Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to get rid of, but it is possible to eliminate them without resorting to harmful chemicals. These tiny pests feed on human blood and can quickly turn a comfortable home into an uncomfortable living space. However, there are several natural methods you can use to effectively remove bed bugs from your home and prevent them from returning. Here’s how you can do it.
1. Declutter and Deep Clean
The first step in naturally eliminating bed bugs is cleaning and decluttering your living space. Bed bugs love to hide in cracks, crevices, and cluttered areas, so a thorough cleaning is essential.
- Declutter Your Home: Remove unnecessary items from the room, particularly around beds and furniture. The fewer hiding spots, the better. If possible, avoid moving items from one room to another to prevent spreading the infestation.
- Vacuum Thoroughly: Vacuum your entire home, focusing on carpets, rugs, mattresses, and upholstered furniture. Be sure to vacuum corners, cracks in the walls, and baseboards. After vacuuming, immediately empty the vacuum bag or container into a sealed plastic bag and dispose of it outside.
- Launder Bedding and Fabrics: Bed bugs are often found in bedding and linens. Wash all sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and clothing in hot water (at least 60°C or 140°F) to kill any bed bugs and eggs. Dry them on high heat for at least 30 minutes to ensure they’re completely eradicated.
2. Use Heat Treatment
Heat is one of the most effective natural ways to kill bed bugs. Bed bugs can’t survive extreme temperatures, making heat an excellent tool for eliminating them.
- Hot Water Wash: As mentioned, wash all fabrics in hot water and dry them at high temperatures. This includes bedding, curtains, cushions, and any washable clothing stored near infested areas.
- Use a Clothes Dryer: For items that can’t be washed, like shoes or stuffed animals, put them in the dryer on high heat for at least 30 minutes. This will kill bed bugs hiding in these items.
- Steam Cleaning: Steam is an excellent natural way to kill bed bugs on mattresses, furniture, and carpets. Use a steamer that can reach temperatures above 120°F (49°C) and thoroughly steam cracks, crevices, and bed bug-prone areas. Be sure to cover all surfaces and repeat the process as necessary.
3. Use Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
Diatomaceous earth is a natural, non-toxic powder that is highly effective at killing bed bugs. DE works by dehydrating the bugs, causing them to die over time.
- How to Apply: Lightly sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth in areas where bed bugs are likely to hide, such as along baseboards, mattress seams, under furniture, and in cracks in the walls or floors.
- Leave It in Place: Leave the DE for at least a week before vacuuming it up. Reapply as necessary until the bed bugs are gone.
- Caution: Be careful not to inhale DE while applying it, as it can irritate your lungs. Use a dust mask during application to protect yourself.
