Category Archives: Bed Bug Oil

If you research bed bug insecticides, you may feel overwhelmed with the variety of different products on the market. But what chemicals kill bed bugs most effectively, and what exactly do these chemicals do?

In this article, well explore the 7 types of chemicals approved for use against bed bugs. Well go into detail with how they work as well as the pros and cons of each chemical class.

Here are the 7 best chemicals to kill bed bugs:

Pyrethrins are insecticides derived from chrysanthemum flowers. Its one of the most common chemicals used to drive bed bugs away from an area.

But because of its frequent use, some bed bugs are resistant to this chemical and may only leave an area temporarily.

Pyrethroids are synthetically-derived chemical insecticides that mimic pyrethrins. Like pyrethrins, pyrethroids are commonly used to get rid of bed bugs, but there are some bed bugs that are resistant to this type of chemical as well.

In these cases, products that combine multiple classes of chemicals can prove to be effective when bed bugs appear to be resistant to pyrethroids and/or pyrethroids.

Desiccants permanently damage and strip away the bed bugs waxy outer coating on their bodies. This exposure causes the bugs to dehydrate and die slowly.

This physical and irreversible damage is effective against bed bugs. Its impossible for bed bugs to become resistant to desiccants because of the physical nature of the product.

The two most common desiccants used to combat bed bugs are diatomaceous earth and boric acid. Desiccants should be used in cracks and crevices only, not spread across surfaces, to minimize human inhalation of the desiccant powder.

But desiccants work slower than insecticides, as their method is physical instead of chemical. Therefore bed bugs need to crawl over/around the treated area, in order for the chemical to be deadly.

So while bed bugs cant develop resistance to desiccants, this compound wont work if bed bugs dont make physical contact. For that reason, desiccants arent the single best method and should be used in combination with other chemical methods.

There is only one biochemical pesticide officially registered for use against bed bugs: cold-pressed neem oil. Derived from the Neem tree, neem oil contains insecticidal compounds and has been proven effective against bed bugs at all life stages.

But neem oil will lose its potency after about a week. Its more likely that neem oil will simply repel bed bugs away from the sprayed area rather than kill them entirely.

Its best when used in combination with other more effective methods.

Chlorfenapyr is the only insecticidal chemical registered to be effective against bed bugs. This chemical disrupts bed bugs at the cellular level and wreaks havoc.

Pyrroles only become lethal after entering the insects body. Once metabolized, pyrroles disrupt the bed bugs ability to transfer energy between cells, thus killing it from the inside out.

Because pyrroles are not lethal to bed bugs upon contact, they should be used in combination with other insecticidal methods. Pyrroles take time to work, as this chemical class must enter the bugs metabolism before it becomes deadly.

Derived from nicotine, neonicotinoids cause bed bugs nicotinic receptors to fire until they fail. This makes neonicotinoids a unique kind of pest control because they attack the bed bugs nervous system.

This class of chemicals is a good alternative if your bed bugs are resistant to pyrethrins and pyrethroids.

These chemicals alter the juvenile growth hormones in insects. As a result, the growth process is either sped up very quickly or stops development completely. Both alterations will damage and kill the insect.

Insect growth regulators can also disrupt bed bugs production of chitin, the compound that makes their external shells.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States has over 300 products registered to combat bed bug control.

While there are many products on the market, including bed bug sprays, all will have one of the above-mentioned seven chemical types as its active ingredient.

For most infestations, exterminators will use the same kinds of products you see in stores. In many cases, professionals will combine multiple different kinds of chemicals and product types to ensure the infestation is adequately treated.

Resistance: Add Synergists

When bed bugs become resistant to certain chemicals, a synergist such as piperoynl butoxide may be used.

Resistance in bed bugs has been linked to their ability to undergo metabolic detoxification. This means that over time, bed bugs have adapted to these chemicals and are sometimes able to break them down in their bodies without killing them.

Synergists disrupt bed bugs metabolisms, thus inhibiting their ability to resist most chemicals.

Method: Fumigation

When professional exterminators believe an infestation is bad enough, fumigation is required. In this instance, the room, apartment or house must be fully vacated during and after the process.

The chemicals used for fumigation are harmful to humans and pets, so any food or consumables must also be removed from the property in order to ensure no one will be poisoned by accident.

