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Diy Projects For Other Animals » 17 Homemade Bed Bug Spray Recipes To Send Bed Bugs Packing

17 Homemade Bed Bug Spray Recipes To Send Bed Bugs Packing

Published: Aug 19, 2021 · Modified: Aug 19, 2021 by Luke Allison · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads

Bed bugs are not your average bug, their need to breed and feed is fierce. 2-4 bed bugs can multiply to hundreds if left unattended. The mere thought of bed bugs feeding on your blood while you sleep is enough reason to take your mattress outside and burn it to ashes. But would that solve the problem for good?

Bed bugs can still be in your home even after turning your mattress into ashes. You’ll have to deal with a severe case of infestation from the source. In this article, I will share a couple of ways to make homemade bed bug spray recipes, these recipes should help a great deal with the bed bug issue.

Some of the homemade bed bug spray recipes listed in this article will help repel bed bugs from your home and others will help kill them instantly.

The scary part about bed bugs is that you might have them on your bed without knowing about them, the good news is that this major problem can be solved once and for all. Read on to know more!

Table of Contents

What is the main cause of bed bugs?

Dirt? In a way, yes, but you can be an extremely clean person and still have a bed loaded with thousands of bed bugs (yes! That gave me goosebumps too). Research has shown that one of the major causes of bed bugs is traveling!

If Mr.A has bed bugs in his house, there’s a high possibility of the bugs getting onto his belongings such as luggage or even clothing, and then bed bug free Mr.B gets into the same cab, bus, or airplane with Mr.A and then the bed bugs migrate.

Are you scared already? Don’t be, if you haven’t seen any bed bugs yet, there might be a chance that they aren’t near you, however, you should still try out our recipes as preventive measures before things get out of hand.

Bed bugs can easily transfer from person to person completely unnoticed, but you could get rid of them before they think of multiplying in your home.

How Can I Tell If We Have Bed Bugs?

If you notice some of these signs in your home, you probably have bed bugs on your bed. Remove your sheets and check thoroughly for bed bugs in their usual hiding spots.

Bloodstains on your pillowcases.
Bloodstains on your bed sheet.
Dark spots of bed bug excrement on sheets or mattresses.
Bed bug eggshells.
An offensive, musty odor from the bed bug’s scent glands.

17 Ways To Make Homemade Bed Bug Spray Recipes

1. diatomaceous earth.

One of the most efficient homemade remedies for the complete eradication of bed bugs is diatomaceous earth. It has unique abrasive properties and works by absorbing the water that protects fats and oils from the outer layer of the bed bug’s exoskeleton.

All you have to do is get diatomaceous earth and sprinkle it in cracks, mattresses, and bed areas, the bed bugs will eventually come in contact with the substance and die from dehydration. However, don’t use too much as this can also be detrimental to your health.

2. Bed Bug Killer Spray Using Essential oils

Lavender and tree oil are very good in fighting off pesky little insects — bed bugs inclusive. Using these essential oils and other ingredients you can make an ideal killer spray for bed bugs. Trust me, it works like a charm.

Ingredients

1 cup of water.
5 drops of bergamot essential oil.
5 drops of lavender oil.
5 drops of cedarwood oil.
1 tablespoon of witch hazel.

Instructions

In a spray bottle, mix all the ingredients.
Give it a good shake and allow it to sit for 2 mins.
Spray the mixture to the corners of your bedding and areas where you see bed bugs.

3. Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly is another very useful item that can be used to control bed bugs. While this idea might not completely stop them, it should slow them down a bit allowing you to easily spot and kill them as you please. Simply rub petroleum jelly on your bed headframe and legs, you can smear some jelly on the side of the bed too.

Using alcohol might not repel the bed bugs for good, however, constantly spraying this mix should keep the bed bugs off your mattresses with time. It is simple to make; in a spray bottle, add alcohol and a little water then spray areas where you see the bed bugs. I won’t recommend this for the complete eradication of bed bugs, but it does help in a way.

5. Dettol And Washing Powder

Essential oils and other ingredients might require you to go out to buy them. If you want to create a homemade bed bug spray recipe with items already in your home, here’s one to check out. In this DIY tutorial, the creator uses Dettol and washing powder with some water to create a mixture that helps to get rid of the blood-sucking creatures.

6. Use A Vacuum Cleaner

It’s time to put your vacuum cleaner to good use (if you have one). Besides the mattress being their favorite spot, you can also find bed bugs in other areas of your home, so, I would advise that you take your time and thoroughly vacuum everywhere and everything in your home, from furniture to clothing, walls, nooks, crannies and more. This would help a great deal.

7. Use The Washing Machine

While bed bugs might be in other areas of your home, you’d still find most of them on mattresses, pillowcases, stuffed animals, throw pillows, and more. Here’s what to do; remove the mattress and every other thing on the bed with a covering over it and toss all the items in the washing machine. Set your machine on the highest heat available and that should help kill the little bloodsuckers.

8. Talcum Powder

If you can’t find talcum powder to buy, you could simply use baby powder as most of them have talcum. This product works just like diatomaceous earth, it dries up the bed bugs. Simply sprinkle the powder in areas where you probably have bed bugs and allow the powder to do its thing.

Never underestimate the power of vinegar! This is a very useful method that helps get rid of bed bugs in your home. All you have to do is get pure white vinegar and then turn it inside a spray bottle, do not add water, cover the bottle and spritz the solution on cracks, beddings, furniture, and other places to keep bed bugs away.

10. Moth Balls

This recipe will only help kill adult bed bugs, but might not be effective in getting rid of eggs and nymphs. So, you might still have a bed bug problem even after trying this, however, you can rinse and repeat the process for a better result.

So, for this method, you will have to purchase a couple of mothballs. Save a couple of them and place them under your bed, sofa, and other furniture. Using a hammer or stone, grind the mothballs to powder form and a good amount into a spray bottle, then add a little warm water and shake. Spritz the mixture on areas where you suspect bed bugs have infested.

11. Freeze Them

Just like heat, bed bugs won’t survive in the cold. If you suspect a piece of clothing or bedding to be infested with bed bugs, you can place the item(s) into your freezer and leave them there for up to 5 days. While this is not a very effective method, it will help reduce your bed bug issue by a great deal.

12. Sun exposure

Human sweat and grease will stay on the quilt to breed a lot of bacteria, and sun-drying the quilt can achieve the effect of rapid sterilization and mite removal. At the same time, proper drying can increase the life span of a comforter by about two years. It can be said that sunbathing is the best way to maintain our bedding and improve the quality of sleep.

13. Use boiling water

Use boiling water to pour scalding bedpan, a straw mattress, bookcases and furniture, and other crevices, boiling water-soaked clothing and other cotton fabrics, can quickly kill bed bugs of all ages and eggs.

14. Manual trapping

Constantly knocking bed frame, bed mat, bookcase, mattress pad, etc., the bedbugs from the hidden shock down, and then kill.

15. Soaking method

First, put the clothes in order, put a large bucket of water, put washing powder, soap in.
Then put all the clothes into the bucket soaked for 3 hours, you know, bedbugs are not water-based, two hours enough to kill the clothes on the quilt.
But do not forget that there are bedbugs eggs, bedbugs eggs are very difficult to eliminate, clothing and quilts can be cleaned soak for two hours, and then cleaned, bedding quilts knocked to dry.

16. Salt exposure method

The walls and bedboard are all cleaned up, the following to the clothes, remember to add salt when cleaning clothes.
A small amount of salt put in can be broken to kill bedbugs eggs, clean well to be placed under the sun to prevent residual bedbugs eggs.

How To Get Rid Of Bed bug Eggs

After killing adult bed bugs you shouldn’t rejoice just yet. You probably forgot the eggs, especially if you didn’t use heat. In this video tutorial, the creator will show you how to get rid of bed bug eggs.

Other Useful Tips To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs

So, at this point, you must have succeeded in killing a good percentage of bed bugs in your home. Now, it’s time to share some tips with you that will help make your home completely bed bug-free with time.

Wash your clothes, beddings, curtains, and pillowcases with hot water regularly.
Vacuum your entire house once every day. (Stressful but worth it)
Get rid of the clutter around your bed.
Repair cracks and glue peeling wallpaper.
Use a hard toothbrush to remove leftover bed bug nymphs and eggs before vacuuming and washing with hot water.
After coming home from travel or work, wash your clothes and vacuum your bag just in case.

Final Advice

Bed bugs are one of the most stubborn creatures on the face of the earth. They can live up to a year without feeding, so starving them to death might not be useful, unless you want to take a vacation away from your home for 3-4 years!

If you have tried everything to get rid of those little suckers to no success, it might be time to seek professional help. In any case, most of the tips and recipes in this article should help you deal with your bed bug issue permanently.

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Crafty Little Gnome

Published: Apr 22, 2021 | Last Modified: Dec 5, 2023 | Author: adrienne

How to Make Homemade Bed Bug Spray

Does the thought of bedbugs give you the creeps? Same! You never think that dealing with an infestation of bedbugs can happen to you, until it does. Today we’re going to talk about how to make homemade bedbug spray (in case it happens to you) and how to prevent bedbugs from spreading.

How do you get bedbugs?

It’s important to know that you could be the cleanest person in the world and still get bedbugs. An infestation of bedbugs doesn’t just happen to houses or places that are dirty. Think of the last time you bought a used piece of furniture or article of clothing from a second hand store.

Chances are, these little buggers got into your house through something you purchased.

“How can bed bugs get into my home? They can come from other infested areas or from used furniture. They can hitch a ride in luggage, purses, backpacks, or other items placed on soft or upholstered surfaces. They can travel between rooms in multi-unit buildings, such as apartment complexes and hotels.”

Source Department of Health NY

See? It’s not you. They hitchhike!

Well now that we know where they come from and how they got in, let’s talk about how to prevent bedbugs from spreading and how to make homemade bedbug spray.

Dealing with an infestation of bedbugs

Needless to say, it won’t be pretty. It’s time consuming and frustrating but you must be diligent in cleaning the entire house and all your belongings. Make sure that all the other members of the family understand how serious this problem is and that they do their part in cleaning their rooms and things.

I would advise against inviting people over to the house until the infestation of bedbugs is completely obliterated. Remember they are hitchhikers! It only takes one person who sits on the couch and one bedbug to attach to them to spread these buggers!

How to prevent bedbugs from spreading

Here are a few simple tips to help you prevent bedbugs from spreading and then we’ll move on to the homemade bedbug spray.

Keep your living space clean and free of clutter-(keep in mind these little guys can also nest in your living room furniture and carpets, not just your bed).
Vacuum often (carpets and furniture) and make sure to clean out your vacuum filter/bag too!
Refrain from buying used furniture or clothing (at least for a while)
Use a washable mattress cover if possible
If traveling, store your clothes in vacuum sealed bags
Use essential oils liberally (more on this later)

Depending on how bad your infestation of bedbugs is, you may or may not have to call in the professionals.

There is so much to know about bedbugs and so many different ways to kill, prevent and treat them. This article from scientificamerican.com dispels 10 myths about bedbugs. It has some interesting information in there you should know.

How to make homemade bedbug spray

I’m going to share three different natural remedies for bedbugs with you:

Bedbug spray with alcohol
Bedbug spray with essential oils, and
Dryer sheets for bedbugs

All three techniques are super easy, made with things you probably already have on hand, affordable and effective.

First I’ll show you how to make homemade bedbug spray with alcohol. Two simple ingredients and bedbugs be gone!

Rubbing alcohol
Spray bottle

Mix equal parts of water and rubbing alcohol and spray all the areas the nasty little critters are hiding and have made their new home. This will stop them from spreading and laying eggs.

Step by step instructions to make homemade bed bug spray

Can it get any easier than that?

Sure can. With dryer sheets! While the dryer sheets don’t actually kill them, they work very well in repelling them.

Simply take your dryer sheets and tuck them in the sheets in all 4 corners of your bed. Place them anywhere you have furniture throughout the house to keep them buggers away. You can also wipe down the items in your house with the dryer sheet.

Dryer sheet tip! Instead of throwing them out too soon, spray them with essential oils and place them wherever bedbugs are hiding. This brings us to the last of the natural remedies for bedbugs, essential oils.

An interesting FYI for you: essential oils have been used since 4500 BC. The ancient Egyptians made ointments and cosmetics from essential oils. These oils not only have healing properties but are powerful in keeping away critters of all kinds, even bedbugs.

Blue spray bottle spraying mattress with solution.

How to use essential oils for bedbugs

There are a few different types of essential oils that can be used to stop the spread of bedbugs.

Peppermint Oil- This is one of the most effective oils in repelling all critters, including bedbugs. A lovely fresh crisp scent, you won’t mind spritzing this to keep the bugs at bay.

Tea Tree Oil- This oil has amazing strength best known for its healing properties for all skin ailments. Its strong smell will repel bugs instantly.

Lavender Oil - While we love lavender oil for its soothing scent and the way it seems to calm us down, it’s also pretty darn good at repelling bedbugs.

Eucalyptus Oil- Who doesn’t love the smell of fresh eucalyptus? This oil is fantastic for keeping bedbugs (and other critters) away.

Since each of these oils do their jobs well, it’s up to you to decide which fragrance you prefer and don’t mind smelling in your house all day. I’m a huge fan of lavender and eucalyptus.

Don’t be afraid to mix your favourite ones and come up with your own blend!

Fill a spray bottle with water and add about 30 drops in total of whichever oil you decide to use. Liberally spray the items in your house, your bed, your carpet and anywhere else you think bedbugs are hiding.

Another tip! You can also add some alcohol to this mixture for an extra dose of prevention.

Whichever homemade bedbug spray you decide to use, I hope you get them under control and make sure they know they are not welcome to come back!

Reader Interactions

Carolyn says

May 08, 2021 at 7:35 am

Thanks So Much all these are helpful. I forgot about the vinegar we cleaned a house that was for sale and we put vinegar in bowls in every room and it made the house smell fresh then we opened the windows to let in fresh air. Thank you

DIY Bed Bug Spray: 7 Homemade Recipes & Tips

Bed bugs are tiny pests that will disturb your sleep by biting and sucking your blood before retreating to the seams of your couch or bed.

The insects are carried between places (unknowingly) by pets or humans on their bodies.

Bed bug bites appear as irritating bumps that are red – they are inflicted on any exposed skin all over your body.

In this article, I will outline the various DIY Bed Bug Sprays you can use to repel or kill the bugs.

Details: DIY Bed Bug Sprays

Commercial bed bug killers and repellents are pricey and may come infused with preservatives and chemicals.

So, to create a DIY spray to control bed bugs, gather the required ingredients such as essential oils, baking soda, Diatomaceous Earth, and rubbing alcohol.

1. Essential Oils Bed Bug Spray

Essential oils are a critical ingredient that can be used to repel bed bugs .

But bed bugs can go for months without taking a blood meal and so the effectiveness of essential piles will be as good as how frequently you will spray them.

a.Thymol from Essential Oil Thyme

The thyme plant produces the essential oil thyme which has Thymol as its active compound.

Thyme plant is popular for being an effective animal repellent and insecticide – it has been used for years.

Thymol (its scent) has been documented to overwhelm the bed bugs’ nervous system and so it will repel the pests.

b. Geraniol from Rose

Some aromatic plants such as rose, and palm produce essential oils that contain terpene alcohol known as c.Geraniol.

Geraniol is an essential oil that is popular for repelling cockroaches in apartments but it has also been shown to repel bed bugs.

A 2014 research that was comparing the effectiveness of traditional pesticides with a spray that contained Geraniol reported positive results in the latter.

d. Citronella from Asian Grass Plant

Another essential oil that will repel the bed bugs is citronella oil.

