eggs and larvae of bed bugs. Also bed bugs cannot tolerate the smell of this oil.
Things You Need:
- Lavender Essential Oil – 10 to 15 drops
- Water – 50 ml.
Process:
- Mix lavender essential oil with water and pour it into the spray bottle.
- Spray it generously on all the hiding places of the bed bugs.
- Use this spray regularly to get rid of bed bugs soon.
- You can also use lavender leaves and flowers to keep away the bed bugs.
5. Lavender and Peppermint Essential Oil Spray
Peppermint essential oil with its antibacterial and antiviral properties helps to move away the bed bugs and controls the further spreading of it.
Things You Need:
- Lukewarm Water – 100 ml
- Peppermint Essential Oil – 10 to 15 drops
- Lavender Essential Oil – 10 to 15 drops
- A Spray Bottle
Process:
- In a spray bottle, take the water and mix the peppermint and lavender essential oil.
- Shake well and spray it on the bed bug-infested areas.
- Repeat this process until you get rid of the bed bugs completely.
6. Clove Essential Oil:
Clove essential oil is a good source of insecticidal and insect repellent properties. Its rich eugenol content proves very toxic for the bugs and kills them. Also its strong smell helps to kill the bed bugs and prevents them from spreading.
Things You Need:
- Clove Essential Oil – 1 tsp
- Water – 1 cup
Process:
- Mix the clove essential oil with the water.
- Spray it on the bed bug-infested areas of your home.
- Use this home remedy for bed bugs regularly to get effective results.
7. Peppermint, Clove and Cinnamon Oil:
Apart from peppermint and clove essential oil, cinnamon essential oil also has properties that can kill and repel the bed bugs. So you can make a spray of these essential oils too to remove the bed bugs from your home.
Things You Need:
- Peppermint Essential Oil – 10 drops
- Clove Essential Oil – 10 drops
- Cinnamon Essential Oil – 10 drops
- A Spray Bottle
Process:
- Fill water in a spray bottle and add all the essential oils to it.
- Shake well and spray it on the bed bug infested area and their hiding places.
- Also spray it on the furniture, mattress seams and furnishings.
- Use this essential oil spray twice a day to remove the bed bugs completely.
8. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus essential oil is not only widely used in food, pharmaceutical products and perfumes but also work effectively as an insect repellent. It is loaded with antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial properties. Its use shows ovicidal activity, thus its use not only kills the bed bugs but also destroys its eggs.
Things You Need:
- Eucalyptus Essential Oil – 30 drops
- Water – 2 ounces
- Vodka – 1.5 ounces
Process:
- Mix all the ingredients together and pour it into a spray bottle.
- Shake well and spray it on the bed bug-affected areas in every two hours to repel the bed bugs effectively.
9. Orange Essential Oil
Orange essential oil contains d-limonene, which works as a good insecticide. It is a nerve toxin and kills the bed bugs as soon as they come in contact with this essential oil.
Things You Need:
- Orange Essential Oil – 2 ounces
- Compost Tea – 1 cup
- Blackstrap Molasses – 1 ounce
- Water – 4 liters
Process:
- Mix well all the ingredients in 4 liters of water.
- Pour it into a spray bottle and use it on the areas that are infested with bed bugs.
- Regular use of this spray is believed to destroy the bed bugs completely.
10. Lemongrass Essential Oil
Lemongrass essential oil is more effective to remove bed bugs naturally. It not only kills the bed bugs but also destroys the eggs. It increases the acidic condition within the bugs and kills them.
Things You Need:
- Lemongrass Essential Oil – 10 drops
- Water – 1 bowl
Process:
- Mix lemongrass essential oil in the water to make a natural bed bug spray.
- Pour it into a spray bottle and spray it on the bed bug-infested areas to get rid of them.
11. Neem Essential Oil
Neem essential oil is an herbal remedy that has been used in preparing various types of herbal medicines since ancient times. And cold pressed neem oil has high toxicity level and antifeedancy, which works to repel the bed bugs to a great extent. It is also a good source of larval growth inhibition properties.
