In this article, we will discuss the best way to kill bed bugs. They are a common problem these days and almost everyone has dealt with a bed bug infestation. Not only their bites are very annoying but they are also potentially dangerous for your health. They are quite difficult to eliminate but you can get rid of the bugs without using any services of the professional exterminator. There are various effective chemicals available in local stores to kill bed bugs but the natural method is indeed the most efficient. Natural remedies will keep you on the natural side and get rid of them without any harmful insecticides that may pose a health risk. Use of insecticide is not only harmful to you but to your pet as well. Moreover, it contaminates the pure air around you.
Some Common Hiding Places of Bed Bugs:
Sometimes you can’t see a single bed bug but that does not mean your home is protected. You should spot their rust-colored dark spots or so-called the “happy trails.” Use a bright white flashlight to check the following places in the home or hotel room:
- Mattress and box spring seams
- Bed sheets
- Baseboards
- Picture frames
- Cracks in the headboard and bed frame
- Bed skirts
- Upholstered furniture
- Electrical outlet plugs
- Behind loose wallpaper
- Luggage
Best Ways to Kill Bed Bugs:
1.) Thorough Inspection to Kill Bed Bugs
It is quite important to thoroughly inspect your house to kill bed bugs. You will get several signs of their infestation like the dark spots of dried bug feces are usually present along the mattress or where the bugs have resided. As soon as you find the signs of the bed bugs, began with the methods to get rid of them and save yourself from the bed bug bites. You should remove the gauze fabric underlying the box spring to access for inspection and possible treatment.
It is suggested to check all the cracks and crevices of bed frames. Pay special attention if the frame is made up of wood. The thing is thorough inspection is not possible and the treatment of the mattresses and box springs is hard and infested elements may need to be discarded. We all know that prevention is better than cure so put a bed bug proof bedding cover over infested bedding as it will trap the bed bugs inside and starve them to death easily.
2.) Wash Clothes and Bedding to Prevent Bed Bugs Naturally
Once you have inspected the areas in your home where bed bugs are mostly found, you will find clothes and beddings are the prone sites. Wash all the clothes and bedding to get rid of bed bugs naturally. However, if you cannot wash something then make sure you sanitize it thoroughly. Put it in the dryer or use a hand dryer for this purpose. Washing the clothes and sanitizing the things around for once will not do. This is something that you have to do regularly in order to prevent bed bugs naturally. The laundry area is one of the most ignored areas, so make sure you sanitize it as well. Moreover, wash the cushions, blankets, soft toys, pillow, pillow cases properly to prevent the bed bugs infestation in the future. Store all stuff in a plastic box to prevent reinfestation.
3.) Vacuum to Get Rid of Bed Bugs Naturally
After washing the clothes and beddings, clean your furniture and other places around which can be vulnerable to the infestation. For this, you can use a vacuum cleaner. Vacuum the carpets, mattresses, curtains, box springs, upholstered items and all the more wood furniture, baseboards, hardwood floors and everything with nooks and crannies. Do this twice in a day at least for a month. After vacuuming, dispose of the garb properly. Wear hand gloves and cover your mouth while taking out the cleaner from the machine. Put all the garbs immediately into the plastic bag and tie it tightly. Though the bag outside and do not keep it in your home otherwise the infestation may linger on.
4.) Steam to Prevent Bed Bugs Naturally
Washing and cleaning alone will not do, you have to steam them as well. After washing and vacuuming, you need to steam all the cushions, carpets, mattress and your clothes as well to get rid of the bed bugs thoroughly. Bed bugs can survive at the high temperature, therefore this is the best way to kill the bed bugs naturally. Also, make sure, it is dry steam. The wet steam will leave everything wet and then it could be a messy task to manage and it could further lead to the mold and mildew infestation.
5.) Alcohol to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
This is one of the best remedies to get rid of bed bugs naturally. Rubbing alcohol is generally used for sanitizing the stuff, thus it comes handy to prevent the infestation o the bed bugs. It sanitizes and inhibits the growth of the bacteria around. So spray rubbing alcohol in the areas which are prone to infestation. Moreover, it has a certain drying effect which immediately kills the bed bugs. Pour alcohol in the spray bottle and spray it around all the walls, nooks and corners. Apart from this, you can apply a coat of the rubbing alcohol on the furniture and walls to prevent bed bugs naturally.
6.) Diatomaceous Earth to Kill Bed Bugs Naturally
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is most commonly used treatment to eliminate bed bugs infestation. Using DE will give you two major benefits, killing bugs with sharp micro edges and by dehydrating them. The advantage of using diatoms (diatomaceous earth) is that it is chemical free and quite inexpensive. This remedy will give you instant relief from bed bugs infestation. It works as both a tool for prevention and natural treatment. If you are smart enough, use this remedy in conjunction with some of the other methods discussed in this article. Make sure to get it into all of the cracks and crevices of your home.