Professional methods can be costly depending on the size of the home and the severity of the infestation. Therefore you should research the cost to get rid of bed bugs before committing to an exterminator.

Bed bugs can be deterred or even killed by harsh chemicals, extreme temperatures, a clean/open room, or lack of food.

Lets go through these in greater detail.

1. Chemicals That Disrupt Bodily Functions

All of the chemicals mentioned above affect bed bugs in different ways. Some damage their shells, some disrupt their metabolisms and some damage their nervous systems.

Whichever way you cut it, bed bugs do not like chemicals that inhibit their ability to grow and reproduce.

2. Extreme Heat

Bed bugs hate cant stand hotter temperatures. An environment of 125 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer will kill bed bugs in all life stages.

3. Extreme Cold

Bed bugs cant thrive in colder environments. When the temperature of their environment goes below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, its more difficult for them to eat and reproduce.

When the temperature goes below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, bed bugs will die if exposure is long enough.

4. Extreme Minimalism/Cleanliness

If an environment is very clean and free of debris and furniture, bed bugs will have nowhere to hide.

Bed bugs will most commonly live and reproduce in fabric-based furniture such as beds, couches and armchairs, so if those are removed from an affected home, these insects will have nowhere to reside and repopulate.

This will make it easier for you or a pest control professional to locate the bed bugs and exterminate them.

5. Lack of Oxygen

While they are tiny insects, bed bugs do require some oxygen in order to survive. Trapping bed bugs in vacuum-sealed plastic is a great method to suffocate bed bugs, though it may take some time for them to run out of oxygen once trapped inside.

6. Lack of Food

Bed bugs require animal blood to survive. If they do not have a host to feed off of, they will eventually perish. Usually, this happens within 2-3 months after their last meal.

Isolate bed bugs and deprive them of access to any human or animal, and they will surely die within a few months.

While some chemicals are more effective than others, there is no one size fits all method for bed bug extermination. For example, some chemical products kill bed bugs instantly, whereas others last longer, but cause a slower death.

To ensure youre using the right mix of chemicals, you should consult with a professional.

Below is a few tips to keep in mind:

Theres no single best answer to what chemical kills bed bugs best, as it depends on the severity of the infestation and whether the bed bugs you have are resistant to any of the aforementioned chemicals.

All the chemicals and compounds mentioned in this article have been proven to kill or repel bed bugs effectively, but youll need to consider each infestation on a case-by-case basis.

See the original post here:
The Top 7 Bed Bug Chemicals | Effective Bed Bug Killers [2021 Guide]

When you have bed bugs at home, you have two options: To hire a professional or to try some homemade remedies for bed bugs. Essential oils for bed bugs may help you on getting rid of bed bugs. So, how and which essential oils will help you on this?

Natural way for fighting bed bugs has two advantages. First, they are cheaper than any other professional help and second, they are natural.

We already published an article about natural remedies for bed bugs and you can check it before starting this post:

Essential oils are a part of those natural remedies and they can help you on your war against bed bugs.

Not every kind of essential oils will repel bed bugs. Here are some experienced essential oils for bed bugs:

Lets look deeper at those essential oils.

Tea tree oil is produced by a plant called Indian daphne. This flat-leaf plant which is naturally found in Australia is famous with its essential oil.

Tea tree oil is an effective remedy for bed bugs and it will kill them when it contacts bed bugs. Any bed bugs contacted with tea tree oil will have no chances.

But the problem with tea tree oil against bed bugs is that you need to sprinkle it directly on bed bugs. It wont help on killing bed bugs after you spray it around and just wait for bed bugs.

Also, some people may be allergic to tea tree oil and you must be careful when using it.

Rosemary is a common plant for Mediterranean lands at its used in a lot of industries. Its good for headache, skin and hair.

How rosemary oil helps you about bed bugs is its smell. Bed bugs will hate rosemary oil smell and they will try to keep away from it.

So, you can spray rosemary oil into your house, at the bottom of the walls, around your bed or inside the cracks and holes and, this will prevent bed bugs to reach you.

Thyme is a great plant with its taste and smell. Its used in industry for making some medicines or pother products and its a beautiful part of our kitchens.

Thyme oil can kill bed bugs too, when its directly contacted to bed bugs. But it also has some risks for children and pregnant women.

When you spray it around, its smell will help you on keeping bed bugs away from you.

