Monthly Archives: April 2020

11 Best Essential Oils for Bed Bugs: to Repel, Kill, and Prevent

Bed bugs can live anywhere in a house. They live in furniture, and the most common furniture is a bed. Their main diet consists of human and animal blood. [1]

Bed bugs do seem like tiny insects, but they are very dangerous.

Bed bugs have a lot of negative impact on human health.

There has been an increase of 81% in the calls to pest control companies since 2000 in USA.

Bed bugs thrive during the night, and they bite exposed areas of the body like face, necks, and hands. Bed bugs bite can cause redness, swelling, itching or bumps on the skin.

Essential oils for bedbugs are great aids when it comes to relieving the itching, pain and swelling.

What are Bed Bugs?

Bedbugs are parasitic insects. The common bedbug feeds on the human blood. There are other species of the bedbugs like bat bugs which are common in Europe, Western and Eastern United States.

The name bed bug comes from their preferred habitat of beds or other sleeping and warm areas. They are prevalent at night but are not nocturnal. They have the unique ability to feed on their hosts without being noticed.

Bedbug bites leave some adverse health effects which include skin rashes, allergies, and even psychological effects.

For thousands of years, bedbugs are here, living as the human parasites. In the early1940s, the developed world managed to eradicate it, but their numbers have increased since 1995 due to pesticide resistance.

As the human population kept in increasing, bed bug bites and related conditions have also improved. [2]

Bedbugs are fast, difficult to catch or see and most of the chemicals or pest control sprays dont work on them.

Another crazy fact, bedbugs can live without food for over a year!

RELATED: How to Get Rid of Parasites for Good : 12 Efficient Ways

How Do Bed Bugs Get Inside Your House or Mattress?

Bedbugs enter your house through luggage, clothing, travel bags, or anything new which is added to your house. Once inside your house, they can multiply at a fast rate and soon very dark and warm nook and cranny of your home is filled with them.

They dont have nests, but they do stay in groups and someplace where they can easily attack their prey and can quickly hide if needed.

Mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and headboards are places where they have easy access to people.

Bedbugs feed on blood. So having them in your house does not necessarily mean that your home is dirty. They can be found in clean places, like hotels, as well.

Once they have spread cleaning can be difficult, and in those times only pest control can help. [3]

Signs and Symptoms of Bed Bugs Manifestation

Identifying the bed bugs bites is vital.

Some signs of bed bugs include:

Lavender oil has healing and soothing properties.

It has a wonderful smell, and in Southern France, lavender oil has been used to keep insects like scorpions away.

The floral scent which attracts humans repels bed bugs. It is suitable for killing the bug eggs away as well.

The oil is very efficient in healing itchiness, swelling and all kinds of bug bites. Its antibacterial properties prevent infections. For itching areas, a single drop of lavender oil is very relieving.

Sprinkling a few drops of oil around your bed will also keep the bugs away. Using the lavender oil after the elimination will also keep away further infestation.

READ NEXT: Lavender Oil for Hair Problems: 5 Ways to Use It

Tea tree oil is native to Australia. The aboriginals have used tea tree oil to treat health and skin related issues, which includes bed bugs.

Tea tree has high antimicrobial and antibacterial properties which kill bugs and their eggs. The strong smell disinfects and discourages pests.

Oil is a strong insect repellent and microbe killer which makes it perfect for bed bugs.

Sprinkle a couple of drops of tea tree oil to your laundry. It will help the clothes to smell fresh and keep bugs away.

Another way of getting rid of bugs is mixing tea tree oil with a few ounces of warm water, in a spray bottle. Sprinkling it over the potential places where bugs might be present, like carpets, rugs, and bed, will force the bugs to run!

RELATED: Tea Tree Oil for Scabies : 6 Home Remedies + Tips

One of the most potent antioxidants is thyme oil.

Since ancient times, it has been used as a medicinal herb to treat skin from harmful bacteria, fungal infections, insect bites and stings.

It has compelling insecticide qualities which help to repel, kill and prevent bed bugs infestation.

Thyme oil should be treated with care. Thyme oil is not safe for pregnant ladies and young children. It also protects the body from cuts and scars; and rashes.

To prevent pests like mosquitoes, fleas, lice and bed bugs creating havoc on your body, add a few drops of thyme oil in your closet, kitchen, and bed. [5]

According to some traditional stories, the three wise men (Magi) gave the infant King of Israel gifts of gold to honor his royalty, frankincense as a perfume and myrrh for anointing oil. Frankincense was a precious gift which has potential medical remedies.

