How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs:16 Natural Remedies

Are you struggling with bed bugs in your home? These pesky insects can quickly become a nightmare, causing itchy bites and making it difficult to sleep at night. Dealing with a bed bug infestation can be daunting, but with the right knowledge and approach, you can effectively get rid of these pests. This article will discuss the 16 best natural remedies to help you eliminate bed bugs permanently.

Understanding Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They are about the size of an apple seed and are most active at night. Bed bugs are often found in areas where people sleep, such as beds, couches, and chairs.

Life Cycle

Bed bugs go through several stages in their life cycle. The eggs are very small and difficult to see with the naked eye. They hatch into nymphs, which are smaller versions of adult bed bugs. Nymphs molt several times before reaching adulthood. The entire life cycle from egg to adult takes about 4-5 weeks.

Habitats

Bed bugs are most commonly found in areas where people sleep. They can be found in hotels, motels, and apartments. Bed bugs can also be found in homes, especially in areas where clutter is present. They are attracted to warmth and carbon dioxide, which is why they are often found in beds.

16 Natural Home Remedies to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Once you have confirmed the presence of bed bugs, it’s crucial to contain the infestation to prevent them from spreading further. Follow these methods to contain the bed bugs:

1. Regular Cleaning and Vacuuming

The first step in battling a bed bug infestation is maintaining a clean and clutter-free environment. Regularly vacuum your mattress, furniture, and carpets to remove bed bugs, their eggs, and any dirt that might be harboring them.

Vacuuming helps physically remove the bugs from your living spaces, reducing their population and preventing further breeding.

• Start by decluttering the room. Remove any unnecessary items and place them in sealed plastic bags.
• Use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment and a crevice tool to reach into cracks and crevices.
• Thoroughly vacuum your mattress, paying close attention to seams, folds, and tufts.
• Vacuum your furniture, including cushions and seams.
• Vacuum carpets, rugs, and any upholstered items in the room.
• Empty the vacuum’s contents into a sealed plastic bag and dispose of it outside your living space.

2. Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a natural sedimentary rock powder that’s highly effective against bed bugs. It is composed of tiny fossilized aquatic organisms known as diatoms. These organisms have hard shells made of silica.

When bed bugs come into contact with diatomaceous earth, the sharp edges of the particles scratch their waxy exoskeletons. This damage leads to the loss of moisture, and as a result, the bed bugs dehydrate and perish.

• Wear gloves and a mask to protect yourself from inhaling the fine powder.
• Use a duster or a small brush to evenly distribute diatomaceous earth in cracks, crevices, and other infested areas.
• Leave the powder undisturbed for about 3-4 days to ensure its effectiveness.
• Vacuum the treated areas to remove the diatomaceous earth and dead bed bugs. Dispose of the vacuum contents in a sealed plastic bag.

3. Essential Oils

Certain essential oils, like lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus, are known for their repellent properties against bed bugs.

Essential oils contain compounds with strong scents and properties that repel bed bugs. These scents interfere with the insects’ ability to locate hosts and communicate with each other.

• Choose an essential oil with repellent properties, such as lavender, peppermint, or eucalyptus.
• Fill a spray bottle with water and add 10-15 drops of the chosen essential oil.
• Shake the bottle well to ensure the oil is mixed with the water.
• Liberally spray the diluted solution on your mattress, pillows, furniture, and other infested areas.
• Repeat the process every few days to maintain the repellent effect.

4. Heat Treatment

Bed bugs are sensitive to high temperatures. High temperatures, especially above 120°F (49°C), can quickly kill bed bugs and their eggs.

The heat disrupts their proteins and enzymes, leading to their demise. Washing and drying infested items on high heat can penetrate fabrics and crevices where bed bugs hide.

• Gather all infested clothing, bedding, curtains, and fabric items from the affected area.
• Wash the items in hot water, preferably at a temperature above 120°F (49°C).
• Transfer the washed items to a dryer and set them to the highest heat setting.
• Dry the items for at least 30 minutes to ensure that the heat penetrates deep into the fabrics.
• Once dry, store the items in sealed plastic bags to prevent re-infestation.

5. Cold Treatment

If you have items that can’t be laundered or treated with heat, placing them in the freezer for a few days can help eliminate the bugs.

Extreme cold temperatures can also be fatal to bed bugs. When exposed to temperatures below freezing, the bugs’ bodily fluids can freeze, causing cellular damage and ultimately leading to death.

• Place the infested items in a sealed plastic bag, ensuring they are not packed too tightly.
• Label the bag to prevent accidental contact with frozen items.
• Put the bag in the freezer and leave it for at least 4 days to ensure all stages of bed bugs are affected.
• After the specified time, remove the bag from the freezer and let the items gradually return to room temperature.
• Carefully inspect the items for any signs of remaining bed bugs before bringing them back into your living space.

6. Steam Cleaning

The high temperature of the steam effectively exterminates the bugs and their eggs on contact. The intense heat of steam can penetrate the bed bugs’ exoskeletons and internal organs, causing rapid death.

Steam also has the added benefit of reaching into cracks and crevices where bed bugs often hide, ensuring thorough treatment.

