Get Rid of Bed Bugs Fast Naturally By Applying Diametecous Earth to Prevent Further Activity vs Steam and Laundering Everything You Own vs a Homemade Tea Tree Oil Bed Bug Repellent

Edited by Donna, Eng

The chemicals in the pesticides used to treat a bed bug infestation can be just as bad as the allergic reactions and respiratory problems that occur as a result of exposure to these common pests. The bed bug is an insidious attacker, nesting in floor crevices, extension cords, furniture crevices, pillows, comfortable and your mattress.

A large bed bug swollen from feeding, however the majority of bed bugs are not visible.

To get rid of bed bugs naturally, it is imperative that you act fast! Here is what you need to do to halt the infestation and prevent ones from occurring in the future.

The Tell-Tale Signs That You Have Bed Bugs

One of the reasons it is so difficult to deal with bed bugs is because it is like dealing with an unseen terror. They can bite you, even when they are at a size that is microscopic. Furthermore, they don't actually have to bite you for you to have a reaction to them. Thirty percent of people are allergic to the dead bodies, excretions and yellowish white shells they leave behind after a young one hatches.

Tiny bed bugs as seen under a magnifying glass.

To confirm that you are dealing with bed bugs and not some other type of infestation such as carpet beetles, fleas or dust mites, do the following:

  1. 1
    Examine yourself and any pets for bed bug bites and reaction
    .
    Bed bug bites are raised bumps that look like mosquito bites usually occur in threes. The nickname for this is the "Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner." However, you can also have single bites. You may also have welts, raised areas of inflammation surrounded by bright pink that indicate an allergy to the bugs and you and your pet may be incredibly itchy.
    Bed bug bites look like bad mosquito bites and often occur in groups of threes.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  2. 2
    Look under your bed's mattress and along the seams of the mattress
    .
    If you see little black specks, red specks, or even the bugs themselves, then you need to act immediately. Bed bugs also leave little white or yellow shells that indicate that they have hatched youngster there. It is recommended that you throw the mattress out.
    If you discover bed bugs in your mattress it is best to throw it out.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  3. 3
    Examine your pillows and look for signs of infestation
    .
    Sometimes bed bugs that have finished feeding will also leave little black or red streaks on fabrics. If you have an allergen cover on the pillow, be sure to unzip it and examine it. If infested, throw it out.
    A close up of a bed bug stain left on a pillow case.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  4. 4
    Examine all sheets and bedding
    .
    This is the most likely place that you will find signs of the creature. They nest in the miniscule threads of fabric and then emerge at night to suck on their prey. If you can see the infestation, throw these items out.
    Bed bugs clinging to fabric.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  5. 5
    If you have a pet, examine its sleeping quarters and where it hangs out
    .
    Bed bugs like to feed on the blood of any mammal. It is best to replace all of your pet's bedding.
    Inspect your pet and his bedding to make sure there is no bed bug infestation.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  6. 6
    Examine your clothes closets and your shoes
    .
    Bed bugs will nest in shoes and in the seams of clothing. Don't forget to examine your hangers because they could also be infested.Throw anything out that might be a home for these pests.
    Be sure to steam clean the inside of your boots as they become easily infested with bed bugs.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  7. 7
    Look inside your clothing drawers
    .
    This is a favorite habitat of bed bugs because they feed off the tiny particles of flesh that cling to your clothing. Immediately throw out any infested clothing.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  8. 8
    Examine your bathroom and all off its contents
    .
    Bedbugs look for moist, humid places to hang out. They also like oil-based cosmetics. Inspect all lotions, creams, shampoos and cosmetics for bed bugs.
    Check your lotions and cosmetics for signs of infestation.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  9. 9
    Examine your kitchen for evidence of infestation
    .
    Bed bugs will nest in anything cardboard, plastic objects and they like to hide in warm appliances such as blenders, toasters and ovens.
    Be sure to check all of your kitchen appliances for further signs of infestation.,
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  10. 10
    Examine any books or magazines that you own
    .
    If one book is infested, it is likely they all are. It is recommended that you throw all of this out.
    Piles of magazines.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  11. 11
    Examine anywhere that is dusty, musty or a storage place for clothes or paper
    .
    Bedbugs can hibernate in their husks for years in dusty, musty places. You are likely to find them in cardboard boxes or plastic bags full of receipts or in old filing cabinets.
    A messy damp attic full of cardboard boxes is a perfect nesting place for bed bugs.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  12. 12
    Examine all furniture, metal and wood, for infestation
    .
    Bed bugs love to hide in particle board (such as IKEA furniture) and in the hollow metal tubing that is part of the construction of some furniture.
    Bed bugs can hide inside the hollow legs and supporting frames of furniture.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

