Although there are quite a few parasites in the Cimicidae family that feed on animal blood, Cimex lectularius, or the common bedbug, is more well-known because it prefers to feed on human blood. An adult bedbug has a flat body, similar to an apple seed; after feeding, it swells and becomes reddish.

Although bedbugs are more active at night, they are not nocturnal creatures. A female bedbug can produce more than 100 eggs in her lifetime. These eggs are the size of dust particles and usually enter the home with luggage, used furniture, or clothing. Bedbugs cannot fly. However, they can move quickly between floors, along walls, and ceilings.

Bedbugs have flat bodies, which allow them to hide in the most inaccessible places, such as mattresses, box springs, and bed frames. Moreover, compared to other animals, bedbugs are much more resistant to various poisons. They become completely immune to some. All of this complicates the fight against bedbugs.

Using insecticides is often risky because they can harm the health of the household members, especially when it comes to treating a childs room. It will be cheaper and healthier for the child to use some natural method. Folk methods based on plant properties have been used in the fight against bedbugs since ancient times. They perform very well, especially for prevention.

Essential oils affect the internal cell membranes of insects, causing a cytotoxic effect. This remedy is useful in fighting any type of insect. Although essential oils are toxic to bedbugs, they are not harmful to humans.

HOW TO GET RID OF BEDBUGS AT HOME

1. Tea Tree Oil

To make a natural insecticide from tea tree oil, mix two teaspoons of tea tree oil with 50ml of water. Pour the liquid into a spray bottle and shake well. Spray this liquid in all places where bedbugs might live. Use it every day until all signs of these insects in the house disappear completely.

2. Lavender Oil

To make a spray, mix 10-15 drops of lavender oil with 50ml of water. Another method is to place whole flower leaves in infected areas and around them to get rid of bedbugs.

3. Lemongrass Spray

Add 10 drops of lemongrass to a small container with water. Pour the liquid into a spray bottle, shake well, and spray in places where there are bedbugs for the best results.

4. Eucalyptus Oil Spray

To make a spray, take 100 ml of water, 70 ml of vodka, and 30 drops of eucalyptus essential oil. Pour into a spray bottle and simply shake before use. Then spray the liquid on infected areas. Repeat every 2 hours.

5. Neem (Margosa) Tree Leaf Oil

To prepare a spraying liquid, mix 50 ml of concentrated essential margosa tree oil and 200 ml of water. Add half a teaspoon of soap. Shake well. Then spray and wipe the places where bedbugs are hiding.

6. Sweet Flag

Sweet flag is an effective remedy against bedbugs. To prepare a spray, boil 100 gr of sweet flag and 50 gr of turmeric powder in one liter of water. Boil for an hour. Then leave the liquid in a closed container for another 24 hours. The next day, strain and dilute with water 1:10.

7. Orange Oil

It has been known since ancient times that orange oil is effective in fighting bedbugs. This scent is very pleasant for humans, but unpleasant for unwanted house pests. To create a spray, dissolve 50 gr of blackstrap molasses with 100 gr of orange oil in 4 liters of water.

8. Thyme

You can tie a thyme sprig with cotton fabric and burn it next to the infected area. As an alternative, place thyme leaves in gauze bags and position them around the infected area. Dont forget to change them every third day. To see results, it takes at least a month.

9. Clove

Mix one teaspoon of clove oil with one teaspoon of water. Pour the liquid into a bottle, shake well, and spray in infected areas.

10. Sweet Woodruff

Sweet woodruff is a very effective remedy: its aroma repels various insects, even mosquitoes. Bedbugs also cannot stand this aroma. Freshly picked flowers can be placed under the mattress, in the sofa, or next to other possible bedbug locations. To prepare a concentrated substance from sweet woodruff, pour 25 gr of fresh flowers with 1 glass of boiling water.

Before using essential oils, you must perform a test to determine how you and the household members react to one or another aroma. To do this, apply the oil to the elbow joint. If there is no allergic reaction within several hours, the oil can be used.

As we wrote earlier, fighting bedbugs can be a complicated task. In some cases, only complete room disinfection with the help of specialists helps. Folk methods do not guarantee 100% results, but they make the process a bit more pleasant.

Along with insecticidal properties, essential oils reduce nervousness, calm the nervous system, and improve mood. Whether to use them or not is up to you. Be sure to share information with friends on how to get rid of bedbugs on your own. Also, learn about 7 threats besides bedbugs that may await you in bed.