Bedbugs represent tiny parasites that feed on dead skin cells and the blood of people and animals. They are so tiny that people cannot see them with a naked eye. They are brown, with a flat oval body, which turns red and swells when they have fed.

Bedbugs are especially active at night. They can reproduce quickly, as the female bedbugs can lay more than thousands of eggs in a lifetime. The bug eggs are no bigger than a speck of dust, which means that they can be easily brought to the home through used baggage, furniture, linens, beds, clothes, or other household items.

Bedbugs can cause numerous health conditions, like allergies, skin rashes, and other psychological issues.

HOW TO FIND OUT WHETHER YOU HAVE BEDBUGS AT HOME?

The itching sensation is the most common symptom that people experience after they wake up. They feel an itching sensation in the area where the bedbug has eaten them. Moreover, these areas are usually swollen and reddish. There can also be blood remains on the pillows or sheets from the bug bites.

The feces of the bedbugs are another sign that you have bedbugs at your home. Look for feces among the mattress and the bedsheets. The bedbugs release an unpleasant odor from their scent glands, so their odor is another sign of bedbug infestation.

As bedbugs are tiny, they move quickly and usually hide in places, like the headboard, mattress, bed frames, and box springs. With time, they can scatter around bedrooms and lead to serious infestation issues.

HOT TO GET RID OF BEDBUGS EFFICIENTLY?

Even though it can be hard to get rid of bedbugs, it is possible. The first thing you need to do is to cleanse all corners of your home.

Wash and dry the curtains, linens, bedding, clothing, and everything infested. After that, vacuum the entire house. Another thing you need to do is to throw the beds out in the garbage.

Freezing the infested items at -17⁰C can help you to eliminate bedbugs, as they cannot survive low temperatures.
Steaming at 60 ⁰C is another alternative, as it can enter the crevices and cracks and eliminates bedbugs.

HOME REMEDIES TO ELIMINATE BEDBUGS

There are a few effective natural remedies that will help you to get rid of bedbugs.

1. Tea tree oil spray

Tea tree oil is considered to be very effective against bugs. Mix 2 tablespoons of tea tree oil with 50 ml of water and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Then, spray the entire house.

2. Diatomaceous earth

Diatomaceous earth is a non-toxic insecticide that is used against insects and bugs inside the home and in the garden. As it is safe and non-toxic, it can be used everywhere. All you need to do is to sprinkle diatomaceous earth on the infected places. Leave it to stay for 3 days and then vacuum the house. Then, get rid of the vacuum bag.

3. Clove oil

Due to its insecticidal properties, clove oil works as an insect repellant. The acidic pH of the clove oil has a strong pungent smell that kills the bugs effectively.

In a cup of water, add 1 teaspoon of clove oil and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray all the infected places.

4. Thyme oil

Thymol concentrate and thyme oil act as efficient bug deterrents and repellants. Even though it is not easy to repel bugs with thyme, it can help you to get rid of them.

Tie a stack of thyme in a cotton cloth and burn it over the infected places. Moreover, you can put thyme leaves in net bags and leave them in the infected places. Change the thyme bags every 3 days for one month.

5. Lavender oil

Lavender oil is an effective insecticide against insects and bedbugs. Due to its bug-eliminating properties, it kills the bedbugs instantly.

In 50 ml of water, add 10 – 15 drops of lavender oil and put the mixture in a spray bottle. Shake the bottle and spray the entire house.
You can also combine lavender oil and peppermint. Mix 15 drops of lavender and 15 drops of peppermint oil and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray all over the house.

6. Citronella spray

Lemongrass or citronella is an essential oil that contains insecticide properties, eliminating bedbugs and parasites effectively. It heightens the acidity in the bugs and kills them from within.

In a small bowl of water, add 10 drops of lemongrass oil and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray the infected place.

7. Eucalyptus oil

Not only is eucalyptus oil used in the cosmetic industry, but it is also used as an insect repellant. In 2 ounces of water, add 1.5 ounces of vodka or witch hazel and 30 drops of essential eucalyptus oil. Mix the ingredients and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray your house every 4 hours.

8. Bean leaves

According to the studies, bean leaves have trichomes and microscopic hair on their surface that traps the bedbugs.

Scatter bean leaves all over the house where the bedbugs reside. Put some bean leaves under the mattresses, too. Let them stay for a few days. Then, throw them and replace them with new ones.

9. Orange essential oil

Orange essential oil is another powerful bedbug repellant. In 4 liters of water, add 2 ounces of orange essential oil, a cup of compost tea, and an ounce of molasses. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray the entire house. It will destroy the bedbugs immediately.

10. Sweet flag

Due to its insecticidal and medicinal properties, the sweet flag is a popular perennial plant. According to the studies, thanks to its antifungal and antimicrobial properties, the sweet flag also works as an efficient bedbug repellant.

In a liter of boiled water, add 50 grams of turmeric and 100 grams of sweet flag. Simmer it for 60 minutes and pour the mixture into a container with a lid. Store the mixture for a day and dilute it with equal amounts of water. Spray your house.

11. Apple cedar vinegar

Raw apple cedar vinegar is a powerful natural remedy for eliminating bedbugs due to its acidic properties. Apple cedar vinegar is rich in acetic that have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. According to the researchers, topical applications with low pH levels can help to soothe skin itching.

To use apple cedar vinegar to soothe irritation caused by bedbug bites, you should dilute equal parts of water and apple cedar vinegar. With a cotton ball, apply the remedy to the affected area. Let it dry and then rinse it off with warm water. Apply 2 – 3 times daily to relieve redness and itching.

12. Baking soda

Baking soda is an antibacterial agent that helps relieve inflamed skin rashes and treat bedbug bites. Moreover, baking soda is used to soothe itching, redness, and stinging caused by bedbug bites.

By combining water with baking soda you can also prepare an efficient remedy for getting rid of bedbug bites. All you need to do is to mix water with a tablespoon of baking soda. Apply the solution to the bedbug bites. Let it stay for 15 minutes and rinse it off with warm water.