Many natural bed bug treatments involve rubbing petroleum jelly on furniture or squirting it in crevices. Vacuuming (daily if possible) and using traps/monitors is also key.
If you can afford it, a Cryonite heat treatment is the best option. It quickly raises the temperature to above what bed bugs can survive.
Peppermint
Peppermint oil is a powerful Natural Bed Bug Treatment substance that can repel many kinds of pests, including bed bugs. It is a potent insecticide that kills the bugs by dehydrating them and also blocking their ability to reproduce. However, it cannot be used alone to eliminate a bed bug infestation. It is best used alongside other bed bug treatments, such as rubbing alcohol and diatomaceous earth.
Bed bugs are known to be sensitive to a wide variety of essential oils, and they can also smell them. If you have a mild infestation, a few sprays of the diluted peppermint oil can help keep the insects away in the short term. However, this is a temporary solution, and the bugs will eventually grow accustomed to the scent.
Other essential oils that can repel the bugs include lavender, cedar, and eucalyptus oil. These can be combined into a spray and used to treat furniture, bedding, clothing, and other items in your home. They can also be added to disinfectant surface cleaners that are formulated without the use of harsh chemicals, such as vinegar and tea tree oil.
Another good way to repel the bed bugs is to spread baking soda around your home, similar to how you would apply diatomaceous earth. Baking soda sucks the bugs and their eggs dry, and it will not poison you or your family.
Black Walnut Tea
Using a brew made from the husks of black walnuts, this remedy can kill and repel bed bugs. The juglone in the hulls is toxic to these insects and can also be used as a pesticide (21, 22). Pour the tea over infested items or spray around your home. Since bed bugs can crawl into the tiniest nooks and crannies of furniture and other items, this is an effective way to keep them away.
Lavender is another natural bug deterrent that works by making the bugs feel nauseous, which can ultimately lead to their death. You can also use a lavender essential oil spray or diluted laundry detergent to kill and repel them. The strong smell of lavender will linger in the linens and clothing that you’ve washed, which can help deter them for days or weeks.
Clutter is a magnet for bed bugs, so it’s important to clean up all the areas where they could be hiding. Remove books, clothes, shoes and other items from shelves and put them in plastic bags. This will make it easier to get rid of them. If you’re unable to wash items that can’t be washed, putting them in a hot car for half an hour can heat them to the point where they die (23) (24). If you don’t have access to a car, heating infested items in your dryer for 20 minutes on high heat is just as effective and safer than exposing them to harsh sunlight (25). (2)(26)
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol can be a cheap and easy solution to eliminating bed bugs in your home. This common household chemical suffocates and dehydrates the insects by dissolving their outer shells. It is effective at killing adult bugs on contact, and it also works to kill unhatched eggs by drying them out.
When diluted with water, rubbing alcohol can be an effective spray for eradicating bed bugs from your home. However, this method should only be used as a short-term solution. In addition, rubbing alcohol is flammable and can pose a fire hazard when misused in the home.
Alternatively, paint thinner can be used as an effective, quick-acting bed bug killer. When sprayed on the hiding places of these insects, paint thinner will quickly kill them. This is a great option for those who do not want to use the more natural methods of killing these pests.
In addition to using these natural products, there are many other ways to prevent a bed bug infestation. These include washing linens and clothing frequently, avoiding secondhand furniture, and taking travel precautions.
Another important step in preventing a bed bug infestation is to ensure your mattress and furniture are covered. Purchasing a Puffy Lux Mattress can help you achieve this goal by providing a washable cover that keeps your bedding and linens clean.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) is an essential oil derived from the leaves of the tea tree. It is a natural insecticide and has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties. It is a powerful treatment for bed bugs because it works by suffocating them, rather than poisoning them like traditional pesticides. Pestemite provides Bed bugs breathe through small, duct-like canals in their skin. When sprayed with a solution containing tee tree oil, these canals close, the bugs suffocate, and they die.
Another benefit of this natural bed bug treatment is that it is not only effective against adult bed bugs, but also targets and kills their larvae — an important step in breaking the lifecycle of these pesky insects. It is also effective against other types of pests such as fleas and cockroaches.
To use tea tree oil as a natural bed bug killer, dilute it to no more than 50% concentration in a spray bottle and apply it directly to areas of the home where you suspect bed bug activity. Be sure to thoroughly cover all surfaces, including the mattress and bed frame, and spray the solution in any cracks or crevices where these bugs often hide. Reapply the solution regularly for a week until you do not see any more signs of bed bugs in your home.