Citronella oil is extracted or produced from Asian grass plants that are already being used to repel mosquitoes.

Other medical applications of citronella oil take advantage of its wound healing and antifungal properties.

Recent research shows that citronella oil is an effective repellent against some insects such as bed bugs.

e. Eugenol from Clove Plant

Eugenol is another ingredient that will repel bed bugs and it is derived from essential oils like those in a clove.

Besides just repairing the bed bugs, a recent study shows that eugenol will also kill some bed bugs.

f.Carvacrol from Oregano plant

The oregano plant is one of the plants where you can extract essential oils that contain carvacrol.

The most recent research appliance that carvacrol had the highest potency in repelling bed bugs during a fumigation process.

g. Lavender Oil

Lavender oil will kill bed bug eggs and adult bed bugs – an effective bug repellent too.

Lavender oil is one of the most effective natural solutions for persistent bed bugs since they hate its aroma, smell, and taste.

But the lavender oil smell is just normal or great to humans.

So, once you spray the oil in the house, I love that one too the space smelling sweat while also repelling the bed bugs.

To apply the lavender oil bed bug repellent, simply put the oil into a spray bottle and on the sheets and on the bedding.

2. Vinegar Solution

Vinegar solution and spray will be an effective technique that a homeowner can use to repel and kill bed bugs .

Check places that have signs of bed bugs (such as window sills, crevices in furniture, and bed frames) and soak them with the vinegar solution.

The vinegar solution will drown the tiny pests but you may require to reapply the spray once weekly to fully control the infestation.

So, yes, the vinegar solution when sprayed directly on the bed bugs will kill them.

This is because vinegar contains acetic acid that is very strong and the chemical will damage the nervous system of the insect.

Despite the DIY vinegar solution being effective in controlling fleas, it is not recommended as a standalone treatment.

I advise that you, therefore, continue applying the vinegar spray on the affected areas before getting a longer-lasting remedy for the bed bugs.

The vinegar solution is evidently not a pesticide but will be effective and safe for handling an early bed bug infestation.

Here’s how you can make your DIY vinegar solution for bed bug spraying.

Fill one spray bottle with your vinegar and ensure to tighten its lid securely.
Spray the vinegar solution on the bed bug-infested locations such as cracks and crevices, between furniture, in tight spaces, and walls.

As you continue spraying the vinegar solution, the bed bugs will escape from such locations and get into the tight spaces where you’re bug-treated.

You can hinder future bed bug treatment infestation by spraying the vinegar solution in the cupboards, mattresses, furnishing, walls, and window sills.

Don’t forget to spray the underside and corners of the various services and repeat the application for a number of weeks.

4. Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous Earth is also a natural, safe, and effective spray that you can use to control bed bugs .

Diatomaceous Earth will be great for treating those objects that you cannot be tossed into the washing machine.

By definition and practicality, diatomaceous Earth may not be classified under the bed bug repellent class.

This is because it is its diatoms (small fossilized particles) that break the exoskeleton of the bedbugs, dehydrate and kill them.

The diatomaceous earth diatoms are accumulated over time in water bodies such as lakes and oceans.

As a side note, FDA recognizes diatomaceous Earth as safe and it is used in beverages, food, medicines, paints, and various beauty products.

Homeowners will sprinkle the DE powder around their rooms and home perimeter to kill the bed bugs.

A recent study shows that diatomaceous Earth generated moderate effectiveness in controlling bed bugs during a six-month time.

Therefore, expect bed bug exterminators recommend using integrated approaches while trying to control these pests.

Sprinkle the diatomaceous Earth on the mattress and box springs control bed bugs.

Finally, you should vacuum spaces where the diatomaceous Earth was applied.

5. Spraying Rubbing Alcohol (91% Isopropyl Alcohol)

Rubbing Alcohol can help with early intervention, a bed bug infestation, or a prevention mission.

However, rubbing alcohol will only offer temporary relief for bed bugs in your home.
So, if you have a massive infestation of bed bugs, I would advise using chemical sprays or professional exterminators.

But how will rubbing alcohol kill the bed bugs? Well, rubbing alcohol is classified as a solvent and it will dissolve the bed bugs’ exoskeleton.

Besides, rubbing alcohol functions as a drying agent or as that will dry out the adult bed bugs and their eggs.

Finally, rubbing alcohol will repel bed bugs and therefore discourage them from laying eggs or crawling on treated surfaces.

So you can spray the rubbing alcohol on furniture and bedding to win the fight against the bugs.

But spraying the rubbing alcohol on furniture, bedding, and mattress may leave the surfaces (especially if they are not painted or varnished) with stains on marks.

Rubbing alcohol may not repel the bed bugs effectively but it will remove does bed bugs that are running on cracks and crevices.

The DIY bed bug sprays will help exterminate the bugs – I recommend using essential oils, rubbing alcohol, vinegar, and diatomaceous earth.

These bed bug-repelling or killing sprays are effective and safe to use in the house or in business premises.

Can bed bugs live in carpet (control guide), can bed bugs live outside how long.

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How To Make Homemade Bed Bug Spray With Essential Oils

Last Updated on December 8, 2021 by Kimberly Crawford

Bed bugs are microscopic insects that leech on human beings for their blood. This makes them extra dangerous because you do not even know that they are attached to your clothes or beddings already.

When infestation becomes inevitable, it would be best to have a layer of safety when it comes to bed bugs.

If you want non-abrasive and natural solutions to bed bugs, you should turn to essential oils as they are very potent deterrents. As is the case, in this post, we shall teach you how to make homemade bed bug sprays with essential oils.

In this article

What smells do bed bugs hate?

essential oil dripping on the green leaf

Like all other pesky insects, bed bugs particularly hate strong smells. Once they are inhaled, they become confused as to where the food is, or in this case, the human host. If you are wondering about the particular smells which bed bugs hate, you should check out the following:

Rubbing alcohol
Tea tree oil
Lavender oil
Diatomaceous earth
Blood orange oil
Lemon
Powdered pepper

What essential oil keeps bed bugs away?

And since we are focusing on essential oils as natural deterrents for bed bugs, it would also be important to know which specific essential oils we are talking about. Hence, the following are considered to be the most potent essential oils which keep bed bugs away.

Lemon and lemongrass oil
Frankincense

Related : How Big is a Bed Bug? (Sizes At Different Life Stages)

Does essential oil kill bed bugs?

Yes. And this claim has been proven by scientific research. In one study from Purdue University, it was found that plant-based essential oils can offer the best solution for deterring bed bugs. There are at least 15 compounds found in specific plants where essential oils could be extracted from which prove to be the most powerful substances for killing bed bugs.

In their findings, all said compounds are potent when directly applied to bed bugs but in varying amounts. The most potent ones with less amount would be carvacrol from oregano and thyme, thymol from thyme, eugenol from clove, linalool from basil, camphor from camphor tree and citronella from lemongrass.

Using essential oil on bed bugs (pros and cons )

While natural and non-abrasive, the use of essential oils on bed bugs may have its share of pros and cons. These do not necessarily apply on the level of bed bug infestation or their potency as deterrents but also on the household with people and kids who might be ingesting a large amount of essential oils.

How to make homemade bed bug spray with essential oils

Now that we have laid down the essentials when it comes to homemade bed bug sprays, it is time to look at how to make your own bed bug spray using essential oils. In this section, the ingredients, tools and step-by-step instructions in making one are outlined.

Total time: 7-10mins
Spray bottle
1 cup of water
5 drops of lavender oil
5 drops of bergamot (essential oil)
5 drops of cedarwood oil
1 tbsp of witch hazel

Instructions

Prepare all the ingredients. Make sure that all the right measurements are observed.
Mix all the ingredients in a bottle spray.
Allow the mixture to sit for at least three minutes.
Shake the bottle spray thoroughly and then let the shaken ingredients settle for another three minutes.
Start spraying the mixture in the corners where your beddings are and in suspected niches and crevices around the home where the bed bugs can enter.
Note:

You can always stick to your preferred essential oil but mixing it with other essential oils is also recommended to come up with a more potent solution.

Related : What Do Bed Bug Eggs Look Like? and How To Kill Them

Other natural ways to kill bed bugs

By natural ways to kill bed bugs, we mean some of the best ways to deter them from infesting without having to resort to harmful chemicals and pesticides. As such, we shall be featuring some of the best home remedies that will surely keep off those bed bugs at an instant.

With a high-power vacuum and hose attachment, it is very easy to suck up those bed bug eggs and adult bed bugs from clothes and beddings.

Be thorough in vacuuming not just the common niches of bed bugs but also furniture, cushions, and even corners of the home that are hard to reach.

2. Steam cleaning

For harder to reach areas, steam cleaning is a formidable choice. Note that bed bugs cannot survive in temperatures of more than 140F. Always follow the instructions from the steam cleaner’s manual so as not to damage the furniture.

3. Regular laundry of clothes and beddings

It is also important to regularly wash your clothes and beddings. It is also noteworthy to invest in fabrics that can tolerate steam washing or tumble dry for them to become more invulnerable to bed bugs. Also, after home treatment of bed bugs, steam wash all those that were exposed to bed bugs.

4. Silica gel

We always see this stuff in the boxes of new pairs of shoes and oftentimes, we take them for granted. But you can save these silica gel packets and then grind the beads up until they become powdery. Spread them on suspected niching areas and see the result.

5. Rubbing alcohol

While this is always contested, it is said that spritzing rubbing alcohol on bed bugs shall kill them on instant contact. If you are looking for a non-harmful and instant intervention for bed bugs, it would be through rubbing alcohol.

6. Scented dryer sheets

While this one is more of a temporary fix, it still helps to know that there is another instant intervention to bed bugs. For some reasons, bed bugs and mosquitoes hate the smell of scented dryer sheets.

On a more unfortunate end, the pesky insects shall only look for spaces where the scent from the dryer sheets cannot be smelled.

There are also herbal remedies for bed bugs if you are more on the organic side of things. Aside from the essential oils which we mentioned here, it is also notable to look at other herbal remedies which you can use as bed bug intervention if you have a supply of these around.

Lavender: Even if you do not turn lavender into essential oil, the mere scent of the plant in the home would repel bed bugs at an instant. Spreading crushed lavender leaves in crevices or washing clothes and beddings with lavender scented soap would be effective against bed bugs.
Peppermint leaves: This one works like lavender. Crushed peppermint leaves can be left in suspected bed bug niches. Just do not forget to vacuum them off the next day so as to maintain the cleanliness of the home.
Black walnut tea: This one is truly considered as an insect repellant. You can crush the leaves and put them in tea bags and then strategically place them in bed bug infested areas.
Sweet flag: This one is a rare plant, found in wetlands. But when it comes to effectiveness against bed bugs, they are one of the most potent. They can be mixed in essential oil solutions or just depend on the crushed leaves of the sweet flag plant.
Bean leaves, Indian lilac leaves, mint leaves: These three are the other herbal remedies which work like lavender and peppermint. They are better deterrents with their crushed leaves but of course, you could also always extract off their oils to make an essential oil solution.
Thyme: Aside from the leaves, it is said that thyme sticks could be wrapped around the cabinet where you keep your clothes and bedding. Some even go to more extreme ends like burning thyme leaves or sticks with cloth and then have the smoke penetrate the home for a moment to ward them off permanently.
Beauveria Bassiana: This one is a parasitic fungus which particularly feeds on insects like bed bugs. When the bed bugs are trapped in this fungus, they shall be immobile, infertile, and shall be unable to feed.
Citrus: The acidity of citrus fruits and plants do not just repel bed bugs but actually kill them in the process. If you want a bed bug egg level intervention , using citrusy scents would be the most perfect natural intervention.

Related : Bed Bugs Vs. Ticks Side By Side: Differences and Similarities

Of course, there are more to bed bug intervention than just the use of homemade sprays with essential oils. To give you a more comprehensive view of what you can consider when it comes to home remedies for bed bugs, let us look into some of the FAQs for bed bug solutions.

Can you get rid of bed bugs with apple cider vinegar?

Yes. Apple cider vinegar and ordinary vinegars alike work like rubbing alcohol. Diluting 70% of apple cider vinegars on 30% water would kill bed bugs instantly upon contact. If you are looking for an easy and affordable solution for your bed bug problem, apple cider vinegar is a fine choice.

What is the ratio of rubbing alcohol to water to kill bed bugs?

If you are more comfortable with rubbing alcohol as your go-to bed bug spray, you should know the right ratio that would kill bed bugs at an instant. As is the case, 70-99% alcohol content in rubbing alcohols would be the best ratio to kill bed bugs instantly.

What does peppermint oil do to bed bugs?

Being one of the most potent essential oils against bed bugs, you might wonder about the effect of peppermint oil to bed bugs. Aside from the overwhelming scent of peppermint oil, thanks to its high menthol content, it also creates a very painful burning sensation to bed bugs which kills them at an instant.

What can I spray on my mattress to kill bed bugs?

Aside from essential oil sprays, there are also known commercial bed bug sprays which you can buy for your mattresses to kill the bed bugs latching on them. Here are some bed bug spray recommendations which you can check out.

Rest Easy Bed Bug Spray
Bedlam Plus
Eco Defense Bed Bug Killer
HARRIS Black Label Bed Bug Killer
Ortho Home Defense Bed Bug Killer

Is bed bug spray toxic?

Some bed bugs are very toxic. One of those that you should really go away from would be bed bug bombs. It contains a lot of harmful chemicals including permethrins, pyrethroids, and pyrethrins.

A few minutes of ingesting bed bug bombs would really give you distressed breathing. Long exposures to it would lead to respiratory diseases. The mentioned chemicals are also deadly to pets especially to cats, dogs, and even pet fish.

Does bed bug spray kill bed bug eggs?

Not necessarily. Bed bugs are killed on contact and not through ingestion since they directly feed on human blood. Hence, the only way to kill bed bugs would be through coming in contact with a repellant or ingesting them.

Related : 10 Bugs That Look Like Bed Bugs But Aren’t

Does Vicks vapor rub stop bed bugs from biting you?

Since it has a high level of menthol and eucalyptus scent, yes, Vicks can stop bed bugs from biting you. However, always keep in mind that you have to apply a generous amount of Vicks every now and then. Some note the negative effects of Vicks, it being a synthetic menthol so it might not be the best solution in the long run.

Does baby oil repel bed bugs?

They do not necessarily repel bed bugs because they do not have very strong scents. But it is said that putting an inch of baby oil in plastic containers and then setting these containers as stands for the bed’s legs would keep bed bugs away from the beddings because bed bugs are not climbers. They shall be trapped in the baby oil before they could ever reach the beddings.

What type of fabric do bed bugs like?

Bed bugs love the fabrics used for seams, clothes, and upholstery because they are cozy and warm. They also prefer dark colored fabrics where they can easily attach themselves without being exposed.

What can I put on my skin to keep bed bugs from biting me?

While you look for ways to permanently exterminate bed bugs from your home, you can temporarily put the following on your skin to keep these pesky insects from biting you:

Peppermint oil
Other essential oils
Petroleum jelly
Black walnut tea
Insect repellent lotion
Baby powder

How do you prevent bed bugs from biting you at night?

If you do not have access yet to the aforementioned, here are some tips which you can take on to prevent bed bugs from biting you at night:

Regular vacuuming of mattresses and the bed box.
Washing beddings using warm water.
Never store items under your pillows or even under mattresses.
Thorough drying for clothes and beddings before use.
Seek professional help if the previous ones do not help.

Are there food items which bed bugs hate?

Fascinatingly, there are. You can either crush their peelings to make homemade bed bug sprays but you can also whip them up as major ingredients for your food more often to ward bed bugs away.

