Bed bugs are a nuisance in most households. Generally ½ inch in size, these bugs stay in dark places, including beddings or wall peelings and feed on human blood. The bite marks are mostly itchy and can leave a visible swelling that goes away with time.
Though one of the best solutions for killing bed bugs is to call a professional exterminator, a good alternative is to check and resort to simple home remedies to kill bed bugs. These natural methods are very effective but in case the problem still persist then professional assistance might be required.
Effective Home Remedies To Kill Bed Bugs
Common in hospital beds and shelters, bed bugs are a worrying factor if it transmits to your house bedding. Here are a few of the best home solutions for killing bed bugs and eliminating the problem permanently.
Diatomaceous Earth
An organic pest control used in gardens, the non-toxic powder is very effective in killing bed bugs. For best results, just sprinkle the powder onto the mattress or area which is bug infested but refrain from breathing directly into the powder.
The powder is known to dehydrate the bugs effectively and immediately but it is not effective in eliminating bug eggs. Though it is effective in killing the bugs that hatch out of those eggs.
Essential Oils
If your house is bug infested, then one can certainly use a few essential oils to repel them. A few of the best essential oils that can be used are cinnamon, clove, peppermint, thyme, and eucalyptus.
Known for their anecdotal effects, these oils are very effective in killing bugs once they are sprayed across the furniture or bedding that is infested with such blood-sucking bed bugs.
Steam
Bed bugs can also be killed through exposure to heat. Hence, steam the mattress to kill the bugs and also to destroy the unhatched eggs. Make sure that the bug-infested beds are exposed to 120 degree Fahrenheit. After the steamer is used, dust and spray the products immediately.
Baby Powder
One can also sprinkle baby powder into the holes and the walls that are bug infested. For best results, use a baby powder that has talc as these suffocate the bugs and eliminate the bug problem.
Vacuum
To prevent bugs from growing in numbers, one can vacuum the home properly on a weekly basis. Vacuum every region of the house, such as curtains, beddings, and mattresses to ensure bugs do not survive. Also, for best results once can expose the vacuumed mattress in the sun for hours. The heat of the sun is known to kill the bugs.
Lavender Oil
Used in aromatherapy, lavender oil can be used to kill bed bugs effectively. For best results, one can apply the oil onto the mattress or clothing that is infested with the bugs. Do so after separating the clothes so that the bugs are not transferred to non-infested clothes.
Scrub
To prevent further bug infestation, one can clean and scrub the surfaces of the furniture with detergent and water. Also, make sure that the brush has strong bristles and this can kill the eggs immediately.
Caution: Please use Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.