Do you have a problem with bed bugs? If so, you’re not alone. Bed bugs are becoming increasingly common and can be difficult to get rid of.
These pesky critters can be difficult to get rid of, but certain scents repel them.
You can use some scents to help keep bed bugs away, and this post will guide you through the best scents to use.
Scents That Repel Bed Bugs – Our Guide
What are bed bugs, and how do they spread
Bed bugs are tiny parasitic insects that feed on human blood. They can be found in mattresses, bed frames, headboards, box springs, and other furniture.
They can also be found in cracks and crevices in walls and floors.
What scents repel bed bugs
Several scents have been shown to repel bed bugs. These scents include citrus, lavender, and peppermint.
Cedarwood oil and tea tree oil have also effectively repelled bed bugs.
These scents can be used in various ways, including an essential oil diffuser, a spray, or a room scent.
How to use scents to repel bed bugs
There are a few scents that have been proven to repel bed bugs. Some of these scents include lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint. You can use these scents in a diffuser or make your homemade repellent spray.
Mix 1 part water with 1 part witch hazel to make your repellent spray. Then add 10 drops of lavender oil, 5 drops of eucalyptus oil, and 3 drops of peppermint oil. Shake well and spray around your bed.
You can also put a few drops of these essential oils on a cotton ball and place them around your bed. Bed bugs are attracted to the carbon dioxide we breathe out, so putting these scented cotton balls around your bed will help to keep them away.
Lavender oil is not only a great scent for repelling bed bugs, but it can also help you to relax and fall asleep. If you’re having trouble sleeping because of bed bug anxiety, try diffusing some lavender oil in your bedroom.
The scents of peppermint and eucalyptus also repel bed bugs. You can place peppermint oil on cotton balls and put them around your bed or diffuse the oil in your bedroom. Eucalyptus oil can also be diffused or placed on cotton balls.
If you’re looking for a natural way to keep bed bugs away, try using essential oils. These scents will repel bed bugs, but they can also help you relax and sleep better.
Signs that you have bed bugs
If you think you might have bedbugs, these are the signs to look for:
- Bites on your skin that appear in a line or cluster. Bedbugs usually bite people at night while they’re sleeping. The bites often look like small, red bumps that can be itchy. You may not notice the bites right away because they don’t hurt. But after a few days, the bites will become irritated and swell.
- Small brown stains on your sheets, pillowcases, or mattress. Bedbugs excrete a dark brown liquid when they’re full of blood. This substance can stain your bedding.
- Bedbug fecal matter, which looks like small black dots, is bedbug poop, and it can also stain your bedding.
- Skinsheds from the bedbugs. You may see small brownish skins on your sheets or mattress. These are the exoskeletons that bedbugs shed as they grow.
- An unpleasant, musty odor. This is the smell of the bedbugs’ glands.
How to get rid of bed bugs with scents
There are a few scents that are known to help repel bed bugs.
If you’re looking for a way to keep these pests at bay, try using one of these scents in your home:
- Lavender: Bedbugs detest the smell of lavender and won’t come near it. You can place lavender sachets in your drawers and closets or use lavender essential oil to create a DIY repellent spray.
- Peppermint: Like lavender, bedbugs hate the smell of peppermint. You can place peppermint leaves around your home or use peppermint essential oil to make a repellent spray.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon is another scent that bedbugs can’t stand. Try sprinkling cinnamon around your bed or using a cinnamon-scented spray in your home.
- Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus oil is known for its ability to repel bugs. Create a repellent spray by adding eucalyptus oil to water, or place eucalyptus leaves around your home.
- Clove: Clove oil is another great option for repelling bedbugs. Make a DIY repellent spray by adding a few drops of clove oil to water, or place cloves around your home.
Prevention tips for avoiding bed bug infestations
Bed bugs are most often found in mattresses, box springs, and bed frames. But they can also hitch a ride on furniture, luggage, clothing, and other items.
To prevent bed bugs from infesting your home, follow these tips:
- Inspect secondhand furniture, beds, and mattresses before bringing them into your home. Look for signs of bed bugs, such as small brown spots or reddish stains.
- If you stay in a hotel or other lodging, keep your luggage off the floor and away from the bed. Inspect the room for signs of bed bugs before unpacking.
- When traveling, don’t bring home souvenirs that may be infested with bed bugs.
- Reduce the clutter in your home to make it easier to spot bed bugs.
- Vacuum regularly and clean behind and under furniture and other areas where bed bugs may hide.
Conclusion
Bed bugs are a growing problem, and if you’re unlucky enough to have them, you’ll want to get rid of them as quickly as possible.
The good news is that some scents seem to repel bed bugs, so using these in your home can help keep them at bay.
Follow the strategies on this page to effectively use these scents and eliminate those pesky bed bugs!
