Dealing with bed bugs can be frustrating. These tiny pests hide in places you wouldn’t even think to check, such as mattresses, couches, and even wall cracks. Before calling an exterminator, most people try home remedies for bed bugs, which makes sense. No one wants to deal with harsh chemicals or expensive treatments if there’s an easier fix. Some homemade remedies for bed bugs keep them from spreading, while others might reduce their numbers. But it’s important to be realistic; a home remedy for bed bugs isn’t a magic solution. If the infestation is bad, professional help might be required. The key is to act fast before things get out of control. The right mix of prevention and treatment can make a difference.
In this guide, we’ll explore 10 popular bed bug home remedies, highlighting which ones work and how to use them effectively.
10 Home Remedies for Bed Bugs & Their Effectiveness
Getting rid of bed bugs at home requires a combination of methods that target the bugs and their eggs. Some treatments kill them on contact, while others help prevent them from spreading. Let’s look at 10 popular home treatments for bed bugs and how effective they actually are:
1. Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
If you are wondering how to get rid of bed bugs with home remedies, Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is one of the best bed bug treatments at home. It’s a fine, white powder made from fossilized algae, and it works by drying out bed bugs when they come into contact with it. It’s a safer alternative to chemical sprays since it’s non-toxic to people and pets.
To use DE, sprinkle a thin layer in cracks, along baseboards, and near furniture where bed bugs hide. Just make sure to use food-grade DE, not the kind used in pool filters, since the latter one isn’t safe to breathe. DE does not kill bed bugs instantly, so be patient—results may take several days to appear.
2. Baking Soda
Baking soda is often mentioned as a bed bug home treatment, but does it kill bed bugs, or is it just another myth? It is believed to dry them out by absorbing moisture.
However, unlike diatomaceous earth (DE), which physically damages bed bugs, baking soda is too soft to have the same effect. It also clumps when exposed to moisture, making it even less reliable. Sprinkling it around your bed might feel like you’re doing something, but it won’t solve the problem.
3. High-Heat Treatments
Heat is one of the most effective ways to eliminate bed bugs. Wash infested items in hot water, ideally above 120°F, to kill bugs and their eggs. This is especially useful for bedding, clothing, and soft fabrics that withstand high temperatures.
Another home solution for bed bugs is using a steam cleaner. The heat penetrates deep into mattresses, carpets, and furniture, reaching areas that insecticides often miss. Steam treatment works best when applied slowly to ensure prolonged exposure. While heat is highly effective, it needs to be done correctly. A single wash cycle may not eliminate an infestation if some bugs survive in hidden spots. Consistently check for bed bugs and apply heat-based strategies to significantly reduce bed bug numbers over time.
4. Freezing
Freezing bed bugs might seem like a simple fix, but it only works under the right conditions. To be effective, items need to be kept at 0°F or lower for at least four days. This makes it a great option for things like shoes, stuffed animals, and books, items you can’t easily wash or heat-treat. But there’s a catch: most home freezers don’t always stay at a perfect 0°F, so results can be inconsistent. If you have access to a commercial freezer, that’s a better choice. Seal items in plastic bags to avoid moisture buildup.
While freezing is helpful, it won’t get rid of bed bugs hiding in your mattress, walls, or furniture. For better success, pair it with other home remedies like vacuuming, steam cleaning, and sealing up hiding spots.
5. Rubbing Alcohol Spray
Many people turn to rubbing alcohol when looking for natural remedies for bed bugs because it kills them on contact. It works by breaking down their outer shell, causing dehydration. However, it evaporates quickly and doesn’t leave any lasting effect. Since it doesn’t kill eggs, new bed bugs can hatch and continue the infestation. This is why relying on it alone isn’t the best approach.
Instead, it can make a better impact when combined with other bed bug home remedies, such as steam cleaning, vacuuming, and sealing cracks. Remember that a well-rounded method is always more effective than a single solution.
