Bed bugs are small, wingless insects that live in the cracks and crevices of your bed frame. They are not dangerous, but their bites can be irritating.
You may have even found tiny black or brown spots on your mattress or sheets. These are droppings left by the bedbugs after they feed on your blood – yuck!
When it comes to feeding however, bed bugs do not discriminate – they will feed on any species of human being or animal that is available, and before you know it, their numbers have increased dramatically.
The problem with bed bug infestations is that they are very difficult to get rid of. They can survive for many months without eating, and they’re great at hiding. That’s why it can be so difficult to get rid of bed bugs with conventional methods like spraying chemicals on the mattress or steaming things out.
There are a number of solutions that you can use to remove them though, and many of them are cost-effective and closer at hand than you might think.
Here are 10 of the most effective treatments to get rid of bed bugs:
1. Kill Bed Bugs With Rubbing Alcohol
One of the simplest most effective ways to kill bed bugs is rubbing alcohol. It’s cheap and readily available at any drugstore or supermarket and there are multiple ways of using it to eradicate these pests.
You can eliminate bed bug infestations by applying it directly to the areas where they’re found. You can also use rubbing alcohol to clean your home before bedtime if you suspect an infestation has occurred (best done at night, when bed bugs are most active).
You can also try mixing equal parts rubbing alcohol and water into a spray bottle. Spray your mattress, then let it dry.
Bed bugs can’t survive without oxygen, so they suffocate when they come into contact with the alcohol-water solution. This mixture is safe for humans and pets because it has no harmful chemicals or pesticides. Also, it doesn’t leave any sticky residue like some chemical sprays!
2. Get Rid Of Bed Bugs With Orange Peels!
Here’s an inexpensive way to get rid of bed bugs that has been around for centuries: orange peels!
Orange peels are a very effective repellent for bed bugs as they hate the smell of citrus fruits and will leave an environment if there is orange peel in it.
Many hotels have actually started placing orange peels around their rooms to keep bed bugs away.
This makes sense because bedbugs are attracted to dark, secluded areas where they will not be disturbed by humans or other insects while they feed on blood. The scent that the orange peels give off mimics that of other insects which keep them away from your room.
3. Get Rid Of Bed Bugs With Vinegar
Vinegar is one of the natural remedies you can use that is safe and effective for killing bed bugs on contact.
All you need is white vinegar and a spray bottle with some warm water in it. Simply fill the spray bottle halfway with water, then add ½ cup of white vinegar until it fills up.
4. Bed Bug Treatment Using Epsom Salts
Epsom salt is one of the most versatile products available for home use. It’s readily available in grocery stores and pharmacies across the country, at a cheap price.
You can purchase it in bulk for cheap on sites like eBay or Amazon, but it may be cheaper to buy it from your local pharmacy if they offer a discount on larger quantities.
Epsom salt is a natural product that can be used in your home with no harmful side effects and is completely safe for people, pets, and the environment. It dehydrates pests by absorbing moisture from their bodies.
The best part about using Epsom salt is that it works on contact – there’s no need to sweep or vacuum before applying it.
5. Get Rid Of Bed Bugs With Baking Soda
Baking soda has been shown to kill bed bug eggs in lab tests, but using it properly in your home takes some work.
It also needs to be repeated every few weeks because bed bugs will recover from baking soda exposure if they are not completely killed.
Baking soda has several natural insecticide properties that make it perfect for this particular use. It absorbs moisture, kills eggs and larvae, and has a low toxicity to humans. It’s also cost-effective and easy to apply.
To use baking soda to get rid of bed bugs in your home, simply sprinkle the powder around areas you think are infested with bed bugs such as mattresses, box springs, furniture, and carpets.
Leave it overnight and then vacuum up the residue the next day. Reapply every two weeks to ensure that all traces of bed bugs are eliminated.
6. Get Rid Of Fleas And Bed Bugs Using Garlic Oil
You don’t want to have to be forced to throw out your mattress or furniture that has bedbugs living in it.
You want to get rid of the pests, but you don’t want to use harsh chemicals that can damage other things around the house.