Lavender blooms in summer and oil is made from its flowers. Lavender oil will kill bed bugs when you spray it directly on them

Good smell of lavender oil is not bed bugs favorite and when you spray it around your home, it will keep bed bugs in their hosts where they hide.

Clove is indispensable for our kitchens. It mostly grows in Asian lands and its collected while its still a bud before it blooms. Those buds are dried under sun and oil is made by those buds.

Clove oil is lethal for bed bugs and harms them when directly used on bed bugs. Bed bugs also dont like its smell, and this will help you too.

Lemongrass is also known as Melissa and its a main plant for industries like cosmetic, medicine and food.

What lemongrass does is the same as other essential oils and it has a lethal impact on bed bugs when directly used on them. It also keeps them away by its smell.

You can also use peppermint oil to kill bed bugs and take advantage of its smell to keep them away. You must try to use it directly on bed bugs and spray it on possible hosts for those bugs.

Eucalyptus oil may be an option too by the same ways in other essential oil. Just take care of using it directly on bed bugs to kill them.

Frankincense oil is made from the rosin of Boswellia sacra tree. It will be effective on killing bed bugs and keeping them away from you.

Chamomile oil will help you against bed bugs and its an effective option for getting rid of bed bugs.

I know what I told you about those essential oils were like each other. What I say is always to use them directly on bed bugs and their smell will help you to keep away bed bugs from you.

But, thats it! There is nothing more to say about essential oils for bed bugs. The question here is, whether if they will help you to get rid of bed bugs or not.

I must say that essential oils will be a temporary solution like other natural remedies for bed bugs. Because you need to find every single bed bug at your home to succeed with essential oils and this is not always possible.

I researched in forums and social media for you and see that essential oils are not recommended by to use against bed bugs.

Some people try to make a combination of several essential oils and spray them around. However, this may be a better way, its still not a permanent solution.

I believe that essential oils should be used as supportive to other professional ways. You can use essential oil around your bed or furniture to keep bed bugs away from you, instead of killing them.

Here are some ways of killing bed bugs, but professional support is still the best option when you have bed bugs at home:

bedbugdetected.com/how-to-use-diatomaceous-earth-for-bed-bugs

bedbugdetected.com/does-vinegar-kill-bed-bugs

bedbugdetected.com/will-bleach-kill-bed-bugs

See more here:
10 essential oils for bed bugs | Bedbug Detected

Many essential oils repel or kill bed bugs. We will be looking at five of them in this article.

For many generations, oils from different repellent plants have been used in deterring bugs.

For this post, we will focus mainly on bed bugs and the various kinds of oils that deter and eliminate them.

As effective as chemicalsare in bed bug control, oils are not safe for use around the house. They do come with a lot of risks. By constantly using them, you may be exposing your kids and pets to lots of health risks. It is often better to go with natural methods such as the use of odors to control bugs.

Of all bed bug control methods, the use of oils has overtime proven to be very effective, no matter how you consider it.

Essential oils are natural insecticides in the form of oils, gotten from different kinds of plants. In their production, flowers, bark, stem, leaves, and roots from specific plants are used. They are passed through different processes to produce what we know as essential oils.

Though natural, these oils can be very concentrated such that they might end up hurting your skin if used without caution. Yes, they are that potent.

When it comes to killing bed bugs, many people have found essential oils to be very effective. While some oils directly kill bed bugs, others repel and help halt their activities.

Essential oils work, according to many people who have applied them. They help you sleep through the night without having to worry about a single bug bite.

However, like several other natural pest control methods out there, they have their limitations.

You cannot rely on them during heavy infestations to wipe out every bed bug there is in your house. Since they take much time to work compared to bombs and heat, it takes some time before you start noticing their effects in your house.

It is also important to bear in mind that the quality of oils differs from manufacturer to manufacturer. That is the main reason you find some working far more than others.

Below are some powerful essential oils that you can use to eliminate bed bugs from your house.

Lets discuss some of the most effective essential oils to repel and kill bed bugs:

If sprayed directly on bed bugs, lavender oil can go as far as killing the critters. The scent from this oil is also so powerful that it repels bugs.

Apart from repelling and killing bed bugs, lavender oil also helps you relax and sleep calmly. The smell of this oil is pleasant when applied in the bedroom, living room and several other places at home.

