Bed bugs are becoming an increasingly common problem, and if you're unlucky enough to have them in your home, you'll want to get rid of them as quickly as possible.
There are a number of natural remedies that can be effective against bed bugs, and we're going to discuss some of the most popular ones in this blog post. So whether you're dealing with a small infestation or just trying to prevent one from happening, these natural remedies can help!
Which Essential Oils Are Effective?
While many people have touted the benefits of essential oils, few of these oils have actually been proven to be effective in combating bed bugs or other pests. That said, some oils do show promise, including tea tree and lavender essential oils.
These oils contain powerful compounds that can both repel bed bugs and kill existing infestations. However, despite their effectiveness, essential oils should not be relied upon as a sole method for bed bug control.
Instead, they should be used alongside other measures such as professional treatments or DIY methods like baking soda traps. Overall, while some oils may be effective against bed bugs, it is important to take a holistic approach when dealing with this pest problem.
Mineral Oils
Although not technically an essential oil, mineral oils are used for moisturizing skin and can remove oil from surfaces. This makes it great for taking care of bed bugs eggs, which are coated in a protective oil. By affecting their protected oil coating, it can kill the eggs, preventing them from hatching.
Cedar Oil
Cedarwood has a fantastic reputation of keeping insects at bay and that includes bedbugs. When used as an essential oil, just a few drops will do the trick of repelling and killing any critters looking for a new home in your bedding.
Citronella Oil
Citronella is commonly used for mosquitos, but it can also be an effective repellent for bed bugs. In some cases, it may even kill bed bugs and their eggs.
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary oil has a potent scent that can repel bed bugs. Though it isn't the strongest natural remedy, it can be sprayed around the home to slow down a bed bug infestation. It is best combined with other oils and remedies to get the best-desired effect.
Read more about how rosemary oil helps with bed bugs
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender oil doesn't kill bed bugs on contact like rubbing alcohol or insecticides, but it can work as an effective repellent. It can be harmful to bed bug eggs, making them think twice about laying eggs where lavender oil has been sprayed. It can be mixed with water and sprayed around affected areas.
See why lavender is one of the best essential oils for bed bugs
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus oil spray is easy to make and can help with a mild bed bug problem. It also makes a great natural remedy for bed bug bites. It reduces the itch and swelling from any existing bites.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is one of the strongest natural remedies for bed bugs. It can kill them on contact, as well as their eggs. It's also effective against a number of other pests, so it's a great natural remedy to have on hand.
Read how people are using tea tree oil for bed bugs
Clove Oil
Clove oil is know to be very acidic. When used as a natural remedy for bed bugs, it can kill them on contact. It's also effective against their eggs. Clove oil is a great natural remedy to have on hand, as it can also be used for other pests.
Cottonseed Oil
Cottonseed oil is another natural remedy that is safe to use around the home. It is usually mixed with other natural repellents to create a spray for keeping bed bugs away. It helps victims of infestation to get some rest, knowing bed bugs will leave them alone at night.
Mint, Peppermint, And Spearmint Oil
Besides having the strong scent properties of essential oil, these mint oils also contain methol. It creates an overpowering smell that bed bugs can't stand. It won't kill them on contact, but will definitely keep them at bay. Spray it on your body or around furniture.
Neem Oil
Neem oil, when cold-pressed, has been found to be an effective way to kill bed bugs. Mixing it with way and spraying your surfaces can create a toxic environment for bed bugs. Spray surfaces and wipe them with a cloth. Do this a few times a day, lowering the bed bug population over time.
Blood Orange Oil
Blood orange oil is slowly climbing the ranks in the list of essential oils that are effective against bed bugs. Currently, tea tree oil and lavender oil have had their time in the spotlight as effective oils against bed bugs. Blood orange oil is being reported to be more effective that those two.
Lemongrass Oil
Lemongrass oil is a desired natural remedy for bed bugs because of its acidity content. The more acidity a bed bug is exposed to, the greater chance of disrupting a bed bug's nervous system, which is how insecticides work to kill them. Combine lemongrass oil with clove oil for an effective concoction.
Geranium Oil
Geranium oil and rose geranium oil have often been used as natural insect repellents. Whether they work on bed bugs is up to the individual bed bugs you're dealing with. If you don't have any better option, you can mix geranium oil with water and spray affected areas to try repelling bed bugs.
Oregano Oil
Oregano oil contains a chemical called carvacrol, which has been showing strong signs of getting rid of bed bugs. The only other oil that contains this chemical is Thyme oil. Both prove to be effective to repelling and killing bed bugs.
Thyme Oil
Thyme oil is the other oil that contains carvacrol. It is used as an insecticide, bactericide, fungicide, and virucide. When it does so much, it sounds like a harsh chemical, but it is all natural.
Almond Oil
Almond oil is considered a carrier oil, meaning it can help with the application of other oils. Though it may help with soothing bed bug bites, it is better used for mixing with more effective essential oils.
Household products
There are a number of household products that can be used to get rid of these pesky pests. If you're looking for a more long-term solution, consider invest in some bed bug traps. These devices emit a heat that attracts the bed bugs, and then trap them so they can't escape. With a little effort, you can get rid of your bed bug problem for good.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is another natural substance that can be used to kill bed bugs. It works by dehydrating the bugs and causing them to die. You can apply it directly to any areas where you've seen bed bugs or think they may be hiding.
See how baking soda is used for killing bed bugs
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a natural substance made from the fossilized remains of algae. It's very effective against bed bugs, as it works by puncturing their exoskeletons and causing them to dehydrate and die. You can apply it directly to any areas where you've seen bed bugs or think they may be hiding.
See how to use diatomaceous earth for bed bugs
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol can kill bed bugs on contact. Simply apply it to any areas where you've seen bed bugs or think they may be hiding. Be sure to use a high concentration of isopropyl alcohol, as other types will not be as effective.
Read how you can use rubbing alcohol for bed bugs
Castor Oil
Castor oil is a common ingredient in many bed bug repellents and killers. Alone, castor oil can't kill bed bugs but it can be combined with other effective methods and oil to create an even worse mixture for them to deal with. It can also be used to soothe bed bug bites.
Olive Oil
Using olive oil has mixed results for dealing with bed bugs. It's a common ingredient that everybody has access to and lots of people have tried it. It can help with repelling a very mild case of bed bugs, but will not work as an effective repellent or kill bed bugs.
Silicone Oil
Silicone, silicone oil, and petroleum jelly don't work to repel beg bugs but they can make their lives harder. Bed bugs exposed to silicone oil can get it stuck to their legs and their bodies. It can hinder their movement and help to dry out their bodies.
Baby Oil
Baby oil won't repel or kill bed bugs, but it can be used as an effective material for trapping bed bugs. People will place baby oil traps around the legs of their bed or other furniture, preventing bed bugs from climbing up at night to feed on their host.
Murphy Oil Soap
Murphy oil soap is for cleaning finished wood surfaces. Applying murphy oil soap to your furniture has been said to keep bed bugs off that furniture and even kill bed bugs that come in contact with it. It's said that most soaps can kill bed bugs, too.