6. Essential Oils
Many people turn to natural treatments for bed bugs, like essential oils, to keep infestations under control. Tea tree, lavender, and peppermint oils have strong scents that repel bed bugs but won’t eliminate them completely. Spraying diluted essential oils around beds, baseboards, and furniture may help, but bed bugs can still hide in untreated areas. Essential oils work even better when used with baking soda to kill bed bugs.
Additionally, adding a DIY bed bug treatment, such as vacuuming and heat treatments, ensures a more thorough approach to controlling infestations.
7. Vacuuming and Decluttering
Regular cleaning plays a major role in bed bug treatment at home. Vacuuming frequently removes bed bugs, eggs, and even their shed skins. Pay close attention to mattresses, carpets, and cracks where they hide. You need to remove the vacuum bag immediately or empty the canister into a sealed plastic bag.
8. Mothballs
If you’ve ever wondered what home remedy kills bed bugs, you may have heard about mothballs. The strong smell can repel some pests, but unfortunately, it won’t solve a bed bug problem. These bugs are tough and need more than just a bad smell to go away.
This DIY bed bug killer method works because it kills bed bugs instead of just making them leave. Pair it with a solid at-home bed bug treatment, like deep cleaning and heat, to further lower the chances of bed bug reoccurrence.
9. Ultrasonic Devices
If you’re looking for natural ways to repel bed bugs, you might have come across ultrasonic devices. These devices emit high-frequency sound waves that drive pests out. However, there is little scientific evidence proving they work against bed bugs. Since bed bugs don’t rely on sound like other insects, they aren’t affected much.
Instead of depending on these devices, you could try spraying baking soda to kill bed bugs. Some believe baking soda absorbs moisture from their bodies, but it works best when combined with other methods. So, what is a home remedy for bed bugs that actually helps? Steam cleaning, diatomaceous earth, and vacuuming all work better. When searching for home remedies for bed bugs that work, go for solutions that physically remove or kill them instead of just keeping them away.
10. Talcum Powder
People often ask, does baking soda help with bed bugs? While baking soda is thought to absorb moisture and dehydrate bed bugs, it isn’t a proven solution. Some also wonder, “Will talcum powder kill bed bugs in a similar way?” Like baking soda, talcum powder is a fine substance that may create a dry environment, but it doesn’t have the same abrasive properties as diatomaceous earth. This makes it less effective for eliminating bed bugs.
So, does talcum powder kill bed bugs? The short answer is no. Bed bugs are resilient pests, and simply sprinkling talcum powder won’t be enough to stop an infestation.
When to Call a Professional Exterminator
Home remedies can help manage minor infestations but don’t always work for larger bed bug infestations. If you’ve tried multiple methods and still see bites or live bugs, it’s time to reconsider your approach. While a do-it-yourself bed bug killer can reduce their numbers, severe infestations often require professional help. Bed bugs multiply quickly, and DIY methods may not be enough once they spread to multiple rooms. This is when calling an experienced exterminator becomes the best option.
Professionals, like those at Preventive Pest Control in Southern California, offer targeted treatments, including heat and chemical solutions, to eliminate bed bugs completely. If you’re unsure whether you have bed bugs or another pest, check out this guide on carpet beetles vs. bed bugs. Catching the problem early and knowing when to seek professional help can save time, money, and frustration.
Your Next Steps for Bed Bug Prevention
Getting rid of bed bugs takes patience and persistence. Some do-it-yourself bed bug killer options work well for minor infestations, but they’re not always enough. Regular cleaning, heat treatments, and vacuuming can help, but bed bugs are stubborn. The earlier you act, the easier it is to stop them from spreading.
If DIY efforts don’t do the trick, orange county pest control services can provide professional solutions to eliminate infestations effectively. For those in the Inland Empire, expert pest control in the Inland Empire offers targeted treatments to keep your home pest-free.
Preventive Pest Control’s subscription plan protects your home year-round, so you don’t have to deal with bed bugs again. Whether you go the DIY route or call the pros, the key is to act fast. The sooner you start, the sooner you can sleep without worry. Get started now!