Yeast-based vegemite and marmite
Citrus fruits
Hot peppers
Beans and legumes

Are there colors which bed bugs hate?

This is another fascinating question to confront because the answer is yes, there are colors which bed bugs hate. These colors would be yellow and green. The cited reason is that these colors resemble intensely lighted areas which they hate. The reds and blacks are their favorite colors.

When it comes to bed bugs, one must be creative to evade further infestation. While insecticides and other chemicals would be the easier choice, one should not necessarily resort to harmful substances. There are a lot of natural remedies to ward off bed bugs and one of them would be making homemade bed bug sprays using essential oils.

Bed bugs particularly hate strong scents. Fortunately, there are a lot of essential oils to choose from. Some of the most potent ones however, would be lavender , peppermint, lemongrass, thyme, and mint . With everything that we have covered here, plus the ten-minute preparation of bed bug sprays with essential oils, there should be no limit to what solution you can come up with.

Homemade Bed Bug Spray With Essential Oils

Start spraying the mixture in the corners where your beddings are and in suspected niches and crevices around the home where the bed bugs can enter.

You can always stick to your preferred essential oil but mixing it with other essential oils is also recommended to come up with a more potent solution.

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Homemade bed bug spray: get rid of bed bugs fast

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Learn how to get rid of bed bugs naturally with this homemade bed bug spray using natural ingredients that you may already have in your pantry.

Let’s face it; nobody likes talking about bed bugs. But they can show up unexpectedly and cause considerable trouble in your home. Unfortunately, getting rid of them isn’t easy. It is essential to deal with them as soon as you see the first signs before they spread and start biting you.

However, conventional bed bug sprays may not be the best treatment. When you sleep in your bed, you want to breathe clean air rather than nasty fumes from your mattress.

Interestingly, natural sprays are more effective bed bug repellents than synthetic products. So, if you’re currently dealing with these pests, don’t worry. I have you covered. It’s a safe, herbal, toxin-free solution you can use immediately. Moreover, it’s made with ingredients you may already have at home.

What are bed bugs?

Bed bugs are small insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They are flat, oval-shaped, and reddish-brown. These tiny pests are nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the night when people sleep.

Bed bugs are called “bed bugs” because they are often found in and around beds, particularly in mattresses, box springs, and bed frames. However, they can also infest furniture, upholstery, and even cracks and crevices in walls.

Why do I have bed bugs?

Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers, and they can easily travel from one place to another by latching onto clothing, luggage, or other personal belongings. Whether you stay in hotels or places with bed bug problems or bring them in your luggage from the airport, bed bugs can quickly infest your home without your knowledge.

Another reason to stay on top of home maintenance is to prevent the entry of bed bugs into your home. Bringing in used furniture, particularly beds and upholstered items, without checking for bed bugs can lead to infestations. If the furniture is infested, the bugs can quickly spread to other areas. Bed bugs also move between apartments or rooms in buildings, going through cracks, vents, or shared plumbing. Lastly, crowded places like dormitories, hotels, hospitals, and shelters are common homes for bed bugs due to the high frequency of people coming and going, giving the bugs plenty of opportunities to hitch a ride and spread.

How Can I Tell If We Have a Bed Bug Infestation?

Several signs indicate bed bugs in your home.

Bed bug bites are often itchy and appear as small, red, and raised bumps on your skin. They are typically arranged in a line or cluster and commonly occur on exposed skin areas like the arms, legs, neck, or face. However, it’s important to note that not everyone reacts to bed bug bites, so the absence of bites doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have bed bugs.

If you notice small bloodstains on your sheets or pillowcases, it could be a sign of bed bug activity. When bed bugs feed, they may be crushed, leaving tiny bloodstains behind.

Bed bugs often leave behind dark, rust-colored stains on mattresses, sheets, or furniture. These are their excrement and may appear as small dots or smears.

Bed bugs also release a distinct, sweet, musty odor.

In advanced infestations, you may see live bed bugs crawling on your bedsheets, bed frame, or nearby crevices of furniture, where adult bed bugs tend to lay their eggs. Bed bugs are small, about the size of an apple seed, and have a flat, oval-shaped body that is reddish-brown.

DIY bed bug repellent ingredients

Lavender possesses natural properties that can help repel bed bugs.

It contains compounds, such as linalool and linalyl acetate, that act as natural insect repellents. They repel various insects, including bed bugs. When bed bugs come into contact with surfaces or areas infused with lavender, they are deterred from approaching or settling in.

In addition, the strong, floral fragrance of lavender overpowers receptors bed bugs use to locate their hosts for blood meals.

We will be using a double action of lavender in this bug repellent, which is in the form of lavender essential oil and lavender vinegar.

Homemade Lavender vinegar

Homemade lavender vinegar is a natural ingredient that combines the pest-repellent properties of lavender with the cleaning power of vinegar. The lavender scent helps deter bed bugs, while vinegar acts as a disinfectant and helps break down the protective coatings of bed bug eggs.

Making lavender vinegar is easy; all you need to do is infuse lavender buds in vinegar.

Lavender essential oil

It is derived from the flowers of the lavender plant, Lavender essential oil. It is known for its pleasant aroma and calming properties. In addition, lavender oil possesses insect-repellent properties that can help deter bed bugs. The oil’s strong fragrance can disrupt their senses and make them less likely to approach treated areas.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil , extracted from the leaves of the tea tree plant, is renowned for its antimicrobial and insecticidal properties. It is considered a natural insect repellent and is effective against bed bugs. Its strong smell instantly repels bugs and inhibits their feeding and reproduction ability .

How to make homemade bed bug spray

First step: start with lavender vinegar.

To make the lavender-infused vinegar, start by taking 2 handfuls of lavender buds and rubbing them gently in a jar. You can use a pestle and mortar to crush the petals into smaller pieces for better mixing. Next, pour your preferred vinegar, such as white vinegar, into the jar, maintaining a ratio of 1 part flowers to 3 parts vinegar.

Cover the jar with a plastic lid or place parchment paper between the metal lid and the jar to prevent corrosion. Allow the mixture to infuse for 4 weeks in a location away from direct sunlight, giving it a gentle shake every now and then. After the infusion period, strain the mixture to remove the lavender buds and label the jar for future use.

Second step: Combine all ingredients

Fill a spray bottle with lavender vinegar, add lavender essential oil and tea tree essential oil, then shake well. You can immediately use your new homemade spray on your bed, pillows, and common bed bug hotspots. You can directly spray the bed bugs or any place the bugs may be hiding.

Other home remedies for bed bugs

Diatomaceous earth.

Diatomaceous earth is a fine powder made from the fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms. You can sprinkle it in areas where bed bugs hide, such as cracks, crevices, and around the bed frame. The powder dehydrates the bugs, ultimately leading to their demise.

Heat Treatment

Bed bugs are sensitive to high temperatures. You can use heat to kill them by washing infested bedding, clothes, and curtains in hot water or drying them on high heat. You can also use a steam cleaner to treat furniture, mattresses, and other infested areas.

Vacuuming won’t kill bed bugs

Like most DIY pest contro l solutions, vacuuming will not eliminate bed bugs instantly from your home but can help reduce their numbers. Especially when combined with proper disposal of the vacuum bag. Pay close attention to seams, crevices, and other hiding spots where bed bugs may be hiding.

Essential Oils for bed bugs

Besides lavender and tea tree oil, other essential oils such as peppermint , eucalyptus , and clove oil have repellent properties keeping away critters of all kinds, even bedbugs. Bugs dislike their powerful scent, thus keeping them away. To deter the bugs, you can dilute these oils with a cup of water and spray them in infested areas.

Mattress Encasements

Investing in mattress encasements that are specifically designed to be bed bug-proof can help prevent bed bugs from nestling or escaping from your mattress. These encasements create a barrier, making it difficult for the bugs to reach you while you sleep.

How Can I Tell If We Have a Bed Bug Infestation?

Rubbing alcohol

Spraying rubbing alcohol, specifically isopropyl alcohol, directly on bed bugs is often mentioned as a potential remedy for bed bugs. While rubbing alcohol can kill bed bugs on contact, its effects are limited. When sprayed directly on the bugs, the alcohol can dissolve the bed bug’s exoskeleton and dehydrate it, leading to its death. However, it may not reach hidden bugs or their eggs, making it challenging to eliminate an infestation. To make an effective homemade bed bug spray with rubbing alcohol, mix equal parts of rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle.

Myth – Dryer sheets

While some people rub furniture down with dryer sheets or place them around their home in the hope of discouraging bed bugs from nestling, there is a lack of scientific evidence to support it. Even if the scent of the dryer sheets does repulse bed bugs, they will often quickly develop a tolerance; thus, dryer sheets are very unlikely to eliminate a bed bug infestation.

Myth – Baking soda

Baking soda has a drying effect and can absorb moisture. Some believe that applying baking soda to areas where bed bugs hide, such as cracks and crevices, can help dehydrate them. However, bed bugs are resilient and won’t go away without a fight. They can survive for extended periods without feeding or in low-moisture environments, so the drying effect of baking soda may not significantly impact their survival.

Myth – Using talcum powder

While talcum powder may dry out the bugs, it is unlikely to provide sufficient control or stop them from spreading. Its drying effect may only have a temporary and localized impact. Bed bugs can survive for extended periods without feeding or in low-moisture environments.

Cleaning and Decluttering

Instead of finding ways to get rid of these pests, you should regularly wash and dry bedding, clothing, and curtains on high heat. Reduce clutter and eliminate hiding places for bed bugs to minimize their ability to multiply.

Effective ways to use bug repellent

Give the spray bottle a good shake before using it. Identify common spots, including beds, bed frames, and furniture. Spray directly onto the affected areas, focusing on cracks, crevices, and other places where bed bugs may be hiding. Pay special attention to seams, tufts, and edges of mattresses and furniture. For best results, repeat the application of the spray regularly, especially if you continue to see signs of bed bugs or if the infestation persists. Bed bugs can be resilient, so consistent treatment is crucial.

Monitor the treated areas for any signs of bed bug activity.

Lastly, while homemade insecticides are an effective natural remedy, they may not eliminate a severe infestation in the entire house. If you’re dealing with a persistent or extensive bed bug problem, consult a pest control professional who can provide targeted treatments and guidance.

Homemade bed bug spray

Instructions

To make the lavender-infused vinegar, start by taking 2 handfuls of lavender buds and rubbing them gently in a jar. You can use a pestle and mortar to crush the petals into smaller pieces for better mixing. Next, pour your preferred vinegar, such as white vinegar, into the jar, maintaining a ratio of 1 part flowers to 3 parts vinegar. Cover the jar with a plastic lid or place parchment paper between the metal lid and the jar to prevent corrosion. Allow the mixture to infuse for 4 weeks in a location away from direct sunlight, giving it a gentle shake every now and then. After the infusion period, strain the mixture to remove the lavender buds and label the jar for future use.

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Homemade Bed Bug Spray and Solutions for Homeowners on a Budget

“Don’t let the bed bugs bite” is a lighthearted phrase or joke we often hear, especially in conversations concerning bedtime. But for some people, bed bugs are anything but light concerns.

In recent years, we’ve seen a resurgence of these unwelcome guests. In 2022, Chicago even ranked as the top US city for bed bugs (with Philadelphia and New York trailing behind).

Sadly, bed bugs are one of the most difficult pests to deal with. They hide in plain sight while feasting on your blood as you sleep. Their bites manifest as irritating, red bumps on your skin. When the problem gets out of hand, it’s time to address the problem.

The best way to deal with bed bugs is to hire a professional pest control company. However, this home maintenance option can be expensive, so your next best option is a DIY fix, aka bed bug spray. Stores stock good insecticides; you’ll easily find a bed bug spray at Walmart. But not all of these sprays are strong enough or they can also be harmful to you.

To get rid of bed bugs naturally, make your own; use baking soda to kill bed bugs or resort to other natural means.

How to Make Homemade Bed Bug Spray

Why pay for store-bought sprays when you can just make your own?

Like other insects, bed bugs can be killed with natural ingredients — with most of these ingredients easily available in your pantry.

One option is a DIY vinegar bed bug spray. It smells unpleasant, but it can kill and destroy stubborn bed bugs on contact . Vinegar bed bug sprays work best during early infestation; they won’t do much if your infestation levels are too advanced.

To make vinegar bed bug spray, just mix a half cup of vinegar with a half cup of water in a spray bottle. Shake well to combine and directly spray them onto the mattress and other surfaces that they may hide (e.g. bed frame, carpeting, furniture and box springs).

Homeowners with bed bug infestation also often ask “Does bleach kill bed bugs?” It does. Bleach contains strong killing properties that get rid of stubborn pests. Combine it with soap and water and you get a proven DIY bed bug spray that leaves behind an odor that discourages bed bugs from returning to your space. All you have to do is mix one part bleach with four parts of water to prevent skin irritation and staining.

Other homemade bug spray recipes you can try include the following:

Neem oil and cedar. Cedar has always been an effective natural insect repellant. It has a powerful odor that bugs dislike, which keeps them away. It also has natural properties that kill stubborn pests. On the other hand, neem oil is a popular ingredient for holistic medicine. Since it’s an effective ingredient, it can mix well with cedar. Just mix five to 10 drops of each oil into a spray bottle and mix in a copy of water. Spray the mixture on all surfaces where bed bugs may lurk.
Tea tree, lemongrass, thyme and lavender oils. Blend five to 10 drops of these essential oils into your spray bottle and add water. Apart from spraying the mixture on all surfaces, you can use this DIY bed bug spray on your body. Just make sure the oils aren’t too concentrated since they can irritate or burn your skin. Dilute the oils in water or carrier oil such as jojoba seed or coconut.
Alcohol. Alcohol is not an effective bed bug repellent, but it can kill bed bugs on contact. Mix water and 100 percent rubbing alcohol, then spray the mixture all around your area.

When you use homemade bed bug spray:

Expect it to be just as effective as bed bug sprays that you buy in stores.
However, homemade bug sprays are not the best options for advanced infestations. These cases will require the services of a professional.
Not all pantry ingredients can kill bed bugs. For instance, some homeowners use baking soda to kill bed bugs by sprinkling it in infested areas. However, this is a myth.

The Most Effective Way to Use Homemade Bed Bug Sprays

Using a spray bottle is the best way to use your DIY solutions . The particles are evenly distributed in small amounts over a larger area. One spray, however, isn’t enough. You need spray twice or thrice for better coverage.

Another way to utilize your DIY bed bug solution is through an atomizer. The device turns the spray into a fine mist, which blends the particles together. They easily float in the air before settling down. Using an atomizer gives you an overall coverage, more than regular sprays do.

Can I Get Rid of Bed Bugs Myself?

You can. If you can make homemade bed bug spray, you can address this home maintenance problem . A DIY bed bug control plan is an affordable alternative for people who can’t afford professional services. With patience and diligence, plus some hard work, you have a fighting chance against bed bugs.

How to Control Bed Bugs

Identify the infested rooms. Bed bugs often spend most of their time in the bedrooms; however, any room where you sleep can provide a home for bed bugs. Living rooms with sofa beds and sofas are prone to bed bugs, too. In most cases, an infestation starts in one room before it starts spreading to other places. If you wait too long, you’ll deal with an advanced infestation.
Don’t throw your bed just yet. Throwing away your bed or bedding is not an option when you have a bed bug problem. Replacing your bed or bedding can be expensive, and chances are that any beds, box springs or mattresses that you bring home will be re-infested.
Vacuuming and stripping the box springs and mattresses. Don’t forget to encase them.
Isolating your bed from the rest of the house.
Killing all the bed bugs on your headboard and frame.
Prepare the room by separating untreated furniture from the treated ones.
Treat all of the rooms systematically.
Repeatedly examine and treat all the furniture.