Frankincense oil has many beneficial uses. It supports the immune system, fight infection and cure disease; heals skin and reduces scarring. It has a lovely aroma which will lift your mood, clear your mind and also protect from the horrible bug bites.

A single drop of Frankincense essential oil is enough to calm the itch by bed bugs. Apply the oil to the inflamed area, and it will soothe the bite. [6]

Lemon essential oil has a rejuvenating smell. It has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties which makes it another great essential oil for bed bugs. Lemon essential oil kills bed bugs and also gives your home an invigorating fragrance.

Spray lemon oil, mixed with water, all around your bed, your laundry or anywhere in your house. And wait for the oil will to work like magic!

Another essential oil for bed bugs, which is rich in properties and compounds is lemongrass oil. Lemongrass oil can kill insects and also prevent their eggs from hatching. Its very strong aroma will soothe your senses.

Apply this highly acidic oil in areas where bugs might access and get rid of bed bugs forever.

Since it is highly acidic, do not apply directly to the skin and be careful while using when children are around.

Eucalyptus is a favorite essential oil because of its healing properties and energizing scent. It also has antiseptic properties which are very useful in killing the bugs and their eggs.

Spray a few drops of eucalyptus oil all over your mattress, in the surrounding areas, and bedroom to keep a bug free environment.

Remember not to use eucalyptus oil on the skin for bed bug bites. It may have harsh effects on sensitive skin. [7]

Neem oil is prevalent in India, and for thousands of years, people have used it as a natural pesticide. The tree alone discourages the growth of mosquitoes and flies.

It indeed doesnt have a pleasant aroma, but it is undoubtedly the most effective essential oil for bed bugs.

Neem oil can be extracted naturally by pressing the leaves. But it should not be used on the skin directly. A carrier oil or water must be used to dilute it before using on skin.

Citronella Oil is a wonderful essential oil for bed bugs. Bugs dislike Citronella oil, and many commercial bug repellents use this oil. Citronella has a lovely and fresh smell, but insects, mosquitoes, and flies cannot stand it.

Spray citronella oil all around your bed and mattress to keep bed bugs away.

Citronella oil it is only for repelling bugs; do not use it on the skin for soothing bed bug bites. [8]

Clove Oil has an overpowering pungent smell, and it helps a lot in overpowering pests. It is also acidic and contains a compound called eugenol, which is toxic for bed bugs.

Spray all the dark corners where bed bugs could be breeding and multiplying, and the clove oil will kill them. It has a potent smell so tolerating the scent could be difficult if too much of it is sprayed. So be careful while spraying it.

Peppermint oil is famous is for its antimicrobial and insect-repelling properties.

Its fresh aroma is irritating to all types of organisms like spiders, rats, roaches, ants and bed bugs.

This oil can keep all other insects away from your home.

Peppermint oil can be used with other essential oils to keep bed bugs away.

Keeping cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil or spraying it all around the kitchen and other rooms keeps the rooms bug free.

However, it is a potent oil and should not be used on directly. Mixing peppermint oil with other essential oils like almond can help prevent mosquito and bed bug bites.

Be cautious while using peppermint oil in childrens bedroom.

READ NEXT: 12 Health Benefits of Peppermint Oil + (How to Use It)

Easy Homemade Bed Bugs Repellent Spray Recipe

The oils in the list work entirely on their own, but some essential oil, when blended, works even better!

Recipe 1:

Things you will need:

Directions:

Mix ten drops of lavender oil with three drops of peppermint oil and five drops of citronella oil and soak cotton balls in them. Then place the soaked cotton balls all over the bedroom.

Recipe 2:

Things you will need:

Directions:

Mix four drops of thyme, lavender and peppermint oil, along with eight drops of lemongrass oil and dip cotton-wool in the mixture. Place the cotton-wool all around the bed. The strong smell of the mixture will repel the bugs.

It is possible to prevent the infestation of bedbugs in your house naturally and also cheaply.

Wash all your travel bags, bed sheets, pillows and pillow covers in hot water. Washing in hot water will kill all sorts of germs and pests in and around your bed.

Regularly clean your house, if possible use a vacuum cleaner. By cleaning it regularly, the parasites will not have an opportunity to breed.

Open your room to more sunlight. Enough sunlight and airflow can reduce moisture to prevent bugs and mites nesting.

And lastly essential oils, the natural, safe and efficient way to kill this nasty insect. Essential oils do not have any side effects; they wont spoil your bed sheet!

