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Bed bugs infest many homes in Canada each year, with Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver being the primary hotspots for these infestations. These tiny, blood-sucking, oval-shaped insects with a reddish-brown hue invade through walls, bedding, and furniture, and slowly ruin your life. Taking immediate action is crucial because bed bugs are notorious for their rapid reproduction.
While chemical treatments are available, it is generally safer to opt for natural, DIY remedies. Diatomaceous earth powder, tea tree oil, and baking soda are natural bed bug repellants without any harmful side effects. We’ll discuss further how to get rid of bed bugs naturally in this article.
Yes, natural methods are excellent for early bed bug infestations. That said, the severity of an infestation may necessitate professional assistance. If you live anywhere in the Greater Toronto Area and suspect bed bugs have taken over your home or business, contact us for a free property inspection.
What Are The Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs?
Natural ways to get rid of bed bugs may not always be 100% effective, but they do work, especially when the infestation is in its early stage.
We’ll break down some of the most potent natural bed bug killers and how they work. Each of these best remedies for bed bugs targets these pests differently. Some repel the bugs, others may suffocate or dehydrate them. Magic happens best when you layer these approaches. Also, the table below compares these natural treatments in terms of their effectiveness, speed, and safety to help you choose the right combination.
| Treatment | Effectiveness | Speed of Results | Safety for Humans & Pets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diatomaceous Earth | High (if applied correctly) | Slow (days to weeks) | Safe if not inhaled excessively |
| Baking Soda | Low / Unproven | Very slow/minimal effect | Safe |
| Bed Bug Traps | Low (for detection only) | Slow (detects, not kills) | Safe |
| Washing Fabrics | High (on treated items) | Fast (instant on cleaned items) | Safe |
| Tea Tree Oil | Low to moderate | Moderate (direct contact needed) | Caution: toxic to pets if ingested |
| Rubbing Alcohol | Moderate (on contact) | Fast (kills on contact) | Flammable; use with care |
| Freezing Items | High (for small items) | Slow (days of freezing required) | Safe |
| Lavender Oil | Low (mostly repels) | Slow | Safe |
| Eucalyptus Oil | Low to moderate | Moderate | Can irritate pets if overused |
| Peppermint Oil | Low (mostly repels) | Slow | Safe |
| Citronella Oil | Low (mostly repels) | Slow | Safe |
| Lemongrass Oil | Low (mostly repels) | Slow | Safe |
| Rosemary Oil | Low (mostly repels) | Slow | Safe |
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth (DE) scares bed bugs away. This smooth, abrasive powder is one of the most effective natural bed bug killers available.
What Is It?
Bed bugs are a nightmare, and diatomaceous earth is a natural antidote to the problem. It is a fine, white-colored powder that comes from the fossils of diatoms, tiny aquatic creatures. This mechanical insecticide attacks the exoskeletons of bed bugs, killing them altogether. While diatomaceous earth is deadly to these little terrors, it is safe for pets and kids.
How to Apply This Treatment?
- Buy food-grade diatomaceous earth from an online or hardware store. Some of the big-box retailers, garden and health stores that stock DE include Home Depot, Canadian Tire, Sheridan Nurseries, Home Hardware, Nature’s Emporium, Valleyview Gardens, and Whole Foods Market. You can also easily find it on Amazon Canada with next-day delivery. Lowe’s is a great hardware store that sells DE both online and offline.
- Make it a must to get food-grade DE and not its pool-grade counterpart. The former is non-toxic, very effective, and 100% safe for home use. On the other hand, pool-grade DE irritates the lungs, is toxic, and is ineffective for eliminating bed bugs. It is powerful for industrial applications, though.
- Once you have the powder, sprinkle a flimsy layer of it around the baseboards, mattress seams, furniture items, cracks, bed frames, and all the places you suspect are housing the bugs.
- DE takes a few days to work, so leave it as it is for about a week or two. If you vacuum the space, reapply a light layer of it.
- It’s best to wear a mask while sprinkling diatomaceous earth. While it’s safe, it’s always better not to inhale dust.
How Effective Is This Treatment?
For those who often wonder how bed bugs die naturally, well, they do if they are dehydrated or suffocated. Diatomaceous earth does the trick nicely by dehydrating these creepy crawlers once they come into contact with or walk on it. It won’t kill those bloodsuckers instantly, and it takes its sweet time. Bugs start dying after the third day. You’ll notice a visible difference after a whole week. For permanent results, apply DE frequently or combine it with other methods, such as heat treatment or steam cleaning, which effectively targets bed bugs by using intense heat to kill them instantly..
Baking Soda for Bed Bug Elimination
Wondering if baking soda for bed bugs helps? Let’s find that out.
What Is It?
Baking soda is a powerful dehydrating powder that kills bed bugs by absorbing lipids from their exoskeletons.
How to Apply This Treatment?
