I want you to take a moment to reflect on how important your sleep is. The comfort that it comes with. The silence and peace that rest offers are unmatched. And undoubtedly, no one would want to exchange it for anything.
Now, imagine yourself, again, waking up in the middle of the night, and from time to time. Your body is all itchy, and you witness multiple prominent blisters. Further, small bumps or even redness can be seen across the skin. Don’t you think that this could be relatively disappointing and uncomfortable? These, undoubtedly, are the results of having bed bugs in your room.
In most cases, bed bugs will hardly transmit diseases. However, they will significantly contribute to various adverse mental health, physical health, and economic outcomes. And perhaps, you will end up not only weary but also with compromised comfort.
For this reason, it would be best for you to consider getting the right solution. And while it could be a daunting task, it will be worth it. So what options do you have at your disposal, and how reliable are they?
Have you ever considered essential oils?
In most cases, people will associate essential oils with hair health, skincare, and digestive health. It is understandable if you have never thought of using them for bed bugs. Usually, people will use solutions that they understand best. But worry not, here is a solution for you.
Given how valuable your sleep and comfort is, it would be best for you to understand which essential oils will come in handy for you. It is in this regard that we explore how best they are and the most reliable ones. Join us on this trip.
Essential oils are one of the most powerful home remedies for bed bugs and is something many people have had success with.
How effective are essential oils on bed bugs?
Bed bugs have always proven to be nasty infestations that will compromise every aspect of your life. Besides, they tend to be relatively hard to eradicate. However, essential oils pride themselves on chemicals that are harsh enough to solve this problem.
Various studies have shown that these essential oils contribute to up to 100% in mortality rates. This way, you can use them for both preventive and remedial purposes. To boost your confidence, scientists have carried out several studies on using these essential oils as pesticides. The good news is that they have proven not only reliable but also useful.
Interestingly, using these essential oils tends to be much friendlier to the environment. For as long as you are conscious of your surroundings, this will be your ultimate choice. And did you know that most of these essential oils are home-made and green?
From here, perhaps we should check the best ten options at your disposal. They include the following.
Lemongrass Essential Oils
In most cases, people will choose to rely on lemongrass for cooking. It offers one of the best tastes. But besides being used in tea and food as a reliable ingredient, it will always come in handy in solving your bed bug issues.
This product prides itself on a relatively high bed bug mortality rate. Besides, it is believed to play a significant role in stopping their eggs from hatching. As such, you will rely on it to reduce the population over time. There will hardly be younger ones produced once the older ones die.
While the smell of lemongrass can be relatively sweet, it will be too intense for bed bugs. With this scent, you will be sure of the repulsion of mosquitos, fleas, among other pests. This way, you will be confident of enjoying the ultimate long-lasting comfort.
Tea Tree oil
It is one of the most effective multi-purpose oil for you. Usually, you can rely on it as a pesticide or insecticide. Feel free to use this oil as an antiseptic, antimicrobial, and even antibacterial too.
With this, you are confident that it will work on bed bugs too.
Often, it would be best for you to use this product in its diluted form. It is through this that you will minimize the chances of harming yourself in the long run. Usually, ingesting this product could be fatal, even for human beings.
Once you apply this product, it will be absorbed in the bed bug’s exoskeleton. This absorption exposes them to suffocation over time. You could also choose to spray them. However, it would be ideal not to spray near electrical outlets.
Additionally, you could use tee tree oil to treat bed bug bites and wounds. Usually, you will need to apply it topically. It will ensure that your skin is not only healthier but also smoother.
Neem Oil
Have you ever heard of neem oil in controlling bed bugs? Perhaps you have not. But undeniably, it is among the best.
Usually, neem oil will come in the form of a spray. This spray has the potential to kill the bed bug, its larvae, and its eggs too. However, it will be prudent to spray as loosely as you can. Take the time to spray around your bed frame, baseboards, and the windows too.
While at it, you will witness that neem oil is a bed bug repellent. Spraying this product in advance could help in keeping them away. Its effectiveness will last between a couple of days and several weeks.
As mentioned earlier, you will need to spray close to the bugs. In this light, neem essential oil will only come in handy when the problem is not too big. A significant infestation might be relatively hard to control or eliminate using this oil.
Lavender oil
You can hardly ignore how effective lavender oil has proven to be. However, just like neem oil, you will need to spray the lavender oil for bed bugs directly on the bugs. While at it, you will appreciate how intense and robust this product will be.
The intensity that lavender oil comes with is unmatched. And perhaps, you will find it helpful to consider diluting it before you can finally use it. Or would you want to expose yourself to any fatality in the long run? Even with the dilution, you will be confident of 100% effectiveness.