• Ensure your steam cleaner is equipped with a nozzle attachment for targeted application.
• Fill the steam cleaner with water according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Slowly move the steam cleaner over infested areas, especially seams, folds, and tufts of mattresses and furniture.
• Pay extra attention to cracks, crevices, and gaps where bed bugs hide.
• After treating each area, use a clean cloth to wipe away any moisture left behind by the steam.

7. Lavender and Peppermint

Bed bugs have a keen sense of smell, and certain scents are known to deter them. The strong, fragrant aroma of lavender and peppermint can confuse and repel bed bugs, making them less likely to approach treated areas.

• Obtain dried lavender or peppermint leaves from a garden center or health store.
• Fill small cloth sachets with the dried leaves.
• Place the sachets in strategic locations, such as under your mattress, inside pillowcases, and in corners where bed bugs are likely to hide.
• Replace the dried leaves periodically to maintain the repellent effect.

8. Neem Oil

Neem oil is a natural insecticide derived from the neem tree. It contains compounds called azadirachtins, which interfere with bed bugs’ hormonal balance and reproduction.

Bed bugs exposed to neem oil cannot molt and reproduce, leading to a decline in their population.

• Mix neem oil and water in a spray bottle at a ratio of 1:10 (1 part neem oil to 10 parts water).
• Shake the bottle well to ensure thorough mixing.
• Spray the diluted solution directly on bed bugs, their eggs, and infested areas.
• Reapply the solution every few days until the infestation is under control.

9. Baking Soda

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, absorbs moisture from the bed bugs’ bodies, causing them to dehydrate.

Additionally, the abrasive texture of baking soda can damage their exoskeletons, further contributing to their demise.

• Sprinkle a thin, even layer of baking soda around areas with bed bug activity.
• Allow the baking soda to remain undisturbed for about 3-4 days.
• Vacuum the treated areas to remove the baking soda and dead bed bugs.
• Dispose of the vacuum contents in a sealed plastic bag.

10. Double-Sided Tape

Double-sided tape is a simple yet effective method to physically trap bed bugs and prevent them from accessing your sleeping area. The bugs get stuck on the sticky surface of the tape, hindering their movement and ability to feed.

• Cut pieces of double-sided tape to match the circumference of each bed leg.
• Wrap the tape around the legs, ensuring it forms a complete circle.
• Press the tape firmly to secure it in place.
• Inspect the tape regularly for trapped bed bugs and replace it as needed.

11. Bean Leaves

Bean leaves possess microscopic hooked hairs that act like natural traps for bed bugs. When the bugs walk over these leaves, their legs get entangled in the tiny hairs, rendering them immobile and preventing their movement.

• Obtain fresh bean leaves from a garden or farmers’ market.
• Place the leaves strategically around the perimeter of your bed or near infested areas.
• Check the leaves regularly for trapped bed bugs and replace them as needed.

12. Clove Oil

Eugenol in clove oil is a natural insecticide that disrupts bed bugs’ nervous system and leads to paralysis and death. The pungent scent of clove oil can also suffocate the bugs by clogging their respiratory system.

• Mix 10-15 drops of clove oil with water in a spray bottle.
• Shake the bottle well to ensure thorough mixing.
• Liberally spray the diluted solution on areas with bed bug activity.
• Repeat the process every few days until the infestation subsides.

13. Lemon Juice

The citric acid in lemon juice corrodes the protective exoskeleton of bed bugs. This leads to the bugs becoming more susceptible to environmental stressors and ultimately dying.

• Squeeze the juice of a lemon and mix it with an equal amount of water.
• Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and shake well.
• Spray the diluted lemon juice on infested areas, focusing on seams, crevices, and cracks.
• Reapply the solution every few days for optimal results.

14. Tea Tree Spray

Tea tree oil contains compounds that disrupt the cell membranes of bed bugs, leading to their death. Additionally, the strong aroma of tea tree oil can repel bed bugs and discourage them from infesting treated areas.

• Mix 10-15 drops of tea tree oil with water in a spray bottle.
• Shake the bottle well to ensure thorough mixing.
• Spray the diluted tea tree solution on areas with bed bug activity, including bedding and furniture.
• Repeat the process every few days to maintain the effectiveness of the treatment.

15. Vinegar

The high acidity of vinegar breaks down the bed bugs’ exoskeletons and destroys their cell membranes. This leads to rapid dehydration and death.

• Fill a spray bottle with undiluted white vinegar.
• Liberally spray vinegar on areas with visible bed bug activity.
• Allow the vinegar to sit for a few hours before wiping or vacuuming the treated areas.
• Open windows and use fans to help dissipate the strong vinegar smell.

16. Professional Pest Control

Hiring a professional pest control company to treat your home for bed bugs can be an effective way to get rid of the pests. Pest control professionals have access to stronger pesticides and equipment than what is available to the general public, and they have the expertise to locate and treat all areas of your home where bed bugs may be hiding.

However, professional pest control can be expensive, and multiple treatments may be necessary to completely eliminate the infestation. Additionally, you may need to vacate your home for some time while the treatment is being done.