What are bed bugs? How to get rid of bed bugs permanently? Bedbugs are small, ugly, and wingless parasitic insects that feed on blood. They feed on warm blood and usually prefer human blood to feed. Mainly two types of bed bugs feed on human blood and they are called Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus.
Bed bugs are found in human beds or sofas and due to this, they get called bed bugs. They hide in the dark area of the house. In the last 10-15 years, the bed bugs problem has increased rapidly and so does the number of pest Control companies. It is very expensive and problematic but there are natural home remedies that can help you to get rid of bed bugs naturally.
A bed bug can grow up to 0.25 inches long and they have an oval-like shape normally. Newly born bed bugs are known as nymphs or hatchlings and are very tiny but visible. An adult bed bug can grow double in size after feeding.
Normally bed bugs bite at night and they prefer your face, hands, neck, and shoulder. Their bite is painless so most of the time we take their bite as common rashes. The common sign of bed bug bites is a small bump on the skin, itching, redness, swelling etc.
Most of the time no treatment is required to cure bed bugs bite but if itching is severe then consult with your doctor. Sometimes it may cause you some kind of allergy and damage your skin. You can also use home remedies to get rid of bugs bite.
Contents
How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs? – Symptoms Of Bed Bug Bite
- Itching
- Bump on Skin
- Redness of skin
- Sometime swelling
- Blisters
What Attracts Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are normally found in mattresses, beds, furniture, carpets, sofa etc. They are very small in size and can be transported easily through luggage which means they can be anywhere humans go. Apart from this bed bugs are attracted to:-
- Human breath – Bed bugs are attracted to carbon dioxide and when we breathe we exhale carbon dioxide.
- Warm temperature
- Bedsheet
- Human Blood type
10 Effective Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs
Bed bugs normally don’t cause any kind of skin infection or pain. But they feed on human blood and skin rashes, swelling and itching. Before you go to any pest control, you can use home remedies to kill bed bugs naturally without using any kind of chemical.
1. Vacuum Cleaner
One of the easiest methods to catch bed bugs is vacuum cleaning. It is available in every household and can work effectively to suck up bed bugs.
When you are removing bed bugs make sure you remove their eggs too, so use a good company vacuum cleaner. Cleaning every corner and inch of your bed and furniture removes this creepy pest.
2. Hot Steam
Hot steam is the most effective home remedy to kill bed bugs and their eggs. This method can be used to remove bugs from every small crack in the house and furniture.
According to scientists, bed bugs cannot live in temperatures above 140°F (60°C). So this is your perfect chance to kill bed bugs without using any chemicals.
- Use a steamer on every portion of your to completely kill bed bugs.
- If your bed sheet and sofa get too wet then switch on the fan to dry them out.
- Repeat this procedure 3-4 times a week to get rid of bed bugs.
- Make sure that every bed bug comes in contact with steam otherwise, they will survive.
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3. Baking Soda
Baking soda sucks the moisture from bed bugs and kills them. It also has antibacterial properties that help to kill bed bugs. Spread the baking soda where ever you think they might be infested.
Leave the baking soda layer for a week and then remove it with the help of a vacuum cleaner. Repeat this remedy until you get rid of bed bugs. s
4. Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth good remedy to remove bed bugs from the house. It is also used to get rid of cricket and other pests. It is a chemical-free remedy derived from fossil remains.
Diatomaceous earth also works like baking soda, this remedy absorbs the moisture from bed bugs and kills them by dehydrating, Spread the layer of diatomaceous earth around the infested area and wait for 7 to 10 days.
When you see dead bed bugs then remove them with the help of a vacuum cleaner. Use pure diatomaceous earth to kill bed bugs. Make sure you use a mask while using this remedy.
A tiny part of this remedy can affect the lungs. Repeat this remedy after 10 days to get rid of bugs completely.
5. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil work as a good cockroach repellent and it has the same effect on bed bugs. This oil makes bed bugs run away from your house in no time. Lavender oil’s smell and taste both helps to get rid of bed bugs.
You can keep dried lavender around the infested area or apply lavender oil on the sides of your furniture. Repeat this remedy until you get rid of bed bugs permanently.
6. Isopropyl Alcohol
Normally alcohol is used as an antiseptic to clean wounds or bed bugs bitten areas of the body. But it can also help you to kill bed bugs and prevent you from bed bugs biting.
Alcohol has a dehydrating effect on bed bugs and their eggs which kills them instantly. Put 70-90% isopropyl alcohol solution in a spray bottle and spray the infested area. Repeat this remedy whenever you see bed bugs in your house.
7. Turmeric Powder
Turmeric is one of the most effective bed bugs repellent present in your kitchen. It has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. It also contains curcumin which drains the oxygen in mattresses and kills bed bugs.
- Take one small bowl of turmeric powder and spread it around the infested area of your house.
- Let it be there for one day then clean it with a vacuum cleaner.
Read Also:Â How to Get Rid of Mosquito Bites
8. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil smell has an allergic effect on bed bugs and kills them. This oil is easily available in the market and is widely used as a pest repellent. It is also used to get rid of crickets, cockroaches etc.
Apply the peppermint oil around the infected area. You can also mix peppermint oil with water and spray the solution to kill bugs.
9. Use Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is a very effective home remedy to kill bed bugs. The mixer of cayenne pepper and ginger produces a very strong smell and kills bed bugs.
- Take a teaspoon of cayenne pepper, ginger, and oregano essential oil each, and mix in one cup of water.
- Boil this water for 5-7 minutes in a pan.
- Now, strain the mixture and pour into a spray bottle and spray it on the infected area to kill bed bugs.
10. Black Walnut Tea
Another home remedy that works as a great bug repellent. It has antifungal, antibacterial, and repellent properties. Use tea bags to kill bed bugs.
Place the black walnut tea bags where ever you see any bed bugs. Place tea bags in all corners, mattresses, beds, sofas, etc to kill bed bugs.
How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs? – 4 Preventive Measures
- Clean your furniture, bed, and mattress regularly to avoid bed bug infestation.
- Whenever you travel and come back home, clean your begs properly.
- Use a hot dryer to clean your sofa and furniture.
- Use natural home remedies to prevent bed bugs.
Conclusion
Bed bug infestation is not a big problem but it might cause you disturbance in sleep, itching, rashes etc. The bite of a bed bug is not painful and mostly doesn’t cause any kind of allergy. They are normally found in your bed, mattress, sofa and other furniture. There are many chemicals available to kill bed bugs but they are not safe for your health. Use natural home remedies to get rid be bugs quickly.
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