Bedbugs are small parasitic insects that live on the blood of animals or humans. They are simply disgusting and can be very difficult to get rid of them. You can’t see them with a naked eye because they are tiny.
Bedbugs reproduce quickly and the female bedbugs can lay thousands of eggs during one lifetime. These eggs can easily be transferred to our home through used baggage, furniture, linens, bed, clothing, etc.
Bed bugs can cause allergies, rashes or even psychological problems, so you should get rid of them on time!
How to tell if you have bed bugs at home?
People that struggle with bed bugs at their home usually experience an itching sensation all over their body. It appears in places where the bug has bitten you.
As a result, this area of your body will become reddish and swollen.
The bed bugs’ feces are a sign that you’ve got a bed bug infestation. So, make sure to look for these among your mattress and sheets.
Another sign that you have a problem with bed bugs is the musty odor from their scent glands. They are really small and can hide in places like the headboard, mattress, bed frames, and box springs.
Getting rid of bed bugs
It may be difficult to eliminate these bed bugs, but it is not impossible! First of all, you should clean every part of your house where you found bed bugs.
Make sure to wash and dry the bedding, linens, clothing, curtains, etc. Vacuum the house, including the furnishing and furniture. Do this procedure on a regular basis.
Once you finish vacuuming, you should throw the bag out in the garbage right away! Try freezing the infested items at -17C because they are not able to survive this temperature. Steam is also an effective way. To clean the infested areas, you should use 60C.
Home Remedies For Bed Bugs
Using essential oils can help you to eliminate the bed bugs. These are the most effective natural remedies!
1. Diatomaceous Earth
It is a no-toxic insecticide that is very effective against pests in the house and in the garden. It is all natural and safe to use.
Just sprinkles around all areas where pests are more likely to appear and leave it on for 3 days. Afterwards, vacuum the entire house.
2. Tea Tree Oil Spray
It is scientifically shown that tea tree oil can act as an insect repellent. You should mix it with some water and there you have your own anti-bed bugs spray.
Mix 2 tsp. of tea tree oil with 5-ml of water. Transfer the solution in a small spray bottle and spray around the areas where bed bugs may live. Repeat this until you eliminate the bugs. (Shake the bottle before every use).
3. Clove Oil
Clove oil is an insect repellent that offers strong insecticidal properties. Due to its pungent smell and the clove’s acidic pH, it can destroy these parasites.
You should mix 1 tsp. of clove oil with 1 cup of water. Transfer the solution in a spray bottle and spray as needed.
4. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil acts as an effective insecticide that can help you to eliminate the bedbugs. It also acts as a cytotoxin, having the ability to kill the parasites almost immediately.
You should mix 10-15 drops of lavender oil with 50ml of water. Transfer the solution in a spray bottle. Spray around the house! You can also mix 15 drops of peppermint and 15 drops of lavender essential oil.
5. Thyme
Using thyme to repel is not as easy as the above-mentioned remedies, but it will be worth it. You should tie a thyme stick on a cotton cloth.
Burn it in your bedroom or anywhere else where there is a bedbug infestation. You can also put thyme leaves in small net bags. Place the bags in the affected areas.
Make sure to change the bags every 3 days. You should repeat this procedure for 1 month until you eliminate the bedbugs.
6. Citronella Spray
This essential oil has incredible insecticide properties, having the ability to kill both the bedbugs and their eggs. In can increase the acidity in the bugs and eliminate them.
You should add 10 drops of the oil in a small bowl with water. Transfer the solution in a spray bottle. Spray it around your house. Shake well before use.
7. Bean Leaves
According to various studies, bean leaves contain trichomes, which are microscopic hairs, on the surface which hook onto the bedbugs’ legs and trap them.
Place some bean leaves in the areas where there is a bedbug infestation. Let them stand for a few days. Then, replace them with new ones. The bugs will be trapped in the leaves, so you should throw them in the garbage outside.
8. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus essential oil a product commonly used in the cosmetic industry, pharmaceuticals, perfumes and various other products. It can also act as an insect repellent.
You should mix 30 drops of eucalyptus essential oil with 2 ounces of water and 1.5 ounces of witch hazel or vodka. Store the solution in a spray bottle. Spray every corner of your house and keep doing this every 4 hours.
9. Sweet Flag
Native to Eurasia and America, Sweet flag is a perennial plant that offers medicinal and insecticidal properties.
According to various studies, this plant offers strong antifungal and antimicrobial properties and can effectively destroy bedbugs. You should boil a liter of water and add 100gr. sweet flag and 50gr turmeric.
Let it simmer for 1 hour. Then, transfer the mixture in a container with a lid. Let it stand for 1 day then dilute it with water in 1:10 ratio. Spray around with this solution.
10. Orange Essential Oil
Last, but not least, here we have orange essential oil. To prepare your own spray, you should mix 2 ounces of orange essential oil, 4l of water, 1 ounce molasses and 1 cup of compost tea.
Make sure to shake well. Spray around with this solution. It will immediately eliminate the bugs.