Essential Oils for Bed Bugs

Published by Jessica Categorie(s): Uncategorized Tags: bed bug bites, bed bugs, prevent, repel No Comments

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I don’t want to think about these small crawling things either, but sometimes it takes talking about and prepping for them that makes all the difference in keeping bed bugs away from you and your loved ones.

Bed bugs are parasitic insects that feed exclusively on blood, particularly human blood. They live in headboards, mattresses, cushions, furniture and dark colored clothes. Their bite leaves reddish, painful and itchy blisters on the skin.

They usually come out when it’s dark and are extremely fast. You seldom get to see them on the mattress for the first few hours or days. To make things worse, they can survive without food for a year!

Ok, thats enough unpleasantness right? Let’s get on with how to keep them away.

How an infestation starts

They take only a few days to breed and multiply to invade your home. Most commonly these creatyres travel from one place to another and infest your home by managing to hide in your travel bags, suitcases, curtains, gym bags, backpacks or new unfamiliar items brought into your household.

Being hardy insects, unfortunately not all pest control sprays have an effect on them. I’ve heard of someone in the city calling the exterminator 3 times to the same apartment, and still not being able to get rid of them.

The better solution

A better alternative is using essential oils to eliminate bed bugs. These pure essential oils can be added to a spray or atomizer of distilled water and sprayed around your sleeping area.

They are especially useful to spray the inside of your luggage, bags and anything that gets exposed while traveling. This helps prevent carrying the insects back home after your trip.

Pro tip: It’s even better if you spray the oil inside your luggage before you pack your belongings.

How to prevent bed bugs from infesting your bed

High temperatures

Bedbugs can’t tolerate any temperature rise. Dry steaming your bed, couch, curtains, pillows, etc makes an effective strategy of removing bed bugs.

Wash travel gear sand upholstery that may be infested with hot water

Washing your travel bags, upholstery, pillows and pillow covers in hot water after a trip kills all types of germs and pests in your bedding.

Vacuum cleaning

Vacuum cleaners not only clean your rug and mattress but also suck in these little professional hiders.

Sunshine

Bed bugs feel uncomfortable in sunlight. So let in as much sunlight and airflow in as possible to make the room warm enough for them to leave. The heat also dries any moisture on the bedding, which they’re attracted to.

Essential oils

Use essential oils correctly to naturally and safely remove bed bugs. Unlike pesticides, essential oils offer the benefit of not being harmful to your health.

Essential oils for bed bugs

If you’re looking for the right oils to effectively kill and repel bed bugs, here they are:

Lavender

Bed bugs hate the strong lavender oil smell that we humans love. If you’ve already been bitten, lavender’s soothing, calming nature also makes it one of the best essential oils for bed bug bites.

Uses: Spraying a few drops around your bed will make bugs uncomfortable enough to leave your space and let you sleep peacefully with its aroma.

Get the best price on lavender oil here!

Tea tree oil

The strong disinfecting smell of tea tree oil helps deter the bugs while it’s antibacterial and antimicrobial properties kill both them and their eggs.

How to use: Mix a few drops of the oil with some lukewarm water and sprinkle over your linen, rugs, carpets, and couch.

You will find bed bugs running away within minutes of spraying the oil because of its smell. You can also add a few drops to your laundry to keep it smelling fresh and prevent infections and infestations.

Get the best price on tea tree oil here!

Lemongrass

Bed bugs cannot tolerate the strong, but pleasant smell of lemongrass. It not only repels the bugs but also kills bugs and prevents eggs from hatching. Be careful when using with kids around because this citrus oil may be too harsh to use directly on sensitive skin.

Get the best price on lemongrass oil here!

Clove

The pungent clove oil smell deters these pesky bugs while its eugenol compound is toxic to bugs and kills them.

Uses: Splash the oil in possible hiding places for bed bugs to prevent its breeding and multiplication.

Get the best price on clove oil here!

Neem essential oil

Neem is such an effective pesticide that mosquitoes and insects even avoid going near its tree! Though neem oil may not have a pleasant aroma, this is the best essential oil for killing bed bugs.

Reminder: It is recommended to diluted with a carrier oil or water if you want to use on the skin.

Get the best price on neem oil here!