Bed bugs can be addressed without professional help if the situation isn’t too advanced. However, if you are dealing with an advanced infestation, leave the job to professionals. This way, you’ll lie in bed safe in the knowledge that it’ll be clean and fit for sleeping well .

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Homemade Spray for Bed Bugs

07/05/2022 by Laura | Updated: 03/12/2024 | This post contains affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy .

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It’s not a topic any of us enjoy talking about, is it? Yet bed bugs happen to the best of us!

Homemade bed bug spray on a neatly made bed.

They seemingly come out of nowhere and can wreak havoc on your nervous systems and your house.

It’s crucial to deal with them straight away – as soon as you see signs of them in your bed before they spread and start biting. Yuck!

What’s more, it’s never good to use toxic, chemical-laden products to get rid of them. But unfortunately, this is often what you’ll end up with if you defer to your local store for a conventional bed bug treatment.

After all, you sleep in your bed—spending hours in there at a time. You want to breathe fresh air – not be surrounded by nasty fumes coming from your mattress.

Interestingly, I’ve read that using synthetic products to remove bed bugs is less effective than using natural essential oils.

Now, if you’re currently dealing with bed bugs in your home, fear not. You’re in the right place.

I’m sharing a great recipe today, which is 100% natural containing pure essential oils. It’s a great toxin-free bedbug treatment at home for you to use right away.

Spraying the corner of the mattress for bed bugs.

What are bed bugs

Let’s take a step back for a moment and make sure you know what are bed bugs – what they actually look like, so you know you’re dealing with the right thing.

Bed bugs are very small, usually black to brown in color, and they crawl. They don’t jump or fly, so that makes them fairly easy to differentiate from other bugs.

They feed on the blood of mammals and tend to only come out at night; eerie, right?

You may think you’ve got bed bugs if you find yourself itching while lying down on your bed, but a better telltale sign is if you see bites on your skin or blood spots on your bedsheets – this is a sure sign of bed bugs in your home.

The thing to know, too, is it’s not only beds and mattresses that bed bugs attack. They may also lurk in your couch, your clothes, and your carpets.

They are a nuisance and discomfort more than anything else.

Luckily, bed bugs don’t spread disease to humans (although some people can be allergic to them) and can be gotten rid of relatively easily with a homemade remedy packed with essential oils, which I’ll explain in the next section.

Spraying down mattresses with bed bug killer.

Essential oils for bed bugs

There are various essential oils that are effective in the fight against bed bugs. These are a few of the best I know of, with explanations as to why they work well.

Tea tree is perhaps the most well-known of all essential oils, favored for its antibacterial and antiviral properties. In addition, it emits a pleasant (albeit pungent) smell that repels and kills bed bugs in one sitting.

In addition, tea tree is also an effective spider repellent , which is a big plus!

As with tea tree oil, peppermint repels bed bugs due to its strong scent. Spray a strong solution of water and peppermint oil on the affected area, and bed bugs will be gone in no time.

Peppermint oil is the number one most effective way to get rid of ants in the house .

Citronella will repel bed bugs and also other flies such as mosquitos and wasps . It works great as a summer bug repellent candle to keep pests at bay.

Another great essential oil to repel bed bugs and kill their eggs is lavender oil. It’s also a nice oil to use in the bedroom due to its relaxing properties, helping to promote a good night’s sleep.

Oregano (Carvacrol)

Several essential oils show promising signs of killing bed bugs outright – not just repelling them, and oregano is one of them (it’s why I use it in my own homemade spray for bed bugs – see the recipe below)

Spraying the corners of the mattress and bed with bed bug spray.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure here .

Home remedies for bed bugs with vinegar

It’s preferable to kill bed bugs using a natural solution at all times to keep you and your family safe.

The recipe I’m sharing here includes vinegar because of its high acidic value. It kills bed bugs and insects instantly on application, and the smell keeps them away too.

It also seeps into the eggs, killing them and preventing the spread.

Ingredients:

8 drops of oregano essential oil
5 drops each of tea tree and lavender essential oils
1/8 cup of vinegar (white vinegar preferable)
1 cup of water

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a clean spray bottle, secure the lid, and shake well.
Spray around the corners and crevices of your bed and anywhere bed bugs may be hiding, such as room corners, closets and floorboards.
In addition, wash your bedding every other day on a hot cycle until the bed bug infestation has gone.

Why do I have bed bugs

Having bed bugs is not a sign that your house is dirty or your sheets are lacking hygiene.

Bed bugs tend to pass from one person to another through contact with upholstery, such as on public transport or in hotel rooms which see a lot of different people staying there.

Don’t be disheartened that bed bugs have paid you a visit – it really is very common and can be sorted out quickly if you take action immediately.

How to get rid of bed bugs permanently

My best advice is to observe your living space for bed bug infestations and act as soon as you see signs of them.

Getting rid of them permanently is difficult because they can choose to visit your home anytime .

It’s a good idea to have a homemade spray for bed bugs ready and waiting to use just in case you see signs of bed bugs.

Always get to work on them straight away! They won’t go away on their own – and they get worse quite quickly, so there’s no time to waste.

Vacuuming around the corner of a bed post to keep out bugs.

In addition to using this homemade bed bug spray, make sure you vacuum your living space often and keep the area tidy.

Keep areas such as sofas and carpets clean .

Also, consider washing your bed sheets on a hot cycle every once in a while. This kills bed bugs instantly.

Another method that can be used in conjunction with a bed bug spray is rubbing alcohol.

Also called isopropyl alcohol, it can be effective when used directly on bed bugs – i.e., the ones you see, but it doesn’t repel them. So it’s not that practical when trying to eliminate an infestation.

Finally, getting rid of a bed bug infestation can take time, so remember, be patient, but be effective.

Use the bed bug spray every day and be consistent with washing your sheets and keeping the area infested, clean, and tidy.

Wear a bug repellent bracelet at night, or use a bug repellent lotion to keep bugs off of you.

I hope you find this post helpful and enjoy making the recipe. I wish you the best of luck! For more great recipes, check out some of these favorites below.

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Bed Bug Spray

16-oz spray bottle

Ingredients

8 drops of oregano essential oil
4 drops of tea tree oil
4 drops of lavender oil
⅛ cup of vinegar
1 cup of filtered water

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in the spray bottle, secure the lid and shake well.
Spray around the corners and crevices of the bed or anywhere that bed bugs may be hiding.

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DIY Bed Bug Traps

Last Updated: April 5, 2024 by Mallory Klein

Reviewed by Norah Levine - Fact checked by Piper Mack

There are thousands of critters who crawl around and find their way into our homes. Bed bugs are the worst of all of them, and people with a bed bug infestation are desperate to get rid of them without having to spend an arm and a leg on pest control. If you’ve ever considered making DIY bed bug traps, you aren’t alone in your thought process.

Homemade bed bug traps don’t sound like the most reliable exterminator, but it has been proven that some of the best bed bug traps are homemade versions.

If you’re interested in learning how to make a bed bug trap instead of calling the exterminator, there is research indicating that you may have a better chance of taking care of the problem yourself.

What are Bed Bugs?

Changlu Wang, an entomologist from Rutgers University, wrote in the Journal of Economic Entomology about how using a homemade bed bug trap effectively eases a bed bug problem. Other entomologists have backed his research, and now DIY bed bug traps are becoming increasingly popular to catch them.

According to IFAS, the Institute of Food and Technology, bed bugs are insects that feed on human blood, often during nighttime hours while people sleep.

Bed bug bites leave our skin itchy and swollen and may become infected from too much scratching. Although they don’t transmit diseases, they are a severe pest problem.

The bed bug life cycle begins as a milky white egg located in small cracks and crevices that are often hard to find. The eggs could be in baseboards, wall outlets, folds in wallpaper, a box spring, and any other hard to spot locations.

Bed bugs are masters at hide-and-seek, and finding every last one is essential to get rid of them for life. How fast do bedbugs reproduce ? After the eggs are laid, they hatch and start feeding right away. Nymphs, or young bed bugs, continue to molt until they are adults.

Some bed bugs live only a few months while others live a few years. Most have a life span of six months, but those numbers rise as you go toward warmer climates.

Adults go months without feeding, and females lay up to five eggs per day so getting rid of them all is of the utmost importance.

Learning how to get rid of dust mites, a completely different insect, requires another process. The same holds true for homemade silverfish traps, although it’s possible to use a glue trap for these and other bugs.

How to Make a Bed Bug Trap

Bed bugs may be small, but there is always a strategy for fighting back and taking back control of your home.

Creating your own DIY bed bug treatment might not seem like the most effective way to handle an infestation, but these are traps that homeowners have sworn by to get rid of the problem.

DIY Bed Bug Traps for Homeowners

Bed bug traps work when you know how to attract the critters. Finding an attractant that works to eradicate bed bugs is going to lead you to success during your extermination.

National Geographic created this homemade bed bug trap, and it has become one of our favorites.

Bedbug Detector

10 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons yeast

One way to detect bed bugs is with a DIY bedbug detector. Bed bugs are attracted to sugar and carbon dioxide because it creates a scent similar to what draws the bugs to us. The yeast in this bed bug detector attracts the bugs to the cup so that you can see them more easily to confirm you have an infestation.

Add the yeast and sugar to an old coffee cup and fill the cup with warm water. Put the water inside a large dog bowl and wait a few days before checking to see if it attracted bed bugs.

For getting rid of bed bugs, use scents that repel bed bugs , like tea tree and peppermint. Make a spray to spritz the mattress and all around your home.

Homemade Bed Bug Trap

One of the best DIY bed bug traps includes household items like masking tape and an old bottle. With this new trap, you can catch bed bugs without them escaping.

Simple Trap for Bed Bugs

2-liter bottle
Paper towels
Masking tape or surgical tape
Talcum powder

For this DIY bed bug removal solution, cut the bottle with the scissors along the top of the label. Because bed bugs can’t climb up smooth surfaces, wrap the lower section of the bottle in paper towels and tape it together.

Cut off the excess paper towel. Invert the top section of the plastic bottle and place it inside the bottom half, so the top of each piece is even.

Add a small amount of talc, a quarter cup of sugar, and a packet of yeast into the bottle and place it near an area with bed bug activity.

Killing Bed Bugs with Dry Ice

Dry ice is another useful tool because it creates carbon dioxide. Tape some fabric or paper towels to the sides of a large dog bowl. In the center, fill a large cup with dry ice.

Spread talcum powder on the inside edges of the dog bowl and leave the room. After a couple of hours, check to see if you trapped bed bugs inside the dog bowl.

Glue and Tape Traps

Glue traps aren’t the most effective type of homemade bed bug trap, but they are excellent at detecting them. To make bed bug monitors, spread wet glue on pieces of paper and spread them around your bed at night.

When you wake up in the morning, check to see if the glue caught any of the bed bugs. Tape traps work similarly to glue traps. Leave the tape sticky-side-out around your bed and up the legs.

Spreading Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a powerful powder used for killing bed bugs. Diatomaceous earth powder for bed bugs is free from harmful chemicals for you and your pets but dehydrates the bugs’ exoskeleton, which causes them to die after only a few hours.

Spread the diatomaceous earth around suspected infestation sites after deep cleaning your home. Make sure to find all cracks and crevices where eggs might be lingering.

Allow the powder to sit for as long as possible before vacuuming. Repeat this method as often as necessary.

This method is the ideal homemade mattress cleaning solution to eliminate a bed bug problem.

Bed Bug Interceptor Trap

There are many brands of interceptor traps, like ClimbUp, that help trap bed bugs, and they are free from dangerous pesticides. Place them under the feet of your bed.

These traps help people determine which furniture is infested and are only used for detection rather than killing them.

Buying Insecticide

When all else fails, purchasing an insecticide for your home might be the next best option. Whenever using these types of products, always follow safety regulations and directions printed on the label of the container.

These sprays often contain harmful chemicals, so use caution, especially when applying them to the inside of your home. If you’ve tried everything and none of the traps seem to work, call pest control to get a handle on the situation.

Finding a homemade bed bug trap that works for you isn’t as hard as it may seem. Bed bugs are some of the most problematic pests to get rid of, but time, patience, and dedication are what lead you to success in your mission.

There is no need for bed bugs to take over your house when there are plenty of traps that are easy to make.

Become a pest control master that turns a bed bug infestation into the thing of the past using DIY bed bug traps, pesticides, interceptor, bed bug monitors, and more. These bed bug traps work to keep the pests at bay and prevent them from returning for good. #bed #bug #traps

If you found it easy to make these DIY bed bug traps at home, share this article on how to make a bed bug trap on Facebook and Pinterest.

How to prevent bedbugs when traveling

French officials are attempting to quell Paris ' bedbug problem ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics after footage claiming the appearance of bedbugs across France — in Airbnbs, on public transportation and at movie theaters — has gone viral on social media.

It's a timely reminder that bedbugs are an unfortunate yet common reality, whether you're at home or traveling. It has even led guests to sue hotels following outbreaks. There have also been instances of bedbugs found on board airplanes and at airports .

Approximately 20% of U.S. homes and hotels have bedbugs annually, and nearly 68% of the reported bedbug infestations stem from hotels.

"Bed bug populations have experienced a resurgence in many parts of the world over the past couple of decades, especially within the last couple of years due in part to increased travel postponed during the height of the pandemic," an entomologist from Orkin Pest Control said. "However, other factors have led to an increase in bed bug infestations in recent years, including resilience to treatment, lack of public awareness and changing pest control practices."

Travelers shouldn't worry about regularly encountering bedbugs in hotels, especially since reputable accommodations proactively control pests through treatments and routine inspections.

However, with all travel comes inherent risk, so it's important to be aware of the possibility and take preventive measures when traveling. This can help with early detection, especially in densely populated areas with lots of tourists.

"Cities and regions with major airports or transportation hubs often see higher rates of bedbug infestations because they can unknowingly hitchhike along with travelers from different locations," according to Orkin.

To help protect you and your belongings from bedbugs while on the road, here are five tips to follow, plus what steps you should take if you find bedbugs.

Tips to prevent bedbugs when traveling

Believe it or not, bedbug prevention starts before you begin your trip, though there are also several steps you'll want to take once you leave home to ensure your travels remain bedbug-free.

Check bedbug policies before making any hotel reservations

As you research properties for your trip, reach out to any hotel you're interested in to see what its bedbug policy is before you reserve a room.

Hotels should be able to speak to their bedbug prevention and control program, including regular inspections and access to a professional pest control company, according to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene .

Inspect hotel beds, cushions and drapes, and put luggage in the bathtub or shower

Do your due diligence the next time you're checking into a hotel room. A quick visual scan is your best defense (not all people who get bitten by bedbugs have a skin reaction, so you could be packing them up in your luggage and have no idea). Bedbugs are nocturnal, so if you arrive during the day, you likely won't be able to spot them in the flesh.

First, put your suitcase somewhere that is not on your bed. If there's no luggage rack, leave it in the entryway or even the bathroom. Anywhere is better than putting it on the bed — especially before determining whether your bed may be infested. Bedbugs hide in soft spots, so using a luggage rack is your best bet, as they can't climb up the metal legs.

When it comes to luggage, consider that bedbugs are less likely to attach to hard-shelled suitcases versus soft-shelled bags.

When you're ready to check for bedbugs, peel back the linens of your bed until you can see the mattress, particularly the corners and the lining. Instead of looking for actual bugs, you'll want to see if there's any bedbug excrement, which mimics tiny little ink blots that a pen might leave.

