Home Remedies For Bed Bugs

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Bed bugs are sneaky, persistent pests that can turn a peaceful home into a source of frustration. These insects multiply rapidly, hide in small crevices, and can cause itchy bites and sleepless nights.. 

If you see signs of bed bugs, you should act quickly.  If left untreated, a minor bed bug problem can spiral into a full-blown infestation, making it even harder to eradicate and more expensive to manage

This page is your starting point for tackling the early signs of bed bugs at home. We’ll walk you through six effective ways to tackle bed bugs that can help you address infestations.

While these remedies may help with a small infestation, most cases will require the expertise of a professional pest control service to fully eliminate bed bugs.

DIY Solutions to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are one of the most unwelcome guests in any home. They can quickly turn your living space into a source of stress, discomfort, and frustration. While these pests are notoriously difficult to eliminate, taking action at the first sign of an infestation is crucial. Early treatment can prevent them from spreading further and growing into a major problem that requires professional pest control.

These methods can serve as initial steps to control the infestation, but keep in mind that bed bugs are resilient, and professional intervention may ultimately be necessary for complete eradication.

Vacuum Cleaning

A thorough vacuuming is a great starting point upon spotting bed bugs. 

Vacuuming can help reduce their numbers by removing bed bugs and their eggs from surfaces where they’ve been found. Focus on areas close to the infestation, such as mattress seams, furniture crevices, baseboards, and corners of rooms where bed bugs are likely to hide.

While vacuuming can’t completely eliminate an infestation—it’s nearly impossible to capture every bug or egg—it’s a proactive measure that can make the infestation more manageable before implementing other treatments. 

Be sure to empty the vacuum bag or container immediately into a sealed plastic bag and dispose of it outside to prevent re-infestation.

Heat Treatments

Heat is one of the most effective ways to kill bed bugs. If you discover bed bugs on clothing, bedding, or small furniture items, washing and drying them at high temperatures is a simple and effective solution. Washing items in hot water and then drying them on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes can be particularly effective at killing bed bugs.

This method will kill bed bugs at all life stages, from eggs to adults.

However, treating your laundry is only part of the solution. Bed bugs often spread beyond their initial hiding spots, so it’s important to thoroughly clean and inspect all areas around the infestation.  

Depending on how long the infestation has been present, bed bugs may have already made their way from your bedding into crevices, furniture, or even other rooms in your home.

Steam Cleaning

Because bed bugs are highly sensitive to heat, steam cleaning is another effective method for tackling an infestation. Steam can penetrate deep into cracks, crevices, and fabric seams where bed bugs like to hide, reaching areas that are otherwise difficult to treat.

To maximize effectiveness, use a steam cleaner on infested furniture, mattresses, and other affected items. 

Be diligent—steam clean not only the known infested areas but also nearby items and surfaces to reduce the risk of hidden bed bugs surviving. While steam cleaning can significantly reduce the number of bed bugs, larger or long-standing infestations may still require professional treatment.

Bed Bug Interceptors

Bed bug interceptors are devices that can be placed under the legs of beds, chairs, or other furniture to trap bed bugs as they attempt to move between hiding places and feeding areas. 

The most common interceptor is a plastic dish that goes under the legs of your bed. This dish is filled with various materials and liquids to stop bed bugs in their tracks. Obviously, this will not be effective if you have bed bugs in your mattress, box spring, or bed frame. And, this method assumes that bed bugs only feed on us when we are in bed sleeping. Therefore this method is only effective when used alongside other treatments and preventative strategies.

The interceptor’s slippery surface prevents bed bugs from escaping once they’re trapped, helping you track the size of your infestation and reduce the overall number of pests. While these devices won’t eliminate the infestation entirely, they can be useful for assessing the extent of your infestation.

Seal Cracks & Crevices

Bed bugs are masters at hiding in small cracks and crevices. To reduce their hiding spots and contain the infestation, locate and seal gaps in walls, baseboards, door frames, and furniture joints with caulk or silicone sealant.

By sealing these cracks, you make it harder for bed bugs to move around or find refuge, helping to limit their spread. Additionally, any bugs trapped inside sealed crevices will eventually die off. While this is a helpful step in controlling bed bugs, it works best when combined with other treatment methods.

Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is another possible DIY treatment for bed bugs. When sprinkled around infested areas such as mattress edges, furniture corners, and room perimeters, it works by dehydrating the bugs, killing them within 48 hours.

However, this method doesn’t affect bed bug eggs and requires multiple applications to ensure thorough eradication. Spread the powder carefully, focusing on areas where bed bugs are most active. 

Over a few days, you should notice a significant reduction in their numbers. If you don’t see improvement after consistent use, it’s best to seek professional bed bug control solutions.

For a detailed overview of professional solutions, visit our Bed Bug Treatment Options page. Professional treatment is always recommended for larger, more widespread infestations as our technicians are highly trained and know exactly where these tricky pests like to hide. 

Our powerful bed bug treatments eradicate bed bugs at all stages of their life cycle and, therefore ensure a more thorough, long-lasting solution to protect your property from re-infestation.

What If At-Home Bed Bug Treatments Don’t Work?

While these DIY strategies can effectively control bed bugs, none guarantee complete eradication. Bed bugs are notoriously resilient and can multiply rapidly if not dealt with swiftly. Delaying action only gives them more time to spread, making the infestation harder to treat!

If you’ve tried these methods and the problem persists, it’s time to call in the experts. Active Pest Control specializes in professional bed bug extermination and can provide the expertise and tools needed to completely eliminate your infestation. 

Don’t let bed bugs take over your home— contact us today to reclaim your space.

FAQs

Do home remedies for bed bugs actually work?

Home remedies can help reduce the number of bed bugs, but they’re rarely enough to eliminate an infestation. Methods like vacuuming, heat treatments, or diatomaceous earth can control bed bugs temporarily. 

Professional pest control is required for complete eradication.

Are there any scents that prevent bed bugs?

While certain scents like lavender or peppermint are believed to repel bed bugs, there’s little scientific evidence to confirm their effectiveness. Scents may deter bed bugs temporarily, but they won’t solve an infestation.

What can I apply on my body to avoid bed bug bites?

Bed bugs are difficult to deter from biting, but some people use natural repellents like essential oils or bed bug-specific sprays. Wearing long-sleeved clothing can also help reduce exposure.

Does tea tree oil work to get rid of bed bugs?

Tea tree oil has insecticidal properties and may kill bed bugs on contact. However, it’s not effective for large infestations, as it doesn’t reach hidden bugs or eggs. Professional treatment is more reliable.

If DIY treatments don’t work, contact Active Pest Control today to help eliminate bed bugs.