- To use baking soda for bed bugs, take a cup of it and generously dust it on the carpets, curtains, mattress seams, bedding, and other infested areas.
- Make sure to coat the bug-ridden areas with baking soda properly.
- Reapply it after 3 to 5 days.
How Effective Is This Treatment?
While baking soda is an effective natural bed bug killer, it works best with repeat applications every week. Its effectiveness also increases when you couple it with other natural repellents or bed bug heat treatment. It deters about 60% to 70% of the infestation. For 100% elimination success, professional bed bug heat treatment is my go-to solution.
Bed Bug Traps
Bed bug traps have been helping people in the GTA monitor and catch bed bugs for many years.
What Is It?
Traps are interception devices that are excellent for detecting and monitoring bed bugs, but don’t eliminate the infestation solo. They come in different types, with the ones given below being the four major ones:
- Sticky Glue Traps: These are adhesive sheets that catch the wandering bed bugs.
- Active CO₂ Traps: They use attractants that mimic the human breath and lure bugs to capture them. As they are costly, they aren’t commonly used.
- Passive Monitors: They use the movement patterns of bugs to trap them.
- Climb-Up Interceptors: These come in a pitfall-style and are kept under furniture legs to draw in the bugs.
How to Use This Method?
- To successfully exterminate these pests, place climb-up interceptors or sticky traps under the sofa, chairs, and bed, as well as along the walls, to detect and catch bugs. Additionally, consider professional extermination services for 100% bed bug eradication.
- When using interceptors, create a barrier that would compel bugs to climb in.
- Check the traps every 4 to 5 days to monitor the bugs’ activity.
How Effective Is This Treatment?
Bed bugs can detect and catch approximately 30% to 50% of the population. However, they don’t eliminate the whole infestation. It is best to use them along with DE and heating.
Tea Tree Oil for Bed Bugs
Tea tree oil is an essential oil with excellent insecticidal properties. It is quite a popular natural bed bug killer.
What Is It?
Tea tree oil comes from the Australian melaleuca plant, which is renowned for its insecticidal and antiseptic powers. The essential oil is packed with chemical compounds, such as terpenes, which, along with its strong scent, repel and kill bed bug infestations.
How to Use Tea Tree Oil for Bed Bugs?
- To use tea tree oil for bed bugs, mix 20 drops of it per ounce of water, and you’ll have your own homemade bed bug spray.
- Apply the mixture on all the harborages (hiding spots of bed bugs).
- Increase the potency of your DIY bed bug spray by adding equal parts of eucalyptus or lavender oil to it.
How Effective Is Tea Tree Oil?
It is effective in repelling bed bugs and can kill about 70% to 80% of the population on direct contact with it. Pair it with DE or heat treatment to wipe out the entire population. For deep infestations, hiring a professional exterminator is your best bet.
Rubbing Alcohol
Many households in Ontario rely on rubbing alcohol to kill bed bugs naturally. Does alcohol kill bed bugs? The answer is yes! Rubbing alcohol is a solvent that kills bed bugs by dehydrating them. This powerful solvent dissolves the insect exoskeletons and waxes, effectively murdering them on contact.
What Is It?
Rubbing alcohol is a solvent that kills bed bugs by dehydrating them. This powerful solvent dissolves the insect exoskeletons and waxes, murdering them quite brutally.
How To Use This Natural Bed Bug Killer?
- Take +70% isopropyl in a spray bottle.
- Spray it directly on the bugs and the infested areas, and you’ll see instant results.
- However, it is flammable and evaporates quickly, so ensure to use it cautiously.
How Effective Is It?
When rubbing alcohol comes into direct contact with bed bugs and their eggs, it kills them 100%.
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is a floral essential oil that also acts as a good pest repellent.
What Is It?
Lavender oil has a very calming but strong scent, which, along with the natural compounds in it, such as linalool, ward off bed bugs. It is not a bed bug killer, but it does weaken their ability to find hosts.
How To Apply This Treatment?
- One way to use lavender oil to deter bed bugs is to take diluted lavender oil and generously spray or diffuse it around the contaminated and sleeping areas.
- The second natural way to kill bed bugs with lavender oil is to mix about 15 drops of it in 1 cup of water. Add the mixture in a spray bottle and mist the entry points of bed bugs along with all the harborage sites such as bedding, clothing, furniture, and curtains.
- For long-term protection against bed bugs, add lavender oil to the dryer sheets. You can also dip cotton balls in lavender oil and place them in the drawers
How Effective Is Lavender Oil?
Lavender oil doesn’t exterminate all the colonies; it deters about 40% to 60% of the infestation. It is a good natural bed bug killer for treating mild infestations, and does an excellent job at preventing future infestations.
More Home Remedies For Bed Bugs
We gathered all the experts at Heat Solution and beyond to dig up more natural ways to kill bed bugs for your peace of mind. Here you go!
