There is only one insect growth regulator that is labeled for bed bug control; hydroprene, which is available as a liquid or an aerosol. This product is designed to be sprayed into cracks and crevices where young bed bug nymphs will come in contact with the dried residues.
Pyrethrins and Pyrethroids: Pyrethrins and pyrethroids are the most common compounds used to control bed bugs and other indoor pests. Pyrethrins are botanical insecticides derived from chrysanthemum flowers.
These include the scent of fresh mint, rubbing alcohol, tea tree oil, lavender, and lemon juice. Not to mention, some of these items can also kill bed bugs and prevent them from laying eggs.
Regularly wash and heat-dry your bed sheets, blankets, bedspreads and any clothing that touches the floor. This reduces the number of bed bugs. Bed bugs and their eggs can hide in laundry containers/hampers Remember to clean them when you do the laundry.
Unfortunately, regular mattress protectors are completely useless against bed bugs. A regular mattress protector is not designed to protect every inch of a mattress, and it provides no protection whatsoever against insects finding and living within your mattress.
Bed bugs hate scents such as lemon scents, cinnamon oil, neem oil, spearmint, and silicone. They will hide from you when you use these smells. This is so that they can easily attack and feed off of you! Even just the threat of these scents will keep them away from your house for good.
Sleep in long-sleeved clothing
Human blood is the primary source of food for bedbugs. These sneaky creatures will feast on exposed areas of your skin, but they can't bite through fabric. Lower your risk of getting bedbug bites by wearing long-sleeved pajamas with pants while sleeping.
Diatomaceous earth is a great chemical-free option for getting rid of a number of pests, including bed bugs. This natural powder contains properties that can dehydrate bed bugs, absorbing their fat and oil, and killing them dead as a doornail. Spray or sprinkle in infected areas and allow it to sit for at least a week.
Bleach contains hypochlorite, an ingredient that kills bed bugs. Bleach is a sodium hypochlorite solution, according to Terminix. It has a pH of 11 and breaks down proteins to render them defective. If the bleach makes direct contact with the bed bugs and their eggs, their bodies will absorb the acid, killing them.
The number of treatments needed to get control is (national average) 3 to 4 treatments. The first step to treating the problem yourself is taking your bed apart. The frame should be completely deconstructed to reach all cracks and crevices. For any unreachable areas, aerosols are useful.
One scent that bed bugs find appealing is dirty laundry or dirty bedding because of how it smells once it's come in contact with humans. Research has shown that bed bugs prefer previously worn clothing and used bedding, which is why you shouldn't leave these items on the floor close to your bed.
Peppermint. 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.
Sleep Under the Covers
One way to avoid getting bitten at night is to sleep under the covers. It helps because bed bugs cannot bite you through the thick layer of fabric. They usually attack your exposed skin only. By covering your skin, you will be denying them a blood meal.
Deter Insects
We may be fans of Vicks, but insects decidedly are not. Dab a bit on your arms, legs, neck, or other areas of exposed skin to keep bugs (including mosquitoes) at bay, however, it is not as effective at preventing bites as a commercial insect repellant.
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.
Mattresses and pillows make potential habitats for bed bugs. Pillows may also be host to bed bug eggs, making them a potential point of bed bug infestations. A possible sign that bed bugs have infested pillows may be the appearance of bites.
Bug sprays may seem like an obvious solution, but they can actually be dangerous. Directly spraying bug sprays onto furniture can damage it and expose people to toxic chemicals. For those looking for a safe and effective way of killing bed bugs on furniture, non-residual sprays are the way to go.
Where do bed bugs lay eggs? Most of the time, these aptly named bugs lay their eggs in bed mattresses or furniture cushions. Bed bugs prefer these areas because they are usually dark, safe, and close to the human or animal they may be feeding off of.
No, baking soda will generally have no effect on bed bugs. They will not ingest it, and if they do walk through it, it will not cause them any problems. 'Bed bugs may avoid areas with baking soda, but they would just relocate to hide in cracks and crevices or find another path to get to the occupants of the bed.
You may not like to hear the answer, but it is better to sleep in the bed where you saw the bed bug. The reason is that if you move and sleep in another room, the bugs in your bed will eventually begin to follow you. Bed bugs have to feed on blood every 4-7 days.
You may be thinking, can you get bed bugs from not washing your sheets? No—bed bugs have absolutely nothing to do with cleanliness levels. However, washing your sheets regularly gives you the opportunity to look for and remove any possible bed bug infestations.
Bed bugs don't like lavender and other essential oils because they're toxic. Lavender contains compounds that can kill bed bugs and their eggs. Lavender has a pleasant scent that comes from the essential oils in the plant's leaves, but the bugs hate it.