Search the sheets, inside pillowcases and, most importantly, alongside the seams of the mattress. Look under the mattress while you're at it, but be prepared to find a few crumbs here and there.

Be thorough with this process, and look beyond the mattress to include the headboard and any upholstered furniture.

Throughout your trip, regularly examine your clothing and luggage to catch a bedbug infestation in the early stages.

Bring a portable bedbug trap

If you want to take it a step further, you can purchase a portable bedbug trap to accompany you on trips.

One such option is the Ortho Home Defense Bed Bug Trap , which retails for $17 and promises to attract any particularly evasive bedbugs within one hour of setting it up.

Clean your luggage with a steamer and spray

Once you complete your bed sweep, if you want further peace of mind, you can consider using a travel steamer to clean your luggage. To effectively kill bedbugs, the surface temperature needs to be at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit, so you'll need a steamer strong enough to reach those temperatures, such as the Beautural travel steamer .

For $35, this steamer provides 15 minutes of continuous steaming via a detachable 8.79-ounce water tank. It claims to heat up in 30 seconds and is safe on all fabrics, including clothes, curtains and furniture. It has three additional attachments for versatile steaming options.

Be sure to steam every inch of your luggage inside and out, remembering to unzip the lining and steam inside the pockets, around the handles and by the wheels.

If you are still concerned, consider removing and washing all clothing in hot water before drying your items on high heat.

If steaming your suitcase and washing your clothes is too much effort, pack a travel-size bedbug spray like this one from Hygea Natural for $10.99. At 3 ounces, it meets the Transportation Security Administration's 3-1-1 liquids rule guidance, so you can carry it on a plane. It's even child- and pet-safe and doesn't have an odor, so it won't leave a residue.

Simply spray it upon the affected surface to exterminate any concerns about bedbugs.

Check your airplane seat

"While people mostly think of bedbug infestations at hotels, other common bedbug hiding places are taxis, buses and airplanes," according to Orkin. "Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers, so they have plenty of opportunity to catch a ride with unsuspecting travelers. The insects creep into upholstery, carpeting, and gaps along seat frames."

To avoid bedbug issues while on a plane, Orkin suggests inspecting the upholstery, carpeting and gaps along seat frames after you board and before you sit down to look for eggs or even full-size bugs near the cracks and crevices of the seatback cushions.

Steps to take if you find bedbugs

In the event that you discover signs of a bedbug infestation at a hotel, immediately tell the front desk agent and ask to be moved to a room that is neither above, below nor next to the offending room.

Your next order of business is getting your money refunded and leaving the property immediately. If the hotel offers to move you to another room, ask to speak to a manager. Chances are, if the bugs are in one room, they'll be in others.

After you've booked other accommodations, make sure no bugs have been transported with you to the new location by washing and drying your clothes on high heat.

If you have a credit card that offers trip protection , call the issuer to find out if the company will cover the purchase of new luggage since there isn't an easy way to treat large baggage.

Once you get to the new hotel, place the clothes you've worn in a plastic trash bag and seal it up until the clothes can be washed. Lastly, consider packing clothing in resealable plastic bags for an extra layer of protection.

If you find bedbugs at home, start with containing the infestation by isolating the affected areas.

"Do not move items from infested rooms to non-infested ones to prevent the bugs from spreading," the Orkin entomologist said. "Keep in mind if you start sleeping in another area of the house, you may spread infestation there, too."

Once the mess is contained, declutter and clean, as this will make it easier to spot and find the other bugs. Immediately wash your bedding, curtains, clothing and any other affected fabric in hot water and dry on hot heat to kill any remaining bugs or eggs.

"Because bed bug infestations can be difficult to treat, if you wait too long to get help, the problem only gets worse," Orkin said. "Hiring a pest control company is the best way to get rid of bed bugs for good. They will inspect your home, identify the source of the problem, and create a treatment plan that will eliminate these pests."

Bottom line

On your next trip, Orkin reminds travelers to keep the acronym SLEEP in mind:

Survey the hotel room for signs of an infestation.
Lightly lift and look in bedbug-hiding spots (the mattress, behind baseboards, pictures and torn wallpaper).
Elevate luggage away from the bed and wall, and place belongings in the bathroom or on counters instead of on the bed.
Examine your luggage carefully while repacking and once you return home. Always store luggage away from the bed.
Place all your clothing from your luggage in the dryer for at least 30 to 45 minutes at the highest setting once you return home.

Also, remember that bedbugs have nothing to do with cleanliness.

"You can pick them up in the finest hotels, and they can hitchhike into the cleanest homes at any time," the Orkin entomologist said. "You can help reduce your chances of a costly bed bug infestation by catching them early."

Even once the bugs themselves are gone, the trauma can stay with you for a while. Taking the time to do your homework ahead of time before riding an airplane or checking into a hotel is well worth the effort.

How to Prevent Bed Bugs While Traveling: 8 Effective Tips

Backpacking , Packing , Packing Tips

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It’s not the nicest of topics but the truth is that not all travel is glamorous and Instagram-worthy. Budget travelers, backpackers, and some unfortunate vacation-goers may find themselves in unpleasant accommodation conditions infested with certain pesky little creatures: bed bugs. Eww. Gross but true. Learn how to prevent bed bugs while traveling with these eight helpful tips!

How to Prevent Bed Bugs

Written By: Jessica Lippe

On my first overnight trip abroad, I unknowingly shared a bed with hundreds of hungry bed bugs. I woke up with bite marks decorating my legs, and the weeks that followed included lots of itching.

Editor’s note: this happened to me on the first stop on my RTW trip , too!

Fortunately, this one buggy experience didn’t stop me from discovering the joy of travel. Instead, I learned more about these tiny creatures and gained a few skills to detect and avoid them.

Since this outing, I’ve gone on many more travels and managed to avoid bed bugs each time, including a return trip two years later to the same hotel where I had my first and only bed bug encounter.

The secret to traveling light is to create a functional but minimalist capsule wardrobe. Learn more in my guide !

Travelers are always at risk for bed bugs. It doesn’t matter if you stay in the swankiest resort or the cheapest hostel.

I’ve been impressed over the past few years with the measures that the hospitality industry has taken to reduce infestations, but there are still a few things that we, as individuals, can do as well. All it takes is a few simple items that you can easily fit in your luggage.

Note that none of the following can guarantee you an adventure free from bed bugs, but they can help slow the spread of these unwanted hitchhikers.

Here are eight tips on how to prevent bed bugs while traveling:

Delsey Helium Carry-On

The Right Kind of Suitcase

I’ve noticed that suitcases on the market today are mostly black. Although black does go with everything, it’s very difficult to spot bed bugs on a suitcase of this color!

Light-colored bags can help you detect bed bugs earlier. Better yet, a hard-sided suitcase means fewer access points for bed bugs compared to a fabric bag.

Take a look at the best hardside luggage options available!

PETZL Outdoor Headlamp

LED Flashlight

When you first arrive at a new accommodation, it’s a good idea to do a bed bug inspection. Bed bugs thrive in darkness, so turn off the lights and close the curtains to make sure you’re as thorough as possible. Using your flashlight, take the sheets off the bed and inspect the corners of the mattress.

If you see little dots, it could be blood, waste, or carcasses of bed bugs. Also, shine your flashlight in outlets, furniture screws, and other tiny hiding places.

If you see anything scurrying away from the light, leave the room and notify staff immediately. This may not help you in your mission on how to prevent bed bugs initially but at least you might be able to switch rooms.

Find out why we always pack a travel headlamp when traveling to certain destinations!

Osprey Ultralight Raincover

Heavy-Duty Garbage Bag

How to prevent bed bugs has a lot to do with planning ahead. You should keep your luggage away from any item that has the potential for bed bugs. This includes beds and other people’s luggage. When flying, don’t check your luggage but keep your carry-on with you.

If you’re staying in a hotel, use the foldable luggage holder if it’s provided. If you’re in a hostel, keep your belongings in a metal locker.

Read our hostel checklist !

But there may be some instances where you have no choice but to keep your bag where it will touch furniture and other people’s suitcases.

Whether you’re using luggage storage or stowing your backpack in the underbelly of a long-distance bus, first put it in a large, heavy-duty garbage bag as a makeshift bed bug barrier.

You can use this garbage bag method any time you want to protect your luggage. The drawbacks are that it can be a hassle to put on and take off, and you don’t want your bag to be mistaken for trash!

If you do end up getting bed bugs, please keep your luggage bagged up so you prevent spreading it to other travelers.

You can also buy a reusable backpack cover or suitcase cover like the one shown above.

Ziploc Storage Bag

Plastic Baggies

Ziploc bags provide the same kind of protection as a heavy-duty garbage bag, but are more ideal for clothing and other small objects. Using a garbage bag outside your suitcase and baggies inside your suitcase can work double-duty in isolating and avoiding the spread of bed bugs.

As a bonus, Ziploc baggies do a great job of organizing your belongings. You could also use packing cubes !

Take a look at the best luggage organizers !

Eddie Bauer Full-Zip Hoodie Sizes: XS-XXL Regular | S-L Petite | M-XXL Tall | 2X-3X Plus

Long Pants and Long-Sleeved Clothing

During my bed bug incident, I wore capri sweatpants to bed. The bugs feasted on my calves, but I didn’t have a single bite mark above my knee.

I’ve heard from some people that clothing doesn’t always deter bed bugs, but there’s no harm in at least trying to keep them away with a protective layer in your efforts on how to prevent bed bugs.

Sleep in long pants and a long-sleeved top whenever temperature permits while traveling. Since bed bugs can infest more than just mattresses, I try to wear long pants on travel days in case they are lurking in a bus or plane seat. I’ll often even wear a scarf over my head while napping because I don’t want my face to be bitten!

There’s a variety of bug repellant clothing available. Neutral colors might be your best bet if you plan to wear them for anything other than sleeping. Take a look!

Zella Live In High Waist Leggings | Sizes 1X-3X Plus

Machine-Washable Clothing

Even if you insist on wearing shorts and tank tops when you travel, at least make sure that all your clothes can go through a washing machine and dryer. I mostly hand-wash and line-dry my clothes when I travel, but I still check the clothing tags before I pack.

If I’m afraid that I’ve had contact with bed bugs, the heat from the hot water and clothes dryer will kill them. Although machine-washable electronics and suitcases would be nice, isolating them and wiping them down has seemed to work so far.

These are the best leggings for women that travel according to our readers!

Ethique Refreshing Soap Bar

Bar of Soap

Let’s say, despite your precautions, that you do pick up bed bugs. The good news is, you don’t have many health issues to worry about. Unlike other bugs you may face while traveling, such as ticks and mosquitos, bed bugs don’t spread disease.

However, those nasty bite marks they leave behind are at risk of infection. Clean the bites regularly with soap, and you can continue your adventures without delay.

Here are other solid toiletries to help you minimize liquids!

Sawyer Products Insect Repellent

Bug Spray? Eh, Maybe Not

The bug spray you wear to avoid mosquito bites won’t help you at all with bed bugs.

You could purchase a small canister of bed bug spray, but it comes with downsides. Most sprays on the market don’t kill bed bugs; they only repel them. That means the bugs will just hide in harder-to-find places.

If you simply want to avoid bed bugs during a short-term stay, a spray might be worth considering. But for long-term stops, these sprays will only prolong the problem.

Especially don’t use these sprays if you accidentally bring bed bugs into your own home! There are other products and methods you’ll need to use for an infestation.

For mosquitos, these are the best insect repellants for travel!

EXAMPLES OF SOME (BUT NOT ALL) BUDGET TRAVEL ACCOMMODATION

What are your tips on how to prevent bed bugs? Please comment below!

For more travel essentials, please read:

Best Anti-theft Travel Bags
8 Budget Travel Essentials
The Best Insect Repellant
How I Could’ve Kept My Purse from Getting Stolen

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I hope you liked this post on how to prevent bed bugs. Please share with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Thanks for reading!

Author Bio: Jessica Lippe craves uncommon adventure and has fond memories in Northern Italy as part of last summer’s Mediterranean Trek. Read about her travels and other adventures at JessicaLippe.com .

16 Comments

Spray alcohol in beds and linen is the best way to ride off the bed bugs. I wasted lots of money in sophisticated insecticides and nothing work.

Thanks for sharing your tips to prevent this with us Silvia.

so i’ve been told time and time again that the hotel foldable luggage racks are one of the worst places to actually set your luggage on, as well as the bed and a carpeted floor. if you have a countertop they say that’s the best place, or the bathtub (which isn’t always practical, i know)

Hi Lisa, thank you for sharing your tips on how to avoid bed bugs with us! 🙂

is there a lightweight sleeping bag that will keep them out???

Hi Mark, thank you for reaching out! You may find this article helpful: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/sleeping-bag-liner/ A sleeping bag liner is great for keeping bugs out. Hope this answers your question! 🙂

Hello! I will be traveling cross country soon via train, spending 2 nights each way, sitting in royal blue cushioned coach seats. I have already bagged everything going into my (washable) duffel bags. I will change my clothes in the train station before entering my daughters car. (and bag the clothes I wore on the train.) I will outer bag the duffel bags before they go into my daughters trunk. When we arrive at her home, I will also spray them down with 97% alcohol (outside) when I remove the outer bags, then take the duffel bags to be dried in a laundromat to be safe. Do you think I should also put all my bagged clothes from within my duffel bags into a dryer when I empty the luggage? Also, I am stumped about my purse while on the trains. I will bag my purse with a large zip lock bag (ordered on line). Should I also bag everything within my purse? (wallet, cell phone, etc.) Any other ideas would be great! Thank you so much!!!!!

Hi Sharon, it sounds like you have everything covered! If your are particularly worried about your clothes put them in the dryer once you arrive at your destination as the heat should help to get rid of the bugs whilst protecting your clothes. Hope this helps! Have an amazing time on your trip! 🙂

Thank you for the tips. Its my biggest travel fear. What to do if, ever, you bring them home?

Try to wash your clothing as soon as you get home and never put your suitcase on your bed.

Washing does not kill bed bugs, so don’t put your bedbugs in your washer! Instead, dry your clothes FIRST (when still dirty) in a hot dryer, for 50-60 minutes. Then wash and dry your dirty washable items. This heat treatment will also protect many clothes that you cannot safely wash. After all, you cannot dry all clothes for an hour in a hot dryer after washing, it will damage many clothes. But when heated while dry, many items do fine. Also works for a lot of footwear, cheap small backpacks, etc. But don’t put your favorite sneakers or a fancy backpack in the dryer, it might not survive.

if you want to stop mosquito bites without those nasty sprays just take Vitamin B1 25mg everyday. The vitamin causes a reaction on your skin that the mosquitos dislike. I’ve used this trick for 50 years, never had it fail. Unfortunately it has not worked on those little biting gnats.

When I lived in Vancouver Canada we got bedbugs visiting. So we get to our apartment- we got naked ?? threw our clothes away and jumped in the shower.. I was in my twenties then and the thought of a bedbug and how hard to rid I was willing to streak

I love following your suggestions. Though we can’t travel at the moment, we soon will be again.

My biggest fear when travelling… not the bugs as much as the fear of bringing them home and trying to get rid of them then. Thanks for the info!

Happy to help 🙂

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EXPLORE Random Article

How to Avoid Bed Bugs when Traveling

Last Updated: May 25, 2021 References

This article was co-authored by Kevin Carrillo . Kevin Carrillo is a Pest Control Specialist and the Senior Project Manager for MMPC, a pest control service and certified Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) based in the New York City area. MMPC is certified by the industry’s leading codes and practices, including the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), QualityPro, GreenPro, and The New York Pest Management Association (NYPMA). MMPC's work has been featured in CNN, NPR, and ABC News. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 56,240 times.