So, instead of dousing your home with toxic chemicals, why not try to get rid of them using garlic?
Garlic oil has significant effects on both fleas and bed bugs and can be used as a natural pesticide to get rid of these pests in both homes and commercial premises.
It has been suggested that garlic oil can also be applied directly on pets (dogs and cats) to get rid of flea and bed bug infestation.
The best thing about garlic oil is that it can be used in many ways to kill bed bugs in the house. However, you should always use fresh garlic so that the smell of garlic won’t stick around in your house after its application.
7. Using Tea Tree Oil To Kill Bed Bugs
Tea tree oil is a natural essential oil derived from the leaves of the tea tree, which is native to Australia and New Zealand.
In recent times, it has gained popularity in western countries as an effective and natural remedy for various health concerns, including bed bugs.
Tea tree oil has been found to be effective in killing bed bugs on contact. It is believed to have insecticidal, antifungal, and antibacterial properties that make it an effective pest killer.
To use tea tree oil as an effective bed bug treatment, simply dilute a few drops of the oil in warm water and spray it directly on the affected areas. This should help to get rid of any lingering bed bugs while also deterring them from coming back.
Note: Tea tree oil can be used in combination with other natural methods of controlling bedbugs, such as vacuuming and steam cleaning. When used correctly, it is an effective way to repel and kill bed bugs without the use of harsh chemicals.
8. Using Diatomaceous Earth To Eliminate Bed Bugs
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a natural substance that can be used to kill bed bugs in your home.
It is made up of the fossilized remains of microscopic aquatic organisms called diatoms, and has been found to be an effective way to control bed bug populations.
When DE is applied to an area, it creates a barrier that the bugs cannot cross. The sharp edges of the DE particles cut into the bed bug’s exoskeleton, causing them to dehydrate and die.
DE can be used in various ways to get rid of bed bugs. It can be spread directly on infested areas or mixed with water to make a spray. It can also be sprinkled around doorways and windowsills to create a perimeter that bed bugs cannot cross.
Remember: When using DE, it is important to remember to use only food-grade DE in order to avoid any health risks associated with inhaling or ingesting the particles. Additionally, it should not be used around food or near small children and pets.
9. Using Heat To Destroy Bed Bugs
Using heat is another way to eliminate bed bugs in the home. Heat is an effective way to kill bed bugs as they cannot survive in high temperatures.
The best way to use heat to get rid of bed bugs is by using a portable electric heater or a steamer. These can be used directly on affected areas and furniture to raise the temperature of the area high enough to kill any bed bugs present.
When using heat treatment, you should also take care to protect yourself from getting burned. Wear protective clothing, including gloves and a face mask, and ensure that the area is well ventilated at all times.
It is important to remember that this method should only be used in conjunction with other control measures, as it may not reach all areas where the bugs are hiding.
You can also try putting them through the dryer in your own laundry area as they may be able to be kept under control with a few simple steps.
Step 1: Collect all your clothes, towels, and sheets in two piles. One pile for dry cleaning or laundry, another pile for wet treatment.
Step 2: Place all your dry items into the dryer on high heat for 30 minutes (this will kill any bed bugs that might still be clinging).
10. Using Lavender And Peppermint Oil To Repel Bed Bugs
Lavender and peppermint oil are two essential oils that have been found to be effective in repelling bed bugs.
These natural fragrances can help deter bed bugs from entering your home by masking the scent of human blood, which is what attracts them in the first place.
To use lavender and peppermint oil as a bed bug repellent, simply mix 10 drops of each essential oil with 20 drops of water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture liberally in areas where you think bed bugs may be present.
Note: Before using lavender and peppermint oil, make sure to purchase the purest form of essential oil you can find. Many brands are diluted, which means they won’t be as effective in deterring bed bugs.
Final Thoughts On Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs
If you want to get rid of bed bugs in your house at home without spending too much money, the best thing you can do is to use a combination of these methods and see the results for yourself.
Next to that though, the best solution for bed bugs may be to contact a professional exterminator should all else fail.