It is important to hire pest control experts for severe bed bug infestations. However, many homeowners look for remedies or natural solutions for bed bugs to manage and avoid bed bugs bite. Several factors can be used to repel bed bugs, and one useful strategy is to use scents that bed bugs find unpleasant.
Essential oils are used to repel bed bugs. These essential oils not only assist in repelling off bed bugs but also stop them from entering your house. These essential oils that repel bed bug insects include lavender, tea tree, Peppermint, cinnamon, eucalyptus, clove oil, lemon, and rosemary. These oils are not only used as a repellent but are also used by homeowners for their antifungal, antibacterial, and calming effects. It also includes the step-by-step procedure for making your DIY essential oils to repel bed bugs.
Looking for an answer on how to repel bed bugs inside your home? How to make and apply essential oil at home? Is essential oil safe and effective to use for repelling bed bugs? This article will help you examine the best Scents of oil that repel bed bugs, providing a safe, chemical-free substitute for common pest management techniques. Below are detailed explanations of each scent that you may use to repel bed bugs.
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8 SCENTS OIL TO REPEL BED BUGS
There are several scents that might repel bed bug insects. These repelling products have a strong scent that bed bugs and some insects hate or find unpleasant to smell. These products are all-natural and essential methods of repelling bed bug insects. Below are the eight (8) scents used to repel bed bug insects.
Lavender is not only known for its calming effect, but it can also act as a natural insect repellent, especially on bed bugs. The strong scent of lavender can be unpleasant to smell for bed bugs and can irritate them. Making it a good choice for repelling bed bugs.
When using lavender, put it in places with lavender sachets or dried lavender flowers where bed bugs usually hide, like under the bed, inside and under your drawers, and below your couches. Another option is to use a spray bottle filled with lavender oil and spray it over where bed bugs possibly hide.
A strong essential oil with antifungal, antibacterial, and insecticidal qualities that can fight or repel bed bugs. The strong and powerful scent of tea tree oil is good for repelling bed bug insects.
When using tea tree oil use a spray bottle and put 10 to 15 drops on it and mix it with water. After mixing the tea tree oil and water, shake it well and spray it to areas where bed bugs hide. This includes areas like mattress seam, cracks on your bed frames and walls.
Peppermint oil is also one of the effective ways to repel bed bug insects. Peppermint oil has a strong menthol scent that can keep bed bugs away because the scent is very unpleasant for them.
Just like tea tree oil, when using peppermint oil, use a spray bottle that is filled with water and add ten (10) to fifteen (15) drops of oil. After mixing, shake it well and spray it on areas where you suspect bed bugs might be hiding. Using cotton balls is also recommended. Soak it in peppermint oil and place it in infected areas.
Cinnamon oil is another strong and spicy scent that helps to repel bed bugs. Cinnamon oil helps in preventing pests from entering your place because it acts as a natural insect repellent.
Sprinkle ground cinnamon in places where bed bugs usually hide, like under your furniture and around baseboards; sprinkle ground cinnamon. For a more concentrated application, you may also use a spray bottle and mix water with cinnamon oil in it then spray it to areas where bed bugs usually hide.
Eucalyptus also has a strong scent, just like the other essential oils mentioned above. It has a refreshing scent that repels various insects, including bed bugs. Eucalyptus is high in cineole content, which makes it an effective natural insect repellent.
When using eucalyptus oil as a repellent, dilute it with water in a spray bottle, shake and apply it to infested areas. Diffusers with eucalyptus essential oil are another way to create an environment that discourages bed bugs.
Clove oil is another oil that has strong scents, it also has a pungent smell that is effective in repelling bed bug insects. Clove oil is composed of natural compounds that can help keep away pests.
When using clove oil as a repellent, mix a few drops and mix it with water in a spray bottle. When using clove oil as an alternative to repel bed bugs, put whole cloves in a sachet and place them in areas where you think bed bugs are hiding.
Unlike the different oils mentioned above, lemon itself can help repel bed bugs because it has a fresh and citrus scent that can discourage bed bugs. Lemon has acidity and a strong smell that is effective and a natural repellent for insects.
In a spray bottle, combine lemon juice and water, shake well and use this mixture to treat bed bug insect infestations. Lemon peels can also be used to increase the repellant effect in locations where bed bugs may be hiding.
Rosemary is also known for its strong scents, which bed bugs find unpleasant, some individuals use rosemary to repel insects like bed bugs. But just like the other essential oil, rosemary is not recommended to eliminate bed bugs completely.