Imagine finally finding time to take a much needed vacation. Then, when you return home relaxed and feeling rejuvenated, you discover you now have a bed bug problem! It is no surprise that traveling is one of the easiest ways to bring the unwelcome pests into your home. While traveling, there are several precautions you should take to keep this nightmare from happening.

Booking Your Trip

Keep in mind that negative comments may simply be an unhappy guest who just wants to ruin the hotel’s reputation. However, if you see several comments around the same topic like bed bugs, consider it a legitimate concern.

Enjoy the outdoors Head to the nearest camp ground and sleep under the stars or in a cozy tent. Many camps are extremely clean, and offer hot showers for very reasonable rates.

During Your Hotel Stay

Bugs are brown with a long, oval shaped body. Most are tiny, about the size of an apple seed but they can be larger, about the size of a nickel. You should also look for black fecal matter and a musty smell. [1] X Trustworthy Source United States Environmental Protection Agency Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices Go to source

Place the luggage rack away from any furniture. If the closet is large enough, keep it in there.

Before wearing any garment, shake it out as an extra precaution.

If you forget, ask the hotel to supply something like an extra trash bag.

Do not move to an adjacent room. Request a move to another floor.

Returning Home

If your luggage is a dark color it may be difficult to see. Use a lint roller, covering the entire bag, seams and zippers. [4] X Research source

Don’t hang dry your clothes either. Tossing items into a scorching hot dryer will kill the bugs.
Even items that weren’t worn should be washed. Bugs could have crawled throughout the bag. Better to be safe than sorry.
Shoes can be wiped down with a cloth and some hot water. Leave them outside in the sunlight if possible for a couple of hours too.

Never store suitcases under your bed.

Contact a professional to discuss the extermination options available to you. They may recommend chemical or steam treatments. [9] X Research source
Research pesticides but be clear on their use. While some are great for indoors, others can only be used outside. [10] X Trustworthy Source United States Environmental Protection Agency Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices Go to source

Expert Q&A

If you happen to notice that white powder is present within drawers, the closet, or around floorboards, it is likely that the room has already been treated for bed bugs. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Don't avoid travel for the fear of bed bugs. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
Bed bugs can reproduce quickly so don't procrastinate with treating a problem. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 4

↑ https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs
↑ Kevin Carrillo. Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview. 22 October 2019.
↑ https://www.bedbugs.umn.edu/travelers/inspecting-your-hotel-room-bed-bugs
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XWKhsaBaic
↑ http://www.orkin.com/other/bed-bugs/bedbug-bites/
↑ http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/bb-heat1.pdf
↑ https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs/pesticides-control-bed-bugs

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How to Make Homemade Bed Bug Spray And Use It

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How to Make Homemade Bed Bug Spray

Making your own homemade bed bug spray is really important because it will prevent you from using toxic chemicals on the place you sleep. This homemade method will also make your bed smell great as well. Bed bugs aren’t good, and they will bite you as well when you sleep.

Getting rid of the bed bugs the paper way with heat would be the best way, but you can use this method to spray and get rid of the bed bugs and other insects that might be on your bed or around your bed. First, you will need to learn a few things about bed bugs.

How Long Do Bed Bugs Live For?

Bed bugs can live up to 10 months or a year, but they have to feed on blood every few days. If you have sensitive skin and the bed bugs bite you, you will have swelling and a mark on your hand.

How to Know If You Have Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs will make you leave blood stains on the sheets of your pillow and even your pillowcase. You might also find rusty spots on the bed and mattress caused by the brown color of the bed bug. They will also leave a musty odor over time if you do not get rid of them.

The Method On How To Make Homemade Bed Bug Spray And Use It:

Below is a step by step guide that will teach you how to make bed bug spray from scratch. You will need to buy a few things first, so buy them before you start to clean your sheets and other stuff because you cannot put new sheets on a bed bug infested bed.

What You Will Need:

Spray Bottle
Essentially Oil
Rubbing Alcohol / Vinegar

Steps To Take:

Step 1. The first thing you need to do is wash the sheets that were on the bed with the bed bugs. Make sure to wash them on the hottest setting in the washing machine. When the sheets are dry, you need to shake them out properly so that the dead bed bugs come right out.

Step 2 Making The Spray. Once you have cleaned all the sheets, you now need to make the bed bug spray. Fill the spray bottle 3/4 full with warm water and then add rubbing alcohol to the rest of it.

You can now add 15-20 drops of lavender, mint, cinnamon, and orange to the spray bottle and shake it well. The essential oil is a natural repellent for any insect or bug.

Step 3. Once you have made the spray, spray your entire bed with the homemade spray. Ensure to spray every inch of the bed, including the side of the bed that is on the frame.

Step 4. Let the spray stay on the bed for an hour or two so that it can work on the bugs. Once the time is up, brush the bed off by hitting the bed with something so that the bugs can fall off. Put your sheets back on your bed when you are done.

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Final Thoughts:

This article will both teach you how to make a bed bug spray and use it on your bed to get rid of the bed bugs. Making bed bug spray is quite easy, so you just need to use it in the proper way to make it the most effective in getting rid of the bed bugs.

This includes washing every sheet and pillowcase and even replacing pillows that were on that bed with the live bed bugs. If you follow all the instructions above, your bed should now be bed bug free, and the sprays should keep them away permanently.

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Travel Essentials & Accessories

15 Best Bed Bug Sprays and Powders

Published: August 4, 2020

Modified: December 27, 2023

by Rina Bernardo

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Isn’t it best to have bed bug spray when you’re traveling? Of course, it might not be the most common items in a travel bag , but it’s definitely useful to protect your skin from pesky bed bug bites from a foreign bed in a hotel or resort. While most bed bug sprays come in huge bottles, some of the best bed bug sprays come in convenient travel-sized bottles. Considering that many of us might have sensitive skin, we curated a variety of bed bug sprays that are effective yet gentle on skin.

What do Bed Bugs Look Like?

An adult bed bug is wingless and has an oval-shaped body. Its size and shape are also fairly similar to an apple seed. Bed bugs are usually white or reddish-brown in color. They can either appear flat or like a tiny balloon depending if they’ve fed recently or not. Like mosquitoes and ticks, they feed on blood from animals or people, but bed bugs are mostly active at night.

Bed bugs can hide in beds, mattresses, floors, and can mostly be found in hotels, apartment complexes, and hostels where people come and go. Since these bed bugs are small and nimble, they can easily transfer to your luggage and into your home.

Photo by Nik Lanús on Unsplash

Where do Bed Bugs Bite?

Bed bugs are active at night and they usually bite their targets while they are sleeping. Bed bugs target areas of the skin that are exposed while sleeping, usually the arms and legs. Unlike flea bites, bed bug bites do not have a red spot in the center. Most bed bug bites start out painless and can be mistaken as a mosquito bite, but they eventually turn itchy and swollen after a few days. Multiple bites in one area can also appear and cause a burning sensation. Take note however that bed bugs may not feed every single night and they can go on days without feeding.

Why do I Need a Bed Bug Spray?

There are plenty of reasons why you need a bed bug spray , but we can all agree that they give us peace of mind when sleeping on a bed where many people have shared. After all, none of us can guarantee that the mattresses and beds are free from these insects without any close inspections. To be on a safe side, it’s always best to come prepared for the worst.

What Scent Keeps Bed Bugs Away?

There are certain scents that drive bed bugs away, so if you are looking for the best bed bug sprays, it’s a good idea to choose a variant with these scents.

Lavender is one of the scents you should consider when choosing a bed bug spray. Not only does it repel bugs, but it has a calming scent that can improve the quality of your sleep.

Using alcohol is another easy and accessible way to prevent a bed bug infestation. While not as efficient as a bed bug spray, the scent of alcohol can dry and irritate bed bugs. The scent released by alcohol can also prevent the bugs from laying eggs.

Lemons contain certain astringent properties that are harmful to bed bugs. You can mix lemon juice with water and spray in affected areas to repel these insects. For a stronger effect, you can use fresh lemon juice.

1. Bedlam Plus Spray

Photo by Amazon

2. EcoRaider Bed Bug Killer

For environmentally-conscious travelers, the EcoRaider Bed Bug Killer is one of the best bug sprays to choose from. As a certified USDA BioBased insecticide, the EcoRaider bed bug spray is non-toxic, safe for pets and kids, and it can be sprayed directly on carpets and furniture in hotels. This bed bug spray contains all-natural ingredients and has a mild eucalyptus scent that diffuses after application.

The EcoRaider Bed Bug Killer is also more effective than most insecticides. Studies have shown that it protects against bed bugs for almost two weeks after application. This is also the perfect bug spray for travel since it comes in a travel-sized bottle that fits in your luggage. It also comes in a gallon for easy refilling.

3. Hygea Natural Exterminator Spray

The Hygea Natural Exterminator Spray is another non-toxic option that exterminates bed bugs upon contact. It has a unique formula that can be used on water-safe surfaces including upholstery, and linens, and doesn’t leave a residue. Its non-toxic formula is safe for animals and children, perfect for those traveling with their children or pets.

Approved by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the 3 oz. bottle can easily fit in your luggage.

4. Rest Easy Natural Bed Bug Spray

The Rest Easy Natural Bed Bug Spray is one of the best bed bug sprays popular with travelers for its pleasant cinnamon scent. It claims to kill up to 90% of bed bugs within five minutes of contact, and the other within 30 minutes. The Rest Easy bed bug spray also prides itself in being the only all-natural bed bug spray that not only kills bed bugs but prevents bed bug infestation as well.

It comes in a small 2 oz. a spray bottle that can be easily sprayed on mattresses or crevices to prevent bed bug bites. Take note that after applying the spray on mattresses or linens, let the mattress dry before vacuuming the dead bugs. The Rest Easy Natural Bed Bug Spray is also safe to use around children and pets and comes in a larger 16 oz. bottle for easy refilling.

5. Eucoclean Bed Bug, Flea & Dust Mite Killer

Photo by Walmat

The Eucoclean Bed Bug, Flea & Dust Mite Killer is also effective against dust mites, fleas, mosquitoes, and other insects. Its bleach-free formula is ideal for use in public places such as schools, hotels, and offices. Formulated with eco-friendly ingredients, the 3-in-1 bed bug spray uses natural eucalyptus essential oil to eliminate insects. This multipurpose bug spray can also remove tough grease and grime. It is also free from harmful toxins, allergens, and palm oil. It can be sprayed directly on bedding, mattresses, furniture, carpets, and is also safe to use around children and pets.

As a multipurpose spray, it can be used as a disinfectant, air conditioner purifier, deodorizer, surface cleaner, and mold remover.

6. SayByeBugs Bed Bug Extermination Spray

Photo by SayByeBugs

For travelers with sensitive noses, the SayByeBugs Bed Bug Extermination Spray is a perfect choice since it is unscented. Unlike other bed bug sprays, its formula is pesticide-free, chemical-free, and stain-free, making it safe to use everywhere. It can be used liberally on luggage, clothing, bags, or any surface where bed bugs can transfer to.

This may not be the cheapest bed bug spray around, but it’s effective and one of the safest alternatives thanks to its all-natural ingredients. The SayByeBug spray is travel-friendly since it comes in a 3 oz. bottle and also comes in a gallon for easier refilling.

7. Proof Bed Bug and Dust Mite Killer Spray

Proof’s bug spray claims to kill 100% of bed bugs and can be safely used on mattresses, curtains and more. What sets Proof’s bed bug spray from others is that it is plant-based and is formulated with organic neem oil. This is also one of the best bed bug sprays for travelers since it offers protection for weeks after spraying on clothes of luggage and can be used on sofas, floorboards, and crevices. The Proof Bed Bug and Dust Mite Killer Spray can eliminate bed bugs for up to three weeks and offers a 100% guarantee refund policy for those who are not satisfied with its performance.

Although it offers a non-toxic mode of action, it can leave a strong botanical smell for a long time, which can be bothersome for some travelers.

8. Eco Defense Bed Bug Killer

The Eco Defense Bed Bug Killer uses natural, organic, and non-toxic ingredients to kill bed bugs in all stages: eggs, nymphs, and adults. It can also prevent a bed bug infestation upon contact and does not stain your bedding like other products. Since it’s made out of natural ingredients, you don’t have to stay out of your hotel room after treatment. You don’t have to worry about exposure to dangerous chemicals and pesticides.

This bed bug spray is crafted by professional exterminators and offers a money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with it. In addition to that, the Eco Defense Bed Bug Killer is also effective against dust mites and lice.

9. CimeXa Insecticide Dust

Aside from eliminating bed bugs, the CimeXa Insecticide Dust can also work on common household pests such as ticks, termites, and a wide range of insects. It is 100% silica dust, odorless, and does not stain on surfaces. You can use the insecticide dust as a powder or mix it with water. Studies from the University of Sydney have shown that the CimeXa Insecticide Dust has a 100% mortality rate. Even if bed bugs are partially exposed, they are also eradicated.

While it is one of the best bed bug powders in the market, it comes at a higher price point than some of its competitors. It also tends to stick to hands and it can also irritate eyes when used incorrectly.

10. Travel Safe Bed Bug Natural Eradicator Spray

Photo by Homedepot

The Travel Safe bed bug spray comes in a 3 oz. bottle which can be carried in your bag. It also comes in an 8 oz. bottle that can be packaged in your luggage for longer trips. With the small bottle, you can easily disinfect your luggage upon arriving at your hotel and spray on the mattress. It’s also formulated with non-toxic ingredients, eliminating all bed bugs, even those immune to toxic pesticides such as Pyrethroids. The Travel Safe Bed Bug Natural Eradicator Spray also contains all-natural enzyme activated ingredients that also target other insects like dust mites.

Like other best bed bug sprays, the Travel Safe bed bug spray is all-natural, organic, and safe to use around children and pets.

11. Bed Bug Patrol Natural Bug Killer

The Bed Bug Patrol Natural Bug Killer has been trusted by families and businesses for over 15 years, proof of its quality. It kills bed bugs within 30 minutes to 24 hours of contact with an easy-to-use trigger spray and has a calming peppermint scent. This essential-oil based spray can also be used on many surfaces and doesn’t leave a stain. It also comes in a 3 oz. travel spray, a 24 oz. bottle, and a gallon for convenient refilling.

Made with plant-based and non-toxic ingredients, the Bed Bug Patrol spray is safe to use around pets and children. It is also formulated by pest professionals and offers a 100% refund if bed bugs are not eliminated within 33 days.

12. Avengers Organic Natural Bed Bug Killer

Photo by Grow it Naturally

If you prefer bed bug sprays with calming scents, the Avenger Organic Natural Bed Bug Killer is the perfect bed bug spray for you. This is an all-natural and non-pesticide solution that is safe for both indoor and outdoor use. With natural plant extracts like clove and peppermint, this spray exudes a calming scent unlike those with a strong odor.

The Avenger Organics Bed Bug Killer has a mortality rate of 98% within 30 minutes and 100% after 3 days. This can be used in hotels, cruise ships, shelters, offices, and is safe to use around people and pets.

13. Harris Bed Bug Killer Powder

The Harris Bed Bug Powder is a fast-acting bed bug killer and is able to treat hard to reach areas like crevices and corners. The Harris Bed Bug Killer is also said to kill bed bugs within 48 hours of contact. It continues to kill them for weeks after application as long as the area is kept dry. Because of that, it helps prevent further bed bug infestations. The powder is proven to kill bed bugs of all stages and is effective against other pests like crickets, fleas, and ants. The Harris Bed Bug Killer Powder also comes with a puffer tip for easy application in cracks and crevices.

