DIY Remedies To Kill Bed Bugs at Home

Bed bugs are one of the most stubborn household pests, and dealing with a bed bug infestation can be incredibly challenging. Many homeowners turn to DIY bed bug treatments in an effort to save time and money. While some homemade remedies for bed bugs can be helpful, others may be less effective or even counterproductive. 

Although there are many home remedies and prevention tips to help you manage a bed bug problem, for long-lasting results professional bed bug control remains the most reliable option.

Understanding Bed Bug Infestations

If you’ve found bed bugs in your home, you’re probably ready to jump into action and get rid of bed bugs as quickly as possible. Before you start removing bedding or vacuuming the carpet, though, it’s important that you learn how to kill bed bugs—and read these warnings about DIY bed bug control. DIY methods can sometimes miss hidden bed bugs or their eggs, leading to a return of the infestation. For complete and lasting removal, professional pest control is often the best solution.

Identifying Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that thrive in warm environments, particularly near human sleeping areas. They hide in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and crevices during the day and come out at night to feed. A single female bed bug can lay hundreds of eggs in her lifetime, quickly escalating an infestation.

Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed, with flat, oval bodies that swell after feeding and emit a distinct musty odor. Nymphs are smaller and lighter in color, while eggs are small and white and often hidden in seams or baseboards, making them harder to spot.

Signs and Symptoms of Infestation

Signs of a bed bug infestation include:

• Bite marks: Red, itchy welts often found in a line or cluster on exposed skin.
• Rust-colored stains: Spots of blood on bedding or mattresses caused by crushed bugs.
• Shed exoskeletons: Translucent shells left behind as bed bugs grow.
• Black spots: Fecal droppings in seams, cracks, or crevices.
• Live bugs: Visible movement in hiding places such as bed frames and box springs.

Common DIY Bed Bug Remedies

There are a lot of DIY bed bug control ideas on the Internet, but not all of them are actually effective. To keep you from wasting your time or money on treatments that don’t work, here are the most common DIY solutions and what the experts at Florida Pest Control think about them:

Heat Treatment

High temperatures are an effective way to kill bed bugs and their eggs. But while steam cleaning, and washing and drying bedding on high heat can eliminate infestations, you’ll likely not achieve the necessary temperatures in all hiding places, as it’s difficult without professional bed bug treatment.

Freezing Treatment

Exposing items to freezing temperatures can also kill bed bugs. A safe, chemical-free option is to place small items in a plastic bag and leave them in a freezer for at least four days. However, freezing is less practical for larger household items.

Ultrasonic Devices

Ultrasonic pest repellents claim to deter bed bugs using sound waves. Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness, and bed bugs are not significantly affected by these devices.

Baking Soda and Diatomaceous Earth

Baking soda and diatomaceous earth are supposed to work by dehydrating the bed bugs’ exoskeletons and causing them to die, and silica gel can have a similar effect. People sprinkle these substances on their mattresses or carpets for a few hours before vacuuming it up. However, there’s very little evidence that doing so provides consistent results. Even if it works against a few insects, it likely won’t hold up against an infestation.

Mothballs and Dryer Sheets 

Dryer Sheets and Moth Balls: Some people believe that the scent of dryer sheets or mothballs can mask the smell of carbon dioxide, which bed bugs use to locate potential hosts. Like tea tree oil, though, this isn’t a proven solution in getting rid of—or even repelling—bed bugs.

Washing Bedding

Washing your linens can be an effective way to get rid of bed bugs, but you have to use very hot water. Bed bugs can’t withstand extreme temperatures, so putting them through a hot cycle can kill both adult insects and their eggs. Bed bugs are hardy insects, but they’re not impervious to extreme temperatures. Washing your clothes or bedding on high heat (at least 140°F) for a minimum of 90 minutes will kill any insects or eggs that may be hiding out. Just be sure to keep any possibly infested fabric in a sealed plastic bag while transporting it to the laundry room.

Talcum Powder

Similar to baking soda, talcum powder is believed to dehydrate bed bugs, but scientific evidence is lacking. It may trap some bugs but is not a substitute for a comprehensive bed bug treatment.

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol can kill bed bugs on contact, but its effects are temporary and limited. Additionally, alcohol is flammable, making it a risky choice.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is often touted as an insect repellent, as are lavender oil and other essential oils. While the strong scent can deter some insect species, it isn’t shown to work on bed bugs and rarely provides noticeable results on its own. If you like the smell, though, it doesn’t necessarily hurt to spray it around your room.

Vacuuming

If you come across bed bugs, vacuuming them up can be a good way to get rid of any insects hiding out in your room. Be sure to vacuum around your room, including behind the headboard, beneath furniture, and between wall joints. Also, remember to empty the contents into a sealable plastic bag and place it in an outdoor trash can to avoid carrying the pests throughout your home. Vacuuming infested areas, including seams, carpets, and furniture, can help reduce the bed bug population. Be thorough and consistent for the best results.

Preventing Future Bed Bug Infestations

Once you’ve dealt with an infestation, taking preventive measures is essential to avoid recurrence.

Regular Home Inspections

Periodically inspect mattresses, box springs, and furniture for signs of bed bugs. Early detection makes treatment easier and more effective.

Reducing Clutter in Living Spaces

Bed bugs thrive in cluttered environments with plenty of hiding places. Keeping your home organized can limit their ability to spread.

Protective Measures During Travel

When traveling, inspect hotel bedding and furniture for signs of bed bugs. Store clothing in plastic bags, and wash all items in hot water upon returning home.

Need Help with Bed Bug Extermination? We Can Help

While there are some pests you might be able to handle on your own, bed bugs are a real nightmare and are best left to the professionals. In fact, a lot of people unintentionally make the infestation worse when they try to use DIY bed bug treatments. Stripping your bedding or carrying potentially infested items throughout your home is a recipe for disaster, and you may just end up with bed bugs hiding out in new places.

Our trained bed bug exterminators use advanced, specialized treatments to target bed bugs at source. With years of experience, our experts create custom treatment plans that are effective and tailored to your home’s unique needs, including considerations for pets or small children.

We guide you through how to prepare for bed bug treatment before we visit and provide follow-up services to ensure the bed bugs are eliminated.

For more details on how we can help you get rid of bed bugs effectively, check out our bed bug treatment guides or contact us today.