How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Dealing with bed bugs can be frustrating, and many homeowners turn to DIY methods as a quick, cost-effective way to get rid of bed bugs. Common remedies include using essential oils, diatomaceous earth, and heat treatments like washing bedding in hot water. These solutions can help reduce the number of bed bugs you see and offer some relief in minor infestations. They’re easy to apply and can effectively kill bed bugs on contact or disrupt their breeding cycles. DIY methods may work in the short term, but they’re not a complete solution for severe infestations. Bed bugs hide deep in cracks, furniture, and walls, making it difficult for home remedies to reach them all. If not fully eliminated, they can reproduce and spread quickly. For long-term results and to fully eradicate the infestation, it’s best to seek help from professional pest control services. Professionals have the expertise and tools to treat the entire infestation, ensuring your home remains bed bug-free. Now, let’s look at some steps to get rid of bed bugs.

Steps To Get Rid of Bed Bugs at Home

Here are the steps you should take before using DIY Bed Bug removal methods: 1. Identify Bed Bugs Before treating the infestation, you must confirm that the pests you’re dealing with are bed bugs. Bed bugs are small, flat, reddish-brown insects about the size of an apple seed. Look for signs like bloodstains or dark spots on mattresses, bed frames, and bedding, which indicate their presence. Accurate identification is crucial because it helps you focus on effective treatment methods and prevents wasting time on solutions for other pests like fleas or ticks. Next, let’s learn how to stop bed bugs from spreading. 2. Stop the Spread Once you’ve identified bed bugs, your first step is containment. Bed bugs are great hitchhikers, so preventing their spread is critical. Start by sealing any cracks and crevices with silicone caulk, which eliminates potential hiding places. Place infested items such as clothing and bedding in sealed plastic bags to treat them later. Vacuum all infested areas frequently, including carpets, furniture, and bed frames. Always dispose of the vacuum bag in an outdoor trash bin to avoid reintroducing bed bugs into your home. Additionally, use protective mattress encasements to trap bed bugs, preventing bites and slowly starving them. Now that we have handled the bed bug infestation, let’s look at some DIY natural methods for bed bug treatment.

DIY Bed Bug Removal Methods & How to Use

Here are the top 10 DIY Bed Bug removal methods you can use to get rid of ants in your home:

Tea Tree Oil Spray

Tea tree oil is a natural insecticide that works by suffocating bed bugs and disrupting their cell membranes, killing them on contact. Its strong smell also acts as a repellent. Ingredients:

• 20 drops of tea tree oil (100% pure)
• 1 cup of water
• A spray bottle

Instructions:

• Fill a clean spray bottle with 1 cup of water.
• Add 20 drops of tea tree oil to the water.
• Shake the bottle well to ensure the oil is thoroughly mixed with the water.
• Spray the mixture directly on bed bugs, around the edges of the mattress, on furniture, and in any cracks or crevices where bed bugs might hide.
• Repeat the treatment daily until you no longer see signs of bed bugs.

This DIY bed bug removal method works best in small, confined infestations or when you can directly spray the bugs. In case of severe infestation, you should consider contacting a professional pest control service to get rid of bed bugs.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

Diatomaceous earth is a natural powder that kills bed bugs by dehydrating them. The fine particles damage their exoskeletons, causing them to dry out and die. Ingredients:

• Food-grade diatomaceous earth
• A dust applicator (optional)
• A vacuum cleaner

Instructions:

• Clean and declutter the room where the infestation is present to expose more surfaces.
• Lightly sprinkle diatomaceous earth in areas where bed bugs hide, such as under the mattress, along baseboards, in cracks, and under furniture.
• Use a dust applicator to spread the DE more evenly, or use a gloved hand to spread it manually.
• Leave the DE in place for several days to a week to allow it to work.
• Vacuum up the DE after a few days and dispose of the vacuum bag outside immediately.
• Reapply if bed bugs are still present.

Best Use: Ideal for bed bug management and prevention. It can be left in place for extended periods. Works only when dry.

Lavender & Peppermint Oil Spray

Lavender oil is a known insecticide that kills bed bugs on contact, while peppermint oil repels them due to its strong scent. Ingredients:

• 10 drops of lavender oil
• 10 drops of peppermint oil
• 1 cup of water
• A spray bottle

Instructions:

• Add 10 drops each of lavender oil and peppermint oil to a spray bottle filled with 1 cup of water.
• Shake the bottle well to combine the oils and water.
• Spray the mixture around bed frames, on mattresses, and along baseboards.
• Apply daily or as needed, focusing on areas where bed bugs hide.

Best Use: Use this spray as both a repellent and to kill bed bugs on contact. Ideal for continuous daily treatment. Avoid this DIY method to remove bed bugs if you or someone in your home has allergies. You should consider contacting a pest control company to get rid of severe bed bug infestation and treatment.

Vinegar Spray

Vinegar is highly acidic and can kill bed bugs by damaging their nervous systems upon contact. It is an inexpensive and accessible solution. Ingredients:

• White distilled vinegar
• A spray bottle

Instructions:

• Pour undiluted white vinegar into a clean spray bottle.
• Thoroughly spray bed bugs wherever you find them, especially in cracks, crevices, and under furniture.
• Focus on areas where you suspect bed bugs are hiding, such as mattress seams, behind headboards, and under cushions.
• Reapply daily until the infestation is controlled.

