10 Natural Home Remedies for Bed Bug Bites Treatment

Barely a couple of millimetres long, bed bugs are small insects that enter your homes and start creating a nuisance. They live in cracks and crevices around beds, pillows and mattresses. Their activity is only at night when we’re asleep and they survive only on human blood. These parasites can leave us frustrated with bites even though they don’t usually carry health risks to humans. These bites can agitate use for days to come and today, we’ll talk about the best remedies for bed bug bites treatment.

Once bitten, twice shy is a very famous proverb that induces caution after being hurt once. However, in the case of bed bugs, the marks remain. The red patches and swellings are from bites and they usually bite in patterns. The itchiness is what can drive us mad and we though it’s necessary to put up an article on the remedies for bed bug rashes.

What is a Bed Bug?

​Bed bugs are tiny bugs that like to live in places where people sleep, like beds. They are brownish-red and about the size of an apple seed. They come out at night to bite and feed on the blood of humans and animals. While they don’t make you sick, their bites can be itchy and annoying.

How do you know if you have bedbugs?

Detecting bedbugs can be challenging because they are small, nocturnal, and adept at hiding. However, there are several signs that can indicate their presence:

1. Bite Marks: Small, red, itchy welts on your skin, often in a line or cluster. However, reactions to bedbug bites vary, and some people may not react at all.
2. Blood Stains: Small blood stains on your sheets, pillowcases, or mattresses from crushed bedbugs.
3. Fecal Spots: Tiny, dark spots that look like black dots or smears on your bedding, mattress, or walls. These are bedbug droppings.
4. Eggs and Shells: Tiny, white, oval eggs and shed skins (exoskeletons) from nymphs (young bedbugs) as they grow.
5. Musty Odor: A strong, musty odor similar to that of coriander, which is emitted by bedbugs when they are present in large numbers.
6. Live Bedbugs: Seeing live bedbugs, which are small, brownish insects about the size of an apple seed. They may be found in the seams of mattresses, box springs, bed frames, headboards, and other furniture near your bed.

How to check for bedbugs?

Checking for bedbugs requires a thorough inspection of areas where these pests are likely to hide. Here are five key points to help you identify bedbugs:

1. Inspect Mattress and Bedding

• Carefully examine the seams, piping, and tags of your mattress and box spring.
• Look for small, rust-colored stains, which could be bedbug excrement, or tiny white eggs and shed skins.
• Use a flashlight to aid your search, paying attention to crevices and folds.

2. Check Furniture and Upholstery

• Inspect the seams and tufts of chairs and couches, particularly where fabric meets the frame.
• Look for bedbugs in cracks and crevices in furniture joints.
• Don’t forget to check behind headboards and under furniture.

3. Examine Walls and Baseboards

• Bedbugs often hide in cracks and gaps in walls, baseboards, and around electrical outlets.
• Remove outlet covers and inspect inside with a flashlight.
• Check under loose wallpaper and behind picture frames.

4. Look for Physical Signs

• Bedbugs themselves are small, brownish insects, about the size of an apple seed.
• Look for dark or reddish spots on sheets, mattresses, or walls, which could be bedbug excrement.
• Check for tiny, pale-yellow eggs or shed skins, especially in hidden areas.

5. Monitor Bedbug Activity

• Use bedbug interceptors under the legs of your bed to trap them as they move.
• Consider placing bedbug traps or glue boards in suspected areas to monitor activity.
• Regularly inspect these traps for any signs of bedbugs.

Why Do Bed Bugs Bite?

​Bed bugs bite to drink blood from people and animals. They find their hosts by sensing warmth and the carbon dioxide we breathe out. Bed bugs usually come out at night and bite exposed skin, like arms or face. Their bites don’t hurt at first because they use a special liquid to numb the skin, but they can get itchy later on and leave red bumps.

What Do Bedbug Bites Look Like?

Bedbug bites often appear as small, red, and itchy bumps. They can be easily mistaken for other insect bites. Key characteristics include:

• Red, Swollen Spots: The bites are usually red and slightly swollen.
• Clusters or Lines: They often appear in clusters or a linear pattern, as bedbugs tend to bite multiple times while searching for a blood vessel.
• Central Puncture Mark: Sometimes, a tiny puncture mark can be seen in the middle of the bump.
• Delayed Reaction: It can take a few days for the bites to appear after being bitten.

Where on the Body Do Bedbug Bites Occur?

Bedbug bites can occur on any exposed part of the body. Common areas include:

• Arms and Legs: Often bitten as they are usually uncovered while sleeping.
• Neck and Shoulders: These areas are frequently exposed and accessible to bedbugs.
• Face: Sometimes, bites can appear on the face if it is not covered by bedding.
• Back and Stomach: If sleeping without a shirt or with minimal clothing, these areas are also common targets.

