How to get rid of bed bugs naturally

The last thing you want to think about while you are lying in bed at night is bed bugs. In recent years, there has been a rise in bed bug populations in urban areas, which has sparked an interest in how to get rid of an infestation with natural remedies. It may be feasible to get rid of bed bugs using natural remedies, depending on the stage of the infection. Nevertheless, if the infestation is too widespread, natural remedies may not be efficient. There are some chemical products available that can help eliminate bed bugs, but this may involve exposing yourself to chemicals that may provoke adverse health reactions. If all else fails, you can still hire a local pest control company to take care of the infestation, but they will likely be using powerful (and highly toxic) chemicals.

We’ll go through some of our best natural remedies and strategies for getting rid of bed bugs in this article.

What are bed bugs?

Bed bugs are parasitic insects that feed on the blood of sleeping people and animals. They are tiny, flat, red-brown insects. These unappealing insects range from 1mm to 7mm in length. Regardless of the fact that they need blood to survive, they may go months without feeding. Bedbugs are not known to transmit illness, but they can pose various public health and economic problems since infestations sometimes involve entire buildings.

Since a healthy female bed bug may produce up to 500 eggs in her lifespan, a major infestation can develop in a matter of weeks.

Bedbugs, which are about the size of an apple seed, hide in the cracks and crevices of beds, box springs, headboards, bed frames, and any other furniture in the vicinity of a bed. You are more likely to encounter bed bugs if you spend time in places with a high turnover of nightly guests, such as hotels, hospitals, or homeless shelters.

How do bed bugs get into your house?

Many people assume that bed bugs are drawn to filthy environments. This is a common fallacy. This is why many people feel that staying in a low-cost hotel guarantees bed insect infestation. Bed bugs are attracted to people and congregate in areas where there are places to hide like beds, carpets, and closets. A bed bug infestation can occur regardless of the quality and cost of the accommodation.

With tiny, saw-like mouthparts, bed bugs pierce your skin to feast on your blood. They also use saliva that anesthetics and anti-clotting compounds to numb the region and lessen discomfort while sucking the blood out.

Bedbugs are a resilient species. They can survive for a year without eating, and they’re experts at climbing into people’s belongings and holding on for dear life until they locate lovely, warm beds, clothing, or furniture to nest in.

Unlike mosquitoes and ticks, which also feed on blood, bed bugs are unable to fly. They must instead withdraw to a safe distance from their food supply and wait for a meal to become available.

Bed bugs, as a result, are extremely versatile. They can live everywhere from the cushions of a couch to the carpet of a library as long as they have access to blood meals from human hosts.

Signs and symptoms of a bed bug infestation

The major signs of Infestation are blood spots on your bedding or pillows. Dark or rusty patches on sheets, beds, bedclothes, and walls are signs of a bedbug infestation. In places where bed bugs nest, they typically hide eggshells and shed skin. The glands of bed bugs emit a foul, musty odor.

Bedbug bites can be difficult to tell apart from other insect bites or rashes. The bites typically have the following characteristics:

  • Itchiness
  • Red patches, with a darker red mark in the center.
  • Arranged in a strewn line or a clump.
  • Bites may occur in the face, neck, arms, and hands.

Home remedies for bed bugs

You can develop a bed bug infestation regardless of how clean your house is. This is because bed bugs are attracted to human sweat, blood, and carbon dioxide that humans and animals create, so they may stay in your home indefinitely.

Laundering your bed linens frequently may help to reduce their numbers, but applying the natural home cures listed below can completely eliminate them. When I had a bed bug infestation after buying an old mattress in college, I tried every single one of these solutions and more, therefore I’m sharing all of the strategies that worked for me as well as some that did not.

Bed bug prevention products

  • Encasements

Bed bug encasements work by enclosing mattresses to keep bed bugs out, whereas bed leg guards discourage pests on the floor from getting onto beds. Without a skilled whole-house treatment, either solution may just push the insects into other regions of the house. The SureGurad mattress encasement is an excellent representation of a mattress barrier. The Sure Guard zippered mattress encasement is made of cotton and is completely waterproof. It is available in a variety of sizes ranging from twin to king (Amazon.com: LINENSPA waterproof bed bug proof encasement ..).

  • diatomaceous earth

The secure brand Diatomaceous Earth is a non-staining, powder-like substance that is poisonous to crawling insects. This flexible and dual-action solution, made with diatomaceous earth, swiftly kills a wide range of insects through contact and ingestion (Amazon.com : Safer 51703 diatomaceous Earth-bed bug flea …).

Herbal remedies for bed bugs

Even if you’re searching for a natural bed insect repellent or previously-mentioned store-bought items, it is crucial to know the effectiveness of each technique.

  • Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is more useful as a home cleanser than as a bug repellent. Regardless of how much of this essential oil you apply to a bed bug’s preferred spots (think fabrics or textiles), it won’t do anything to ditch them.

· Fresh Thyme

Hanging fresh thyme around the house is a way to deter bed bugs from nesting in susceptible areas. Some people have reported some success with this method, but there is not enough proof that it is effective. It is unlikely that this aromatic plant will help you get rid of bed bugs. It does, however, provide a pleasant aroma when hung in the open air around the house.

FAQ

– Is it true that bed bugs may spread disease? What are the signs and symptoms of their bites?

No. Despite the fact that bed bugs carry multiple human diseases, no cases of bed bugs transmitting sickness have ever been documented. The medical concerns produced by bed bug bites are usually limited to itching and irritation.

– What shall I do if I suspect I have bed bugs?

Hiring an entomology or pest control specialist and having them identify a sample gathered from your house is the most reliable approach to confirm that you have a bed bug infestation.

– Is it true that bed bugs only live in beds?

Bed Bugs aren’t simply found in mattresses. They may be found in chair cushions, couches, electrical outlets, baseboard cracks and crevices, and even behind picture frames. In other words, they may exist in almost any location in your dwelling.

– What is the best way to get rid of bedbugs?

Any effective bed bug treatment strategy should start with a visual inspection of all possible bed bug nesting areas like mattresses, closets, sofas and chairs. If you see signs of a bed bug infestation such as a live or dead bed bug or dark spots on your furniture, try some of the natural remedies mentioned in this article .

Hiring a pest control firm should be your last resort if you’re willing to try natural & non-toxic remedies.

Depending on the amount of the infestation, the pest control specialist will establish a treatment and control strategy with the customer as soon as they are identified.

– What can you do to avoid being infested by bedbugs?

Examine your home environment in order to avoid bedbug infestations. Check your bags and clothing for bed bug feces or live bed bugs when you return from a trip.

– Why have bed bugs cropped up?

Over the last decade, there has been an increase in bed bug activity around the world. Because of the increased prevalence of bed bugs around the world, encounters with bed bugs while traveling has increased.

Conclusion

Bed bugs are irritating, but there are a few ways to get rid of them. It is advisable to take one or more preventative strategies to reduce your risk of exposure. If you already have an infestation, try a few home remedies first. And, if you don’t succeed you can always hire a professional insect control service in your home.

References 

-Amazon.com : Safer 51703 diatomaceous Earth-bed bug flea … https://www.amazon.com/Safer-51703-Diatomaceous-Earth-Bed-Crawling/dp/B01D60GAW2

– Amazon.com: LINENSPA waterproof bed bug proof encasement … https://www.amazon.com/Encasement-Waterproof-Hypoallergenic-Breathable-Protector/dp/B00Z06F2OI