Washing Fabrics
When bed bugs infest your clothes, bed sheets, curtains, and other fabrics, washing clothes can kill bed bugs. To do this, wash the fabrics in hot water at 60°C and then dry them on a high setting for at least 30 to 40 minutes. This method is highly effective, as it kills bed bug eggs, nymphs, and adult bugs, making it an excellent option for fabric-based infestations.
Freezing Infested Items
Freezing the infested items is a cryogenic method to eliminate bed bugs. It can be 100% effective for small infestations if executed properly, as the approach requires accurate temperature control. Place the contaminated items in plastic bags, seal them tightly, and freeze them at -18°C for 4 to 7 days.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil is a strong camphoraceous (has a strong, penetrating aroma) essential oil that can wipe out 50% to 70% of the nymphs. While it is moderately effective, tea tree oil is a better natural bed bug killer.
Make a homemade bed bug spray by mixing 10 to 20 drops of eucalyptus oil in 1 cup (approximately 8 oz) of water and diffusing it around your house, coating the bug-ridden belongings and spaces more generously. To evenly disperse the spray throughout the space and reach the hard-to-reach spots, add a teaspoon of rubbing alcohol to it.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil has a lovely minty aroma and powerful pest-repelling properties. It can deter 30% to 50% of the bugs in case of small and early infestations. Lightly spray diluted peppermint oil around the furniture, beds, and other areas. It does make a quick and hassle-free DIY homemade bed bug spray.
Citronella Oil
Citronella oil is a lemon-scented oil that also works as a mild bed bug repellent. It does, however, yield good results when you pair it with other methods. Use it in combination with DE, heat treatment, and bed bug traps. Blend one part citronella oil with one part either tea tree or eucalyptus oil to quickly make an easy homemade bed bug spray that drives away bed bugs.
Lemongrass Oil
Lemongrass oil is quite similar to citronella oil, both in its fragrance and effect on bed bugs. To increase its effectiveness, team it with diatomaceous earth powder and tea tree oil.
Rosemary Oil
This herb-derived essential oil is often added to home remedies for bed bugs. While it has a weak standalone effect, it works better when added to oil mixtures.
Call A Professional Bed Bug Exterminator When Natural Remedies Don’t Work!
The natural bed bug killers given above do a decent job in clearing out bed bug infestations, but they are more effective for early and mild infestations.
Heat Solution provides the best bed bug extermination in Toronto and 100 miles around it. We offer a FREE, no-obligation, and zero-judgment property inspection for homes and businesses as well. If you suspect bed bugs in your space, take immediate action. These pests may be tiny, but the rate at which they multiply will soon ruin your life.
Call us now to book your FREE inspection today.
Final Thoughts
Heat treatment, whether professional or at home through washing or steaming at high temperatures, is one of the most powerful natural ways to eliminate bed bugs. It is my personal favorite as well. It’s safe, quick, non-toxic, and has lasting results.
Couple it with diatomaceous earth to shield your furniture, bedding, electrical outlets, and other parts of your house against bed bugs. Tea tree oil and baking soda are next on the list for treating bed bugs.
However, when the infestation becomes too difficult to handle, I always recommend enlisting the services of professional exterminators as soon as possible.
FAQs
Bed bugs are tiny, oval-shaped, blood-sucking pests. If you notice itchy bites on your body, dark spots on the bedding and mattress seams, shed skins in the curtains and furniture, and blood stains on the sheets, you likely have bed bugs in your space. Book Heat Solution’s FREE inspection to verify your suspicion.
Ensure you use food-grade diatomaceous earth and dust it on all contaminated areas. When you vacuum the space, reapply another coat. Repeat these steps for 7 to 10 days for excellent results.
Heat treatment, be it steaming or professional extermination, kills bed bugs instantly and permanently.
Yes, baking soda is effective on early and moderate bed bug infestations, but it works best when paired with our natural remedies, such as diatomaceous earth or heat treatment.
Combine 10 to 20 drops of tea tree oil for every ounce of water. Mix it well and spray on all the infested areas and hiding spots.
Yes, freezing does kill bed bugs if you properly seal the items in an air-tight bag and freeze them at 18°C for a minimum of 4 days. That said, this method is only suitable for small items.
Typically, natural remedies to kill bed bugs take anywhere between 2 and 6 weeks to eliminate the infestation. They also require repeat applications for good results.
Yes, most natural bed bug treatments are safe for pets and children, such as using diatomaceous earth and essential oil sprays.
Yes, you can eliminate mild bed bug infestations on your own with the help of natural bed bug killers such as steaming, diatomaceous earth, baking soda, and essential oil sprays. However, large and severe infestations demand professional extermination
Reduce clutter in your space, use pillow and mattress encasements, and check any furniture you buy, especially from a thrift store. Vacuum your space regularly, monitor it using interceptors, and use diatomaceous earth powder whenever possible.
Yes, a combination of different natural bed bug killers works very well to eliminate infestations.