If you are tired of chemical compounds in bed bugs killer or you just want to know some natural stuff to get rid of bed bugs, this article is definitely written for you. Nowadays, it will be wiser to use natural bed bugs killer because we need to consider our health more and the people around us like wives, spouses, children, and even our pets like cats and dogs.
So, how to get rid of bed bugs naturally at home? There are some things we can do like heat treatment, cold treatment, vacuuming, and vinegar to get rid of bed bugs at home naturally. Those treatments and ingredients are chemical-free. So, it is safe for us.
Heat Treatment
Bed bugs cannot survive in a high temperatures. According to the research conducted by the University of Minnesota (2011), it is proven that adult bed bugs cannot survive at temperatures of 45 °C at 94.8 min and bed bugs’ eggs cannot survive at temperatures of 48 °C at 71.5 min.
Well, this is why we usually find bed bugs nesting in mattresses, sofas, curtains, and so on because the place is relatively humid and cooler than the temperature outside the room.
Well, this method of using heat is considered the cheapest and most effective way for many people. The key to this treatment is precise temperatures and timing to kill both adult bed bugs and their eggs. The higher temperatures and the longer treatment, the better results will come in.
Basically, there are two ways to kill bed bugs with heat as follows.
Solar Radiation
In some countries, sometimes the temperatures can reach 45 °C. So, people there use the sun to heat their stuff, especially their beds, clothes, and any other stuff. This is why sometimes you can see people just simply put their stuff outside when they’ve got bed bugs.
While in tropical countries, people can heat their stuff from morning to afternoon. The sun then will kill bed bugs that are exposed to it. Sometimes, this treatment will be done a few times till there are no more bed bugs there.
This method is widely used because it is effective to get rid of bed bugs permanently and naturally at home. But unfortunately, this method will not be effective if you live in a cold area.
Get other guides fully at How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
Heating Equipment
There is so much commercial heating equipment that you can buy nowadays. It starts from a hairdryer, iron, drying machine, steam heater, box heater, chamber heater, and even a shipping trailer heater that can load so many big things like couches, beds, etc.
Heating equipment is completely safe as long as you understand how to use it. Here, the thing you need to pay attention to is the stuff that is going to be heated. You have to check how much heat it can take. Some stuff can be easily broken by heat while other stuff can survive in it.
If you have a limited budget, some affordable types of equipment such as a hairdryer, iron, and drying machine can help you a lot to kill bed bugs. You can use your hairdryer to kill bed bugs that are hiding in your stuff while the iron and drying machines help you a lot to deal with bed bugs in your clothes.
Cold Treatment
Cold treatment is another option you have to get rid of bed bugs naturally. As we know, temperatures that are too cold are relatively dangerous and can potentially cause death to bed bugs. Here, cold temperature conditions can make bed bugs hurt to death.
According to this scientific article, even though they are considered cold-resistant insects, bed bugs cannot survive more than four days if they are in a room with a temperature at or below 0°F (-18°C) in a row. The cold temperature referred to here is a stable temperature in a closed room such as a freezer or ice storage. So, this is not the cold temperatures outside due to cold weather.
Things That Can/Can’t Be Frozen
Well, not all of the things you have can be frozen due to this treatment. Here are some particular things that are able to be frozen.
- Cloth items
- Small bags
- Shoes
- Pictures
- Jewelry
- Toys
- Books
- Non-LCD screen electronics
While on the other side, there are some particular things that cannot be frozen as follows.
- LCD screen electronics
- Old valuable books
- Things that are easily damaged due to the condensation
- Things that contain liquids
How to Do Cold Treatment for Bed Bugs
- Put the stuff in plastic bags. Sealed them tightly.
- Then, put the stuff in the freezer or ice storage.
- Set the temperature at or below 0°F (-18°C) (the temperature below 0°F is much more effective for killing bed bugs).
- Leave the stuff for 4 days.
- Check and adjust the temperature periodically.
This method can only be used for small items that fit in the freezer or large pieces of furniture if they are stored in an ice storage room. Although this method is optimal for getting rid of bed bugs, most people refuse to do this because of the risk of damage to their stuff and the high electric bill.
Vacuum Cleaner
The easiest and optimal way to get rid of bed bugs at home naturally is to use a vacuum cleaner. This method can be done anywhere and anytime without the need to spend more effort. Sucking bed bugs and their eggs is considered optimal, but it takes precision and patience to do it. This is because if there are still eggs and bed bugs left behind, the problem of bed bugs will still continue.
So to do this you need to do several steps as follows:
- Remove items that are infested with bed bugs in the open space outside your house.
- Make sure when vacuuming, the surrounding conditions are not low light so that all parts of the item are clearly visible.
- Prepare a vacuum cleaner and start sucking bed bugs and their eggs carefully and patiently
- For maximum results, vacuum twice as a preventive measure if there are still bed bugs or eggs left in the item.
This method can be done at home without the need to spend more effort. The key to vacuuming is we do this method regularly in order to not let any spread of bed bugs in eggs and nymph cycles. So, this is how to get rid of bed bugs naturally and permanently.
Essential Oils
Based on research conducted by Purdue University, essential oils have been shown to be effective in killing bed bugs effectively. These oils have anti-microbial and antiseptic properties so they can kill bed bugs quickly.
Some essential oils that can kill bed bugs are thymol, geraniol, citronella, eugenol, and carvacrol. Essential oils can also be used to treat bed bug bites on the skin. However, I haven’t found any claims that essential oils are effective for the eggs and nymphs of bed bugs.
Here’s how to get rid of bed bugs using essential oils as follows.
1. Move items that contain bed bugs to open space.
2. Spray the essential oil evenly on the spots that become bed bugs’ nests.
3. Leave the item that has been sprayed with essential oil overnight.
4. Manually clean the dead bed bugs on the item.
Well, as previously stated, some people have the perception that the use of chemicals to eradicate pests can have a negative effect on the body. Especially if applied to objects that are often used in everyday life, such as mattresses and sofas.
Chemicals left behind as residues on mattresses or sofas have the possibility of triggering disease or damage to us. Like what happened to DDT in 1972 which had been a bed bug repellent for decades. The distribution permit was terminated because it was proven that it could trigger cancer and interfere with the child’s growth and development.
Therefore we need another alternative that is more environmentally friendly, namely using pesticides derived from plants such as essential oils. So, that is how to get rid of bed bugs naturally at home. If you have any suggestions or tips and tricks to deal with bed bugs, feel free to tell us.
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