How to get rid of bedbugs in a house using folk remedies on your own? - briefly
Wash all bedding and clothing at 60 °C, steam‑clean mattresses and furniture, and spread food‑grade diatomaceous earth in seams and baseboards to dehydrate the insects. Follow with thorough vacuuming and a light mist of diluted tea tree or lavender essential oil to deter any remaining bugs.
How to get rid of bedbugs in a house using folk remedies on your own? - in detail
Bedbugs hide in seams, cracks, and fabric folds; eliminating them requires thorough inspection and targeted treatment. Begin by stripping bedding, curtains, and clothing, then wash all items in water hotter than 60 °C for at least 30 minutes. Dry on the highest heat setting for a minimum of 20 minutes. Vacuum every mattress, box spring, and upholstered surface, discarding the bag or cleaning the canister immediately after use.
Prepare a set of readily available folk agents:
- Diatomaceous earth (food‑grade) – a fine powder that desiccates insects.
- Essential oils such as tea tree, lavender, peppermint, or eucalyptus – act as repellents and irritants.
- Baking soda – absorbs moisture and disrupts the insects’ exoskeleton.
- White vinegar – a mild acidic solution that deters crawling.
- Heat sources (steam cleaner or portable heater) – temperatures above 45 °C kill all life stages.
- Cold exposure (freezer at –18 °C) – effective for small items that can be sealed for 48 hours.
Apply each agent according to its properties:
- Sprinkle diatomaceous earth along baseboards, under bed frames, and in any crevice where bugs have been spotted. Leave for 48 hours, then vacuum thoroughly.
- Mix 10 ml of chosen essential oil with 250 ml of water and a few drops of dish soap; transfer to a spray bottle. Lightly mist seams, folds, and edges of mattresses, sofas, and curtains. Reapply every 3 days for two weeks.
- Disperse a thin layer of baking soda on carpet fibers and upholstered cushions; let sit for 24 hours before vacuuming.
- Wipe surfaces with a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water; focus on nightstands, headboards, and wall voids. Repeat daily for a week.
- Run a steam cleaner over mattresses, box springs, and furniture, ensuring the nozzle reaches at least 1 cm into fabric layers. Conduct a session every other day for a week.
- Place small fabric items (pillows, stuffed toys) in a sealed freezer bag; keep frozen for 48 hours, then launder as described above.
After each treatment cycle, inspect all suspect areas using a bright flashlight. Look for live insects, shed skins, or fecal spots. If any signs persist, repeat the relevant steps, prioritizing heat or diatomaceous earth, which provide the most reliable mortality.
To prevent re‑infestation, enclose mattresses and box springs in zippered protective covers, maintain a clutter‑free environment, and seal cracks in walls, baseboards, and furniture with caulk. Regularly launder bedding and rotate seasonal clothing through high‑heat cycles. These practices, combined with the described folk methods, create a comprehensive, self‑managed approach to eradicating bedbugs.