While it is a powerful bed bug powder, it tends to leave a distinct smell and is not suited for humid environments. Take note that it also shouldn’t be applied directly onto people or animals.

14. Ortho Home Defense Max Bed Bug Killer Powder

Formulated to eliminate even pyrethroid-resistant bed bugs, the Ortho Home Defense bed bug killer powder is one of the best bed bug powders around. This is a long-lasting power that kills upon contact and offers long-lasting control of up to 8 months. You can use a hand duster or apply the Ortho Home Defense Max Bed Bug Killer Powder directly from the bottle.

This can be used on bed frames, window frames, and in cracks where bed bugs travel and hide. It can also be used on ants, silverfish, centipedes, and even scorpions.

15. EcoPCO D-X Dust

Photo by DoMyOwn

The EcoPCO D-X Dust is a multi-insect killer that is formulated with all-natural and organic ingredients. It is highly versatile and is perfect for most environmentally friendly atmospheres. Unlike other organic bed bug powders, the EcoPCO D-X Dust is unscented, non-staining, and water-resistant.

What makes the EcoPCO D-X Dust one of the best bed bug powders is that it works on other insects. If you want a bug spray that works on other insects and is non-staining, the EcoPCO D-X Dust is for you.

Goodbye Bed Bugs!

Bed bugs are one of the small but harmful insects that may make or break your vacation. These come in small travel-sized bottles and can fit in your luggage or carry-on bag. Other brands also have larger sized bottles which are helpful if you are traveling by an RV camper. For travelers staying at hotels, it is important to inform the hotel staff if you see a bed bug infestation.

For families planning their next camping holiday, having a bed bug spray in your camping gear can prevent bed bug bites and can help you get a peaceful sleep. Having a bed bug spray can prevent these from transferring to your home by clinging on to your bags clothes. To guarantee a safe and pest-free journey, consider finding the best bug sprays and powders for you.

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5 Homemade Bed Bug Sprays – Recipe & Options

In this guide, I’ll give you tips on how to make homemade bed bug spray.

Bed bugs are one of those pest insects that will ensure that you do not have a good night’s sleep. They are fast crawling insects that suck on the blood of humans as well as mammal pets.

There are many ways to rid your home of them. You could go to a pest control store and buy an insecticide spray, or you can just make one at home.

Keep reading!

About Bed Bugs

To make an effective homemade bed bug spray, you need to first understand the bugs, their habits, and their weaknesses.

Bed bugs thrive on the blood of humans and mammal pets. Without an adequate intake of blood, they will be dead. They prefer human blood, but if you’ve got cats or dogs around, they can suck their blood too.

Bed bugs aren’t ticks, so do not get them confused with each other. Ticks will latch on to a host, while a bed bug bites and moves on.

Bed Bug bites aren’t necessarily painful, but they can cause several forms of irritation on the skin. These include redness, blisters, and can cause the victim to itch.

They are most active at night and can be found hiding under pillows, mattresses, cushioned seats, and around your pet’s sleeping areas.

These annoying pests can make their way into your home without you even knowing it. They can hang on to your clothes, bags, or on your pets as you walk into the house. As you move from one area to the house, the more you spread them around.

You can be sure you have bed bugs in your home if you notice small patterns of blood on your mattress or pillows. Also, they leave blackish smear marks on the walls, mattresses, or on the floor.

When you notice any of these, then you know you’ve got some unwanted bugs to deal with.

These bugs are allergic to several natural scents and food. These include cinnamon, fresh mint, garlic, strong alcohol, lavender, and a host of others.

Let’s show you how to use the above-mentioned substances and make a spray that can kill or repel bed bugs.

Homemade Bed Bug Spray Recipe

There are many combinations you can try using natural foods and substances. Below are some recipes you can try.

Fresh Mint Spray

It’s hard to imagine that any living being on Earth would hate the smell of fresh mint. Humans love it, but bed bugs don’t. Good news for us, bad news for them.

The scent of fresh mint not only irritates the bugs but also affects their central nervous system.

To make a simple fresh mint spray, you will need a decent amount of mint (depending on the level of infestation), some water, and a spray bottle.

You some water into a pot and add the fresh mint into it. Boil the water (with the mint inside) until it starts to steam.

Upon doing this, you will find that the mint is completely dissolved in the booking water and your entire kitchen and other parts of your home will start smelling like mint.

The minty smell from the vapor alone will start to irritate the bugs, but that’s not where it stops! Allow the water to cool off then pour it into a spray bottle.

Take the bottle with you as you visit the areas where the bed bugs are very active and spray directly on them, and around the areas where they crawl through.

Spray under your bed and by the sides. Also, spray around the couch and sofas, don’t forget to spray around your pet’s sleeping area too.

The mint scent is something the bugs cannot bear, they will leave any area where they can perceive it and will die if they remain exposed to it, as it severely attacks their nervous system.

The mint spray for killing and repelling bed bugs is one of the easiest you can make at home. The mint smell is also known to help relieve stress in humans, so you’ll be getting rid of bed bugs and relieving yourself of stress at the same time.

Cinnamon Powder Spray

Cinnamon powder is another ingredient you can use to make a homemade bed bug spray.

Similar to fresh mint, bed bugs also hate the smell of cinnamon. Using this knowledge, you can whip up a super cinnamon spray to keep the bugs away!

Here’s what to do.

Go to a store near you and buy some cinnamon powder, that’s if you don’t have any in your kitchen already. It’s not too expensive either, so you can buy as much as you will need.

Just as you can do with fresh mint, you only need some water and a spray bottle to attack the bugs.

The powder is a substance that dissolves easily, so you will have no problem blending it nicely into water.

Pour an adequate amount of powder into a container of water and stir continuously until the powder is well blended in. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and shake the bottle thoroughly to achieve a better mix.

Head on to the areas where the bugs hang out and spray the cinnamon powder solution all over.

The water will eventually evaporate, but the cinnamon powder will be left lodged in the areas where you have sprayed.

You can apply the powder directly to the infested areas, but using it in form of a spray will help it reach very tight areas where the bed bugs are hidden, thanks to the water mist that carries it along.

Garlic And Cayenne Pepper Spray

You could hardly find any insect that can stand the scent of garlic or the burning effects of cayenne pepper. On their own, they can kill or repel bed bugs , but together, they work faster and more effectively.

All you will need is to grind some cloves of garlic and get some cayenne pepper powder. The quantity you will use depends on the number of bed bugs you are fighting. 3 to 4 cloves of garlic and 3 tablespoons of cayenne pepper will do.

Pour some water into a pot and add the ground garlic and cayenne pepper powder to it.

Light up your burner and let the water boil with the garlic and pepper all together. Keep stirring as the solution boils to achieve the best blend.

As it boils, the smell of the garlic will start to manifest around your kitchen and other parts of your home and this will begin to irritate and weaken the bugs.

Let it boil for about 15 minutes then turn off the burner. Allow the solution to cool off just a little bit, the solution should get cold before you apply, as the heat will also help to kill the bugs.

Using a pair of kitchen mitts, pour the garlic/cayenne pepper solution into a plastic spray bottle. Visit the affected areas and spray the solution as required. The heat combined with the sulfur from the garlic and the burning seen of the cayenne pepper will drive the bed bugs away.

Alcohol/Garlic Spray

The smell of alcohol is one that bed bugs cannot stand. To make matters worse for them, you can combine it with one or two cloves of ground garlic.

All you have to do is pour some alcohol into a container and add some ground garlic to it. Stir it properly so the ground garlic is well spread.

When you’re sure it’s all blended in, pour it into a spray bottle and apply it in the infested areas.

You could also combine alcohol with cinnamon powder if you wish. Prepare the same way and spray it in affected areas.

Vinegar Spray

Unlike some of the materials mentioned above, bed bugs do not hate vinegar because of its smell, rather it is for deadlier reasons.

This acetic acid does a great job of disrupting the nervous system of the bed bugs and killing them eventually.

You can make a homemade spray using just vinegar, or you can combine it with lavender.

To make a vinegar Spray, all you will need to do is go to a shop and buy some white vinegar and a spray bottle. That’s if you don’t already have one.

Pour the vinegar into the spray bottle and add some lavender to it. Shake it thoroughly and spray into cracks and crevices, as well as every other hiding place the bed bugs may have lodged.

READ: Will Sevin Dust Work For Bed Bugs?

Advantages Of Homemade Bed Bug Killer

Besides the fact that is easy to make, it is also a quick remedy to an urgent bed bug issue. Lastly, the materials needed are non-toxic to humans and pets.

I trust this article on how to make homemade bed bug spray has been helpful.

Follow the tips above and try different combinations. Maybe you’ll discover a new recipe.

How To Make Homemade Bed Bug Spray

Gulshan Banu

If you’re fed up with bed bugs and want to get rid of them on your own, there are a few things you can do. One of the most common methods is to make your own homemade bed bug spray.

Homemade bed bug spray can be a great way to get rid of bed bugs without using dangerous chemicals.

That being said, scroll down to discover more about How to Make Homemade Bed Bugs Spray.

Table of Contents

Bed Bugs Overview

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, parasitic insects that feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals.

They can be found worldwide and have been making a resurgence in recent years; thereby, bed bug infestations may happen to anybody and are very difficult to eradicate.

What attracts the Bugs

Bedbugs are attracted to the warmth and carbon dioxide of humans. They can detect these signatures from a distance and are drawn to them.

This is why bedbugs are often found in areas where people spend a lot of time, such as hotels, dormitories, and hospitals.

The Best Homemade Spray Recipes

There are several options to try when it comes to producing the finest sprays feasible. The majority of them make use of essential oils as well as other natural but effective substances. Some recipes to try are listed below.

Fresh Mint Spray

One way to get rid of bed bugs is by using a homemade mint spray. The scent of fresh mint can irritate and kill bed bugs.

You can make the spray by combining water, vinegar, and peppermint oil in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture directly on the bed bugs or their hiding places to get rid of them.

Black Walnut Tea

Black walnut tea is an effective repellent against bed bugs. The leaves of the black walnut tree contain a compound that is harmful to bed bugs, and spraying this tea on furniture and other areas where bed bugs may be present can help keep them at bay.

You can make it by boiling black walnuts in water, then straining the liquid into a spray bottle. It’s recommended that you strategically place them in infested areas.

Cinnamon Powder Spray

One of the ways to get rid of bed bugs is by using a cinnamon powder spray. Bed bugs cannot stand the smell of cinnamon and will flee from an area that smells like it.

You can make your cinnamon powder spray or buy one online.

Petroleum Jelly

Bed bugs are a common problem and can be difficult to eliminate. One way to stop them from biting you is to use petroleum jelly. You can apply it directly to your skin or put it on your bed sheets.

Essential oils and water

Essential oil is a popular natural method that can be used on its own or mixed with water to create a homemade bed bug spray.

In addition, this mixture can be sprayed on all the corners and surfaces of the bed where bugs are suspected. The essential oils will kill the bed bugs on contact, while the water will help to keep them from coming back.

Rubbing Alcohol

While this is always debatable, it is reported that spritzing rubbing alcohol on bed bugs instantly kills them. If you want a non-harmful and immediate treatment for bed bugs, rubbing alcohol is the way to go.

Does the organic stuff even work?

Yes, organic does work!

There are a variety of different bed bug sprays on the market, both organic and chemical.

Organic products are made with natural ingredients. This means that the ingredients have not been altered in a laboratory and that no chemicals or additives have been included.

And although there is no one-size-fits-all answer as to which is superior, organic goods have been used for a long time and have shown to be effective. Many people find them more effective and safer than chemical sprays.

Killing bed bugs through a DIY spray

While some DIY spray methods help to prevent bed bugs from returning, many are used to kill them right away. The products utilized do this via a variety of processes, including:

Respiratory: An insect cannot survive if it cannot breathe.
Neurological harm: There are natural chemicals that may kill an insect’s nervous system.
Structural: A bed bug’s exoskeleton may easily be destroyed or broken, resulting in death.

How to Make Homemade Bed Bug Spray

Vinegar solution in spray bottle.

While there are several techniques for eliminating bed bugs, one of the most common and efficient is using vinegar. Vinegar is a natural ingredient that kills bed bugs on contact. It is also relatively inexpensive and easy to find.

In addition, vinegar does not have any harmful side effects like some other chemical-based solutions

To make the homemade vinegar solution, you will need white vinegar, water, and a spray bottle.
First, dilute the white vinegar with equal water in the spray bottle.
Next, spray the mixture onto the bed bugs and their eggs to kill them.
Be sure to reapply as necessary if you are dealing with a severe infestation.

Alcohol Solution

The alcohol solution is a cheap and effective way to kill bed bugs. It can be used as a spray or poured over areas where bed bugs are suspected. The alcohol will quickly dry out the bed bugs and kill them.

One downside to using rubbing alcohol as a bed bug spray is that it can be harmful to the skin. Avoid coming into touch with the solution if you have any cuts or open wounds. Additionally, do not breathe in the fumes from the sprayed alcohol.

To make the alcohol spray, you will need: 90% rubbing alcohol or vodka, water, and essential oil (optional)
The mixture is very potent and can be used to spray walls, crevices, windows, and around spaces in furniture.
The alcohol will dehydrate the bed bugs and eventually kill them.

Remember, It’s important to test any solution you make before using it. This is especially true for a homemade bed bug spray, as you don’t want to damage your furniture or belongings. Ensure to test a small area before spraying more broadly.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are a great way to get rid of bed bugs. They can be sprayed on counters and sheets, as well as under mattresses.

Witch hazel, lavender oil, tea tree oil , and other essential oils have been shown to repel pests and insects, including bed bugs. Some of these smells are known to repel bed bugs.

In order to make your own essential oils, you will need witch hazel, lavender oil, cedarwood oil, and bergamot oil. You can find these ingredients at most stores.
Simply mix the ingredients together in a glass jar and shake well to make the essential oils.

Cedar and Neem Oil

Cedar is a natural insect repellent that can be used to help keep bed bugs at bay. It is also good to use neem oil as an additional measure against bed bugs. Neem oil is a natural pesticide that can help kill bed bugs and their eggs .

When these two oils are combined, they create a synergistic effect and become more effective against insects.

For making cedar oil and neem oil, you will need 10-15 drops of cedar oil and 5-10 drops of neem oil per cup of water.
Blend the oils and then add them to the water. Shake vigorously before using.

Water, Organic Soap, Bleach

Another common way to make homemade bed bug spray includes:

One way is to mix bleach and water with a ratio of 4 parts water to 1 part bleach.
You can also use organic soap mixed with hot water.
The residual odor left behind by the spray will act as a deterrent to returning bugs.

Whichever method you choose, ensure to follow the instructions carefully and always test in an inconspicuous area before using it directly on furniture or bedding.

Advantages Of Homemade Bed Bug Killer

Aside from being simple to create, Homemade Bug Killers is also a rapid fix for an urgent bed bug problem. Additionally, the ingredients required are non-toxic to people and pets.

Other ways to prevent and get rid of bed bugs include

To get rid of bed bugs, you need to kill them. The most effective way to do this is by heating all the furniture and fabric in your home up to at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This will kill all the bed bugs and their eggs.

To achieve these temperatures, you can use a regular oven, steam cleaners, a convection oven, a microwave , heaters, hot water, or even a heat gun.

Vacuuming is an effective way of removing bedbugs and their eggs from your home.

To start, vacuum all the furniture in the room. Make sure to get into all of the nooks and crannies.

Next, vacuum all of the potential bedbug hiding areas, such as cracks in the wall, crevices in furniture, and under the bed.

Finally, empty out the vacuum cleaner bag or canister outdoors so that you don’t bring any bugs inside your home.

