If you’ve been waking up with itchy, red bites on your body, it’s time to get rid of bed bugs. Here are some natural treatments you can use to eliminate the pesky parasites.
Start by washing all linens in hot water and drying on high heat. Then, vacuum all bedding and items near the sleeping area. Also, inspect your furniture and behind wall hangings.
Steam Cleaning
When fighting an infestation, steam cleaning is a good first step. This process penetrates the hiding spots of natural Bed Bug Treatment, eggs, and nymphs, and kills them instantly without pesticides or heat. You can use a home steam cleaner or hire a professional service to do the work for you.
Other natural solutions to consider include baking soda. Like diatomaceous earth, it sucks the moisture out of these pests, causing them to dehydrate and die. Sprinkle a light layer of the powder around areas where bed bugs are spotted and let it sit for a week before vacuuming it up. Repeat this every few days until you are free of these critters.
Rubbing alcohol may also help, as it dries out the bugs and their eggs. However, it’s important to note that rubbing alcohol is flammable and could pose a fire hazard in your home. You should also avoid second-hand items that might be infested and keep clothes in sealed bags until you’re sure there are no more bed bugs to kill.
Another effective method is cold treatment, which involves freezing the bugs to death. Some pest control companies have a machine that uses pressurized carbon dioxide to blast rooms at -108 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the temperature bed bugs and their eggs die at. This can be a more involved process than steaming, and you’ll need to remove any houseplants, medications, or other flammable items from the home before hiring a company for this service.
Diatomaceous Earth
Known as DE or diatomite, this natural sedimentary rock powder is a good bed bug deterrent. It sucks up moisture from the bugs’ exoskeletons, dehydrating them and killing them. The powder is made up of the fossilized shards of algae that have accumulated in sediment in freshwater lakes, rivers and oceans throughout the world for thousands to millions of years. It’s also mined as a source of silica, an essential mineral that humans and animals need to survive. Silica is found naturally in sand, quartz, clay and living organisms like plants and animals. Food-grade DE is safe for human consumption, and the FDA considers it a “generally recognized as safe” ingredient in foods and supplements.
Vacuuming is a key step in the fight against bed bugs, as it will help remove adult bed bugs and their eggs from your home. However, vacuuming alone isn’t enough to eradicate the pests. To make sure you’ve gotten all the eggs, dust a thin layer of DE over all areas where you think bed bugs may be hiding, including corners, crevices, and around furniture.
This will help keep them away for as long as possible and give your other treatments a chance to work. You can find food-grade DE at most home improvement stores. It’s important to use this kind of DE, which is EPA-approved for pest control so that it won’t hurt pets or children who may come into contact with it.
Essential Oils
There are a few essential oils that can be used to get rid of bed bugs, including lavender and peppermint. Both of these are safe for you and your pets, and they have natural antifungal, antiseptic, and insecticidal properties that can help eliminate these pests. Simply mix a few drops of each oil with water in a spray bottle and apply it to possible hiding spots.
The scents of chrysanthemums and thyme can also be effective in repelling these pests. You can mix them with water in a spray bottle and apply them to your bedroom, living room, and any other rooms where you suspect a bed bug infestation may be present. You can also make tea from thyme, which has antifungal and insecticidal properties.
Another natural solution that can repel and kill bed bugs is a mixture of cayenne pepper, oregano essential oil, and grated ginger. Mix together in a bowl and pour into a spray bottle. Use this spray in the places that you think bed bugs may be hiding in, such as crevices and cracks.
It’s important to do a thorough inspection of your home, including every part of the bedroom where these creatures can hide. Start by checking your mattress, box spring, and headboard. Then, look in all of the nooks and crannies in your dressers, nightstands, and other furniture that can be used as hiding places by these pests.
Black Walnut Tea
Rather than using harsh chemicals, try black walnut tea. It contains antifungal and antibacterial properties that can help eliminate the pestemite. Place some used tea bags around your home in areas where bed bugs tend to hide. This will also help prevent a recurrence.
Another natural way to get rid of bed bugs is neem oil. It acts as a natural insecticide by disrupting the hormonal balance of these bugs. It can be sprayed on infested areas and works in the same way as a traditional bug spray.
Lemongrass is another effective natural treatment for eliminating bed bugs. Its compounds increase the acidity in the body of these insects, which effectively kills them. Mix some lemongrass oil with water in a spray bottle and apply it to the areas where bed bugs are found.
You can also use neem leaves, which contain a parasitic fungus that targets the worm-like nymphs of these pests. The fungus, Beauveria bassiana, sucks the nutrients from their bodies and renders them infertile and immobile. The leaves are also effective at repelling bed bugs. You can place them in closets and drawers, or even on your mattress. You can also crush some leaves and sprinkle them around your home to keep the pests away. It is also a good idea to get rid of any clutter that may be hiding bed bugs, as they are attracted to trash and other sources of food.