Do Bedbugs Bite Every Night?

Bedbugs can bite every night, but their feeding patterns can vary. Some key points about their biting habits include:

• Feeding Frequency: Bedbugs typically feed every 5-10 days, but in heavily infested environments, bites can occur more frequently.
• Nocturnal Feeders: Bedbugs are most active at night and tend to bite people while they are sleeping.
• Persistent Infestation: If bedbugs are not eliminated, bites can continue to occur regularly, leading to ongoing discomfort.

10 Amazing Home Remedies for Bed Bug Bites Treatment

1. Aloe Vera
2. Toothpaste
3. Calamine lotion
4. Baking soda + water
5. Lemon juice
6. Ice
7. Tea Tree Oil
8. Oatmeal
9. Apple cider vinegar
10. Lavender oil

1. Aloe Vera

The gel from the aloe vera plant probably has 100+ medical uses, hence known as the ‘wonder plant’. Similarly, with bites from bed bugs, apply the gel in the affected areas of your skin. The amino acids present in the gel helps in cooling and reduction in itching and burning sensation in your skin.

2. Toothpaste

Did you know that your Pepsodent or Colgate toothpaste could be one of the best remedies for bed bug rashes? Well now you do. You will have to apply toothpaste on bed bug bites more than you would be aloe vera to get relief from itching. It’s the menthol in the toothpaste that makes it a decent anti-itch remedy.

3. Calamine lotion

This is something readily available at almost any pharmacy or home products store. Calamine is used for bites of most insects and is also used to help with chickenpox measles, eczema and more. The lotion not only provides relief from itching but also dries the rash and protects your skin.

Also Read: Bed bugs in India

4. Baking soda + water

This is among the best remedies for bed bug bites treatment because it’s so easily procurable. Both substances are easily available at home and making a paste of this mixture doesn’t take up too much of our time either. Once ready, apply the paste to the skin where the rash is. Let it dry and then wipe it off with some cotton.

5. Lemon juice

No, it’s not for drinking. But for applying to our bites. Lemon juice has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties while also being a natural astringent. Again, this becomes one of your most convenient remedies for bed bug rashes, and one that doesn’t consume too much time.

6. Ice

Using a cold compress on the injured region might help ease itching and reduce swelling.

Also Read: Bed bug treatment cost

7. Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is a fantastic remedy to treat bed bug bites because it has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities. Apply a mixture of a few drops of tea tree oil and carrier oil, like coconut oil, on the bite.

8. Oatmeal

Due to its anti-inflammatory qualities, oatmeal helps relieve irritated skin. Apply a paste made from a tiny amount of oatmeal and water to the bite. Before rinsing it off, let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.

9. Apple cider vinegar

Itching and irritation can be reduced with apple cider vinegar. Apply apple cider vinegar-soaked cotton to the bite for few minutes.

10. Lavender oil

The relaxing qualities of lavender oil might lessen the discomfort and irritation associated with bed bug bites. Apply a few drops of lavender oil to the bite several times a day.

How Should You Treat Bedbug Bites on a Baby?

Treating bedbug bites on a baby requires gentle care to soothe the skin and prevent infection. Here’s how you can treat them:

• Clean the Affected Area: Gently wash the bites with mild soap and water to reduce the risk of infection.
• Apply a Cold Compress: Use a cold cloth or an ice pack wrapped in a towel to reduce swelling and itchiness. Apply for 10-15 minutes at a time.
• Use Anti-Itch Cream: Apply a baby-safe anti-itch cream or lotion, such as one containing hydrocortisone. Avoid using strong medicated creams without consulting a doctor.
• Keep the Baby’s Nails Trimmed: This helps prevent scratching, which can lead to infection.
• Consult a Doctor: If the bites look infected or the baby has an allergic reaction (such as excessive swelling, redness, or difficulty breathing), seek medical advice immediately.

HiCare: Best Bed Bug Control Company

No, we’re not saying that as a good night lullaby. We really mean that. Why search what are the remedies for bed bug rashes? Why not avoid bed bug bites in the first place. If you have an infestation, be open about it and contact HiCare’s hotline immediately at 8828333888. At very competitive rates, you can get the best bed bugs treatment in India, one which will give you a night full of sleep once again!

HiCare’s technicians conduct a thorough inspection before applying our high-quality Bayer chemical spray. This spray will kill bed bugs but not their unhatched eggs. Hence, the team will return after 15 days for a second round of treatment. Yes, we provide 45-day and 90-day warranties, depending on the service selected. Why waste any more time? Call HiCare for pest control right away!