How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs with Home Remedies
Bed bugs are notorious for their resilience and ability to hide in the smallest of crevices, making them challenging to eradicate. While professional pest control is often necessary for severe infestations, some home remedies can help manage minor cases or serve as interim measures until professional help arrives. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to get rid of bed bugs using natural methods and household items.
Remedy | Method | Effectiveness | Precautions | Tips for Optimal Use |
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Heat Treatment | Hot Washing: Wash all bedding, clothing, and fabrics at 120°F (49°C) or higher, then dry on high heat for 30+ minutes. | Highly effective for killing bed bugs and eggs. | Ensure all items are heat-resistant; check clothing labels. | Regularly wash high-risk items (sheets, pillowcases). |
Steaming: Use a handheld steam cleaner on mattresses, bed frames, and furniture seams at 200°F (93°C) or above. | Effective for surface bed bugs and eggs. | Use caution around heat-sensitive materials. Do not over-wet surfaces as it may damage them. | Steam slowly to ensure heat penetrates well. Reapply every few days if needed. | |
Sun Exposure: Place small items in black plastic bags in direct sunlight on a hot day. | Effective on hot days in direct sun. | Only effective on hot, sunny days. Temperatures must stay high consistently. | Leave bags outside for a full day; use on smaller items like shoes or non-delicate items. | |
Cold Treatment | Freezing: Place items in a freezer at 0°F (-18°C) for at least 4 days. | Effective for killing all stages with prolonged exposure. | Freezing may not kill bed bugs if temperature fluctuates or for short periods. | Use only in dedicated freezers, not those frequently opened. Ensure items are thoroughly frozen. |
Diatomaceous Earth | Sprinkle food-grade powder around bed frames, mattress seams, baseboards, and cracks. | Highly effective but slower-acting. | Avoid inhaling powder; wear a mask and gloves. | Vacuum after a few days and reapply as necessary. Use a thin layer for better effectiveness. |
Essential Oils | Tea Tree Oil: Mix 20 drops with water in a spray bottle; spray on bed frames, mattress seams, and suspected areas. | Mildly effective, mainly as a repellent. | Test on surfaces first to avoid staining. Do not use in households with pets sensitive to essential oils. | Reapply every few days. Use in conjunction with other methods for better results. |
Lavender or Peppermint Oil: Mix several drops with water in a spray bottle; spray around sleeping areas. | Repels but does not kill bed bugs. | Essential oils may trigger allergies in some people. | Best used as a preventive measure after other methods. | |
Eucalyptus Oil: Mix a few drops in water and spray around bed frames and mattresses. | Repels bed bugs but has limited killing effect. | Avoid using near pets, particularly cats. | Combine with heat or diatomaceous earth for increased effectiveness. | |
Vacuuming | Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter on bed frames, carpets, and crevices. Dispose of bag or empty canister immediately. | Effective for removing bed bugs but not eggs. | Ensure immediate disposal to avoid re-infestation. | Vacuum daily in high-risk areas to maintain control. |
Baking Soda | Sprinkle a thin layer around mattress seams, cracks, and along baseboards. Vacuum after a few days. | Limited effectiveness for drying out bed bugs. | Frequent reapplication needed. May not be as effective as diatomaceous earth. | Use as a supplementary measure alongside other methods. |
Rubbing Alcohol | Spray 70% isopropyl alcohol directly on bed bugs or in hiding areas. | Kills on contact but has no residual effect. | Highly flammable; avoid open flames and heat sources. Ensure proper ventilation. | Use as a spot treatment for visible bed bugs only. Test surfaces first to prevent damage. |
Mattress and Pillow Encasements | Use bed bug-proof encasements on mattresses and pillows to trap any existing bed bugs and prevent new ones from hiding. | Highly effective for containment over time. | Ensure quality bed bug-proof encasements to prevent bed bugs from escaping. | Leave encasements on for a full year to starve any trapped bed bugs. |
Decluttering and Sealing Cracks | Regularly clear clutter around beds and bedrooms. Use caulk to seal cracks and crevices in walls, baseboards, and furniture. | Effective for limiting hiding spots and reducing infestation spread. | Use pest-safe caulk. Monitor caulk regularly to ensure no new cracks form. | Seal all potential hiding spots in one go. Declutter periodically, especially around bed frames and under furniture. |
Frequent Laundry | Wash and dry all bedding, curtains, and clothing in hot water and high heat weekly. | Prevents bed bug population growth in fabrics. | Ensure hot water setting for laundry to be effective. | Schedule weekly laundry, especially for bedding and clothes near sleeping areas. |
Understanding Bed Bugs and Their Habits
Bed bugs are small, flat, reddish-brown insects that feed on human and animal blood. They’re nocturnal and tend to hide in areas close to where people sleep or rest, like mattress seams, headboards, and bed frames. Bed bugs are resilient, able to survive for months without feeding, and are becoming increasingly resistant to chemical treatments.
