Top 20 best remedies against bed bugs in the apartment or private home, how to get rid of bed bugs on their own and safely at home

Reader Question:

Anna

Not everyone has the ability to use highly effective chemicals. I, for example, am allergic, and using toxic products can lead to Quincke's edema. I try to use ecological remedies - the safest available. For exterminating bedbugs, I also choose home methods of struggle. But I have found few options, to be honest. Of the common: essential oils and infusions of herbs (wormwood, tansy). But this is not serious, to tell you the truth. If there are a lot of insects, such methods will not work.
I want to know which of the folk remedies for bed bugs in the apartment are the most effective at home. There are a number of other requirements, which are important for me due to my health condition: to be odorless, to provide reliable results, not to stain the furniture. I may seem capricious, but these are the conditions for living with my disease without complications. I turn to a specialist, tell me what I had better stop. Anna.

The author of the portal answers the question:

Advantages of folk methods

When considering the use of herbs, household (improvised) chemicals or other available methods of control, compare them to special preparations on the main properties, determine the advantages:

• low toxicity, and most folk remedies act so mildly that it will suit even those with allergies, will not harm children;
• easy preparation of the working solution - many recipes are based on adding the main component to water, taking into account the recommended ratio;
• The strength of the effect is self-regulating, which depends on the dosage of the main components - it can be reduced or increased according to the conditions at the site (in the children's room less concentrated agents are used, but they are applied to surfaces more often);
• use folk remedies against bed bugs at home, as long as necessary - the frequency of treatment is determined individually (it is acceptable to apply more often, but not less often than recommended);
• Substances of most kinds can be applied to cabinets, upholstered furniture, including sofa and armchairs.

What to consider when using folk methods

In order to successfully exterminate bed bugs, rules should be taken into account:

Folk remedies for bed bugs at home. Recipes

For self-treatment, there are different substances to consider. Most of them are available at home or can be purchased at a low price, which reduces the cost of the prepared remedy.

To get a good result, you need to follow the recipe.

Remedy #1: the intricacies of using vinegar in different concentrations

It helps repel pests, but does not kill them or destroy them. It is better not to use as an independent means. Vinegar in undiluted form can kill parasites only if you liberally treat their nest or pour the substance over the moving parasite. In other cases, vinegar is used in different concentrations:

• in its pure form treat surfaces, but the smell will be unpleasant to humans as well;
• Vinegar diluted with water (ratio 1:1), the fragrance is less intense, when applied to surfaces with a sponge or sprayer creates unacceptable conditions for the existence of insects.

Remedy № 2: turpentine and its derivatives, preparations based on this substance

Contains essential oils, which contributes to a strong odor. It is aggressive and cankill a bedbugWhen it gets on the cuticle, but it is difficult to catch insects, so turpentine is mainly used instead of a repellent. To increase its effectiveness, it is introduced into the composition together with other components. Recipe:

• Prepare turpentine - no more than 10 ml, kerosene - up to 15 ml, liquid soap (green will do) - 40 g, half a cup of hot water;
• The components are combined in one container, stirring until an even mixture is obtained;
• Apply it point by point - where the parasites are found.

Remedy #3: How to properly dilute ammonia alcohol with water, you can use concentrate

It is characterized by an extremely unpleasant odor even in minimal concentrations, so it is used in doses. It is enough to add 2 tbsp. in a bucket of water before cleaning the floor. You can use a more concentrated solution (3 tbsp. or more per bucket of water), but you should be prepared that the smell will be difficult to tolerate.

Remedy #4: Combine kerosene and use it in its pure form

When the bedfellows appear bedbugsThe use of the kerosene, which is often used in conjunction with turpentine, is a common way to get rid of it on your own. It is often used together with turpentine. Recipe:

• prepare the basic components in a ratio of 1:2 (kerosene and turpentine), for example, 100 and 200 ml;
• they are mixed because there are no fractions in the structure, so it does not take long to prepare a working solution;
• The substance is applied either point-by-point or to large areas, all depending on people's sensitivity to odors.

Remedy #5: properties of camphor oil to prevent the reproduction of bed bugs

It is used in combination with different types of substances. The most common variant:

• Need: camphor oil (1 vial, can be purchased online or at any pharmacy), ointment containing turpentine (also a pharmacy product), use the entire contents of the bottle and tube;
• The components are mixed, applied spot on the underside of furniture, bed legs, inside the sofa.

The disadvantage of using such a folk remedy for bed bugs is that it contains a significant dose of fatty components - traces may remain.

Remedy #6: peculiarities of tea tree oil application

Creates unsuitable living conditions for synanthropic pests in the apartment, but does not contribute to the death of parasites. Bedbugs will go in search of a new home if you regularly renew the layer of the substance on the surfaces. Features of application:

• Add 3-5 drops when washing linens, home clothes;
• treat woven and hard surfaces, for which a solution is prepared: 0.5 liters of liquid, no more than 20 drops of tea tree oil.