Lavender oil is very strong. You would have to dilute it if you intend applying it on your mattress and sofas, so you dont end up hurting your skin if you have contact with it.

Tea tree oil is a very effective natural insecticide like lavender oil. When applied directly on bed bugs, it kills them. The scent from the oil is also known to scare bugs.

Apply the oil anywhere you have seen bed bugs around the house; the bedroom, the living room, etc. Places like under the sofa and bed are also among the best places to apply the oil.

Since bed bugs are nocturnal, it would be best to apply this perhaps in the night or toward the evening to kill many of them. The ones that escape being killed will have no other option than to leave your house in peace.

Tea tree oil has a pleasant scent, so you dont have to worry about the odor being offensive when applied in the house.

Apart from just repelling and killing bed bugs, the oil has been known to help in treating and healing their bites. When applied on the skin, it can go a long way to help you deal with bites faster.

However, some level of caution is required when using tea tree oil. That is because, in the undiluted form, the oil can be harmful if ingested or applied directly on the skin to ward off bed bugs.

You should also ensure your appliances are well covered before applying them to the room.

Does lemongrass oil kill bed bugs? Lets find out.

The smell of lemongrass may be pleasant to humans but it is very offensive to bed bugs. Thats why applying the oil on your body or anywhere around the house is a sure way to drive them away.

If applied directly on critters, lemongrass oil will kill them almost immediately. The oil is also known to act as a natural birth control method for bed bugs since it prevents their eggs from hatching. Without the eggs hatching, it is often easier to get rid of the pests from the house.

Apart from repelling bed bugs, lemongrass smell is also known to repel other insects like mosquitoes, ants, lice, and fleas. So you stand to gain more using the oil as a bed bug repellent at home.

The only challenge with lemongrass oil is that it is not advisable to use it around cats. This is because it causes liver damage. So if you must apply it where you have your cats, you must ensure you remove them from the house first.

Since lemongrass is known to have some health benefits for humans, you may be getting more than just a repellent when you buy the oil for home use.

Bed bugs are very smart creatures, so its not a surprise seeing them master how to withstand tough odors from natural insecticides. However, one sure oil that always works against them is the peppermint oil.

Peppermint oil is derived from the peppermint plant, a very effective natural insecticide that is known to repel quite a lot of insects. When used against bed bugs, the odors from the oil can send bugs away from your home.

Unlike other essential oils that repel or kill bed bugs that have been mentioned here, many people cannot stand the smell of this oil.

Peppermint oil is as offensive to humans as it is to bed bugs.

When sprayed directly on bed bugs, peppermint oil eliminates them. Anyone that escapes that elimination will run as far away from your home as possible.

Peppermint oil also comes with some added benefits. When mixed with body lotions, it offers some relief from the bed bug bites. Applying it on your body before going to bed at night is a sure way to sleep calmly, without getting a single bite from bed bugs throughout the night.

So if you are searching for essential oils to use against bed bugs, consider adding peppermint oil to your list. It not only wards off bed bugs, but it also kills them completely.

Thyme essential oil is another natural insecticide that can be used in the house to kill and repel bed bugs. The oil is very effective if used properly.

It is often best to apply it in areas around the room where bed bugs are known to live or come to feed. For instance on the bed, sofa, box spring, etc. You can also apply it to your body to prevent bed bugs from biting you while you sleep.

Thyme oil is also known to kill bacteria, increase circulation and relieve anxiety, so you will be getting other health benefits using the oil. It is also known to ward off other insect pests as well.

For heavy infestations, you may have to spray it in all the rooms in your home, to kill or repel bed bugs hiding in those places.

The challenge with using this oil though is that it is not a hundred percent safe for pregnant women, especially the undiluted form. You will have to apply a lot of caution when using this essential oil.

If you are pregnant or have pregnant women living with you, we strongly recommend that you consider other alternatives or inquire from your doctor before using this essential oil.

Essential oils have a lot of benefits when used against bugs. They kill or repel the bed bugs effectively. However, if you do not do it right, you may not achieve anything worthwhile with them.

Apart from not achieving any tangible results, you may even end up harming yourself.

For instance, in the undiluted form, lemongrass oil and others listed here can hurt your skin bad. Undiluted lemongrass oil, in particular, is known to burn the skin. So to use it, you will have to dilute it first.

