How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs For Good

I’ve have seen the distress of dealing with bed bugs and know many people have shared this struggle. These tiny pests turn our sanctuaries into nightmares, slipping into the seams of mattresses to emerge under the cover of darkness. Their bites disrupt sleep and lead to itchy rashes. The battle against these invaders often involves heavy chemicals that linger in our most intimate spaces- solutions as unwelcome as the pests themselves. Recognizing this, I advocate for natural eradication methods as a first line of defense. These remedies not only bring less harm to our environment but also safeguard our homes from toxic substances.

Fortunately, multiple natural solutions boast proven success against bed bugs, aligning efficacy with ecological sensitivity. Armed with the right knowledge and natural substances, we can reclaim our peace without collateral damage to our health or environment.

Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation

It is so important to recognize the early warnings of bed bug encroachment. These unwelcome guests might be tiny, but their signs aren’t invisible to an observant eye.

For starters, you may notice small rust-colored or reddish stains on bedsheets or mattresses. These marks often come from crushed bed bugs. You also want to look for tiny dark spots, bed bug excrement, which can bleed on the fabric like a felt-tip marker. Eggs and eggshells, which are about 1mm, and pale yellow skins that nymphs shed as they grow, also reveal an infestation. Also, actual bed bugs could be lurking around; adult bed bugs have flat, brownish bodies about the size of an apple seed.

Another thing you might experience is an unpleasant, musty odor from the bugs’ scent glands. Keep in mind, this scent can become more pronounced with larger infestations. Finally, no one can ignore the uncomfortable, itchy welts on their skin. Spotting these symptoms early means we can start applying natural solutions right away to reclaim peace and comfort in our homes.

Tools of the Trade: Vacuum and Steam

A combination of vacuuming and steam cleaning can be a mighty duo in the fight against bed bugs. Remedied right at home, this strategy requires no harmful chemicals, keeping the process eco-friendly. A vacuum cleaner doesn’t discriminate – it eagerly sucks up adults, nymphs, and even the tiny eggs. For this to work, use a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to ensure even the smallest of bed bug parts are captured. Concentrate on seams of mattresses, cracks in the bed frame, and any nooks where they might hide. I strongly suggest a vacuum that uses BAGS! A bagless vacuum is just asking for trouble as there is no way to ensure the bed bugs didn’t leave their eggs behind to hatch in your vacuum. This inexpensive HEPA vacuum is a great choice.

But the task isn’t over with vacuuming alone. Steam cleaning steps in as a fierce counterpart, delivering intense heat that bed bugs simply can’t withstand. The steam penetrates into fabrics and the tiniest of cracks, exterminating these pests on contact. With a steam cleaner,  meticulously go over the same areas you have previously vacuumed, maintaining a slow and steady pace to let the heat work its magic. The one-two punch of vacuum and steam proves itself as an efficient, albeit thorough, natural eradication method. The Dupray steam cleaner is the only steamer I recommend.

The Power of Heat: Hot Water Treatment

The hot water treatment is a reliable ally in the battle against bed bugs. These pests are highly susceptible to temperatures above 120°F (49°C), a threshold hot water can easily surpass. By laundering your bedding, curtains, and clothing in hot water, you’re essentially delivering a lethal blow to any bed bugs and their eggs hiding within the fabrics.

For effective results, I recommend washing infested items for at least 30 minutes. Post-wash, transferring them to a hot dryer for a full cycle amplifies the heat’s impact, ensuring no bugs survive. It’s best to utilize this method as soon as you notice signs of an infestation, such as bites on your skin or small blood stains on sheets.

Remember, while hot water treatment works well for items that can be laundered, it’s alone with not take care of a bed bug infestation.

The Desiccation Method: Diatomaceous Earth

I want to share how diatomaceous earth can act as a dehydrating agent for bed bugs, a practical and chemical-free solution. Diatomaceous earth works by damaging the exoskeleton of bed bugs upon contact, leading to dehydration and death. For effective use, first thoroughly clean the areas where bed bugs are present to remove any debris or dust that might protect them.