It is recommended to spray or sponge the product twice a day to get rid of the bloodsuckers for good.

Remedy #7: Tincture of valerian, as used for bed bugs

Ready-made tincture is sold at the drugstore and is inexpensive. It is often used to protect all surfaces where bed bugs are prevalent. Insects can not tolerate the pungent smell, will start to climb out of hiding places, which will help to detect their nests. The main disadvantage of using tincture - incompatibility with cats, if there are these animals at home, it is better to choose another option.

Remedy #8: Strong-smelling herbs, of which the most popular is tansy

Such grass from bedbugs is effective, but only as a repellent measure. There is a significant disadvantage - a high risk of reducing the effectiveness of the treatment. The use of tansy has been used against parasites for quite a long time. To understand whether the treatment will give the desired result, you can after applying the product on the surface. Recipe:

• prepare a decoction: 1 cup of dried flowers of tansy, 5 liters of water;
• When the product cools down, it is sprayed over the nests of insects, you can pour over areas of accumulation of parasites.

Remedy #9: natural remedies against bed bugs - Pyrethrum

This is the name of the powder made from Dalmatian chamomile (Persian, Caucasian). The preparation contains a natural insecticide, which was considered as a base when developing chemically based analogues. It is non-toxic, so it is not dangerous for humans and animals. The remedy shows itself as effective when fighting with sexually mature individuals, it has no effect on the offspring of parasites. The main disadvantage is the rapid destruction of the active ingredients (after a couple of days the powder is applied again).

It is scattered on all surfaces and furniture, including the mattress, under the carpet also and near the appliances.

Remedy #10: How Boric Acid Helps Bedbugs

This will increase the likelihood of receiving a dose of venom, which dries out the chitinous membrane on contact with the outer skin.

Remedy #11: A potent, natural-based wormwood bed bug repellent

This is another herb that exudes an intense aroma, but it cannot be used to kill bedbugsThe following is an example of this type of remedy, which can only create unsuitable conditions for the existence of parasites. It is necessary to make a concentrated decoction:

• Take a few tablespoons of crushed raw materials (2-4), 1 cup water, the ratio of the components can be changed upwards, it is important to maintain the proportions, so that the broth was strong;
• The product is sprayed near ventilation grills, inside furniture, over various surfaces for prevention, as well as pouring already appeared insect nests.

Remedy #12: Household remedies: laundry soap and vinegar

Use 1 bar (labeled "72%"), rubbed on a grater. The chips must be introduced into the vinegar (it is not diluted with water), the output is a thick mass. If you are wondering how to remove bed bugs at home quickly, folk remedy with this composition will help to destroy, not only to scare away the pests.

It treats all surfaces, including furniture and even the spines of books.

Remedy #13: How does transformer oil help in the fight against bed bugs

This is not a household, but an industrial product and should therefore be used with caution (wear a respirator). Treat undiluted transformer oil in areas where there may be insects, but it is important to remember that it will leave traces on some surfaces.

Remedy #14: Is the use of aggressive chemicals against bed bugs justified - denatured alcohol and recipes based on it

The substance is applied while wearing a respirator due to its strong odor. Recommendations for its use:

Remedy #15: peculiarities of bail methods - naphthalene

It is usually used in combination with other components. For example, a folk remedy against bed bugs containing naphthalene and kerosene, turpentine or other household chemicals is effective. But still use a mixture of vinegar, methylated spirits (take equal parts).

The same amount of naphthalene is injected, then the product is applied to different surfaces and furniture (spotting).

Remedy #16: How to use alcohol to kill bloodsuckers

Use any alcohol-containing drink, medical alcohol and even cologne. Mix 100 ml each of alcohol and turpentine. Add naphthalene (5 g). The result will be a product with a suffocating odor, it is not classified as safe.

It is a flammable mixture, so it is applied to surfaces where an open flame will not be used (such as candles).

Remedy #17: A simple recipe based on soap and water

It is recommended to choose the detergent carefully. Tar soap is suitable: 400 g, 1 bucket of water, 2 tbsp. carbolic acid, 10 tbsp. kerosene. The mixture is treated in the room to create unacceptable conditions for bed bugs.

Remedy #18: Viscous petroleum jelly helps against parasites

It is enough to treat the base of the bed or sofa. When the insects begin to crawl, they will stick. To avoid dirtying the bed legs, you can set them in containers, the inner walls of which are lubricated with petroleum jelly. The effect will be the same - the vermin will stick, and the furniture will remain clean.

However, the problem of stings is not solved this way if the insects live inside the furniture.