You can do that by mixing it with water or any mild body lotion. That way it will not burn or hurt your skin.

While these essential oils are known to be very effective against bed bugs, it should be duly noted that none of them on its own can effectively handle heavy infestations. You will have to combine them with other bed bug elimination methods to truly obtain significant results.

Essential oils are slow-acting compared to other bed bug management methods, so do not expect them to just wipe out all the bed bugs living in your house in one day. Also, a single application of the oils will achieve little results. It is best to apply it repeatedly for some days or weeks.

While applying it, special attention must be paid to places like the bedroom, the living room, cracks and crevices in your home, etc.

After it has been well diluted, you can also use some of the oils to bring relief to sites of bed bug bites.

In Summary

Are you searching for natural ways to deal with bed bugs in your home? Do you want to learn of very effective bug control methods that wont expose you and your family to the danger of using one chemical or the other?

This article features the best essential oils to kill and repel bed bugs. You can use any of them to eradicate the pests from your house.

I hope you find this information useful.

Go here to see the original:
5 Essential Oils that Kill or Repel Bed Bugs

Photo: amazon.com

Bed bugs (cimex lectularius) are tiny insects, about the same size and shape of apple seeds, that feed on human blood, preferring it to the blood of other animals. These parasites take their common name from a tendency to hide in blankets, sheets, and mattresses, but they can breed and nest in many other areas throughout the home, such as baseboards and furniture. Bed bugs can also migrate to infest all areas of the house where their favorite mealyou and your familyhang out, leaving itchy, swollen bumps at the site of a bite.

Though bed bugs can be effectively treated with a targeted insecticide, just like fleas and lice can be, bed bugs must be eradicated at all stages of life. Bed bug sprays use a variety of active ingredients ranging from powerful insecticides like pyrethrin, pyrethroid, imidacloprid, and acetamiprid to pet- and child-friendly options like geranium oil and clove oil (though these non-toxic alternatives are not as effective). If you aim to rid your home of these irritating pests, consider the products reviewed here, representing some of the best bed bug sprays available in their respective categories.

Photo: amazon.com

Bed bug spray can control and even eradicate infestations, but they can come with harmful levels of toxicitynot to mention strong chemical odorsthat require vacating the area until the spray clears. Sprays are generally water- or oil-based, with water-based sprays possibly damaging electronics, documents, and wooden surfaces if used in excess. Oil-based sprays can stain whatever theyre applied to, and often leave a sticky residue, though thats typically removable with soap and water.

To avoid these issues with sprays, some folks plagued by bed bugs try alternative measures. These include steam cleaning and washing items in hot water, as exposure to temperatures of 185 degrees Fahrenheit kills bed bugs. Diatomaceous eartha silica-rich powder made from the sediment of fossilized algaecan be employed to banish bed bugs by destroying their exoskeleton. There are also traps designed to lure and eliminate bed bugs. You may wish to consider the preventative measures and treatments below before reaching for a bed bug spray.

If DIY treatments and the sprays described here fail, the infestation may require an exterminator.

We selected some of the best bed bug sprays in their respective categories based on high customer approval, overall efficacy, availability, and popularity.

Photo: amazon.com

Harris Odorless and Non-Staining Bed Bug Killer is a powerful spray designed to be used on cracks, crevices, furniture, closets, wall moldings, mattress seams, bed frames, and almost anywhere else a bed bug could hide, without leaving behind stains and odors, or damaging fabrics.

The chemical spray kills bed bugs on contact with imidacloprid, n-Octyl bicycloheptene dicarboximide, and phenothrin. It continues to treat the infestation for up to 16 weeks, even eliminating bugs and eggs that are resistant to traditional pyrethroid insecticides. While this product is EPA approved for use in your home and around pets, it should not be used on your clothing, pillows, or bedding. Always follow label directions to ensure safe use.

Photo: amazon.com

While other sprays can damage a mattress bedding and other fabrics, Bedlam Plus Bed Bug Aerosol Spray, with its water-based formula, can be used on all fabrics, wood furniture, and carpets to kill bed bugs and their eggs. This dual-action chemical treatment that includes imidacloprid, can kill pyrethroid-resistant infestations, destroying bugs on initial contact and remaining active for up to two weeks.