RELATED: 25 Best Home Remedies for Roaches Control in Your House

Bottom Line

Dont be surprised if you see people throwing away their mattress because the mattress is probably filled with small oval blood-sucking bed bugs.

Instead of buying chemicals from stores try using these essential oils for bed bugs.

Using these natural bed bug repellents can be an excellent way of maintaining the equilibrium between nature and ourselves.

These have no harmful effect on our environment, and you will get best results without any adverse impacts.

READ NEXT: 8 Essential Oils for Bee Repellent

See the rest here:
11 Best Essential Oils for Bed Bugs Bites Remedy ...

One of the most popular home remedies for insects is tea tree oil. Used to both repel and kill bugs, it is likely the first solution you will hear. But how do you use tea trea oil for bed bugs and how efficient is it anyway?

Tea tree oil is a natural extract from the Melaleuca alternifolia plant, native to Australia.

Among the qualities of tea tree oil is its use as a combination insect repellent and natural insecticide against numerous pests. The list includes mosquitoes, ants, bed bugs, and other biting or stinging insects. It has also been used to effectively kill lice and other parasites.

Photo Credit: Healthline

The recommended method of using tea tree oil to combat bed bugs is diluting 20 drops of oil in a spray bottle and spraying the bed sheets.

This simple approach is, unfortunately, ineffective.

Finally, bed bugs tend to hide in tiny cracks within the bed frame or nearby furniture, picture frames, and even electrical outlets. Spraying these may cause staining or create the risk of electric shock without any real chance of eliminating the infestation.

In conclusion, tea tree oil for bed bugs is a partial and temporary bed bug repellent, just like rubbing alcohol is.

Once nearly eradicated in developed countries, they have become more populous than ever and have a high resistance to insecticides.

Perhaps the first questions asked after discovering an infestation is what home remedies will work.

There are numerous reasons why you might choose to handle invading bugs on your own, such as cost or avoiding dangerous chemicals.

Unfortunately, bed bugs are a special case and cannot be completely eliminated by these treatments.

Photo Credit: Green Tech Heat

There are a wide variety of do-it-yourself treatment methods available for repelling or eliminating insects. Of these, several have been suggested for bed bugs due to their effectiveness on other species.

For example, diatomaceous soil is a nontoxic remedy used against cockroaches and other insects.

While this does not sound like an effective solution, bed bugs do not live in colonies or hives like many other insect pests. Thus, eliminating many of the females and their eggs is sometimes as simple as sucking them up.

Note that these methods will not eliminate your infestation, they will merely reduce the severity.

Another method which has some minor effect on bed bug populations is to place all of your sheets and linen into the dryer on its highest setting for at least 30 minutes. In case you remember, this is one of the EPAs recommended solutions on how to get rid of bed bugs.

Bed bugs are a serious problem which spreads quickly if undetected. These pests have become highly resistant to insecticides and can hide in very small spaces due to their tiny, flat shape.

Just in some particular cases, when the infestation is not severe.

Remember: if you are dealing with bed bugs, theres a high risk of them hitching a ride to work, a gym, or any other place you frequent to spread to other homes.

Do not rely only on home remedies to completely eliminate the problem! Discuss matters with a professional exterminator and make sure you use a mix of bed bug repellents to be sure you eliminate them completely!

Tea tree oil can be a partial and temporary effective treatment for bed bugs but only if the infestation is limited. Also, you should use undiluted tea tree oil to achieve good results.

Undiluted tea tree oil is harmful to humans. Some people (in a small percent) also develop skin allergies in contact with tea tree oil.

A common belief is that besides tea tree oil, other oils prove to be effective bed bugs repellents: lavender oil, clove, peppermint, cinnamon, or thyme oil. Their efficiency is questionable, however.

Among the most effective solutions, we can count: steaming and cleaning the house, clothing, and bedding; using high heat drying of bedding and clothing; freezing items you cannot heat; using a mix of DIY methods (including rubbing alcohol, essential oils, vinegar, etc.); get professional exterminators help; use bed bug monitoring devices to make sure you dont have an infestation anymore.

Read this article:
How to Use Tea Tree Oil for Bed Bugs and Is It Effective ...

A few years back, on a long weekend, I was extremely bored and there was literally no one around to spend time with. I was tired of binge-watching for more than 12 hours and stepping out alone was equally boring. I decided to get rid of this monotony and called up a friend a few miles away. She was in a similar state and we decide to call up the other girls in the city for a crazy pyjama-party.