Best Use: Vinegar is most effective when sprayed directly on bed bugs. Use this DIY bed bug removal method as part of a broader treatment plan.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a natural desiccant that dehydrates bed bugs by absorbing moisture from their bodies. Ingredients:

• Baking soda
• A vacuum cleaner

Instructions:

• Sprinkle a light layer of baking soda over areas where you’ve seen bed bugs, such as the mattress, under furniture, and along baseboards.
• Allow the baking soda to sit for several days.
• Vacuum up the baking soda and immediately dispose of the vacuum bag outside.
• Repeat the process every few days if needed.

Best Use: Baking soda is best used as a supplement to dehydrate bed bugs over time.

Clove Oil Spray

Clove oil contains eugenol, a compound that is toxic to bed bugs. Its pungent smell also helps repel them. Ingredients:

• 10-15 drops of clove oil
• 1 cup of water
• A spray bottle

Instructions:

• Add 10-15 drops of clove oil to a spray bottle filled with 1 cup of water.
• Shake well to combine.
• Spray the solution on bed bugs and in any areas they frequent, including the mattress, headboard, and cracks in walls or floors.
• Repeat the treatment as needed, typically once or twice a day.

Best Use: Clove oil is useful for direct application on bed bugs and as a repellent to keep them away from your sleeping areas.

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol destroys the outer shell of bed bugs, causing them to dry out and die. It also kills bed bug eggs. Ingredients:

• 91% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
• A spray bottle

Instructions:

• Fill a spray bottle with 91% rubbing alcohol.
• Spray directly on visible bed bugs and in cracks and crevices where they may be hiding.
• Allow the alcohol to evaporate naturally. Be sure to ventilate the room, as alcohol is flammable.
• Reapply as needed until you no longer see bed bugs.

Best Use: Alcohol is best for killing bed bugs when in contact with them. However, be cautious, as it is highly flammable. The potential risk of using this treatment is high, so you should contact a trusted pest control service to get rid of bed bugs safely and efficiently.

Lemon Juice Spray

Lemon juice is acidic and can kill bed bugs on contact. Its strong citrus scent also acts as a deterrent. Ingredients:

• Juice of 3-4 lemons
• 1 cup of water
• A spray bottle

Instructions:

• Squeeze the juice from 3-4 lemons and mix with 1 cup of water.
• Pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
• Spray in areas where bed bugs are present, including around the bed frame, mattress, and in cracks and crevices.
• Repeat as necessary to keep bed bugs away.

Best Use: Use this spray to repel bed bugs and kill them upon direct contact.

Eucalyptus Oil Spray

Eucalyptus oil is another natural insecticide and repellent. Its strong aroma discourages bed bugs from nesting near treated areas. Ingredients:

• 10-15 drops of eucalyptus oil
• 1 cup of water
• A spray bottle

Instructions:

• Add 10-15 drops of eucalyptus oil to 1 cup of water in a spray bottle.
• Shake well to combine.
• Spray the mixture on bed bugs, around the edges of the bed, and in any cracks or crevices.
• Apply daily or as needed to repel bed bugs and kill them on contact.

Best Use: Eucalyptus oil works both as a contact killer and as a repellent for bed bug prevention. If you are sensitive and feel uncomfortable using the essential oils, contact a professional bed bug treatment service to get rid of bedbugs from your home.

Salt and Water Solution

Salt works as a desiccant, absorbing moisture from bed bugs and causing them to dehydrate and die. Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of salt
• 1 cup of warm water
• A spray bottle

Instructions:

• Dissolve 1/2 cup of salt in 1 cup of warm water.
• Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
• Spray generously on bed bugs and infested areas like mattresses, baseboards, and under furniture.
• Allow the salt water to dry naturally.
• Reapply every few days as needed.

Best Use: Salt is best used to dehydrate bed bugs over time, though it may not work immediately. It’s a good supplementary treatment.

Bed Bugs: Are DIY Methods Enough?

While DIY bed bug removal methods can be helpful, they often fall short when dealing with a severe infestation. Many natural techniques, such as using tea tree oil or diatomaceous earth, can work temporarily by killing bed bugs upon contact. However, eliminating an entire bed bug infestation requires persistence, monitoring, and often a combination of non-chemical and chemical treatments. Bed bugs hide in deep cracks and crevices, and it can be challenging to eliminate them all with surface-level treatments. Professional pest control services are often necessary for a complete solution. At Pest Exterminators, we offer comprehensive bed bug treatments that target both visible bed bugs and their hidden eggs. By addressing all aspects of the infestation, we ensure long-lasting results.

Do’s and Don’ts: DIY Bed Bugs Removal Method

Here are some do’s and don’ts you should follow while dealing with bed bugs: Don’ts

• Don’t use bug bombs. They spread bugs.
• Don’t ignore follow-ups. Eggs can hatch later.
• Don’t overuse pesticides. Follow directions.
• Don’t dispose of furniture carelessly. Wrap and label it.
• Don’t just rely on DIY methods for severe infestations.

Dos

• Act quickly. Take immediate action.
• Use heat treatment. Hot wash/dry kills bugs.
• Seal cracks. Block hiding spots with caulk.
• Vacuum regularly. Clean all infested areas.
• Contact a professional pest exterminator service.