Can I Prevent Bed Bugs Naturally?
There are several elements you can introduce into your home that are relatively effective deterrents of bed bugs. These elements usually won’t work at addressing an ongoing infestation, however, they may help with mitigating one or preventing one from getting out of control.
Some of these natural methods of prevention include:
- Essential oils
- Peppermint
- Dryer Sheets
- Baby Powder
- Diatomaceous earth
- Petroleum jelly
All-Natural Bed Bug Repellents
All-natural remedies are appealing for several reasons, but above all, are they effective? While an ideal approach, all-natural remedies unfortunately won’t successfully eliminate a large infestation. For example:
- Diatomaceous earth is effective at dehydrating bed bugs due to its property of absorbing oils and water from the bug’s exoskeleton. This can be sprinkled around the house, but it is unlikely that all bed bugs will come into contact with it.
- Essential oils can deter bed bugs, but won’t be effective enough for repelling a large infestation.
- A common strategy is spreading petroleum jelly on headboards and bed frames, but this has not been proven to halt the bugs from infesting beds.
- Other popular methods such as baby powder and dryer sheets have little to no evidence of effectively preventing or eliminating bed bugs.
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Does DIY Bed Bug Treatment Work?
DIY methods are a great way to keep bugs at bay in and around your home. Having these all-natural remedies as part of regular home maintenance can help protect you from bed bugs getting cozy in your home. Should the bed bugs already be settled in your residence, it is best to have a professional treatment to control the infestation. These are usually more intensive, including heat treatments or insecticides.
How to Keep Bed Bugs Away
Ways to keep bed bugs from infesting your home include:
- Identifying signs of an early infestation. Bed bugs will leave behind dark fecal spots on upholstery and mattresses. Often rolling over on them while sleeping will leave spots of blood on bedding. You may also notice small, itchy bumps on your skin.
- If you ever bring used items into your home or property, conduct a detailed inspection for signs of bed bugs.
- Power outlets are a common hiding place for bed bugs. Cover power outlets with a plug and cover your mattress with a protector to limit places where bed bugs most frequently hide.
- If you are traveling, inspect your hotel room upon arrival and inspect your suitcase when you return home.
Preventing Bed Bugs Naturally vs. Professionally
One of the best ways to prevent a bed bug infestation is by knowing the signs of their activity, paying attention while traveling, and inspecting any used furniture that comes into your property. While all-natural remedies can assist in many ways, infestations are sometimes out of our control. When this occurs, reach out to a professional extermination service like Allied Termite and Pest Control to keep bed bugs out of your Memphis TN Metro Area property.