How exciting does this sound? You meet your old friends on what was a long boring weekend and not only do you guys plan to party together but a girls night out together. After ages, this is definitely bliss. We decided to meet over at a friends place and spend the rest of the weekend there.

All geared up we went to her house which was about 4 hours away from our place. The weekend was unexpectedly thrilling and we enjoyed ourselves like crazy throughout the day. By 2:00 am a few of us started to fall asleep. Thats when I hit the bed too. Within an hour we all were running all over the room for ointments. Apparently, the bed was loaded (read extremely loaded) with bed bugs. I kid you not, for that entire weekend (which lasted for more than 48 hours) none of us fell asleep. The bed bugs were torturing us every time we tried to get rid of them and they literally sucked blood every single minute.

Chances are, you too must have heard of someone using professional pest control services to eradicate bed bugs from their mattress. It has become a common problem these days and since 2000, there has been an increase of 81% in the calls to pest control companies.

A recently published piece by the USA today showcase the top 50 cities of America that are prone to an attack by these blood sucking creatures. You can read the entire article and find out if your city is crawling with bed bugs.

Moving on, if you have been in a similar situation or have bed bugs in your mattresses already, you definitely need to read this piece. I repeat definitely.

That night out taught me two things

a) Bed bugs can be anywhere: On your sofa, your bed, your friends bed, your hotel room, hostel literally, anywhere.

b) I needed a permanent solution to get rid of bedbugs. I never carried them back with me to my place and to make sure I got to sleep.

There is a whole host of man-made pesticides that you could use or hire someone to use. However, these can easily damage your upholstery, clothes, sheets, and even be harmful to your own health. What I needed was to find an all natural way of getting rid of these pesky pests. Thats when I stumbled upon the best essential oils for bed bugs.

Bed bugs are tiny domestic vampires living in the headboard or in the mattress of your bed. These parasitic creatures feed on your blood and can leave reddish, itchy, painful blisters on your skin. These nocturnal little organisms come out only when the lights go off and a person is most vulnerable. And dont let their size mislead you. They are extremely fast. It is difficult to find them on your mattress for the first few hours or maybe even days. Plus, they are hardy creatures and not all types of chemicals or pest control sprays work on them. And a crazy fact they can live without food for over a year.

Bed bugs love to travel from one place to the other. No matter how dirty your bed or mattress is, a bed bug can only get in when it has managed to hide in your travel bags, suitcases, clothes, or any other item that you have recently added to your home. They are not a result of microbial infestation and multiply at a fast pace.

Typically, bed bugs hide in areas from where they can easily attack their prey and if needed, they can quickly hide away. Such spots in your house may include, but will not be limited to, clothing rack, closet, laundry basket, bedding, curtains, luggage, gym bags, backpacks, handbags, rugs, carpets, coffee tables, and couches.

Rule #1: Bed bugs cant stand temperature riseWere not kidding. This is one of the best and most effective strategies for the removal of bed bugs. The best way to try this technique is by using a dry steam over your couch, beds, pillows, mattress, carpets, rugs, curtains, etc. Make it difficult for the bugs to look for a colder place to hide.

Rule #2: Always wash your travel gears and other upholstery that you think is infested with hot waterYet another way to kill all the microbes, dust mites, and bed bugs is to wash the upholstery, travel bags, bed sheets, pillows and pillow covers in hot water. This will kill all sorts of germs and pests in and around your bedding.

Rule #3: Use a vacuum cleanerYes, this magical device not only sucks the dirt off your rug but can suck in those tiny vampires too. Use a vacuum cleaner regularly to keep your living space clean and make sure that those little parasites dont have an opportunity to start building their nests.

Rule #4: Let the sun shine in your roomIf you have access to a huge window and can manage a lot of sun in your room, then, let this technique come to use. Sunlight creates an uncomfortable environment for bugs to survive on the mattress, rugs or carpets and other such upholstered furniture. Let there be enough airflow and enough warmth in the room to convince them to leave. The heat can help reduce moisture in the bedding the prime reason why it acts as a breeding ground for bugs and mites.

Rule #5: Use essential oilsYes. They are natural, safe, effective and affordable. If used correctly, they wont harm your health unlike the pesticides nor will they spoil your linen. The reason that these essential oils are so effective is because

Lets take a look at some of the most popular essential oils for bed bugs.

1. Tea tree essential oil for bed bugsFrom fighting acne to treating head lice, tea tree oil has been a popular pick among many of us looking for an essential oil for bed bugs. You might already know that the oil is a strong insect repellent and microbe killer, making it one of the best essential oils for bed bugs. The oil can also be used to disinfect your house.

To get rid of bed bugs using tea tree essential oil, you need a spray bottle, a few ounces of lukewarm water and a 100% pure tea tree oil. Mix all of these together and spritz it over your linen, curtains, couch, carpets and rugs. The bed bugs should start running away in minutes thanks to its potent smell.

Alternatively, you can add a few drops of the oil to your laundry. It will smell fresh and keep infections and bugs at bay.

2. Lavender essential oil for bed bugsOh, this oil smells heavenly. Spritz a few drops all around your bed and let the aroma linger in the air. The bugs will leave your comfort space and the aroma will let you sleep peacefully. In Southern France, the oil has been used to keep scorpions away Im sure it will definitely wipe off these bugs off. The oil is believed to be effective against the eggs too.

3. Lemon essential oil for bed bugsThe fragrance of lemon essential oil is invigorating. A strong antiseptic, antimicrobial natural agent, the essential oil of lemon is another great essential oil for killing bed bugs that also gives your home a fresh scent.

Mix a few drops with your laundry or dilute with water to spray all around your bed or anywhere in your house. Just let the oil work its magic.

4. Peppermint essential oil for bed bugsThe essential oil of peppermint is revered for its antimicrobial and insect-repelling properties. From killing bed bugs to removing all other types of organisms like spiders and rats, peppermint essential oil can help you fight them all. The oil will keep all sorts of insects at bay and can be used with other essential oils.

However, always remember it is a potent oil and should not be directly applied to the skin or used in a childs bedroom.

Also read: Heal Thyself: 11 Uses and Benefits Of The Magical Peppermint Essential Oil

5. Eucalyptus essential oil for bed bugsEucalyptus is a popular oil among essential oil users and is revered for its holistic healing properties and energizing scent. It is effective in killing the bugs and their eggs due to its antiseptic properties. Spray a few drops all over your bedding and in the surrounding areas.

6. Clove essential oil for bed bugsThis pungent smelling essential oil can be overpowering for the pests. It is acidic in nature and is just the right pick for these bugs. Just make sure, you can stand the smell in case you have to spray too much of it.

7. Lemongrass essential oil for bed bugsAnother highly acidic oil that bed bugs just cant stand is the lemongrass oil. It can destroy their eggs, prevent them from breeding and oh, the aroma will just please your senses.

Note: Too strong to be directly applied on the skin. Be cautious while using when children are around.

8. Neem essential oil for bed bugs

Neem oil has been used for thousands of years in India as a natural pesticide. The tree alone acts as a deterrent for mosquitoes and flies. If you cold press the oil from its leaves, you have yourself an all-natural bed bug killer. It may not have the most pleasant aroma, but it is arguably the most effective essential oil for killing bed bugs.

However, like lemongrass and peppermint, neem essential oil is not to be used on the skin without first diluting it in a carrier oil or water.

Having learned the interesting hacks on shooing bed bugs away, I am sure you will soon be free of these irritating parasites. However, here are a few important points for you to know before you plan on taking charge of your house to steer the bugs away so that you dont mess things up instead:

a) Do not use pesticide spray all over your mattress, rugs, carpets or elsewhere and expect it to eradicate the bugs. The bed bugs are generally resistant to such sprays and the action can spoil your linen and leave the irritating odor of the spray behind which might linger for days.

b) Always use dry steam when trying the heat technique. Water would just act as a spoiler and when it turns cool, starts providing moisture to the environment thus, converting the bug spot into their breeding ground.

c) Do not use strong essential oils like tea tree in your childs room.

d) Always keep the living space clean. Remove all sorts of clutter from the room and ensure you dont give them place to hide or breed.

e) Do not just rely on essential oils. Seek professional help, especially if you or someone in your household is allergic to bed bugs. While essential oils are strong insect repellents, you can hardly manage to get rid of the bugs if there are too many. In such cases, do not try the home remedies and quickly resort to professional help.

Once the bugs are killed and leave your house, use can spritz essential oils once in a week to ensure they never return.

f) Before using any of the essential oils, make sure neither you nor your family members are allergic to the oil you are using.

g) Always use the purest form of essential oil to fight these bugs. A diluted oil might not be as effective. If you are planning on using these oils on your hair or skin, however, you should always make sure that the oil is diluted either in a carrier oil, another product like shampoo, or with water.

I hope this blog turned out to be of some great help to you. Look forward to your comments below after you have tried one of these remedies. Also, if you know of better hacks, do share them with us and our readers.

Good night, sleep tight, dont let the bed bugs bite!

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