Pestline offers a range of pest control services, including targeted bed bug extermination. They use integrated pest management strategies that combine eco-friendly and traditional treatments, tailored to effectively eliminate bed bugs from homes and businesses. Pestline’s approach includes a comprehensive inspection, customized treatment plans, and follow-up services to ensure long-term results. They emphasize both safety and effectiveness, making their services suitable for homes with children and pets. For more information, you can check their official website: Pestline.
Armour Pest Control
Armour Pest Control provides affordable bed bug removal services, typically starting around $175. Their services aim to remove bed bugs efficiently with options that fit various budget needs. Armour Pest Control specializes in quick response times and experienced technicians who assess the infestation severity and apply the appropriate treatment methods. They are known for clear, upfront pricing and an emphasis on customer satisfaction. For more details, visit their site: Armour Pest Control.
Both companies offer services designed to address different levels of infestation and ensure that homes stay pest-free. Consider contacting them directly to discuss treatment options, pricing, and scheduling that suit your specific needs.
1. Heat Treatment
Heat is one of the most effective ways to kill bed bugs, as they cannot survive at high temperatures. Here are a few ways to use heat to eliminate them:
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Hot Washing and Drying: Wash all infested clothing, bedding, and fabric items in hot water (at least 120°F or 49°C). After washing, put them in a dryer on the highest setting for at least 30 minutes. The heat will kill both bed bugs and their eggs.
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Steaming: Steam is highly effective for hard-to-reach areas like mattress seams, furniture crevices, and baseboards. Use a handheld steam cleaner to treat these areas, ensuring the temperature reaches at least 200°F (93°C) to kill bed bugs and their eggs on contact.
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Black Plastic Bags in Sunlight: If it’s a hot, sunny day, you can place smaller, infested items in black plastic bags and leave them outside. The heat buildup inside the bag can reach lethal levels for bed bugs, especially on particularly hot days.
2. Cold Treatment
Bed bugs can also be killed with prolonged exposure to very low temperatures.
- Freezing: For small items like clothing, stuffed animals, or electronics, place them in a freezer at 0°F (-18°C) or lower for at least 4 days. This will kill both bed bugs and eggs, although it may take longer for larger items or thicker fabrics.
3. Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a natural, non-toxic powder that works by dehydrating insects. When bed bugs come into contact with this powder, it sticks to their exoskeleton, causing them to dry out and die.
- Application: Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth in areas where you suspect bed bugs are hiding—around bed frames, along baseboards, and in cracks and crevices. After a few days, vacuum up the powder and reapply if needed. Be cautious not to inhale the dust as it can irritate the respiratory system.
4. Essential Oils
Certain essential oils have insecticidal properties that may repel or even kill bed bugs. Some popular options include:
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Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil has antimicrobial and insecticidal properties. Mix 20 drops of tea tree oil with water in a spray bottle and spray it on bed frames, mattress seams, and other suspected areas.
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Lavender Oil and Peppermint Oil: Both oils have strong scents that repel bed bugs. Mix several drops of lavender or peppermint oil with water and spray it on infested areas.
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Eucalyptus Oil: This oil is also known for repelling bed bugs. Like tea tree and lavender oils, mix a few drops in water and spray areas where bed bugs may hide.