On top of that, this essential oil comes with a delightful scent. This way, you will hardly feel uncomfortable even after spraying the bed frames. And did you know that this scent could help you have a peaceful sleep too?
You will be free to use this product both before and after the attack. However, it will not be the most reliable in controlling a more significant infestation.
Eucalyptus Oil
Here is the solution that you have always been dreaming about. This oil will come in handy in killing both dust mites and bed bugs. This home-made product would be an ideal pesticide and insecticide for you.
It comes in handy in killing ticks, fleas, bed bugs, and termites. And 20 drops of the product will be enough to guarantee you the effectiveness that you so desire.
You will find this product as one of the most consistent bed bug repellants. It will be suitable for you to apply it before the attack. This move will guarantee you better results at the end of the day.
And did you know that eucalyptus oil prides itself on one of the most pleasant scents? It will leave your room or house relatively more comfortable even after spraying.
Peppermint Oil
This list would be incomplete without mentioning peppermint oil. It is one of the most loved products across many homes. It is famed for the strong scent that it features. Well, understandably, you might be among those who mind this smell. But bed bugs, too, are no exception.
Peppermint oil will come in handy in both repelling against and killing these bugs. When applied directly to them, they will have to endure a painful sensation that will consequently be responsible for their death.
Well, some would ask how to prepare this oil. In most cases, you will need about 12 drops of oil for every ounce of alcohol. Mix the two, and correctly so. After this, you will be free to apply it to the bed frames as well as any potential hideouts.
While peppermint relies on its potent smell to kill these insects, it is not as effective as those options mentioned above. However, its toxicity levels will be worth relying on for small-scale controls.
Cedarwood Oil
This oil has proven to be among the most consistent yet non-toxic substitutes for chemical insecticides and pesticides. It is organic and would be more reliable if used with non-thermal foggers. Its critical components are cedrene and cedrol. It is through this that they form a compound called cedar camphor.
Upon contact, this oil will effectively kill the bed bugs, their larvae, as well as eggs. You can choose to spray it directly on the pests or on potential hideouts. This can be before or even after the attack. Whether it is a small infestation or a significant one, this oil will be worth trying.
Interestingly, you will no longer need to worry about fatalities. This product prides itself on a relatively low toxicity level against mammals, including human beings. However, there is a chance that it could result in difficulty in breathing, especially for those with allergies.
Thyme Oil
How could we not remember mentioning thyme oil, the most popular in most households across various states? It has always been used as a flea repellant. However, in the recent past, it has proven to be a viable option for killing bed bugs. Besides, it will also help in preventing future infestations.
But, it would be best to keep in mind that thyme is an intense essential oil. For this reason, you will need to dilute it before applying, lest you expose yourself to fatalities. Also, you shouldn’t use it in the presence of children as well as pregnant women.
Unlike the other oils, always avoid using thyme on your skin unless it is after medical advice. Otherwise, you could end up compromising your health in the long run. If absorbed in the bloodstream, it could be dangerous for those who have high blood pressure.
Chamomile Oil
Chamomile oil is worth mentioning in this pursuit. Usually, you will be free to spray it directly to the habitats of these pests. This way, you will effectively alleviate the problem with a short time. It will kill the eggs, larvae, and the adult bed bugs. Don’t you think that this will come in handy in controlling their population in the long run?
Further, you can rely on this oil for skincare. It will help in alleviating any itching as well as swelling that the bed bugs might have caused. Additionally, it will be the perfect solution to bed bug bites and red lines. Its healing and anti-inflammation properties are unmatched, and all that you need.
Interestingly, chamomile will hardly expose you to any fatalities. You will rarely need to worry about difficulty in breathing or allergies.
Clove Oil
Clove oil closes our top ten list. It is among those that are indispensable for our beloved kitchens. This oil comes from the buds from the clove plant. For as long as you use it directly on the bed bugs, you will be guaranteed of its effectiveness. You can never doubt how lethal it is.
Remarkably, this product comes with a strong smell for bugs but not humans. This way, there will be no reason for you to worry about allergies or intense scents. Remember, it prides itself on a relatively high acidic pH level.
Often, it would be pertinent to use this oil on small-scale infestations. You will need to put one teaspoon of this oil into a cup of water and mix. This simple procedure will give you the most reliable pest repellant.
In a nutshell, essential oils are worth relying on for pest control. And bed bugs cannot be left out. It will be upon you to choose an essential oil that you feel works best for you. Feel free to compare the properties and decide accordingly.
