The emergence of bed bugs in your homes can be as bad as World War I and II, the great plague or even a tsunami. Don’t underestimate how big a calamity it can be if you begin to have a bed bug infestation at home. However, with research and medical advancements, a number of preventive measures have popped up, including natural as well as synthetic ways to get rid of these parasites. Knowing how to get rid of bed bugs becomes the biggest positive in such situations. At the infant stage of an infestation, we will want to try as much as possible to get rid of bed bugs. So, today we will guide you through the top ways to repel bedbugs naturally. Remember, take utmost care as these aren’t your normal pests. It isn’t as easy as repelling mosquitoes and cockroaches. These guys are smaller, multiply quickly and cause a bigger nuisance. They usually look for shelter in our beds and mattresses.
This might sound weird but it’s highly effective. The good, old-fashioned soap and water can do the trick better than most pesticides. A simple soap and water solution can be the best way to repel bed bugs. Spray the solution on bed bugs directly or on carpets, mattresses, sofas and other places that the bed bugs may exist.
A helpful technique could be using dryer sheets in between your mattresses, headboards and bedsheets. While there is no conclusive evidence that this helps in bed bug prevention, it’s one of the better ways to keep bed bugs away, and not bite you.
Again, you can fight the bed bugs with a home remedy. Apply petroleum jelly on headboards and bed frames to get these crawling creatures stuck while moving. However, this becomes ineffective against bed bugs who are already hidden in your mattress.
Let’s not waste an expensive bottle of Jack Daniels for this purpose. However, an old remedy to get rid of bed bugs is using a 91 per cent solution isopropyl alcohol. Again, this is flammable so if not used rightly, you could end up bringing down your house in flames.
Diatomaceous earth is an effective desiccant used to kill bed bugs by deteriorating the outer layers of their exoskeleton. You can use baby powder for the same purpose. It covers bed bugs’ musky scent and can even slow them down a bit. However, the properties of the baby powder aren’t strong enough to kill bed bugs.
Essential oils are used by homeowners around the world to fight bedbugs. Cinnamon oil, lemongrass oil, clove oil, peppermint oil, lavender oil, thyme oil, tea tree oil, and eucalyptus oil. These are said to be effective when mixed with an atomizer and used in a spray bottle to repel bed bugs.
Diatomaceous earth is a natural, powdery substance made from fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms. It acts as a desiccant, dehydrating and killing bed bugs. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the infested areas such as cracks, crevices, and baseboards. Leave it for a few days before vacuuming it up along with the dead bed bugs.
Bed bugs cannot withstand high temperatures. Steam cleaning your mattress, furniture, and carpets can help kill bed bugs and their eggs. Ensure that the steam reaches a temperature of at least 120°F (49°C) for effective eradication. Move the steam cleaner slowly over infested areas to ensure thorough coverage.
Regular vacuuming can help remove bed bugs and their eggs from the infested areas. Use a vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to ensure the bugs are trapped and not released back into the air. Pay special attention to cracks, seams, and edges of mattresses, furniture, and baseboards.
Encasing your mattress and box spring with bed bug-proof covers can prevent bed bugs from infesting your sleeping area. Make sure the encasements are labeled as bed bug-proof and zippered tightly. This prevents bed bugs from entering or escaping from the mattress, effectively cutting off their food source.
Place dried peppermint leaves around your bed and infested areas. The strong scent of peppermint repels bed bugs and discourages them from settling in. Replace the leaves every few weeks to maintain the potency of the scent.
Used tea bags can be an effective repellent against bed bugs. Place cooled, used tea bags in areas prone to infestation, such as mattress seams and cracks in furniture. The compounds present in tea, such as tannins, act as natural deterrents for bed bugs.
Baking soda can absorb moisture and dehydrate bed bugs. Sprinkle baking soda around your mattress and infested areas, leaving it for a few days before vacuuming it up. The baking soda absorbs the moisture from the bed bugs’ bodies, ultimately leading to their death.
Neem oil is derived from the neem tree and acts as a natural insecticide. Mix neem oil with water and spray it on infested areas to repel bed bugs. Neem oil disrupts the bed bugs’ hormonal balance and acts as a repellent, discouraging them from staying in treated areas.
In all of the above natural and home remedies to repel bedbugs, you might have noticed that none are foolproof. Hence, it’s always better to ask for professional help when it comes to these creatures. If your natural ways to keep bed bugs away don’t work, call the experts. One of India’s leading pest control and home hygiene brands is HiCare, a company that has been satisfying customers around 100+ cities in India in the past many years. A simple call to 08828333888 is the first step towards eradicating bed bugs from your home. The bed bug service for a single room home begins at just INR 3,950, and it comes with a 45-day warranty as well. Call now to keep your family protected!
One effective natural method to repel bed bugs is through the use of essential oils. Peppermint, tea tree, lavender, and eucalyptus oils are known for their bed bug-repelling properties. Create a solution by mixing a few drops of your preferred essential oil with water and spray it around potential hiding spots and entry points to deter bed bugs.
Essential oils have shown some effectiveness in repelling bed bugs. Lavender, tea tree, and peppermint oils are commonly used for this purpose. It's crucial to keep in mind that essential oils should be utilised as part of an integrated pest control strategy since they may not completely get rid of a bed bug infestation, even if they may assist to prevent them.
Yes, diatomaceous earth (DE) is a natural and non-toxic substance that can help repel bed bugs. DE works by dehydrating the insects and causing them to die. It can be applied around bed frames, cracks, and other areas where bed bugs may hide. However, it's important to use food-grade DE and follow safety precautions when handling and applying it.
Regular vacuuming can help remove bed bugs and their eggs from your living environment. It's recommended to vacuum at least once a week, paying close attention to areas such as mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and baseboards. Be sure to dispose of the vacuum bag or empty the canister in a sealed bag outside your home to prevent reinfestation.
Yes, keeping a clean and clutter-free home can help reduce the chances of a bed bug infestation. Bed bugs thrive in cluttered environments, as it provides more hiding places. By minimizing clutter, regularly cleaning and organizing your living space, you make it more difficult for bed bugs to find harborage and establish themselves.
While there is limited scientific evidence on the effectiveness of specific plants in repelling bed bugs, some plants are believed to have insect-repellent properties. These include lavender, mint, rosemary, and thyme. Planting these herbs around your home or using their essential oils may help deter bed bugs, but they are not guaranteed solutions on their own.
Sunlight alone is not a reliable method for repelling bed bugs. Bed bugs are primarily active at night and prefer dark hiding places during the day. While exposing infested items to direct sunlight may temporarily deter bed bugs by increasing temperature, it is not a long-term solution. Integrated pest management techniques and professional treatment may be necessary for effective control.
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