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.
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.
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:
- 1Bed 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.Examine yourself and any pets for bed bug bites and reaction.
Bed bug bites look like bad mosquito bites and often occur in groups of threes. - 2If 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.Look under your bed's mattress and along the seams of the mattress.
If you discover bed bugs in your mattress it is best to throw it out. - 3Sometimes 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.Examine your pillows and look for signs of infestation.
A close up of a bed bug stain left on a pillow case. - 4This 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.Examine all sheets and bedding.
Bed bugs clinging to fabric. - 5Bed bugs like to feed on the blood of any mammal. It is best to replace all of your pet's bedding.If you have a pet, examine its sleeping quarters and where it hangs out.
Inspect your pet and his bedding to make sure there is no bed bug infestation. - 6Bed 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.Examine your clothes closets and your shoes.
Be sure to steam clean the inside of your boots as they become easily infested with bed bugs. - 7This 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.Look inside your clothing drawers.
- 8Bedbugs look for moist, humid places to hang out. They also like oil-based cosmetics. Inspect all lotions, creams, shampoos and cosmetics for bed bugs.Examine your bathroom and all off its contents.
Check your lotions and cosmetics for signs of infestation. - 9Bed bugs will nest in anything cardboard, plastic objects and they like to hide in warm appliances such as blenders, toasters and ovens.Examine your kitchen for evidence of infestation.
Be sure to check all of your kitchen appliances for further signs of infestation., - 10If one book is infested, it is likely they all are. It is recommended that you throw all of this out.Examine any books or magazines that you own.
Piles of magazines. - 11Bedbugs 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.Examine anywhere that is dusty, musty or a storage place for clothes or paper.
A messy damp attic full of cardboard boxes is a perfect nesting place for bed bugs. - 12Bed 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.Examine all furniture, metal and wood, for infestation.
Bed bugs can hide inside the hollow legs and supporting frames of furniture.
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.
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:
- 1Lift 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.Apply beneath your mattress frame and between the frame and the mattress.
- 2Remove the plates of electrical outlets and dump the dust behind the walls. Bed bugs love the warmth of the outlets and conglomerate there.Apply the dust to electrical outlets.
Bed bugs like to hide in electrical outlets. - 3Apply around plumbing and any nooks or crevices.Apply the dust at the back of kitchen and bathroom cupboards.
- 4This is not only a good prevention measure for bedbugs, but also ants and cockroaches.Apply the dust beneath your refrigerator and stove.
Be sure to dust behind the stove as bed bugs like the warmth and will nest behind them.
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.
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.
- 1Disinfect 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.Start with the bedroom and throw out your mattress if necessary.
- 2Use 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.Wash and dry all sheets, pillows, comforters and mattress covers.
You will have to wash and dryt everything: all fabric, clothing and linens to get rid of bed bugs. - 3Be 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.Remove all clothing from drawers and closets and launder it.
- 4Wash it all in hot water and then let tumble on high in the dryer for at least 45 minutes.Launder all blankets, towels, couch and chair covers, kitchen towels and washcloths.
Don't forget to launder items from your kitchen when treating your linen for bed bugs. - 5Bed 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.Consider putting your sheets, clothes and pillows in the freezer.
Putting objects at -22 degrees in a freezer for three days can kill bed bugs. - 6The 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.Empty all cupboards and closets in your home and steam the surfaces.
- 7Spray 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.Apply Homemade Tea Tree Oil Bed Bug Repellent with a mop or rag to all surfaces, including the floors.
- 8Pots, pans, plastic items, jeweler, office supplies, appliances and containers can be hand steamed to sanitize them without having to wash them or apply soap.Steam everything you own before putting it back in its place.
Be sure to check all objectes such as jewelry boxes and also the jewelry itself for bed bugs. - 9Bed bugs can nest for years inside these appliances. Clean them all thoroughly and treat with the homemade tea tree oil bug repellent spray.Check and empty all dehumidifiers, humidifiers, air cleaners, air conditioners and vacuum cleaners.
Bed bugs also nest inside air conditioners.
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.
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
- 1Fill the glass spray bottle with six ounces of water.
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.