Remedy #19: pleasant smelling substances for parasites - neem oil

It is one of a variety of substances that parasites are poorly tolerated. Neem oil is included in many bed bug remedies, thus increasing their effectiveness. You can make a solution yourself.

The concentration of 5% oil is sufficient (take 5 ml of the substance, dissolve it in 100 ml of water).

Remedy #20: unusual recipes - how diatomaceous earth or diatomaceous earth is used

Another name is rock flour. Produced on a natural basis, it is used in the form of powder. It is made by grinding the rock. The main property is a high degree of abrasiveness, due to which the outer covers of insects quickly dry up: first they are damaged, and then the liquid is excreted. As a result, death occurs. bedbugs. The powder is scattered on all surfaces.

The advantage of this method is to kill the parasites rather than to scare them away.

Disadvantages of using folk remedies

The disadvantages of using them are many:

4 categories of effects on bed bugs

All substances and methods available for extermination and repelling can be divided into several groups. They differ in the principle of action and the degree of toxicity and safety for humans. But the efficiency is also different in each case.

Natural

This group includes herbs from bedbugs, essential oils. They are characterized by a strong odor, but provide only a repellent effect. Piretrum powder and diatomaceous earth are also natural. In comparison, these products do not have a strong odor, but they help to get rid of insects. They are safe for humans, animals, do not cause allergies, but you should still use powders of these types with caution.

The main disadvantage is a lot of trash after cleaning the premises. In addition, powders can be used for prevention.

Chemical

In addition to widely known insecticides, this group includes household substances. For example, kerosene, turpentine, naphthalene, alcohol, etc. are distinguished. They are used in pure form or combined with other components. Advantages of such means: strong odor, so chemical agents scare away; aggressive effect on parasites, due to which in direct contact the insects may die (if a significant amount of poison falls on the chitinous cover).

Mechanical

It is necessary to remember that you can crush only full insects - they increase in size after receiving a portion of blood. If you try to kill hungry bed bugs this way (for example, with a slipper), you will soon find that there are more insects, because they are not dead. The chitinous shells of parasites are tough enough to protect against even moderate mechanical action. Such a method can be considered only if there is something heavy at hand.

For example, a blow with a hammer will not survive a bedbug, but the coating (floor, wall) will also suffer. Therefore, it is better to consider alternative methods of extermination of insects.

Thermal

Parasites do not tolerate significant decreases and increases in temperatures air:

• at -25°C, bed bugs die instantly, if you keep them outside or in a freezer (-18°C) for a few days, you can ensure the same effect;
• Increasing the temperature to +45 ° C allows you to easily remove all the individuals, but the desired result is achieved after 1 hour or longer, depending on the stability of the conditions, and increasing the temperature to +55 ° C helps to kill bed bugs immediately.

However, these methods will not work for everyone. For example, there are coatings at home that will not withstand exposure to steam or boiling water. Similarly, there is no way to treat bed bugs inside furniture by lowering the temperature.

Only small items can be put in the freezer.

Combination of folk and chemical remedies

Insecticidal preparations are highly effective, but even they do not 100% guarantee against infestation of the object with parasites and complete extermination if bed bugs have already got into the apartment. If you wonder how to get rid of bed bugs, folk remedies are used as an auxiliary measure. They will have an effect on parasites that have managed to avoid contact with poisons. And the reverse situation: chemicals are used in conjunction with folk remedies, because thanks to the ovicidal action of insecticides, insect eggs are destroyed.

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Expert tips

Anna

Entomologist, researcher. Work experience of 16 years.

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- Before using folk methods it is important to make the same preparations as in the case of insecticides: move furniture away from the walls, this will apply the substance on the back wall and baseboards; conduct cleaning, it is necessary to remove dust on hidden areas, then the effectiveness of poison and repellent substances will increase;
- it is best to combine different components and preparations, for example, Pyrethrum and pyrethroids have similar properties and principle of action, you should use insecticides of other classes;
- If you treat the room with folk methods every few hours or at least twice a day (alternatively, once every two days), then you do not need to wait two weeks to reapply the substance (as in the case of insecticides).

Conclusion

When blood-sucking pests are being controlled, they can be treated with folk remedies. Features:

1. Folk methods include different substances: essential oils, kerosene, turpentine, pharmacy medicines, alcohol-containing agents, etc. The main principle of their work is that the insects are exposed to a strong odor, which creates unacceptable conditions for their existence.
2. Many of the folk remedies not only repel but also kill bed bugs. To do this, fill the nest with a poisonous substance (vinegar, turpentine).
3. Folk remedies exude a strong odor, unpleasant for people as well, so you should use them with caution at home. Upholstered furniture can only be treated with natural substances (essential oils, decoction of herbs), but it is important to remember the likelihood of persistent stains afterwards.