While essential oils may repel bed bugs, they may not kill them entirely. This method is most effective as a supplementary measure rather than a sole solution.
5. Vacuuming
Vacuuming is a simple but effective way to remove bed bugs from carpets, upholstery, and other soft surfaces.
- Technique: Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to thoroughly vacuum around bed frames, mattresses, baseboards, and furniture crevices. Be sure to use the vacuum’s crevice tool for hard-to-reach areas. Dispose of the vacuum bag or empty the canister immediately after vacuuming to prevent bed bugs from escaping.
6. Baking Soda
Baking soda is sometimes recommended for bed bug control due to its drying properties. However, it’s less effective than diatomaceous earth and may require frequent reapplication.
- Application: Sprinkle baking soda in thin layers around areas where bed bugs are likely hiding. After a few days, vacuum up the baking soda and reapply if necessary.
7. Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) can kill bed bugs on contact by dissolving their outer shell, but it has limitations.
- Usage: Spray 70% isopropyl alcohol directly onto visible bed bugs or areas where they hide, like mattress seams or furniture crevices. Be cautious with this method, as alcohol is highly flammable. Never use it near heat sources or open flames, and ensure proper ventilation.
8. Encase Mattresses and Pillows
Mattress and pillow encasements prevent bed bugs from escaping or entering, effectively trapping any existing bed bugs and starving them over time.
- Selection: Use high-quality, bed bug-proof encasements specifically designed to prevent bed bugs from moving in or out. Leave the encasements on for at least a year, as bed bugs can survive months without a blood meal.
9. Declutter and Seal Cracks
Reducing clutter and sealing cracks can limit bed bug hiding spots, making it easier to detect and treat infestations.
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Remove Clutter: Bed bugs thrive in cluttered areas with plenty of hiding spots. Regularly organize and clear clutter around the bed and bedroom furniture.
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Seal Cracks and Crevices: Use caulk to seal any cracks in baseboards, walls, and furniture to prevent bed bugs from accessing hiding places.
10. Frequent Laundry
Washing and drying clothing, bedding, and other fabrics regularly can help keep bed bug populations in check.
- Hot Water and High Heat: Wash fabrics in hot water and dry them on the highest heat setting to kill any bed bugs and eggs.
Conclusion
While these home remedies may help control a small bed bug infestation, they are often insufficient for larger infestations. Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to eradicate entirely without professional intervention. If a severe infestation is suspected, it’s recommended to contact a licensed pest control service for a thorough treatment plan. Home remedies can serve as an initial response or supplementary support to prevent the spread and manage small populations effectively. Consistency and vigilance are key when using these natural methods to reduce the likelihood of a recurring infestation.
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Sleep Advisor's List of Natural Remedies: They provide a wide range of natural solutions, including diatomaceous earth, tea tree oil, and rubbing alcohol applications, among others, to eliminate bed bugs. They also discuss household items like dryer sheets and double-sided tape as short-term deterrents
ps://www.sleepadvisor.org/home-remedies-for-bed-bugs/). -
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The EPA offers a guide on safe, DIY bed bug control. They cover heat treatments using steam or hair dryers, caulking cracks, sealing infested items, and using interceptors under furniture legs to capture bed bugs. They also highlight safety tips for h
ies and when professional help may be needed EPA. -
Pest Control Solutions Guide: This guide goes over natural deterrents, such as peppermint leaves and essential oils, and details on using freezing and heat treatments for killing bed bugs safely at home. It’s a practical overview with a variety of ideas to address infestations.
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Orkin's Bed Bug Resource: Orkin offers bed bug prevention and elimination tips, including recommendations for vacuuming frequently and using high-heat laundering. They suggest treatments like encasement covers and vacuum sealing, along with practical pest management advice.
These resources can provide a full spectrum of home remedies for treating bed bugs effectively and safely. For a deeper dive, follow the links to each source for step-by-step instructions.
https://www.pestpricecanada.ca/
https://www.pestpricecanada.ca/pages/contact