How can bedbugs be fought using home remedies? - briefly
Diatomaceous earth applied to cracks and crevices dehydrates insects, and regular vacuuming removes them. Steam treatment of furniture and washing linens at 60 °C kills remaining bugs and their eggs.
How can bedbugs be fought using home remedies? - in detail
Bed‑bug infestations can be reduced with a series of household techniques that target insects at different life stages.
Applying a fine powder of diatomaceous earth to cracks, baseboards, and the underside of furniture creates a mechanical barrier; the abrasive particles damage the exoskeleton, leading to dehydration. The powder must remain dry and be re‑applied after cleaning or moisture exposure.
Heat treatment exploits the insects’ low thermal tolerance. Raising room temperature to ≥ 50 °C for a minimum of 30 minutes, using portable heaters or a professional steam device, kills adults, nymphs, and eggs. Direct steam application to seams, folds, and mattress edges delivers temperatures above 100 °C and penetrates hidden habitats.
Essential oils possess repellent or insecticidal properties. A mixture of 10 ml tea‑tree oil, 10 ml lavender oil, and 80 ml water, sprayed onto affected surfaces, deters movement and interferes with feeding. Reapplication every 48 hours maintains efficacy.
Isopropyl alcohol (70 % concentration) acts as a contact poison. Dabbing cotton balls with the solution and placing them in crevices contacts insects directly; the rapid drying effect also reduces humidity, an unfavorable condition for development.
Baking soda, when sprinkled in thin layers on carpets and floorboards, absorbs moisture and disrupts the insects’ respiratory system. After 24 hours, vacuum the residue to remove dead specimens and residual powder.
Cold treatment involves sealing infested items in airtight bags and placing them in a freezer set to –18 °C for at least four days. The prolonged exposure freezes and kills all life stages.
Systematic vacuuming with a HEPA‑rated attachment removes visible bugs, eggs, and debris from mattresses, upholstered furniture, and floor coverings. Immediately empty the vacuum canister into a sealed bag and discard it outdoors.
Laundering fabrics at the highest safe temperature (≥ 60 °C) for 30 minutes eliminates hidden populations. Items that cannot withstand heat should be dry‑cleaned or subjected to the freezing method described above.
Regular inspection of seams, box springs, and wall voids, combined with the above measures, creates a multi‑pronged approach that reduces reliance on chemical pesticides. As noted by entomologists, «effective control requires disruption of the bed‑bug life cycle at multiple points».