The working mechanism of Diatomaceous earth can be easily understandable from its origin i.e. it is made from the sediments of oceans, rivers, lakes, and streams. When bed bugs come into contact with diatomaceous earth its particles make their way into the cuticle of the exoskeleton and kill them.
7.) Essential Oils to Get Rid of Bed Bugs Naturally
Tea tree oil and lavender oil can help you keep the aggravating bed bugs away not only from your bed but from your house due to their strong and pungent smell. Simply, spray the tea tree oil or lavender oil all around your bed and other infected areas. It will effectively prevent the bed bugs from attacking while you are sleeping.
According to studies it has found that the lavender oils have natural and an effective bed bug repellent characteristic. The smell or taste of these essential oils repels the nasty creature in no time. To apply this remedy in the most effective way put dried lavender between two clean cloths pieces and then stitches them around the bed perimeter. The Lavender oil is also readily available in several health food stores. You will find it in concentrated form instead of dilute form and its fragrance lasts for a few weeks. Rub your bed frame and floor with lavender oil to kill and prevent bed bugs naturally.
8.) Heat to Kill Bed Bugs
Killing bed bugs by using dry heat is one of the most innovative methods. You just need to place your clothing, footwear, rugs, toys, stuffed animals, backpacks, and other items in the dryer for sometimes. It can easily remove bed bugs and their infestation. A normal clothes dryer when running for five to ten minutes, it usually generates temperatures of about 120, 140 and 160 degrees. It is always suggested to use high settings to kill bed bugs present in the clothing. Do not put sensitive clothing in high temperature. You can place them in direct sunlight. While working with dryer you should run it for more than twenty minutes.
9.) Peppermint to Kill Bed Bugs
Peppermint oil is considered as the most effective home remedy not only to kill bed bugs but several other household insects as well. It gives an odor that causes allergy reaction in the bed bugs. The oil is quite common and found in most of the houses. Bed bugs cannot tolerate the fragrance of scent of peppermint and hence, they die. Its smell obstructs the bed bugs and they are easily killed. There are several other oils also like lavender oil (already discussed) that can be used to get rid of bed bugs successfully. The scent of these oils is irresistible for these pests.
10.) Mint Leaves and Cayenne Pepper to Kill Bed Bugs
Though these two ingredients do not work in combined form but still considered as one of the most effective herbs to eliminate bed bugs infestation. Mint is so effective remedy that if you just place some mint leave here and there around the house, it will act as a natural bed bug repellent. The use of mint leaves to repel bugs originally started by Native Americans. They just used to crush the mint leaves and spread around sleeping areas to prevent bed bugs. They also used to fold mint leaves inside of the cradleboard of infant and small children.
You can also try adding the fragrance of mint leaves between your bedding and in the linen closets. Now, the cayenne pepper is helpful in stopping bed bugs from entering spaces into your house. You just need to sprinkle some of the spice in specific areas to avoid bed bugs and other pests crossing over it.
11.) Baking Soda to Kill Bed Bugs
Baking soda is considered as one of the most effective home remedies to kill bed bugs fast and naturally. Using baking soda is the most efficient way get rid of bed bugs infestation. You can use baking soda in several ways. However, the most commonly used method is to dip a paintbrush into baking soda and spread around the cracks and crevices and the possible region where they can hide. Do not forget to apply it to all surfaces of the mattresses. Leave the powder for a few days and then vacuum up all of the baking soda. This will remove almost ninety percentages of bed bugs but still you will need a second treatment to completely get rid of them. It actually acts as a drying agent to dry out the bed bugs.
12.) Herbs to Get Rid of Bed Bugs Naturally
Herbs like lavender, eucalyptus, mint, rosemary and eucalyptus are known as natural repellents. Therefore they work best to kill the bed bugs naturally. To get rid of the bed bugs you can use the dried or fresh forms of these herbs. You can use them in various ways. To prevent the bed bugs infestation in your wardrobe tie a bunch of these herbs together in your wardrobe. Or place the sachets of these herbs in your home.
Additional Tips to Kill Bed Bugs:
- Dismantle the bed frames in the infested as it will expose an additional bedbug hiding sites.
- Reduce all clutter to make your bed bug inspection easier. Be careful while transferring the infected items to other areas as it can also transfer the bed bugs.
- Properly clean your infested rooms. Scrub the surfaces with a stiff brush to dislodge eggs.
- Seal all holes where electrical wires enter walls and floor. Fill cracks around the baseboards and molding to reduce harboring areas.
- Avoid using insecticides and pesticides on the soft toys and other baby cribs.
- Do not use infested thing, this can spread the infestation easily.
- Do not use second-hand furniture and upholstery since they are more prone to the infestation.
