There are many horror stories regarding bed bugs. Bed bugs live on the blood of animals and humans. They do not fly, but move swiftly on floors and tend to hide where cloth is near, such as mattresses, closets, sheets, and headboards. The small brown oval-shaped creatures are about the size of an orange seed, and females can lay over 100 eggs during their life. However, if you’ve got bed bugs, there’s no need to throw away your mattress or redo your wardrobe just yet. There are several natural remedies that are effective and can help keep bed bugs away for good.
Boric Acid
Although boric acid cannot be used on mattresses or box springs, it is very successful at killing bed bugs migrating throughout the house. Try sprinkling some around baseboards, and leave it out until the problem has been eradicated.
Neem Oil
Neem oil can be used on the skin as a repellent to bed bugs. It can also be used to spray the sheets. In India, the oil is considered “the village pharmacy,” and it serves as an effective repellent against mosquitoes and lice.
Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol mixed with water has been proven to kill bed bugs. Mix two parts water with one part alcohol and put into a spray bottle. Spray around the affected areas. Because alcohol dries immediately, it carries no ill effects.
Diatomaceous Earth
The great thing about diatomaceous earth is that it is a mineral, which means it will not break down and disappear naturally. Once you have laid it down, it is there to stay and will continue to kill any bed bugs that crawl across it for some time. Similar to boric acid, diatomaceous earth can be laid around the baseboards of your home as well as underneath and around the bed itself.
Steam Cleaning
Mattresses and carpets can be steam cleaned to help get rid of bed bugs. Home steam-cleaning units are available for purchase, or you can hire a professional cleaner to come to your home. Either way, the heat and humidity of steam can kill bed bugs and other parasites instantaneously.
Essential Oils
Essential oils with a repellent property, such as cinnamon, clove, peppermint, tea tree, and eucalyptus, can be used to repel or kill bed bugs. These oils will prevent bed bugs from attacking you. Essential oils treat existing bites and work as a disinfectant. Mix your repellent essential oil with a neutral carrier oil, such as almond or grapeseed, to make a sprayable bedbug repellent you can apply to yourself or your bedding.
Petroleum Jelly
To prevent bed bugs, some people apply petroleum jelly to the legs of the bed and other surfaces where bed bugs have been spotted. It’s unclear whether this tactic works due to bugs getting stuck in the jelly or being repelled by its scent, but either way, this technique has many vocal supporters.
These natural remedies are the best ways to rid yourself of bed bugs. Research has shown that these methods are the most effective to help you get rid of those pesky bed bugs forever. Using any of these natural remedies in combination with others will produce even better results. Good luck!
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[Source: EPA, Huffington Post, Natural Home Remedies, Web MD]