Its safe to spray on every part of the bed, behind wall fixtures, and on your carpet or hardwood floor without concern. The spray is non-irritating to humans and common pets, but should never be used in a food preparation area or around consumable food and beverages, as its unsafe to ingest the spray.

Photo: amazon.com

Hot Shot Bed Bug Killer is an affordable bed bug spray that treats infestations in every part of the bed, upholstered furniture, luggage, baseboards, and carpets. The water-based imiprothrin and lambda-cyhalothrin formula kills bed bugs, bed bug eggs, and fleas on contact, but needs to be reapplied every two weeks if infestations persist in problem areas.

The spray leaves no oily residue or stains behind and theres no noxious chemical odor. However, because the spray also kills fleas, the manufacturer specifically states that the spray must not be used on pets, due to its harmful toxins. If your dog or cat comes down with fleas, see your veterinarian for an approved product to treat them.

Photo: amazon.com

mdxconcepts Natural Organic Bed Bug Killer is safe for the environment and all members of your household. The bed bug spray uses a natural, 100 percent plant-derived formula to instantly kill bed bugs on contact. The active ingredients, peppermint oil, and spearmint oil, effectively treat bed bug infestations imparting a fresh, pleasant scent. This bed bug spray can be used on all moisture-safe surfaces and items, including mattresses, baseboards, and carpets, without staining or leaving an oily residue. Repeat treatment per the manufacturers directions until the infestation is eliminated.

Photo: amazon.com

If more than one insect species has invaded your space, JT Eaton Oil-Based Bed Bug Spray is a broad-spectrum solution that targets multiple pests, including bed bugs and their eggs, fleas, brown dog ticks, silverfish, spiders, carpet beetles, and some roaches. It relies on a pyrethrin and piperonyl butoxide formula and can be sprayed on all bed parts, baseboards, and flooring to kill on contact. It may leave an oily residue if too much is used, and its harmful to both humans and pets, so be sure to follow manufacturer directions exactly to ensure your safety.

Photo: amazon.com

This efficient bed bug spray uses three different active ingredientsdinotefuran, pyriproxyfen, and pralethrinto quickly and effectively treat all stages of bed bug infestations and can be effective on pyrethroid-resistant bed bugs. Despite its impressive results, PT Alpine Flea and Bed Bug Killer is rated for use on all areas of your bed, including your mattress, pillows, and other bed coverings. Its specially formulated to avoid drenching fabrics and it dries quickly so that you wont need to air out the house for too longbut it does have a chemical smell that powerful insecticides are known for. Use a ventilator during application and follow manufacturer recommendations for re-entry.

Photo: amazon.com

Bed bugs in upholstery can be tricky to treat because they hide in the folds and stitches of furniture. Fortunately, Ortho Home Defense Max Bed Bug Killer outsmarts the insects with a unique battery-powered application wand. It delivers multiple spray patterns for precise application and a finger trigger for continuous spraying.

This odorless bed bug spray, which relies on bifenthrin, imidacloprid, and piperonyl butoxide, can be used once every two weeks on bed frames, couches, chairs, and baseboards to kill pyrethroid-resistant bed bugs, bed bug eggs, fleas, and ticks. It should not be used on mattress bedding, clothing, or pillows, however, and the manufacturers treatment instructions must be followed for best results and to ensure safety.

Photo: amazon.com

Harris 5-Minute Bed Bug Foaming Spray is best for use in baseboards, cracks, crevices, bed frames, box springs, and wall moldings thanks to a unique formula that expands into these areas, eliminating hidden nests within five minutes of contact. The spray continues working for a month before needing to be reapplied if bed bugs persist.

This spray relies on metofluthrin, clothianidin, and piperonyl butoxide to kill pyrethroid-resistant bed bugs in all stages of life. The foaming spray is non-staining and odorless, allowing it to be used all over the home without concern for residual stains, and it turns clear when it dries. While the EPA has approved the product for use on the entire mattress, the manufacturer recommends bed linens not be treated with this product.

Here is the original post:
The Best Bed Bug Spray for DIY Pest Control - Bob Vila

It's time to say ciao to those little critters. Yep, it is time you knew how to get rid of bed bugs! To be brutally honest, there's absolutely nothing nice about bed bugs. Not only is the prospect of these household pests crawling all over you as you sleep pretty disturbing, but the bites that you may experience as a result of them are very unpleasant, too. Do not cry yourself to sleep tonight, we can help you get rid of them.