Diatomaceous earth

Diatomaceous earth is a natural, effective way to rid your space of bed bugs. It is made up of tiny, sharp particles that cut through the exoskeleton of bed bugs, causing them to dehydrate and die.

DE is non-toxic to both humans and pets, making it a safer alternative to many commercial pesticides.

This repellent can be used on mattresses, furniture, carpets, and other surfaces where bed bugs may be present.

For Severe Bed Bug Infestations

While homemade bed bug solutions may work for some people with light bed bug infestations, it is not the right option for severe infestations or ones that have been self-isolated.

If you are experiencing a severe bed bug infestation or one that has spread to other areas of your home , you will need to take more drastic measures to get rid of them; it is best to use a professional exterminator.

These experts have the tools and experience necessary to get rid of bed bugs quickly and effectively.

Homemade bed bug killers can be a great natural option for eliminating bed bugs. There are several recipes and techniques to choose from, but it is critical to select a safe and effective product.

Nevertheless, if you have tried all of these treatments and they are ineffective, it is time to consult a professional. Bed bug invasion can be difficult to eliminate, so you want to ensure that you are using the best possible methods.

A biotechnologist by profession and a passionate pest researcher. I have been one of those people who used to run away from cockroaches and rats due to their pesky features, but then we all get that turn in life when we have to face something.

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Choosing the Best Homemade Bed Bug Spray!

Are you waking up with itchy bites all over your body? You may have bed bugs !

While it’s frightening to think about these pests crawling around your home, you don’t have to worry! There are multiple pest control options available to keep bed bugs at bay.

But, what works best? Can I try a homemade bed bug spray?

Keep reading, and we’ll tell you everything about DIY bed bug control and when to turn to a professional to keep bed bugs from disrupting your sleep!

Why Do I Have Bed Bugs?

Unlike roaches or ants, bed bugs won’t search for a snack in your kitchen. Similar to mosquitoes and ticks, bed bugs primarily consume blood.

Bed bugs don’t freely exist outdoors, so they can’t crawl in from the outside. Instead, these pests hitch a ride back to your home through infested objects.

Have you recently purchased a used mattress, couch, or chair? Bed bugs can stay embedded within these objects for weeks or months and slowly make their presence known as you begin using your newly bought items.

Homeowners commonly notice a bed bug infestation after sleeping a few nights on an infested mattress, but these pests don’t solely reside in your nighttime furniture. Bed bugs can travel small distances of around eight feet to reach their desired meal.

These pests can enter your home from other infested areas. Many bed bug infestations occur after a hotel or motel stay. These businesses have frequent guests, and improper cleaning methods could allow bed bugs to thrive unabated.

Bed bugs can crawl from furniture onto your clothing or luggage, laying in wait until you return home. Even if they lack a sufficient meal, they can continue to reproduce until they finally find a host!

Check out this video for tips on how to avoid bed bugs!

Choosing a Homemade Bed Bug Spray

So, what works for DIY bed bug pest control? Bed bugs are too difficult to handle alone, so many homeowners turn to a reputable pest control agency like proof. pest control to remove them from their homes.

When you’re considering a homemade treatment, remember that it may not eliminate the bed bugs in your furniture or clothing. These pests are becoming increasingly resistant to many commercial pest control solutions, so a DIY option may not help.

Certain chemicals work better than others for a homemade bed bug spray.

For example, bleach isn’t a viable option to remove bed bugs. While you will quickly eliminate any bugs soaked in the strong chemical, it will not impact other insects hiding away in the seams of your mattress or couch. Plus, it could ruin your bedding!

Alcohol works similarly, but you’ll have to coat the insects in the pungent-smelling liquid to remove them. The smell will repel them from the areas you disperse the rubbing alcohol, but they will return to biting after it wears off.

Like bleach, these substances could also seriously discolor or damage fabric materials.

Regularly inhaling bleach or rubbing alcohol could negatively impact your respiratory system and cause breathing difficulties. Plus, these chemicals may even exacerbate existing problems like asthma.

If you’re still interested in utilizing these solutions, avoid sleeping near the objects you spray and thoroughly launder the items afterward. However, we recommend using other products in your homemade bed bug spray.

Instead, consider using a vinegar mixture for your DIY pest control. While vinegar has a distinct and sometimes overpowering odor, it is a natural cleanser and shouldn’t leave behind any stains on your mattress or comforter.

Using a Homemade Bed Bug Spray

Before you use your newly made bed bug spray, here’s what you should know! The best pest control solution is trusting a pest control agency, and DIY options may not solve your problem.

If you choose to utilize bleach or alcohol to eliminate pests, dilute both substances with plenty of water and look around the seams of your mattress for any visible bed bugs, eggs, or egg casings.

Spray the pests with your mixture and allow it to soak the bed bugs to resolve some of your insect issues. However, be careful lighting candles around your home if the bleach and alcohol residue is still present.

After eliminating the bed bugs, try to clean any surfaces with your bleach or alcohol mixture on them. If your mattress is completely saturated in either liquid, consider utilizing a mattress cleaning agency or another heavy cleaning service.

If you use vinegar in your home bed bug spray, you’ll have less of a clean-up, but your bedroom might smell funny for a few days!

To create a vinegar insect treatment, mix ½ cup of water with ½ cup white vinegar and shake or stir to combine.

After you’ve mixed the vinegar with water in a spray bottle, spritz the entirety of your bed. Don’t forget to spray around the seams of your mattress or other furniture, as this is where bed bugs commonly hide!

Be sure to treat any visible bed bugs you spot crawling around on your mattress. Direct contact with the vinegar solution will destroy their nervous system and eliminate them swiftly. To get the best results, repeat this process daily or at least every few days .

Contact proof. For Additional Help!

DIY solutions won’t always remove these pests. Similar to other insect species, bed bugs have become immune to commercial pesticides in stores, and a homemade bed bug spray can’t effectively eliminate bed bugs like traditional pest control.

Without the correct treatment, bed bugs could continue to thrive in your home and infest other rooms. Whenever a stubborn bed bug infestation sticks around, you should contact proof. pest control to help you out!

When you contact us for a bed bug treatment, our technicians will visit your home and inspect various areas where the bed bugs may hide. Then, they’ll apply a treatment to eliminate adult insects and target maturing pests!

After our second treatment, all the bed bugs on your property should be gone, and you can sleep peacefully again! Contact us today to schedule a bed bug service!

Call proof. pest control at 888-291-5333 , or send us a message online .

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IMAGES

Homemade Bug Spray Recipe Made With All Natural Ingredients
Homemade Spray for Bed Bugs
Diy Bed Bug Spray With Essential Oils
How to Make Homemade Bug Spray :: non-toxic, deet-free
Five Homemade Bug Spray for Gardens That Work
Homemade Bug Spray Recipe

VIDEO

7 Tips How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs Naturally from Hous
ತಿಗಣೆ ಕಾಟಕ್ಕೆ ಪರಿಹಾರ
Bed Bug Eliminator Spray Refill
Is There An Eco Friendly Bed Bug Spray That Works?
HOMEMADE DIY Bedbug Interceptor Trap = How To Trap Bedbugs Effectively
The Best Homemade Bed Bug Spray Recipe

COMMENTS

17 Homemade Bed Bug Spray Recipes To Send Bed Bugs Packing
5 drops of lavender oil. 5 drops of cedarwood oil. 1 tablespoon of witch hazel. Instructions. In a spray bottle, mix all the ingredients. Give it a good shake and allow it to sit for 2 mins. Spray the mixture to the corners of your bedding and areas where you see bed bugs. 3. Petroleum Jelly.
Getting Rid of Bed Bugs: 7 Homemade Bed Bug Spray Tips
Bed Bug Killing Recipe with Essential Oils. 1 tablespoon of pure witch hazel. 1 cup of water. 5 drops of bergamot essential oil. 5 drops of cedarwood essential oil. 5 drops of lavender essential oil. tb1234. To effectively use lavender oil for bed bugs, stir all ingredients in a spray bottle. Spray the liquid onto the corners of your bedding ...
How to Make Homemade Bed Bug Spray
Fill a spray bottle with water and add about 30 drops in total of whichever oil you decide to use. Liberally spray the items in your house, your bed, your carpet and anywhere else you think bedbugs are hiding. Another tip! You can also add some alcohol to this mixture for an extra dose of prevention.
DIY Bed Bug Spray: 7 Homemade Recipes & Tips
Commercial bed bug killers and repellents are pricey and may come infused with preservatives and chemicals. So, to create a DIY spray to control bed bugs, gather the required ingredients such as essential oils, baking soda, Diatomaceous Earth, and rubbing alcohol. 1. Essential Oils Bed Bug Spray. Essential oils are a critical ingredient that ...
How To Make Homemade Bed Bug Spray With Essential Oils
Allow the mixture to sit for at least three minutes. Shake the bottle spray thoroughly and then let the shaken ingredients settle for another three minutes. Start spraying the mixture in the corners where your beddings are and in suspected niches and crevices around the home where the bed bugs can enter. Note:
Homemade bed bug spray: get rid of bed bugs fast
Second step: Combine all ingredients. Fill a spray bottle with lavender vinegar, add lavender essential oil and tea tree essential oil, then shake well. You can immediately use your new homemade spray on your bed, pillows, and common bed bug hotspots. You can directly spray the bed bugs or any place the bugs may be hiding.
The Absolute Best Homemade Bed Bug Spray
It's anti-parasitic and takes bed bugs down too. To create the homemade bed bug spray, combine 50 milliliters of water along with two teaspoons of tea tree oil in a glass spray bottle. Shake the bottle well and spray it liberally in all the nooks and crannies where bed bugs may be lurking. Focus on the areas between cushions on your sofas, in ...
9 Natural Bed Bug Repellent Remedies
Check out some popular bed bug repellent methods, including homemade remedies and natural options, and explore the effectiveness of each. Learn more. ... but increased travel is one solution that has been explored by experts. With such risk on the rise, it's natural to search for an effective bed bug repellent just as you would to combat ...
Prevent Bed Bugs With An All Natural, Homemade, DIY Bed Bug Spray
This Healthy Bite episode features a super easy, homemeade, DIY and all natural bed bug spray that can be tossed into your carry-on when traveling, TSA frien...
How to Make Homemade Bed Bug Spray
Tea tree, lemongrass, thyme and lavender oils. Blend five to 10 drops of these essential oils into your spray bottle and add water. Apart from spraying the mixture on all surfaces, you can use this DIY bed bug spray on your body. Just make sure the oils aren't too concentrated since they can irritate or burn your skin.
Homemade Spray for Bed Bugs
Finally, getting rid of a bed bug infestation can take time, so remember, be patient, but be effective. Use the bed bug spray every day and be consistent with washing your sheets and keeping the area infested, clean, and tidy. Wear a bug repellent bracelet at night, or use a bug repellent lotion to keep bugs off of you.
7 Homemade Bed Bug Traps Anyone can Use
Here's how to make a homemade bed bug trap: Gather a 2-liter bottle, masking tape, scissors, sugar, yeast, and talcum powder. Cut the top off the bottle and invert it inside the bottom half to form a funnel. Wrap the lower exterior of the bottle with paper towels and secure them with tape for improved traction.
How to prevent bedbugs when traveling
To effectively kill bedbugs, the surface temperature needs to be at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit, so you'll need a steamer strong enough to reach those temperatures, such as the Beautural travel steamer. For $35, this steamer provides 15 minutes of continuous steaming via a detachable 8.79-ounce water tank.
How to Prevent Bed Bugs While Traveling: 8 Effective Tips
Bed bugs thrive in darkness, so turn off the lights and close the curtains to make sure you're as thorough as possible. Using your flashlight, take the sheets off the bed and inspect the corners of the mattress. If you see little dots, it could be blood, waste, or carcasses of bed bugs. Also, shine your flashlight in outlets, furniture screws ...
How to Make a Homemade Bed Bug Killer Spray With Vinegar
Fill an empty spray bottle with vinegar. You can use ULINE bottles, UPC bottles, or something from your local Dollar Tree. Tighten the lid securely. Soak the perimeter around the infested area with vinegar, including cracks and crevices in the walls and tight spaces underneath and between furniture.
How to Avoid Bed Bugs when Traveling: 13 Steps (with Pictures)
1. Inspect your luggage. Before entering your home, check the outside of your bags for any bed bug evidence like small eggs, a faint smell, etc. If you suspect you brought a few home with you, leave the bags in the garage or backyard. Do not take them inside. If your luggage is a dark color it may be difficult to see.
How to Make Homemade Bed Bug Spray And Use It
Fill the spray bottle 3/4 full with warm water and then add rubbing alcohol to the rest of it. You can now add 15-20 drops of lavender, mint, cinnamon, and orange to the spray bottle and shake it well. The essential oil is a natural repellent for any insect or bug. Step 3. Once you have made the spray, spray your entire bed with the homemade spray.
15 Best Bed Bug Sprays and Powders
2. EcoRaider Bed Bug Killer. For environmentally-conscious travelers, the EcoRaider Bed Bug Killer is one of the best bug sprays to choose from. As a certified USDA BioBased insecticide, the EcoRaider bed bug spray is non-toxic, safe for pets and kids, and it can be sprayed directly on carpets and furniture in hotels.
5 Homemade Bed Bug Sprays
All you will need is to grind some cloves of garlic and get some cayenne pepper powder. The quantity you will use depends on the number of bed bugs you are fighting. 3 to 4 cloves of garlic and 3 tablespoons of cayenne pepper will do. Pour some water into a pot and add the ground garlic and cayenne pepper powder to it.
How To Make Homemade Bed Bug Spray
Water, Organic Soap, Bleach. Another common way to make homemade bed bug spray includes: One way is to mix bleach and water with a ratio of 4 parts water to 1 part bleach. You can also use organic soap mixed with hot water. The residual odor left behind by the spray will act as a deterrent to returning bugs.
How to Make Tea Tree Oil Spray for Bed Bugs
Making a tea tree oil spray for bed bugs is easy and effective! Start by combining 10-15 drops of tea tree oil with a cup of water in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray on the areas that are infested with bed bugs, such as your bed frames, mattresses, and furniture. Tea tree oil has natural insecticidal properties and can help kill bed bugs ...
Choosing the Best Homemade Bed Bug Spray!
To create a vinegar insect treatment, mix ½ cup of water with ½ cup white vinegar and shake or stir to combine. After you've mixed the vinegar with water in a spray bottle, spritz the entirety of your bed. Don't forget to spray around the seams of your mattress or other furniture, as this is where bed bugs commonly hide!

17 Homemade Bed Bug Spray Recipes To Send Bed Bugs Packing

What is the main cause of bed bugs?

How Can I Tell If We Have Bed Bugs?

17 Ways To Make Homemade Bed Bug Spray Recipes

2. Bed Bug Killer Spray Using Essential oils

3. Petroleum Jelly

5. Dettol And Washing Powder

6. Use A Vacuum Cleaner

7. Use The Washing Machine

8. Talcum Powder

10. Moth Balls

11. Freeze Them

12. Sun exposure

13. Use boiling water

14. Manual trapping

15. Soaking method

16. Salt exposure method

How To Get Rid Of Bed bug Eggs

Other Useful Tips To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs

Final Advice

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DIY Bed Bug Spray: 7 Homemade Recipes & Tips

Details: DIY Bed Bug Sprays

1. Essential Oils Bed Bug Spray

a.Thymol from Essential Oil Thyme

b. Geraniol from Rose

d. Citronella from Asian Grass Plant

e. Eugenol from Clove Plant

g. Lavender Oil

2. Vinegar Solution

4. Diatomaceous Earth

5. Spraying Rubbing Alcohol (91% Isopropyl Alcohol)

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