Next, put on gloves and a mask to prevent inhaling the fine powder and carefully apply a light dusting of food-grade diatomaceous earth to bed bug hotspots. Common areas include mattress seams, box springs, and baseboards. Make sure to reach into cracks and crevices, as these are favorite hiding places for these pests. Since the powder is light and can disperse easily, it’s important to avoid heavy application, which might cause bed bugs to simply skirt around the piles.

Once the diatomaceous earth is applied, leave it in place for several days or even a week to give it time to work. Vacuuming the treated areas afterward is essential to remove any dead bugs, eggs, and residual powder. It’s critical to repeat this process regularly to tackle any new bed bugs that may have hatched since the initial application. Remember, patience and consistency are key, as diatomaceous earth does not kill bed bugs instantly but is a powerful ally over time.

Lastly, while food-grade diatomaceous earth is a safer option around pets and children compared to chemical pesticides, take care to keep application areas out of reach and clean thoroughly after treatment to maintain a safe environment. Continuous monitoring and reapplication as needed will help create a bed bug-free zone without introducing harmful toxins into your home.

The Baking Soda Technique

Baking soda can become a dehydrating agent to tackle those pesky bed bugs if diatomaceous earth is not an option. You can try spreading a thin layer of baking soda across the areas you suspect bed bugs frequent, such as your mattress, box spring, and surrounding floor. The fine powder sticks to the bodies of the bed bugs, absorbing the moisture from their waxy outer layer. Without this moisture, the bed bugs cannot survive for long.

Nature’s Insecticide: Black Walnut Tea

Black walnut tea possesses strong insecticidal qualities. The antibacterial, antifungal, and insect-repellent properties of this natural concoction stem from a compound called juglone, which is toxic to many insect pests, including those pesky bed bugs.

Utilizing black walnut tea as a natural pesticide is a simple process. First, brew the tea as usual and then place the used tea bags strategically in areas prone to bed bug activity. The furniture seams, baseboards, and any cracks or crevices in my home become targeted spots. Over time, the lingering scent and properties of the tea bags work to repel and kill the bed bugs.

Moreover, for a more potent effect, dry the loose tea leaves and then sprinkle them across the suspected hideouts of these insects. The dry leaves not only maintain the insect-repelling qualities of black walnut tea but also create a barrier that deters bed bugs from crossing and nesting in treated areas. You can also purchase loose black walnut tea leaves.

Reapplication is key; repeat the process weekly to ensure a persistent shield against any new intruders. Always remember to don gloves when handling the tea leaves, as juglone can irritate the skin. If you have pets in the home, especially cats, I would not suggest black walnut tea.

Essential Oil Arsenal Against Bed Bugs

Certain essential oils pack a potent punch against bed bugs, making them formidable allies in our quest for a peaceful, bug-free home. Cayenne pepper oil, with its intense spiciness, can unsettle these unwelcome guests, encouraging them to leave their covert hideouts. Tea tree oil shines in this battle as well, offering its robust antibacterial and insect-repelling properties. Lavender oil, of course, isn’t just for our relaxation; its gentle floral scent is a nightmare for bed bugs, disrupting their activities. Lastly, peppermint oil delivers a crisp, invigorating aroma that bed bugs simply can’t withstand, driving them away with each spritz.

The use of these oils is not just about unleashing a pleasant scent; it’s a strategic move in naturally discouraging bed bug encounters. Bed bugs detest the strong fragrances of these oils, and when they’re applied judiciously, they act as a barrier, keeping these pests at bay. By incorporating these scents into our cleaning routine, we not only freshen up our living spaces but also lay down a line of defense that bed bugs are loath to cross.

Again – be cautious with essential oils when you have pets in the home, especially cats. Essential oils can be very dangerous to them so please do further research before using.

