How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs Naturally?

Bed bugs are considered infamous pests that bring about discomfort and unrest within the house. They are nocturnal insects that feed on the blood of man and animals; the bite marks are usually itchy and reddish. This means that if any indication exists of an infestation, prompt action should be taken. 

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are small insects that feed on blood, are reddish to brownish, and hide in and around beds, furniture, and crevices. They are hard to find and their feeding does not spread antibiotic diseases; their saliva contains irritants that cause local itching, sometimes even allergies, and stress. The life cycle of bed bugs is very rapid, and hence every counteraction must be complemented with an equally rapid response for the success of the undertaking against infestation.

Bed bug identification

1. Tiny Dark Spots from Bug Feces

As tiny dark flecks, bed bug droppings appear on the sheets or mattresses or any piece of furniture next to them as potential signs of an active infestation. These stains may become tiny blobs of ink smudged with blood from bed bug excreta upon closer examination.

2. Rusty or Reddish Stains

The rust color or reddish marks that are found on the bedding and furniture are likely to have been made by crushed bed bugs themselves. The blood stains that the bed bug left behind during feeding hours could often be seen on bed sheets or the seams of mattresses. 

3. Bites

Bed bugs tend to give people small reddish itchy welts which develop in clusters or straight lines. These bites seem to appear after the person has been exposed during sleep and the feeding on that person's blood has taken place, usually after some hours.

4. Musty Odor

Another clear indicator of a bed bug infestation is the musty or sweet odor, often described as rancid. It is emitted from the bedbug's glands and becomes sharper with increasing size and number.

5. Actual Bed Bugs

Bed bug adults are not much larger than the apple seed and are small, oval, and usually reddish-brown They maintain a nocturnal habit, hiding in small cracks and crevices during the day, and coming out at night to feed on blood.

6. Blood Stains

Other characteristics may include small blood stains on bed sheets or pillowcases. This happens when a bed bug is crushed after feeding or goes unnoticed while feeding, thus leaving small blood spots.

7. Dark Spots in Furniture Joints

Darkish stains prevalent in the joints of furniture, in cracks, and on seams may be the bugs' feces. Such stains indicate that these are bed bugs' droppings and, for sure, confirm the existence of an infestation in that general area, particularly around the hiding areas.

8. Eggs

Bed bug eggs are about the size of a pinhead and white or translucent. The eggs hatch into nymphs and finally into adults. The eggs are normally laid in cracks, crevices, or any other concealed places.

9. Bloodstains on Sheets

Bloodstains on sheets are usually caused by crushing a bed bug against the sheet while it is feeding. If disturbed, the feeding bed bug may also release blood into the bedding. The stains are all small and usually reddish-brown-and that provides another strong indicator of infestation.

Bed Bug Treatment

1. Washing and Drying Items

The best way to kill bed bugs and their eggs is to wash and dry bedding, clothing, and fabrics in hot water, ideally above 120°F (above 49°C). During the drying process, the items should be set at the highest heat to ensure that all bugs, including eggs, are eradicated. 

2. Using Pesticides

The other type of application is a mixture of pesticides registered for use against bed bugs, applied by professionals in locations such as cracks, seams, and crevices. These chemicals kill both adult bugs and their eggs. It is advisable to use EPA-registered pesticides for safety and perform appropriately to achieve pest extermination. 

3. Treating Bites

To relieve discomfort from bedbug bites, wash the area with soap and water. Anti-itch creams or antihistamines can be used to help alleviate itching and swelling. Serious reactions may need to be treated by a physician. Refrain from scratching the bites, as this may further irritate the skin and introduce infection, delaying healing.

Where Do Bed Bugs Hide

1. Mattresses and Bedding

Bedbugs typically hide in mattress seams, spring boxes, and bed frames where they will be warm and close to their food source-humans. They are predominantly active at night; bedbugs come out from their hiding spots to feed during the nighttime hours when people are asleep. 

2. Furniture and Upholstery

Bed bugs hide on sofas, chairs, and even behind wallpaper. They squeeze into barely visible cracks that make abnormalities practically impossible to detect. Second-hand furniture is a common way to get a lot of pests, as the bugs can wait for months without feeding for a new host. 

3. Carpets and Wall Crevices

These pests like to hide under carpets and behind baseboards and even go and hide inside electrical outlets. Their small and flat bodies allow them to fit into the tiniest of spots. They like undisturbed places, so cluttered areas become prime breeding and spreading grounds for them throughout the house.

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs Naturally

Diatomaceous Earth: Use food-grade diatomaceous earth around infested areas. This natural powder pulls moisture from the bed bugs to kill them on contact. It is an effective method that kills them and is safe for human use. 

Rubbing Alcohol: Spraying rubbing alcohol directly onto bed bugs and their hiding spots will kill them immediately and interfere with their egg cycle; however, it needs to be applied often to be effective.

Tea Tree Oil: Mix tea tree oil with water and spray-infested areas. Its strong odor repels bed bugs, while its antiseptic property kills them on your mattresses, furniture, and any cracks and crevices.

Dryer Sheets: Lay perfumed dryer sheets under your mattress and furniture. The odor repels bed bugs and makes these insects harder to settle into sleeping and resting sites.

Steam Cleaning: With a steam cleaner, treat your mattress, carpets, and other furniture with high-temperature steam. Steam exterminates bed bugs and their eggs via searing heat to stop the infestation from progressing.

Cayenne Pepper: Pour cayenne pepper along infested areas. The strong smell irritates the bedbugs, making it a good deterrent. Combining it with diatomaceous earth will provide a better natural solution.

Peppermint: You can mix peppermint essential oil with water and spray it around the bed frames and furniture. Its strong smell repels bedbugs, making your home environment smell better.

Wash Bedding: All bedding, linens, and clothes must be washed in hot water. The high temperature kills bedbugs and eggs so further spread would be prevented and it reduces heavy infestation in sleeping areas.

Heat: The infested furniture, bedding, and clothes must be put in high temperatures. This includes direct sunlight or drying them in the dryer on high heat; both methods kill bedbugs in all stages.

FAQs

How do I know if I have bed bugs or another pest?

Bed bugs often leave red, itchy bites in linear or clustered patterns. You may also find tiny blood stains and dark fecal matter stains on your bed linens. If you are still not sure, an inspection by an expert should settle your doubts.

Can bed bugs live on my body?

Bed bugs do not live on people. They prefer to hide near bedrooms, in furniture and crevices, and typically only emerge to feed before retreating to their hiding places.

Do bed bug treatments always work?

Not always. Some treatments need to be reapplied, and resistance may develop. The best chance you have of getting rid of infestations is to combine natural remedies with heat and deep-cleaning methods.

Conclusion

Bed bugs are resilient pests that require immediate attention once detected. Effective treatment usually consists of washing and drying infested items, the application of pesticides, and the treatment of the bites. Further elimination of hiding spots, with the use of natural diatomaceous earth, steam, and essential oils, could contribute to extermination. In short, prompt action for eradication and prevention is critical in averting possible future infestations.