Once you have confirmed that you have them, whether you can see them or not, use one of the methods below to remove them

Method 1: By Applying Diametecous Earth to Prevent Further Activity

Diatomaceous earth is a chemical free agent that consists of very tiny sharp shards of a chalk like substance. It is chemical-free but the sharp bits of the chalk help cut the bed bugs legs so they cannot migrate and also the dry dust kills helps kill the dust and eggs.

Diametecous Earth abrades and cuts the bodies of bed bugs as well as destroys their eggs.

Diatomaceous earth can cause respiratory issues, because it is dust, so you are not advised to apply it everywhere. In essence, it is dirt, that can be hard to clean up. Take the following steps to apply diatomaceous earth effectively:

  1. 1
    Apply beneath your mattress frame and between the frame and the mattress
    .
    Lift your bed frame and mattress up and sprinkle a thin layer of the diatomaceous earth, which has the consistency of dust, between the mattress and bed frame and also underneath your bed. If you are not throwing your bed out this will help reduce the bed bug activity within your bed.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  2. 2
    Apply the dust to electrical outlets
    .
    Remove the plates of electrical outlets and dump the dust behind the walls. Bed bugs love the warmth of the outlets and conglomerate there.
    Bed bugs like to hide in electrical outlets.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  3. 3
    Apply the dust at the back of kitchen and bathroom cupboards
    .
    Apply around plumbing and any nooks or crevices.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  4. 4
    Apply the dust beneath your refrigerator and stove
    .
    This is not only a good prevention measure for bedbugs, but also ants and cockroaches.
    Be sure to dust behind the stove as bed bugs like the warmth and will nest behind them.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

Method 2: By Applying Steam and Laundering Everything You Own

Bedbugs hide everywhere, in your shoes, your clothes hangers, your kitchen appliances and in cosmetics. Cleaning your entire dwelling can be a daunting prospect, but it must be done, or you could be so overwhelmed that you may not have any choice but to have a pesticide treatment.

It is advisable to purchase, borrow or rent a steam cleaner with a hand steaming attachment to help kill off bed bugs. The steamer shown here is an H20 Steam Mop.

After you have thrown out everything that you believe might be infested your counter-attack on the bed bug invasion by taking the following steps.

