Did you ever experienced waking up in the middle of the night because of itching? In the morning, you’ll see little red bumps all over your body because of the bites that you got the night before. This might be because of the bed bugs that has been living on your bed for quite a long time. Here are some proven ways on how to keep bed bugs away from you and your bed:
What are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are small brownish insects that are oval in color which lives because of the blood of animal and humans like us. Unlike other bugs, they do not fly and goes around quickly because of their multiple legs. Bed bugs are a great traveler, they can go with you literally everywhere. They tend to latch on suitcases, clothes and linens causing them to spread more easily.
Where do Bed Bugs hide?
When bugs are not feeding, they usually hide in a variety of places where it is usually dark and tiny spaces. Bed bugs are warm-blooded hosts that are attracted to a warm, moist environment (usually the skin of a mammal). Their usual hiding places are the following:
- On the tags of the mattresses and box spring
- Near the piping
- On the cracks of the bed frame or headboard
- On the seams of the chairs and couches
- In between the folds of curtains
- In drawer joint
- On appliances and electrical plugs
- Behind loose wall papers and hanging decors
- Above your ceiling
- Storage areas
- On upholstered furniture and fixtures
When do Bed Bugs Bite
Bed bugs are active at night and bites people when they are sleeping. They feed for about 3 to 10 minutes from by piercing through a person’s skin and drinking the blood of a person using its elongated beak. Once they become full and engorged, they crawl away unnoticed. They often bite exposed areas of the body such as the ankles, arms and legs.
Scents that Bed Bugs Really Hate
There are many known ways of dealing with the problem of bed bugs. You may opt to hire a pest control or look for a natural alternative that can help you remove these unwanted visitors on your bedroom. Here are some natural alternatives that you can use to eliminate these bugs completely without the threat of health that chemical products have:
Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree Oil is a popular oil extract nowadays at it is the most effective essential oil there is. It is readily available and can even be purchased online. Aside from being an effective face regimen, it is also known as a bug repellant. It is a natural oil that has strong antibacterial properties and more than that it has a smell that bed bugs hate.
Just combine the Tea Tree Oil extract with some water then put on a bottle spray. Spray the solution all over your mattress, chair or cushion to send away the bed bugs. Do this on a daily basis.
Lavender Oil
Lavender Oil is the most efficient bed bug repellant available on the market. People love the aroma of lavender while bed bugs hate it. You can just freely spray the oil at home or in areas infested by bugs to help eliminate them. The smell and taste of it will surely be hated by bugs enough for them to go away. Aside from that, the scent of Lavender also improves a person sleep so you can be sure to have a bite-free night ahead of you.
Diatomaceous Earth
Unlike the first two, Diatomaceous earth is a form of powdered and fossilized algae. It is often use by pest control as it does not only cover bed bugs but also cockroaches and ants. The powder causes these pests to die due to dehydration and also destroys their waxy exoskeletons, harming their body. Its poignant smell is disliked by the bugs. Just sprinkle the powder all over the place infested by the pests and you will surely eliminate these unwanted bugs.
Powdered Pepper
This one is sure to sit on your kitchen cabinet. It is often used in cooking to add a little bit of texture to the food. But aside from cooking, powdered pepper can also be used in the household to control bugs. Just sprinkle the pepper on sites where the bugs hide and the aroma of this will surely drive them away.
Lemon Juice
Lemon is not only a fruit that is filled with a lot of health benefits, but it can also be used at home. Lemon juice has an astringent property that is harmful to bed bugs. A freshly squeezed lemon juice is preferred when eliminating bugs. If you think the lemon is too concentrated, you may add a little bit of water.
References:
www.epa.gov/bedbugs/how-find-bed-bugs
www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/bedbugs-infestation#1