Bed bugs are notorious for being resilient pests that can be difficult to eliminate. These tiny, blood-sucking insects can quickly infest your home and cause a lot of stress about how to treat them properly. While professional pest control services can be effective in getting rid of bed bugs, they can also be expensive and rely on the use of insecticides.
Fortunately, there are several everyday household items that can be used to
Whether you prefer natural remedies or chemical treatments, these household items can help you get rid of bed bugs and enjoy a peaceful, bug-free home.
Household items that can effectively kill bed bugs fast
Before you call professional pest control company, you can try these natural products that you can likely find in your home. There are several different treatment methods to try and it is often to use several of these treatments together to ensure you have covered all areas of the room.
You should not take any of your personal belongings out of the room because they could also be infected with bed bugs and would then spread the infestation to other areas of your home.
- Rubbing alcohol: Rubbing alcohol is a common household item that can be used to kill bed bugs. The high concentration of alcohol in rubbing alcohol can dehydrate and kill bed bugs on contact.
- Steam cleaner: A steam cleaner can be an effective tool for killing bed bugs on furniture, mattresses, and carpets. The high temperature of the steam can kill bed bugs and their eggs.
- Diatomaceous earth: Diatomaceous earth is a natural powder made from the fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms. It can be sprinkled on infested areas to dehydrate and kill bed bugs.
- Essential oils: Essential oils such as lavender, tea tree oil, peppermint oil and eucalyptus can be used to repel and kill bed bugs. These oils can be mixed with water and sprayed on infested areas. Keep in mind that this remedy will not work alone, but helps along side the other home remedies in this list.
- Baking soda: Baking soda is another natural remedy that can be used to kill bed bugs. It can be sprinkled on infested areas and left for a few days to dehydrate and kill bed bugs.
- Vacuum cleaner: A vacuum cleaner can be used to suck up bed bugs and their eggs from carpets, furniture, and other surfaces. Make sure to dispose of the vacuum bag or clean the canister after each use.
- Freezer: Bed bugs cannot survive in extreme temperatures, so placing infested items in a freezer for a few days can kill them. Make sure to seal the items in plastic bags before placing them in the freezer.
- Heaters: A heater can be used as a heat treatment to kill bed bugs on fabric surfaces such as mattresses and upholstered furniture. The high heat of the heater or even a hair dryer can kill bed bugs and their eggs.
- Hot water: You should take all of the linens in the room, sheets, bed skirts, clothing, curtains and place them in the washing machine and wash on the hottest water setting possible. This will help to kill the bed bugs and the eggs. Hot water can be a very effective method of killing bed bugs if left in the hot water for long enough.
- Borax: Borax is a natural powder that can be sprinkled on affected areas to kill bed bugs. It works by dehydrating the insects and their eggs.
- Vinegar: Vinegar can be used to repel and kill bed bugs. It can be mixed with water in a spray bottle and sprayed on infested areas. However, vinegar may not be as effective as other household items for killing bed bugs.
When using these home treatment options to kill bed bugs, it is important to follow the instructions carefully and take safety precautions. While these remedies can be effective, they may not completely eliminate a bed bug infestation on their own and you may need to combine strategies to completely eliminate the bed bug problem.
How to identify bed bugs and signs of infestation
There are many signs of bed bugs and you will likely notice these signs before you see a bed bug because they like to hide during the day when people are moving around the room. Once you know what to look for, it can become quite easy to quickly identify an infestation.
Bed bugs love to find hiding spots, so you should conduct a thorough inspection of all areas of the room including: door frames, switch plates, bed frame, crevices of the mattress or sheets
- Bites: Bed bugs feed on blood and their bites can cause red, itchy welts on the skin. These bite marks are often found in a line or cluster and are commonly found on the arms, legs, and other areas of exposed skin. While bites are not a reliable indicator of a bed bug infestation on their own, they can be a sign when combined with other indicators.
- Blood stains: After feeding, bed bugs may leave behind small blood stains on sheets, pillowcases, and other bedding. These stains may be a reddish-brown color and are often the size of a pinhead.
- Fecal spots: Bed bugs also leave behind small black or brown fecal spots on bedding, mattresses, and other infested areas. These spots may resemble small ink stains or black pepper.
- Musty odor: Bed bugs release pheromones that can give off a musty, sweet odor. This odor may be noticeable in infested areas and can be a sign of a bed bug problem.
- Live bugs: Bed bugs are small, oval-shaped insects that are reddish-brown in color. They can be difficult to spot as they are nocturnal and often hide in cracks and crevices during the day. However, if you spot live bed bugs crawling on your mattress, bedding, or furniture, this is a clear sign of bed bug issues.
- Shed skins: As bed bugs grow and molt, they shed their skins. These skins are often found in infested areas and may be a sign of a growing bed bug population.
How long can bed bugs go without a food source
Bed bugs can survive up to 400 days without a blood meal, although their survival time depends on various factors such as temperature, humidity, and access to shelter. It’s worth noting that while bed bugs can survive without feeding for several months, they will typically try to feed every 5-10 days when a human host is available.
Additionally, they can survive longer periods of starvation in their adult stages compared to immature bed bugs called nymphs. Bed bug adults have been known to survive longer than 400 days in cooler temperatures. So, it’s important to take swift action to eliminate bed bugs from your home as soon as possible to prevent them from reproducing and growing into adult bed bugs.
Common misconceptions about bed bugs and their control
Misconception: Bed bugs only infest dirty, cluttered homes.
- Reality: Bed bugs can infest any home, regardless of cleanliness or clutter. They are attracted to human blood and can be brought into a home on clothing, luggage, or other items.
Misconception: Bed bugs are only found in beds.
- Reality: While bed bugs are commonly found in beds and box springs, they can also infest other areas of a home, such as upholstered furniture, curtains, and carpeting. They can also hide in cracks and crevices in walls and floors.
Misconception: Bed bugs transmit diseases.
- Reality: While bed bugs can be a nuisance and cause discomfort from their bites, they are not known to transmit any diseases to humans.
Misconception: Bed bugs are a sign of poor hygiene.
- Reality: Bed bugs are attracted to human blood and are not a sign of poor hygiene or cleanliness. Anyone can get bed bugs, regardless of how clean their home is.
Misconception: Bed bugs can be eliminated with pesticides alone.
- Reality: While pesticides can be effective in killing bed bugs, they are not always enough to eliminate an infestation on their own. Integrated pest management, which involves a combination of methods such as steam cleaning, vacuuming, and heat treatments, is often necessary for complete elimination.
The life cycle of bed bugs and their behavior patterns
The life cycle of a bed bug typically consists of three main stages: egg, nymph (5 nymph stages), and adult.
Egg
A female bed bug can lay up to 1-5 eggs per day and up to 200-500 eggs during her lifetime. The eggs are small, white, and about 1mm in length. They are typically laid in cracks and crevices near a blood meal source and take about 6-10 days to hatch.
Nymphs
Once the eggs hatch, the bed bugs emerge as nymphs. Nymphs are small and translucent and must feed on blood to molt and grow to the next stage. There are five nymphal instars, each taking about 5-10 days to complete, depending on temperature and access to food. Nymphs are typically a pale white color and can be difficult to see.
Adult
After the fifth nymph stage, the bed bug becomes an adult. Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed, flat, and reddish-brown in color. They must feed on blood to reproduce and can live for several months without a meal.
All of the household items that we have shared can be a very effective way to eliminate bed bugs and bed bug eggs. This should always be your first step if you want to avoid using insecticide spray in your home.