  1. 1
    Start with the bedroom and throw out your mattress if necessary
    .
    Disinfect the mattress with Dettol or similar anti-bacterial sanitizer and use a hand steamer, such as the H20 steamer to kill any bugs and their eggs. Let air dry, in the sun if possible or simply throw open your Windows and let the sun and fresh air in your home.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  2. 2
    Wash and dry all sheets, pillows, comforters and mattress covers
    .
    Use the hot water setting in the washer. Everything must be dried for at least 45 minutes on the highest setting to completely kill any remaining pests.
    You will have to wash and dryt everything: all fabric, clothing and linens to get rid of bed bugs.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  3. 3
    Remove all clothing from drawers and closets and launder it
    .
    Be sure to wash on using the hot setting and to dry for at least 45 minutes. For items that are dry clean only, you may have to tumble dry them for 45 minutes beforehand to avoid taking your bug infestation to the dry cleaning establishment. You can steam leather items with a hand steamer, paying close attention to steaming the seams in the lining of the clothing.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  4. 4
    Launder all blankets, towels, couch and chair covers, kitchen towels and washcloths
    .
    Wash it all in hot water and then let tumble on high in the dryer for at least 45 minutes.
    Don't forget to launder items from your kitchen when treating your linen for bed bugs.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  5. 5
    Consider putting your sheets, clothes and pillows in the freezer
    .
    Bed bugs die when kept at a temperature below 22 degrees F for three days. If it is winter and it is cold outside, then you can place your bed, linens and clothing outside and solve the problem that way. Otherwise you can use a freezer. This is helpful for clothing that cannot be washed or dry cleaned. Make sure the freezer is set to a temperature that is cold enough before you try this method.
    Putting objects at -22 degrees in a freezer for three days can kill bed bugs.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  6. 6
    Empty all cupboards and closets in your home and steam the surfaces
    .
    The contents of all shelving, including everything on your kitchen shelves must be removed and the shelves sanitized with disinfectant, wiped thoroughly and then steamed with a hand steamer. Then apply a Homemade Tea Tree Oil Bug Repellent Spray (recipe below) to clean it. It is best to store your things outside or in one corner of your home to try and contain any remaining infestation. It is also a good idea to steam the inside of your refrigerator and stove.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  7. 7
    Apply Homemade Tea Tree Oil Bed Bug Repellent with a mop or rag to all surfaces, including the floors
    .
    Spray the tea tree oil everywhere. Do not wipe clean. It is strong smelling but the scent will evaporate within five minutes. Then steam all of the surfaces, including all floors, paying special attention to any crevices or cracks.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  8. 8
    Steam everything you own before putting it back in its place
    .
    Pots, pans, plastic items, jeweler, office supplies, appliances and containers can be hand steamed to sanitize them without having to wash them or apply soap.
    Be sure to check all objectes such as jewelry boxes and also the jewelry itself for bed bugs.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  9. 9
    Check and empty all dehumidifiers, humidifiers, air cleaners, air conditioners and vacuum cleaners
    .
    Bed bugs can nest for years inside these appliances. Clean them all thoroughly and treat with the homemade tea tree oil bug repellent spray.
    Bed bugs also nest inside air conditioners.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

Method 3: By Applying a Homemade Tea Tree Oil Bed Bug Repellent

Tea tree oil is quite effective when it comes to repelling bed begs. The best way to use it is in conjunction with steam to make a homemade concoction.

Spraying diluted tea tree oil on infested areas can help rid your dwelling and belongings of bed bugs.

You will need:

  • 100% strength tea tree oil (available at drug stores and natural health stores)
  • A eight ounce glass spray bottle (use glass bottles always and not plastic because tea tree oil degrades plastic)
  • Water
  1. 1
    Fill the glass spray bottle with six ounces of water.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  • 2
    Add 15 drops of tea tree oil
    .
    Tea tree oil image courtesy of Dr. Ryan Llera.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  • 3
    Cap the bottle and shake the mixture well.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  • 4
    Spray the infested areas as required.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  • You can double or triple the recipe for making this batch if necessary. You can use it with a lesser dilution or even full strength but be aware that tea tree oil can eat away at wood and fabrics, as well as cause discoloration. It is best to use it diluted.

    Also note that it is normal for the mixture to turn a milky white after a day or two and that it is still safe to use.

    Tips and Tricks

    • It is crucial to remove pets from the home while you are cleaning and applying tea tree oil as tea tree oil is very pungent; it can be hard on the respiratory system of smaller pets like hamsters and cats
    • Be aware that dormant can be triggered into action by vibrations, so clean gently when using vacuum cleaners to avoid another infestation.
    • Do bring your laundry back in the same bags that you took them to the Laundromat in or to your own washer and dryer or you could just bring them back into your home.
    • After drying your clothes, be sure to clean out the lint trap to avoid infestation of yourself and others

    If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

    Comments

    Article Info

    Categories : Home | Health & Wellness

    Recent edits by: Donna

    Share this Article:

    Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 791 times.

    x

    Thank Our Volunteer Authors.

    Would you like to give back to the community by fixing a spelling mistake? Yes | No