What Do Bed Bugs Hate? Do you have a bed bug problem? If so, you’re in the right place. Bedbugs are hard to get rid of and can cause lots of discomfort. Some treatments are expensive and don’t always work. Knowing what bedbugs hate can help you keep them away from your home.
Bedbugs hate heat. Raising the temperature of your home is an effective way to get rid of them, without having to use costly pest control techniques or toxic sprays.
Did you know that bed bugs also hate strong smells like lavender, peppermint and lemongrass? These smells naturally repel bed bugs, so investing in essential oils diffusers or sprays can help you sleep better.
Another potential solution is extreme cold. Certain devices act like a microwave for insects, freezing them within seconds. This should be done after vacuuming all potential hiding areas. Be careful though – make sure there are no pets in the room, because animals are more sensitive than insects and could face serious consequences.
So, if you want to get rid of this bothersome invasion, take proactive measures by understanding what do bed bugs hate. That way, you can protect yourself from harm while getting rid of them.
What Attracts Bed Bugs
What brings bed bugs to your space? Clutter, food, body heat, carbon dioxide- it could be any of these things. Knowing what attracts them is key to keeping them away. Here’s what you need to know about preventing them from entering your home:
Temperature
Temperature control is a key way to get rid of bed bugs. They are adapted to certain temperatures. 68°F-90°F (20°C-32°C) is the best range for them. If temperatures fall below 46°F (8°C) or above 113°F (45°C), they may die within hours. Therefore, it’s important to keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter.
Other environment-friendly methods for Bed bug control include using a steam cleaner, regular vacuuming, encasing mattresses and box springs with allergen-proof encasements, and throwing out infested items that cannot be effectively treated:
- Using a steam cleaner
- Regular vacuuming
- Encasing mattresses and box springs with allergen-proof encasements
- Throwing out infested items that cannot be effectively treated
Carbon Dioxide
The scent of carbon dioxide can attract bed bugs to humans and other warm-blooded hosts. In areas like bedrooms and apartments, where many people sleep, the population of bed bugs can rise fast. Homeowners should install traps and reduce CO2 output, using fans or air conditioners.
Studies show bed bugs look for hosts by the presence of CO2. Therefore, bugs may be more drawn to areas with more CO2, like beds, than other parts of homes or businesses.
Not only do dust mites love the smell of human-produced carbon dioxide, but other bugs do too! Silverfish, cockroaches, spiders and ants may be drawn further by a higher level of CO2. To avoid bug infestations, keep a clean home and reduce CO2 production with tools such as air conditioners or fans. That way, you can protect yourself from any hitchhiking pests!
Light
Light is key when trying to control bed bugs. Bed bugs hate light and will avoid it. Use flashlights or black lights to inspect hard-to-reach areas. If something suspicious is found, get help from a professional.
Devices have been made to target bed bugs with light sources or traps. Professionals offer products with UVC lamps to create a killing field. These lamps are safe if used correctly and with limited exposure.
Humidity
Bed bugs don’t like high humidity. 90% is their max. Any higher and they’ll struggle. The humidity can dry them out and make it hard to move around. Low temps with high humidity make it even worse.
To stop bed bugs, the humidity needs to be just right. Not too dry, not too wet. A dehumidifier will help keep the humidity low. It’s also important to regulate the temperature between 54°F and 75°F. Vacuuming and dusting will also help keep them away from your living space, beds, furniture and other places they could hide or find food.
What Bed Bugs Hate
So, What Do Bed Bugs Hate? Bed bugs are pesky! They can make their way into your home with ease. If you’re struggling with an infestation, you may be thinking of ways to make them go away. It helps to know what bed bugs hate. Let’s look at some of these things and how you can use them to your advantage:
- High temperatures
- Low humidity
- Certain scents
- Cleaning products
- Vacuuming
- Encasements
Heat
Heat is a great pest control. To get rid of bed bugs, the temperature must reach 118-122°F and stay there for 90 minutes. Professional heat treatment is commonly used for this, as it circulates air at the set temp in a sealed space. This is more expensive than chemical control, but it eliminates all bed bugs and eggs in one treatment.
Other techniques include:
- Washing bedding in hot water and drying on high heat for 30 mins;
- Vacuuming;
- Steaming carpets/furniture;
- Discarding/replacing infested items;
- Encasing mattresses in zippered covers;
- Sealing cracks with caulking or other sealants;
- Keeping clutter low; and
- Using furniture legs instead of resting directly on rugs/carpets.
Cold
The thought of bed bugs infesting your home can be creepy and unsettling. To prevent or stop an infestation, take advantage of the insects’ dislike for cold temperatures.
When temperatures drop below freezing, bed bugs will die. This process disrupts certain processes in their bodies that are essential for survival. So, turn down your thermostat to keep these pests away.
But make sure the sleeping areas are heated so you can remain warm while sleeping. There are other ways to use cold air too:
- Use fans on medium to create a cold draft around the bed and mattresses;
- Place ice packs or frozen liquid bottles around suspected bug hiding places;
- Leave windows open during cooler months;
- Invest in an indoor mini freezer to freeze items like clothing and furniture that may be harboring bugs.
High Humidity
High humidity can make it tough for bed bugs. A 2011 NCBI study found that, at 70% relative humidity, adult bed bug lifespan was 6 days compared to 3 days at 30%.
