Bed bug infestations are on the rise. Military bug expert Harold Harlan warns that they are hard to eradicate once they infest a space because they are immune to many common pesticides. These bugs feed on blood and their bites can leave ugly, uncomfortable welts even though they do not transmit disease. You may be able to defeat them through natural methods, although professional assistance in usually required.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is an organic pest control for gardens, and it also kills bed bugs indoors. It comes in a powder form and contains fossilized algae shells. Diatomaceous earth powder is non-toxic to humans and pets, although you should not directly breath in the powder. It is fatal to bed bugs because it cuts their body shells when they walk through it, which eventually causes them to dehydrate. The bugs take hours or days to die, and the powder is not effective on their eggs. The baby bed bugs will die after they hatch if they walk through the diatomaceous earth.
Essential Oils
Certain essential oils are said to repel and kill bed bugs, including cinnamon, lemongrass, peppermint, clove, thyme, eucalyptus and lavender. These oils are not scientifically proven to be effective, but anecdotal reports and natural repellant manufacturers claim they effectively ward off and kill the bugs. Essential oil products do not harm humans or animals, have a pleasant smell and are safe to spray around furniture, making them a common choice to fight bed bugs in households with children and pets.
Steam
Bed bugs die from extreme heat, so steam treatments kill them naturally and effectively. Steam kills bed bugs on contact and also destroys their eggs. The steam must be at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit and hit the bugs and eggs directly to be fatal. Steam should not be used in areas where other treatments have already been applied because it might render them useless. Use a steamer first, then dust or spray with other products.
Isopropyl Alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol is a contact killer, meaning that it kills bed bugs if you spray it on them directly. The alcohol is not effective if you spray it on a surface to repel or kill the bugs. You can use this natural remedy if you find a cluster of bed bugs or see them occasionally and want to be ready with a fatal remedy. Put the alcohol in a spray bottle and spray it directly on any bugs you notice. Avoid getting it on varnished or lacquered surfaces or other areas where it might cause damage or stains.
Mattress Covers
Mattress covers do not kill bed bugs, but you can combine them with natural methods to keep them off your mattress and box spring so you do not get bitten. Zippered covers seal off your bedding so bed bugs cannot get into or out of the mattress and box spring.
References
- MSN Dateline: What You Need to Know About Bed Bugs
- BedBugInfo.com: Bed Bug Repellant
- Bedbugger.com; Diatomaceous Earth (DE), A Dust, Can be Used to Kill Bed Bugs (FAQs); March 2007
- Budbugger.com: How to Kills Bed Bugs Using Steam (FAQs); August 2008
- American Pest Control: Dos and Don'ts If You Have Bedbugs
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Managing Bed Bugs; Barb Ogg; April 2010
