Homemade bed bug spray: get rid of bed bugs fast

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 way they end up in your home is by you bringing in used furniture, especially beds and upholstered items, without checking for bed bugs. 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

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 control 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.

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.