If only it were that easy; essential oils would be worth its weight in gold. You could keep the bugs away and smell great.
They Are Next To Impossible To Prevent
They are hitchhikers, which is why you seem to spontaneously have an infestation. They are easily picked up in hotels, dorm rooms, public transportation while visiting a friend, or riding in their car. You really can be exposed almost anywhere. Once you bring them into your home, they won't be noticeable for a long time. A few bites here and there can be dismissed as a mosquito, flea, or spider bite. After a while when the bites become daily and you start to suspect bed bugs, most people will inspect their beds and find nothing. Bed bugs are very elusive, leaving the homeowner back where they started. Meanwhile, the population continues to grow. Many people turn to essential oils as a way to deter the bugs from biting. This has limited effectiveness.
Effectiveness Of Essential Oils
The USDA conducted a study on the effectiveness of essential oils and bed bugs. While barely effective, bed bugs did show aversion towards the following:
Blood orange oil
Paraffin oil
Silicone oil
Spearmint oil
A solution made from water and silicone oil was very effective when sprayed directly on the bed bug. Not all essential oil enthusiasts agree with these findings, in fact, the list of oil choices is much larger. There are many different recipes available for use as personal repellents or as a spray. A common home remedy is ten drops of peppermint oil, ten drops of lemongrass oil, ten drops of cedarwood oil, two to three drops of witch hazel, and two teaspoons of Epsom salt. This is to be added to distilled water in a glass spray bottle. Spray mattress and bedding.
What Really Works
There are a couple of tried-and-true methods that are helpful. This will require a lot of work on your part, but it is effective.
Extreme heat - Use your dryer as a source of heat. Put all your bedding, including pillows, in the dryer on the highest possible heat. Use this method for anything you think is affected.
Freezing - Many things can’t be put into the dryer, so you can go to the opposite extreme and freeze them. Place items into a plastic bag and place them in the freezer for two to three days.
Bed bug interceptor - They are also called pitfall traps. They are round with a ‘moat’ on the outer ring. The bed bugs have a hard time climbing the smooth vertical surface. You put the inceptor under the bedpost to trap them before they ever get to you. This is a preventive measure. Coating the trap with talc powder seems to help.
These methods work really well for smaller items, but unless you can fit the mattress or sofa in the freezer, you won't be solving your problem. The infestation will still exist, and all the work you did heating or freezing your other items will be for naught.
Don't Mess Around
Here is the deal; we know what works, and how to get rid of bed bugs. You can use over-the-counter products or essential oils if you want to, but it will not eradicate the bed bugs. They are a stalwart little creature that will plague you for a very long time. Pest & Termite Consultants of Raleigh uses a state-of-the-art thermal remediation system, paired with chemical application. We are proud to say that we maintain a 99.9% success rate in bed bug remediation. Call us for a free estimate today.