Place a small fabric or sachets filled with dried rosemary within cracks and crevices, inside your drawers, under your bed or between cracks on your bed frames. For best results change the sachet every few weeks.
STEPS ON HOW TO MAKE SCENTS OIL TO REPEL BED BUGS
Making homemade oils to repel bed bugs can be quite challenging and time-consuming. However, it is less expensive than buying a ready-made product in the store. Below are the steps for making lavender, cinnamon, clove, Peppermint, and tea tree oil.
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- Dry a fresh lavender, Peppermint, or tea tree by hanging it in a well-ventilated area; make sure to keep it away from direct sunlight, and it should be free of any moisture after drying the lavender Peppermint and tea tree.
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- Next, fill the glass jar about halfway with dry lavender flowers, Peppermint, and tea tree, then pour the oil (you can use any kind of oil like virgin coconut oil) over and make sure the flower, Peppermint, or tea tree is completely submerged. Leave a small gap at the top of the jar to allow for expansion.
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- Close the jar and store it in a warm area for about two (2) to four (4) weeks. To help the infusion process of lavender oil, Peppermint, and tea tree oil, shake the jar every day. After the infusion process, a mesh net or clean cloth is used to strain the lavender flower, Peppermint, and tea tree from the oil.
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- Break the cinnamon sticks into pieces because this will help mix the flavor effectively. Ground cinnamon is not recommended because it is less effective for the type of infusion that we are doing and will take your time during the straining process.
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- Put the broken or small pieces of cinnamon inside the glass jar. Pour the oil inside the jar where you put the cinnamon, and ensure that the cinnamon is submerged in the oil. Don’t forget to leave some space at the top of the jar for the expansion.
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- Seal the jar and store it in a warm area for 2 to 4 weeks, then shake it every day to help the infusion of cinnamon and oil. After the infusion, a clean cloth or mesh net is used to remove the cinnamon from the oil. If you want to remove the small fine particles of cinnamon, you can use a coffee filter to strain it.
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- It is recommended to use a dry clove for better infusion, but if you are going to use a whole clove, you can ground it or cut it into pieces because it can help release the essential oil.
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- Put the clove inside the jar, and if you are using ground clove, you can fill the jar more fully. Fill in the oil inside the glass jar and seal it tightly. The same process applies to the oils mentioned above: store them in a warm or sunny spot for 2 to 4 weeks and shake them every day for better infusion.
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- After the infusion of clove and oil, strain it using a clean cloth or mesh net to remove the clove from the oil. Transfer it to a dark glass bottle to protect it from light.
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APPLICATION TIPS IN USING SCENTS TO REPEL BED BUGS
Consistency is important for application tips. Applying these smells on a regular basis is necessary for good repelling. Since bed bugs can be hard to eliminate, reapplying the scents mentioned every month or a few months will help keep the repellent effect intact.
You can also combine the scents mentioned above to repel bed bugs because it will increase the repelling effectiveness. For example, you can mix cinnamon and Peppermint oil to create a stronger smell and repellent effect. Yes, these products or natural remedies are all safe and effective in repelling bed bugs, but it is important to test if you have an allergic reaction before using them. Keep this essential oil away or out of reach by children and pets.
If you want to know how to Eliminate bed bugs, Here is the Ultimate Guide to Eliminate Bed bugs
LIMITATIONS ON USING SCENTS TO REPEL BED BUGS
While these products can repel bed bug insects, there are considerations and limitations in using these scents to repel bed bug insects, but it is not a total or complete method to completely eliminate bed bug infestation, especially if the infestation is severe. These natural products work best when incorporated into an integrated pest management plan that also includes routine cleaning, pest control treatments from professionals, and inspections on a regular basis.
If you want an early elimination of bed bugs, immediate detection is the key. If you want to know these signs, here is our article about Early Signs of Bed Bugs.
These natural scents are a important tool on repelling bed bugs and preventing infestation. The qualities of lavender, tea tree oil, Peppermint, eucalyptus, cinnamon, clove, and lemon can all help in repelling insects like bed bugs.
Avoiding bed bug bites requires a strong approach. Take immediate action, such as covering your mattress, cleaning your bedding often, and applying all-natural repellents. Using these ways with regular inspections will help you keep these pests from becoming a bigger problem in your home. If the infestation persists, contacting a pest control professional may be necessary for complete eradication.