Things You Need:
- Neem Essential Oil – 1 ounce
- Water – 4 ounces
- Soap Powder – ½ tsp
Process:
- Take the water and mix all the ingredients in it.
- Pour the solution to a spray bottle and spray it on all the nook and corner of the home as well as on other things that are attacked by bed bugs.
- For 3 days, spray this solution 3 times a day and then spray it 3 times every alternate day for 18 days to get rid of bed bugs totally.
12. Essential Oil Blend
We came to know about the insect killing properties of many essential oils. So when we prepare a blend by mixing few of these essential oils, it works wonders to kill as well repel the bed bugs effectively.
Things You Need:
- Lavender Essential Oil – 10 drops
- Lemongrass Essential Oil – 6 drops
- Tea Tree Essential Oil – 6 drops
- Neem Essential Oil – 10 drops
- Water – 50 ml
Process:
- Mix all these essential oils in water and pour into a spray bottle.
- Spray it on the bed bug-infested areas every day to kill as well as repel the bed bugs completely.
- You can also mix the same quantity of all these essential oils to a carrier oil like jojoba, coconut or grape seed oil to make body oil. Applying this oil will keep the bed bugs away from you and will help you to get a good night’s sleep.
- This essential oil blend without the carrier oil also treats bed bug bites and disinfects bitten area.
13. Thyme
Thyme has natural insecticide properties which make it an effective home remedy for bed bugs. Its use helps to kill and repel bed bugs. Its use also prevents further infestation of bed bug.
Things You Need:
- A Thyme Stick
- A Cotton Cloth
Process:
- Tie the cloth on the thyme stick and burn it near the area that is affected by bed bugs.
- You can also take few hands full of thyme leaves and place them near the infested areas.
- Place new leaves in every 3 days at least for 1 month for the complete extermination of the bed bugs from the infested area.
Note: Thyme is not safe for children and pregnant women. Be careful while using it at your home, if there are children or any pregnant woman.
14. Black Walnut Tea
The leaves of black walnut contain insecticidal properties and works well to repel bed bugs.
Things You Need:
- Black Walnut Tea Bags – as per the bed bug infested area
Process:
- Place the tea bags on the areas affected by bed bugs or else sprinkle tea leaves on the infested area like all the corners, bed creases, closet and interior area.
- Repeat this home remedy till you become successful in getting rid of bed bugs.
15. Sweet Flag
Sweet flag, which is loaded with anti-microbial and insecticidal properties, is a major ingredient in many chemical-based insecticides. Its use delivers effective results to curb the menace of bed bugs.
Things You Need:
- Sweet Flag – 100 gms
- Turmeric Powder – 50 gms
- Water – 1 liter
Process:
- Take the water and heat it in medium flame.
- When the water starts boiling, add the sweet flag and turmeric powder to it and mix well.
- Boil this for 1 hour and leave for 1 night.
- Filter it and dilute it with 10 times the mixed water.
- Pour it into a spray bottle and use it generously on the bed bug-affected areas.
16. Cayenne Pepper, Ginger and Oregano Spray
Cayenne pepper is a good source of antimicrobial properties which help to kill the bed bugs. The combination of the spiciness of cayenne pepper and ginger along with the strong smell of oregano essential oil makes it an effective insecticide.
What You Need:
- Cayenne Pepper – 1tsp
- Grated Ginger – 1 tsp
- Oregano Essential Oil – 1 tsp
- Water – 2 Cups
Process:
- Add all the ingredients to 1 cup of water and mix well.
- Boil the water for 5 to7 minutes.
- Strain the water and pour it into the spray bottle.
- Spray it on all the hiding places of bed bugs and on the things that are affected by bed bugs.
- Use this spray twice daily to repel and kill the bed bugs.
17. Bean Leaves:
It contains a property called trichomes, which works to kill the bed bugs. Its leaf has microscopic hairs on its surface that pierce the bedbug’s feet and kill them.
Things You Need:
- Bean Leaves – few hands full
Process:
