Category Archives: Bed Bug Home Remedies

Paris is currently facing an infestation of bed bugs with much of Europe concerned that they could be next.

The appearance of bed bugs began in Paris hotels, trains, and public spaces with fears they could be spreading through clothing and luggage.

The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) estimates that more than 10 per cent of French households were infested by bed bugs between 2017 and 2022.

Infestations are on the rise however, due to increased travel and the bed bugs increasing resistance to insecticides.

The Rugby World Cup and upcoming Summer Olympics, alongside other travel between the UK and Paris, have led to concerns that Paris infestation may spread to UK cities.

In an interview with PoliticsJOE, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said that the situation in Paris is: a real source of concern, but remained adamant that the city is taking adequate precautions to ward off bed bugs.

Some experts suggest that most major cities in the UK are already quietly battling bed bug infestations.

David Cain, microbiologist and founder of Bed Bugs Ltd., told Sky News: I think theres probably a similar level of issue in London as there is in Paris at present.

A representative from the City of Edinburgh Councils pest control office suggests that, despite no recent increases in bed bug activity, the bugs remain very prevalent in the city.

The representative said: [Bed bugs] have been here for many years and we have been going to many properties [to treat infestations], as this is a common pest we deal with at least every month.

Infestations are difficult to prevent after encountering bed bugs.

The British Pest Control Association suggests avoiding contact by thoroughly checking for signs of bed bugs before moving into a new accommodation.

Signs can include clusters of small brown spots on furniture or mattresses, small white eggshells, or sightings of the bugs themselves.

Some swear by home remedies for bed bug infestations, but the BPCA suggests calling in a professional pest control company as soon as possible.

Image via Kate Jensen

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Worried about bed bugs coming to the UK? Chances are they are ... - The Student

You may notice groups of small raised bumps on your skin and suspect that youve been bitten by a bug. Two culprits may be bed bugs and chiggers. These two bugs are parasites, living off the blood of people or animals.

Their bites may look similar, but bed bugs and chiggers live in much different environments. Generally, bed bug and chigger bites are irritating and uncomfortable but not a risk to your overall health.

Bed bugs live near sleeping quarters. You may find evidence of bed bugs if you notice brown or red spots on your sheets. You may also smell something sweet and musty if bed bugs are nearby.

Chiggers group in clusters. When they attach to your body, they may feed off of it for several hours or days if you do not wash yourself or scratch them off. You may feel them on your skin and never see them because of their microscopic size.

Physical symptoms of bed bug bites:

You may also find that bed bug bites cause:

Not everyone will have the same symptoms from bed bug bites. Some people are more sensitive to bed bug bites and their symptoms may be worse.

Physical symptoms of chigger bites:

You may notice chigger bites change while healing. The center of the bite may appear to have a cap that oozes if scratched.

Some people bitten by chiggers may react more strongly to the bites.

You may not know that youve been bitten by bed bugs unless you actually see evidence of them where youve slept. You likely will not feel a bite from bed bugs because they release a substance that numbs your skin and keeps any blood from running out of the bite area.

Chigger bites can last for a range of time, depending on your exposure and how long they stay on you. If you have chiggers on you for a short amount of time, the symptoms may be mild and last only a few days. However, chiggers that stay on you for a longer length of time, such as while you sleep, may cause more severe symptoms for a few weeks.

Both bed bug and chigger bites appear as raised, red, inflamed spots on your skin.

Bed bug bites appear most frequently near areas of exposed skin and may appear in lines or in random clusters.

Chigger bites are grouped together in locations near tight-fitting clothing.

Both bed bug and chigger bites will go away with time. Treatments focus on calming symptoms so you can be more comfortable.

The first line of treatment for both bed bug and chigger bites is to avoid scratching them and leaving them alone as much as possible.

Make sure to wash the affected area with warm, soapy water if you suspect chigger bites. This will make sure no chiggers remain on your skin.

You can apply cool compresses to the bites, such as a cool washcloth or towel.

There are many over-the-counter medication options to reduce bed bug and chigger bite symptoms.

Try pain-relieving medications like acetaminophen or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to calm discomfort associated with the bites. NSAIDs also relieve inflammation.

Topical creams, ointments, and lotions may soothe the itch caused by bed bugs and chiggers. These include those containing steroids, like hydrocortisone.

An oral antihistamine may help control itching or swelling.

If the bite area becomes worse over time, it may be infected. Treating an infection may require antibiotics.

Call a doctor if you:

Extreme allergic reactions may cause anaphylactic shock. Call 911 and go to the nearest emergency room.

Severe infections from a bite can also be serious so if you develop a high fever and other symptoms that make you concerned, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

The best way to manage bed bugs and chiggers is to avoid bites in the first place.

Bed bug removal requires fumigation. If you have bed bugs in your home, call a professional to kill the bugs, because they can live for several months between feedings.

Keep spaces where bed bugs may live clean. Cleaning regularly will help you spot signs of bed bugs.

If you are traveling and worried about bed bugs, consider sleeping in clothing that covers most of your skin. You can also use an insect repellant.

Limit your exposure to chiggers by avoiding contact with grasses and weeds. Do not sit directly on lawns, and make sure to keep your landscaping maintained. Overgrown yards can contribute to more chiggers.

Wear bug spray and dress in clothing that covers most of your body when youre outside. This may include tucking your pants into your socks or wearing gloves tucked into long-sleeved shirts.

Both bed bugs and chiggers are tiny parasites that can cause uncomfortable pimple-like bumps on your skin. These bites may cause a few days of irritation, but they are generally not harmful in the long term. Try to avoid scratching the bites to reduce chances of infection, and use home remedies and over-the-counter medications to soothe symptoms.

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Chigger Bites Vs. Bed Bug Bites: Telling Them Apart - Healthline

Bugs

How do you know that you are being attacked by bed bugs? Though bed bugs are tiny and feed on you during the night when you are asleep, they leave behind a lot of tell-tale-signs on the mattress or the area around them. When you get bitten by a bed bug, you will notice reddish spots on your skin. You can also check for black dots, which can either be bug excrement or blood from a dead bug. They leave behind unsightly rusty stains on the bed coverings, and you can also check for live bugs. If none of these seems to work and you still wake up with bites on your skin, you can contact a Bed Bug Exterminator San Jose to help you examine your house for bed bug infestation.

You may choose to get rid of the bed bugs using simple but effective home remedies. However, before you embark on the mission to remove bed bugs from your house, you need to ensure that you thoroughly clean your rooms. Vacuum clean the carpets and couches, mattresses and remove clutter from your house. Clean the surface and inspect the crevices and cracks and seal them immediately.

Some simple but effective home remedies that can help you deal with bed bug menace include; vinegar, baking soda, diatomaceous earth, rubbing alcohol, and essential oils.

Vinegar kills bed bugs by destroying their nervous system because it is a strong acetic acid. All you need to do is take some white vinegar, apply it to bed bug-infested surfaces, and then spray liberally and directly on the bed bugs. It is important to note that though vinegar will kill the bed bugs, it does not kill the eggs and, therefore, is not sufficient to eradicate a bed bug infestation wholly. Its effects are considered short term and limited.

Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is not just useful in your kitchen but is also one of the best-known home remedies for bedbugs. It is believed that baking soda kills bed bugs by absorbing the surface fluids on the waxy layer of the bugs shell, causing them to dehydrate. It is also thought that baking soda cuts into the bed bugs shell, causing internal bleeding. Just sprinkle some baking soda on your mattress and the affected areas, let it sit for an hour and a half before you vacuum it.

Diatomaceous earth has been used for millennia as pesticides. It is considered to be the most effective home remedy for treating bed bug infestations. It is readily available, is natural, non-toxic, and it is relatively cheaper than other known pesticides. It is cited as an effective, reduced-risk solution for bed bug management. Diatomaceous earth abrades the waxy outer coating of bed bugs, which causes moisture to be removed from the bugs leading to their imminent death. Though diatomaceous earth takes some time before it starts to work, it eliminates up to 90% of the bedbugs and prevents them from moving freely in your house.

Bugs

Rubbing alcohol is known as isopropyl alcohol, is said to kill bed bugs by dissolving their cells. Direct contact with rubbing alcohol causes the skin of the bed bug to dry, which leads to its death. Though it is effective in killing bed bugs with their eggs, it can be hard to apply in cracks and crevices where bed bugs crawl and hide. Rubbing alcohol does not stain your fabric or furniture, but you need to test it in a small area before starting the treatment.

Essential oils such as; clove oil, lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, thyme, and peppermint are great ways to deter bed bugs from sucking your blood. Regular spraying over bed bug-infested areas can kill them and prevent them from spreading. Peppermint has a strong scent and high menthol content that effectively repels bed bugs. All you need to do is mix your choice essential oil with some bit of distilled water and spray it on the bed bug-infested area. The lovely scent in essential oils also leaves your bed smelling nice.

Home remedies remain effective only when you continue to maintain a clean house and remove clutter. It can be harder to eliminate bed bugs if you often travel because you may bring new bugs home. Ensure that your travel luggage is thoroughly examined, cleaned, and treated to remove the possible presence of bed bugs. To maintain a bedbug-free house, you can enlist a professional bed bug exterminator to examine your house annually.

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5 Home Remedies For Dealing With Bed Bug Menace For Good ...

These are pestering bugs which feed off our blood. Bed bugs can be killed with many bug killing substances and chemicals. However, they can be costly and certainly not environment friendly. Many of them contain chemicals which are toxic to humans or pets. So, one can make use of simple home remedies to trap or kill bed bugs or drive them away. Bed bugs seem so innocent when you see one of them crawling away. They are so small and seem harmless, except for their bites. However, if you happen to see their magnified image using a microscope, they look so monstrous. Bed bugs are notorious creatures. They actually feed on our blood, which is disgusting and unhealthy. Bug extermination teams take a lot of money, and perhaps that is the last resort. There are numerous natural techniques to completely get rid of bed bugs. Lets fight those bugs back.

The signs of bed bugs can be seen through their bites on the skin. These bites are red, slightly inflamed but very itchy. They tend to be in a straight line. Too many bed bites may also lead to a more severe inflammation.

Home remedies for bed bugs ( to kill them naturally or drive them away )

This is the easiest way to kill bed bugs that cling to sheets, covers and mattresses. If there is some upholstery which can be washed or dried, then one can heat treat it too. Bed bugs cant tolerate heat treatment and the eggs also get destroyed. After washing, always iron the sheets. It makes sure that the bed bug eggs are killed. What is the minimum cutoff temperature at which bed bugs are completely killed ? Well, the temperature should be minimum 120 degrees F. So, set your dryer at 120 F and let it stay for 4 hours. Large cloth items, furniture and upholstery can be heated in sunlight, if it is warm enough. It should take many days sitting in the sun for it to work, about 4 days. After that time, inspect the items for signs of bed bugs, their eggs and their fecal matter. When you are convinced that bed bugs have gone, take the items back in.

Lavender is a nice insect repellent with a wonderful smell that most of us like. Lavender flowers can be kept near the bedside. While washing all the clothes and items in the house, use lavender oil in the water used for cleaning. It leaves a residue of lavender scent on the clothes. This smell can go on for 3 to 4 days and repel bed bugs. Although, it wont kill them. Place lavender flowers or lavender scented oil near crevices and other warm and humid areas of the house, cause that is where they thrive. This drives the bed bugs out from those places and also keeps them away from beds and furniture.

Eucalyptus oil and tea tree oil can also be used to repel these insects, just like lavender oil. They are not as effective, but they work too. [1]

It is a popular insect repellent which is effective at driving away the bed bugs. Try this on the clothes and spray it in different crevices and other locations of the house. It might make the bed bugs to move out without a fight.

Aggressively clean every location in the house with a vacuum cleaner. The high suction force will take in all the bed bugs. But, do not just dispose the bag close by. They can return back to the house. Instead dispose them of in a far off location. A single vacuuming event takes out more than 90 % of bed bugs and eggs. If you dismantle furniture components , place them in sun and then vacuum clean them, it can take out almost 100 % of the bed bugs. So, if you want to be efficient at vacuuming, then dismantle the furniture and covers and then do it. It is a simple yet highly effective way to get rid of bed bugs. Then use a natural insect repellant to keep them away, like citronella.

Make lather from soap and apply it on the bed and in places where bugs may reside. This can eliminate the bed bugs quickly. Make a rich, smooth lather and apply it thickly on the bed and fill it in crevices and nooks. Within a few minutes, you can see bed bugs and other insects crawl out and even die. This may not look good but it works.

This is a wonderful earth material for getting rid of most insects and pests, like fleas and bed bugs. You can easily get food grade diatomaceous earth at a nearby store.

If the weather is cold, then allow natural cool breeze to flow in the house. Then, use fans to direct this cool air to bed bug infested areas. They cant stand the high velocity flow of a cooler air which they are unable to bear. Bed bugs have to move away. This way, one can force them out of the house. If the temperature of air is on or below freezing ( 0 degree C or 32 degree F ), then this air itself can kill the bed bugs. However, this is not a viable option as it takes about 3 4 days to kill all the bed bugs. Some sources however suggest that bed bugs are much more resistant and can withstand well below freezing temperatures. [2]

The leaves of kidney bean plant have fine pointed hair which pierce and may even kill bed bugs. These leaves can be sprayed in their path to stop them in their tracks.Kidney bean leaves have been identified in recent studies to be highly effective in killing bed bugs. Just spray kidney bean leaves all along the house, as it is quite inexpensive. Then wait for 2 days and most of the bed bugs should be killed by now. All you have left to do is to clean the house off bed bug eggs and their wastes.

In a spray bottle, fill water with little garlic juice. Spray it all around the house. This home remedy forces bed bugs to leave their hiding and flee out. Wait for 2 hours and then start mopping them up with vacuum cleaner. Garlic has a disgusting smell, but it works against bed bugs.

It has been noted by some people that using cinnamon as powder keeps bed bugs away. Spray it in your mattress seams and bed bugs wouldnt come to the bed. This works instantaneously, so you can get a good nights sleep today itself, no matter how badly infested your house or apartment is. Using these home remedies, one can easily get rid of bed bugs and keep them away using natural repellents.

This is a nice and cost effective home remedy for bed bugs. Get some silica gel packets. Open them up and crush them finer. Then place these inside corners and crevices of the house or apartment. Silica gel sticks to their bodies and dehydrates them to death.

When things go out of control, and bed bugs come by large numbers, it is time to take matters in your hands and show them who is the boss. This bed bugs treatment is 100 % effective, as it is you who is doing it.

This operation takes about 2 hours if you do swiftly, but with this, you kill all bed bugs. Once you learn to spot bed bugs out, it becomes childs play to kill them.

If you have a pet dog, then he or she can be trained to sniff out bed bugs hiding spots. Bed bugs leave a characteristic smell which is somewhat like rotting fruit, especially raspberries. Dogs are excellent at remembering a smell and finding out other places which smell the same. This is how it can be accomplished. Take your dog to a place where there are enough bed bugs, like on the bed. Point them to the dog and ask him or her to smell it. Then, keeping him or her tied, move about the house. Ask the dog to sniff walls, corners and crevices. With some practice, the dog would do it and identify places infested with bugs. You give him or her a reward, like a bone or chicken leg and then vacuum up those places. If after repeated training, you dog doesnt learn, call a specialist dog. There are teams who keep such trained dogs who are able to sniff out almost any given smell. As a last option, you can call an bed bug extermination squad. Ask them what chemicals they will use and ask for their safety chart. Chemicals are highly toxic, so make sure they are approved by a regulatory agency, like EPA.

Well, you can bust the bed bugs every once in a while, but they can keep coming back. It is important to know where do they come from. Bed bugs almost always come from two things luggage or clothes. So, if you have been out, bed bugs can cling to your clothes or luggage and then they enter the house. They can also come from parcels or shipment that you get or buy online. So, you need to inspect your clothes and whatever new comes into the house. This keeps the bed bugs away.

These pests bite us and feed on our blood. This triggers an inflammatory response by the immune system and the area swells up as a bite. Bed bugs bites are not painful but very itchy. To relieve the itching, try these home remedies. 1. Wash Them In ACV Apple Cider Vinegar is a simple remedy that works on bed bug bites. And it is pretty safe. Dilute ACV in bathtub and immerse yourself in it. Cool water feels better. 2. Use a Banana Peel The inside of a banana peel should be held close to the bites for 5 minutes. This alleviates the itching. 3.Other Remedies You can also use the following things on bed bug bites

Some people may have an allergy to bed bugs and in them, these bites would look more inflamed, swollen and more itchy. In that case, it should be evaluated by a doctor.

1. Ability of essential oil candles to repel biting insects in high and low biting pressure environments.Mller GC, Junnila A, Kravchenko VD, Revay EE, Butler J, Orlova OB, Weiss RW, Schlein Y 2. Cold tolerance of bed bugs and practical recommendations for control.Olson JF, Eaton M2, Kells SA2, Morin V3, Wang C

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14 Effective Home Remedies For Bed Bugs : Get Rid Of Them ...

If you are one of the thousands of people who are unlucky enough to have to deal with an outbreak of bed bugs, dont be in despair. Although it may be difficult to eliminate bed bugs completely, it is not impossible. In fact, before reaching for strong chemical pesticides, try some home remedies to get rid of bed bugs.

In this article, we will explore:

Extermination of bed bugs requires comprehensive controls. Before starting the treatments, you need to prepare the area to make sure bed bugs dont have many places to hide.

Contrary to popular beliefs, bed bugs do not just hide in your bed, but also anywhere near your bed, including your clothes, cardboard boxes and cracks in the wall. If you have a lot of clutter in your home, it just means more places for bed bugs to hide. That means you will have a harder time locating the pests and killing them. Therefore, start by throwing all your dirty clothes in the laundry, taking out all clutter from beneath the bed and, if possible, patching up cracks in the walls and floors.

Throw your dirty clothes, bedding, mattress, pillowcases, stuffed toys and any other things that can be washed in hot water into the washer. Make the water very hot; bed bugs cannot survive in hot temperatures, and the water will also drown them. Colored fabrics that cannot be washed in hot temperatures should be tumble-dried on hot settings.

There are a lot of clothes and stuff that cannot be washed in hot temperatures. For those, you can use a steam cleaner. A steam cleaner on high heat is quite effective in getting rid of bed bugs as neither the biting insects nor their eggs can stand temperatures above 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The great thing about steam cleaners is that the steam comes out with some pressure, allowing it to penetrate deep into the bedding, sofa cushions, and cracks and crevices. Make sure that you use dry steam rather than wet steam as the moisture may ruin the fabric and wooden surfaces.

Vacuuming, in and around the infested area, is extremely important. Take your vacuum cleaner up to your mattress and vacuum it to suck out the bed bugs and their eggs from their hiding places. Vacuum under and around the bed, on the walls, particularly the place where the wall meets the floor, over cracks and crevices, in your closet and on all upholstered surfaces. If your room has a carpet, vacuum it thoroughly as well, as bed bugs often lay their eggs on the edges. Once you are done vacuuming, through away the vacuum bag away from your home, as it may contain live bugs or their eggs.

Encase your mattress, pillows, box springs and comforters in tight encasements made of tough fabric, which do not allow bed bugs to get to your skin. Sealing up your bedding means any bed bugs left inside will not be able to get out and gain access to you. This means that they will eventually starve to death. Depending on the temperature, bed bugs can go without a bloodmeal for 20 to 400 days, so keep your bedding encased for at least a year.

A lot of bed bugs often make their homes in your bed. Therefore, move your bed away from the walls, bed stand, or other furniture that your bed may be touching so that the pests do not crawl onto them and start spreading. Do not let your blankets dangle on to the floor; otherwise, bed bugs will be able to climb up and down from it. For added protection, place bed bug interceptors underneath each foot of the bed so that they trap any bug trying to make its way into or out of the bed.

Before you start looking for a professional exterminator, here are a few natural bed bug home remedies that you should consider first.

The fossilized remains of microalgae, diatomaceous earth is proven to kill 90% of a bed bug infestation. The great thing about it is that it is chemical free. The substance is an abrasive potent desiccant and kills bed bugs by splitting their exoskeleton and dehydrating them from the inside.

To use, apply 100% diatomaceous earth on areas where you suspect bed bug activities. If you have pets and small children, opt for food-grade diatomaceous earth. Although the substance may take over a week to kill bed bugs, it has quite a hard mortality rate. Since its marketed as a fine powder, you can inject it inside cracks and crevices as well that are not easy to get into.

Even though food-grade diatomaceous earth is non-toxic and can even be eaten theoretically, we advise you not to do so. Do not inhale it, as it is extremely drying and is composed of tiny crystals that can damage your lungs.

After a few weeks, vacuum up the powder, reapply it and repeat for a few weeks until all the bed bugs are gone.

Like diatomaceous earth, silica gel is also made of silicon and is a dehydrating agent. However, it is not abrasive but has an amorphous and porous form. You may have noticed tiny packets marked as desiccant inside shoe boxes and some food products that contain silica gel. To use them to treat bed bugs, grind the silica gel beads into a fine powder and spread them around areas which have bed bugs. However, like diatomaceous earth, you need to be careful, as inhalation of silica gel can be harmful.

Soda bicarbonate is used to rise or cakes at home, but it also has another great use: eradicating bed bugs. Baking soda works by sucking out the moisture and oil shield from the insects chitin and ultimately killing the bed bugs. Sprinkle a light layer of baking soda in affected areas. After one week has passed, vacuum the area and re-sprinkle it. It may take you weeks to eliminate bed bugs with baking soda, and you will need large quantities of it as the remedy will need to be repeated, so the cost may be slightly prohibitive. Still, it is a very safe and fairly effective way to get rid of these pests.

A salt of boric acid, this substance is a very effective cleaner due to its antibacterial properties. Borax is also used to clean out eyes as well as get rid of bed bugs. The substance works by destroying the bed bugs digestive system after they eat it. However, since bed bugs prefer bloodmeal over any other type of food, it is almost impossible for them to eat it. However, it can be used as a deterrent. Apply a liberal amount of Borax on the seams and the bed of the legs. You can also dissolve it in water and spray the solution on these places. Even if it doesnt kill the bed bugs, it will prevent them from going where the powder is.

Similar to bed bug interceptors, double-sided tapes can trap bed bugs making their way to and from the bed. Apply the tapes around or beneath the legs of your bed and other furniture so that any crawling insect ends up getting stuck on the adhesive. Keep your sheet, blankets, and bedding from touching the ground as a few bed bugs may crawl over to reach your bedding.

Another popular bed bug home remedy option is to use rubbing alcohol. Pour some alcohol into a spray bottle and spray it all around the affected area. Rubbing alcohol is a solvent and can dissolve the protective layer of chitin on bed bug shells, effectively drying them out on contact.

There are several home remedies for bed bugs with vinegar. Vinegar is a strong-smelling acid and can be used to kill and repel bed bugs. It is also used in cooking, so most of us usually have a bottle of it in our home, make it one of the most convenient bed bug killing home remedy. Vinegar kills these pests by damaging their nervous system; however, it cannot destroy the eggs.

To treat bed bugs with vinegar, saturate the edges of your bedding and furniture with the distilled white vinegar and spray directly on bed bugs. That way, if the pests try to flee, they will be met with a parameter of vinegar, which wont let them cross.

Tea tree oil is a potent antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal and antiviral essential oil. Tea tree oil not just prevents and treats pathogen-related infections but is also a great remedy for destroying small infestations of bed bugs and preventing re-infestation. It also works as a wonderful cleaning agent and helps in masking human smells that attract bed bugs. It is also quite inexpensive.

To eliminate a minor outbreak, dilute about 20 drops of pure tea tree oil into 200ml of water and spray onto places where you have observed bed bug activity, including your bedding, sofas, furniture, curtains, and cabinets. The oil works by suffocating the bed bugs. In its undiluted form, it is naturally more effective; however, it may then not be safe to use around pets and children as it is quite potent.

You can use a blend of cayenne pepper, ginger, and oregano to create a bed bug fighting spray right at home. The hot spiciness of the ginger and pepper, as well as the potent smell of oregano oil, are an effective repellant against bed bugs.

To make it, take one part cayenne pepper, one part ginger, one part oregano essential oil and one part water and bring the mixture to boil for about 7 minutes. Strain the solution, put it in a spray bottle and spritz it around areas with bug activities. You may need to repeat the process a few times until all bed bugs are gone.

The oils in peppermint leaves serve as an effective bed bug repellant. Crush a cup of dry mint leaves and then sprinkle the shreds into corners where bed bugs have been seen. If the infestation is wide-spread, you may need more than one cup. You may have to repeat the process. To do that, simply vacuum up the old peppermint leaves and replace them with new ones, until all the bed bugs have disappeared.

Using lavender oil is one of the best home remedies for bed bug sprays. Although lavender instills calmness and relaxation, it is also a great way to repel and kill bed bugs. In fact, lavender oil has been reported to be sued for centuries to protect clothes and linens from insects like moths and silverfish.

Black walnut tea is a natural bed bug home remedy. Like tea tree oil, it has antifungal, antibacterial and insecticidal properties. It is also a great herbal tree. All you need to do is to take used black walnut tea bags and place them in affected areas, in cracks and crevices, mattresses, beddings and furniture, to get rid of the insects and their eggs.

You can also sprinkle the dried tea leaves in infested areas rather than use tea bags. Alternatively, you can make a herbal sachet by mixing three parts black walnut tea, 3 parts thyme, 2 parts sweet flag, 1 part lavender, and 1 part mint. The aroma of the mixture will help in repelling bed bugs.

This tall plant grows on the edges of rivers, lake, marshes, and wetlands. You can also find a herbal mixture in packets from the market. This herb has microbial properties and an aroma, combined which can be effective repealing bed bugs and other insects. You can make a solution of the sweet flag and spray it on affected area as a natural remedy for bed bugs.

This is a traditional Balkan method to trap insects. Take some bean leaves and spread them on the surfaces where there is bed bug activity. The leaves have microscopic hooked hair which can entangle bed bug legs and impale them. Create a barrier with these bean leaves; bed bugs will either be repelled or those foolish enough to walk into the trap, will be killed.

The leaves of the Indian lilac have a repelling effect like other plant-based remedies. Crush the leaves and spread them around the affected area. Alternatively, you can boil the leaves and put the strained solution in your bath water to prevent bed bugs from snacking on you. You can also spray Indian lilac oil around your bedding and furniture to get rid of bed bugs.

Burning thyme near the infested areas can help get rid of bed bugs, though it may take a few days. Thyme has insecticidal properties and can be used in a variety of ways to fight off bed bugs. You can also take fresh thyme leaves and place them around your bed and furniture in net bags to keep away insects. Replace with fresh thyme every three days.

Lemongrass essential oil actually kills bed bugs rather than just repelling them. The high acidity in lemongrass can kill the bed bugs and their eggs and also serve as a repellant. It doubles as a room freshener because of its tangy, citrusy smell.

Beauveria Bassiana is a parasitic fungus which likes to feed on insects like bed bugs. When the microscopic seeds come in contact with insects bodies, they penetrate the cuticle and grow inside the shell. The insect soon becomes immobile, unable to feed and infertile. It also dies within three to five days.

A derivative of the brightly-colored chrysanthemum flower, this substance produces refined pyrethrins, a natural insect killer that throws bed bugs nervous system into overdrive, paralyzes them and kills them. This substance is extremely effective against bed bugs; however, some strains have developed resistant to pyrethrins. To circumvent this issue, it is suggested that pyrethrums and pyrethrins be used in conjunction with other natural products like silica gel and diatomaceous earth, which enhances effectiveness.

Although bed bugs are not known to spread any fatal diseases, their bites can be very irritating and may lead to secondary infections. If you have itchy and red bites on your body, wash the area with soap and water and use the following home remedies:

Applying an ice pack to a bed bug bite can help relieve swelling and itchiness. Apply some ice cubes wrapped in a thin towel to the bite for 10 minutes. You can reapply the ice pack throughout the day.

Since baking soda is alkaline, it can help neutralize the acid in bed bug bites. Make a thick paste of baking soda by adding water to it and apply on the affected area to reduce swelling and pain.

Cinnamon has analgesic, antibacterial and inflammatory properties that make it a great natural remedy for bed bug bites. Ground the spice with some water and apply it to the bite; this will seal the area, preventing infection and healing the inflammation. Repeat throughout the day.

Using calamine lotion is one of the best home remedies for bed bug bites. The lotion has a cooling effect on the bite, acts as a skin protector, reduces inflammation and alleviates pain. The main active ingredient is zinc oxide which is used to treat several types of rashes, including mosquito bites and chicken pox.

Raw apple cider vinegar is a potent antimicrobial, which you can apply to bed bug bites. This will prevent infection, get rid of redness and pain and promote healing.

Toothpaste contains menthol which is an astringent and cooling agent. Placing some toothpaste on bed bug bites can almost instantaneously relive you of itchiness and bring down redness and swelling. In fact, it is used to soothe burns in Asian countries.

Witch hazel also has anti-inflammatory and astringent properties which can soothe irritated skin caused by bed bug bites. It is also believed to treat varicose veins without surgery.

If your bites turn into blisters, feel tender, ooze discharge or exhibit symptoms of an allergic reaction, you should see a dermatologist for treatment.

Aloe vera gel has medicinal soothing and antiseptic properties that make it one of the best natural home remedies for bed bug bites. Take an aloe vera leaf, remove the spines on its side and split it down length-wise to take the top and bottom layer apart. Scoop out the aloe vera gel and place it on the bite.

A: Bed bug bites are red and inflamed in the form of welts. You may see a darker spot in the middle from where the bed bug has fed. The welts are usually in a straight or zigzag line, often on the parts of the body which makes contact with the bed.

A: Severe allergic reactions, like anaphylactic shock, from bed bug bites are extremely rare, although people who have been bitten by the bug often report of hives, itchy welts and itchy bumps which may increase risks of infection when scratched. These welts may persist for weeks, but this is quite common.

A: Yes, they all work, though some may perform better than the others. Some bed bugs home remedies are effective in killing these insects while others just repel them. The effectiveness of home remedies also depends on the size of the infestation.

A: Although all bed bug home remedies are fairly effective, they work best when combined with each other. For example, you can sprinkle diatomaceous earth or Borax on affected areas to kill biting adults. You can soak yourself in an Indian lilac bath to prevent the remaining bugs from biting you. To prevent re-infestation, you can place thyme, sweet flag and black walnut tea sachets around your bed and cracks and crevices.

A: One of the best home remedies to get rid of bed bugs is to use heat, either by laundering fabric in hot water or using a steamer or blow-dryer. You can also sprinkle diatomaceous earth or silica gel on the mattress that can dry out the eggs. You can then vacuum them up and throw the vacuum bag away from the house.

A: Unfortunately, no. Bed bugs are very resilient and can come back any time they sense your sleeping place is not well-protected. To be on the safe side, repeat the application of home remedies every few weeks. Also keep your furniture, bed, floors, and walls well-vacuumed and place natural repellants in these areas to keep these pests away.

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19 Best Home Remedies For Getting Rid of Bed Bugs