Whether you've recently been backpacking and suspect you may have brought some unexpected guests home with you, you've moved into a rental property only to discover your second hand mattress is riddled with the critters, or you're concerned about what could be living in your child's uni accommodation, follow our tips to get rid of them... fast. Find more tips on how to clean a mattress in our guide.

Before you can start tackling bed bugs, you'll need to know, once and for all, whether you have an infestation. As it's highly unlikely that you'll ever see your bed bugs, here are some surefire signs that you could be dealing with the little critters:

How do bed bugs get into your home? It might be that they have come in with luggage (stayed somewhere infested?), clothing or in already-used beds or furniture. They like to hide in groups and if they've infested your mattress you can be pretty sure they're living in the bed frame and headboard, too.

The best solution for getting rid of bed bugs might be to replace your mattress entirely. This is a big investment, though, so first:

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The Casper Essential Mattress

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Nectar Mattress Small Double

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From there, we'd recommend taking the following tips into account:

One of the first steps in eliminating bed bugs, is to try and kill them in situ before they get spread around the house. You will need to wash all bedlinen or soft furnishings that they have been on but before doing so, you will want to get rid of them where they live. A spray is also good for items you can't wash like some furniture and mattresses.

If you have only spotted a few bed bugs, you can try less toxic methods like a distilled vinegar spray. It will kill those it comes into contact with and can be sprayed quite liberally as long as you can allow it to dry, but note it will not get rid of the eggs.

It also won't work on a proper infestation for this you will need chemical pesticides such as the range of bed bug killers available on Amazon. Use these in a well ventilated area and keep away from children and pets. You will need to sleep elsewhere for a few nights after treatment.

Bed Bug Killer Spray, 500ml | 5.99 on Amazon

This long-lasting bed bug spray is solvent free and odourless. It can be used on bedding, mattresses and furniture so is perfect for items you can't put in a washing machine.View Deal

A safe, clean and toxin-free way to kill bed bugs is with steam. Use a portable steam cleaner to kill them (it should also make the eggs unviable), then once dry, vacuum the remnants away. You could use an iron, but the steam is hard to direct and will take lots of refills you also risk burning items that should not be ironed. A steam cleaner is much more effective and you can see our top rated steam cleaners here or shop a selection below.

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Even if you kill all the bed bugs where you found them, you will still need to wash all bedding and clothing that may have come into contact with them. We recommend putting everything on the hottest wash the fabric can take (although the water itself will do the main job by drowning them), then follow up with a tumble dry to be extra certain they do not survive.

Don't trust your current laundry room setup to kill them while caring for your clothes? See our guides below to consider an upgrade.

Once the bed bugs are killed you need to be sure you have got rid of their eggs too. Use the firm brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to clean away dead bugs and eggs, making sure you get into every corner or furnishings and the trim of your mattress. We have rated the best vacuum cleaners if you need a new model that is up to the job, or shop todays vacuum cleaner deals below.

Today's best Vacuums deals

Swan Eureka MultiForce Pet Bagless Cylinder Vacuum Cleaner - Light Blue

Swan Eureka MultiForce Pet...

Eureka Swan Multi Force Pet Bagless Cylinder Vacuum, Multi-Cyclonic Technology with...Eureka Swan Multi Force Pet Bagless Cylinder Vacuum, Multi-Cyclonic Technology with No Loss of Suction, Anti-Allergen HEPA Filter, One Touch Dustbin Release, Energy Saving, Silver and Blue, SC15816N

Eureka Swan Multi Force Pet...

Swan Multi Force Bagless Cylinder Pet

Swan Multi Force Bagless...

Swan Multi Force Bagless Cylinder Pet

Swan Multi Force Bagless...

It is believed a number of essential oils will get rid of bed bugs and some can also be applied to the skin to discourage them from taking a bite. Peppermint oil is often heralded as the one they like the least. You can apply small drops around your bed, but some people have a reaction to it on their skin so take care and consider other oils with a citrus base for use on skin. Lavender oil is also a good repellent and if used around your bed, will help whisk you away to the land of nod.

Bed bug repellent essential oils

Ellia Grapefruit Essential Oil

Follow this link:
How to get rid of bed bugs quickly and efficiently - Real Homes