Water vapor can also hamper movement and feeding. A PLOS One research paper revealed that increased water resistance affects air resistance on their bodies, making it hard to move. This can slow down mating since more food energy is needed in high humidity.
Furthermore, wetter environments can prevent eggs or nymphs from hatching due to oxygen dispersal or reduced gravitational potential. This can leave them vulnerable if they don’t get sufficient oxygen levels.
High Pressure
High pressure can be an effective way to exterminate bed bugs. It uses a device that pumps water at more than 300 psi. This process kills them on contact. It also removes any infected skin or nymphs.
It’s best to combine high pressure with other treatments, like vacuuming, steaming, and insecticide. It’s especially useful in hard-to-reach spaces. Special equipment is needed to use this method effectively. It’s one of the most reliable ways to quickly eliminate the problem and keep infestation from spreading.
Strong Smells
What Do Bed Bugs Hate natural? Using scents to repel bed bugs is a popular pest control tool. Natural scents and essential oils can be effective. But certain strong smells make it easier to detect and eradicate bed bug infestations.
Common household items like white vinegar, lemons + peels, oranges, lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, rosemary oil, thyme oil, tea tree oil, cedarwood chips can all help. You need to use them regularly to make your environment unattractive to bed bugs.
- Vinegar has a strong odor that repels and kills bed bug eggs and larvae.
- Citric acid in lemons and their peels repel pests like ants and fleas. Lemon Essential Oil works against bed bugs.
- Oranges and Orange Essential Oil repel pests too.
- Lavender Oil has calming properties to keep vampires away.
- Rosemary Oil, Eucalyptus Oil and Tea Tree Oil have anti-fungal properties.
- Thyme Oil removes odors that attract insects.
- Cedarwood Chip smoke contains chemicals that discourage pests.
Use these items with detergent solutions, carrier oils and insecticidal powder to create a defense against any invaders!
Prevention Tips
Bed bugs can be tough to get rid of. But taking preventative steps can stop them from invading your home. You should know what bed bugs hate. That way, you can make your home less appealing to them. Here are some tips to avoid an infestation:
- Vacuum regularly and dispose of the vacuum bag.
- Wash bedding and clothing in hot water.
- Keep clutter to a minimum and store items in sealed containers.
- Check second-hand furniture and clothing before bringing them into the home.
- Seal cracks and crevices around the home.
- Use mattress and box spring encasements.
Vacuum regularly
Vacuuming is key for bed bug prevention. Bed bugs like to lurk in bed skirts, seams of mattresses, carpets and furniture. Vacuuming your mattress, carpets and furniture often helps keep them away. Vacuum attachments are great for removing eggs and larvae. Always put the vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag, and place it outside to stop any bed bugs from spreading.
To reduce the risk of an infestation, extend your vacuuming to places like closets and corner shelves. These areas are prone to bed bug invasion.
Seal cracks and crevices
Sealing cracks and crevices is important, to stop bed bugs from hiding and thriving. Check around baseboards, electrical outlets, furniture, door frames, and walls. Bed bugs can fit even in tiny cracks, so seal any possible hiding spots.
- Use caulk along the baseboard, to make sure no bugs can get through.
- Remove clutter and other items that could be hiding spots.
- Vacuum baseboards and walls, to suck up any existing bed bugs before sealing.
- Finally, put bed bug interceptors (traps) under the furniture legs, where bugs may be gathering.
Use mattress and box spring encasements
Encasements for mattresses and box springs are important for stopping bed bugs. The covers are made of fabric and act as a barrier to keep the bugs away from your bedding. Get high-quality encasements with tight seams, deep pockets, and heavy-duty zippers. This should stop any bed bugs from escaping or getting in.
The encasements should last one year or longer before needing to be replaced. Check them often for tears or rips to make sure they are still effective at keeping pests out.
Use a bed bug interceptor
A bed bug interceptor is a special device that monitors bugs. It’s placed under each bedpost corner. The cups are filled with talcum powder and have double walls to stop bed bugs from climbing up. The talcum powder traps the bugs, so they can’t reach the surface of your bed. Bed bug interceptors are effective for detecting and controlling bed bugs.
If you don’t know how to install or use a bed bug interceptor, ask your local pest control specialist. Some professional exterminators offer free installation when treating for bed bugs. Ask about this service when seeking help for an infestation.
Inspect your bed and furniture regularly
Preventing bed bugs is way easier than dealing with them. So it’s important to incorporate preventive measures into your home habits. Start by regularly inspecting beds and furniture for the pests.
Use a flashlight to find them in the seams, edges and tufts of mattresses, box springs and furniture like headboards. Check for rips, tears, staples and seams on the surface. Check between the mattress and box spring too. You might need a magnifying glass or mirror for small openings. If you notice signs of activity like shed exoskeletons, dark spots or tiny bumps (eggs) contact an exterminator!
Conclusion
So, What Do Bed Bugs Hate? Top methods include hot/cold temperatures, insecticides and encasements. Plus, certain items like lavender oil, vinegar, citrus, thyme, cayenne pepper, coffee grounds and boric acid can act as deterrents.
Act fast to prevent an outbreak. Vacuuming and laundering clothes/linens regularly helps. Natural remedies can also help. These can stop rashes and foodborne illnesses.