The Essential Oil Application Process

1. Gather Your Supplies: Before you start, ensure you have the essential oils you need such as tea tree, lavender, cayenne pepper, or peppermint, a clean spray bottle, water, and a small funnel.
2. Create Your Blend: Take the essential oils and add about 10-20 drops of each to your spray bottle, depending on the size of the bottle and the intensity of fragrance you prefer. I prefer to use a glass spray bottle.
3. Dilute with Water: Use the funnel to fill the rest of your spray bottle with water; this dilutes the oils enough to be safe for use but still effective against bed bugs.
4. Mix Thoroughly: Secure the bottle with the lid and shake well to combine the oils with water, ensuring the mixture is evenly distributed.
5. Test the Mixture: Spray a small area first to ensure it doesn’t damage or stain your fabrics or surfaces.
6. Apply to Target Areas: Spray the mixture onto any areas where you suspect bed bugs are living or have been seen, like the mattress, bed frames, furniture, and crevices.
7. Repeat Regularly: For best results, apply the essential oil solution every few days to maintain its effectiveness and deter any new bed bugs from settling in.
8. Maintain Safety: Keep your room well-ventilated during and after application and avoid direct contact of the spray with your skin or eyes.

Alternatives to Consider: Additional Natural Solutions

• Silica Gel: Scatter silica gel packets, the same type found in shoe boxes and electronic packaging, around affected areas. The gel will absorb the moisture from the bed bugs’ bodies, causing them to dehydrate and die. If you have pets, do not use these in areas they can access. Buy silica gel packs here.
• Beauveria Bassiana: This naturally occurring fungus acts as a parasite to insects including bed bugs. Applied as a spore, it infects and ultimately kills them, serving as a biological pesticide. This is tricky to source but I would start at a hydroponics store.
• Double-sided Tape: Wrap double-sided tape around the legs of your bedframe to trap bed bugs attempting to climb up. Check and replace the tape regularly to ensure its effectiveness.
• Herbal Sachets: Create sachets filled with strong-scented herbs like thyme, eucalyptus, and clove, which are believed to deter bed bugs. Place them in drawers, closets, and under mattresses to repel these pests.
• Mint Leaves: Crush mint leaves and sprinkle them around your sleeping area. The strong scent is said to be a natural bed bug repellent.
• Neem Oil: Extracted from the neem tree, this oil has various medicinal properties and also acts as an insecticide. Spray the oil in and around your bed to keep bed bugs at bay. I love the neem oil.
• Cinnamon: A sprinkle of cinnamon powder might keep the bed bugs from bugging you. Its strong scent is thought to be an effective natural deterrent.

One Last Gasp

If you have tried everything and bed bugs still persist, it may be time to bring in a professional who can perform a heat treatment.

Heat treatment involves raising the temperature in your home to the point it will kill bed bugs. A pest control specialist will place specialized heaters throughout your home, gradually raising the temperature to over 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Strategically placed fans circulate the hot air, effectively turning your bed bug infested rooms into a convection oven.

A bed bug will die within an hour or two if it’s exposed to temperatures in the 110 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit range. They’ll die instantly once the heat increases beyond that.

It is important to note that a heat treatment will NOT stop bed bugs from returning. So if you live in a community setting like an apartment where there are bed bugs in neighboring units, you need to continue using the above mentioned methods to prevent a new infestation.

Embracing a Bed Bug Free Future

We have delved into a range of natural solutions to confront and defeat bed bug infestations. Each method, from the high-temperature washes to the application of diatomaceous earth, offers a potent means to eradicate these pests. Using black walnut tea and baking soda effectively dry out and repel these unwelcome guests. Even our homes can transform into fortresses against bed bugs with the strategic use of essential oils like lavender, peppermint, tea tree, and cayenne pepper.

I’m confident that you now possess the knowledge and tools necessary to combat bed bugs naturally. With patience and persistence, these eco-friendly techniques can help maintain a clean and insect-free environment. Remember, opting for natural remedies not only keeps your sleeping quarters safe but also protects the well-being of our planet. So, stand firm against the scourge of bed bugs, and reclaim the peace and comfort of your home without relying on harsh chemicals.