Peppermint Oil for Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are a serious nuisance and cause skin problems. Learn how to use Peppermint Oil for Bed Bugs Elimination and some prevention tips!

Rather than calling a professional exterminator, you can use peppermint oil to eliminate bed bugs. Want to know how? Read this article till the end.

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What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are tiny, egg-shaped parasitic arthropods that feast on human blood and homeothermic animals. A healthy adult female bed bug can yield up to 200-250 eggs in her lifespan. As bed bugs are 5-9 mm in size, they are good at hiding and can easily burrow inside the small crevices of furniture, mattresses, bedsteads, cushions, and headboards. Bed bugs don’t spread diseases, but their bite will cause significant problems. That’s why follow the below peppermint hack to keep them at bay.

What Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like?

Bed bugs bite at night on the legs, neck, face, hands, and other body parts. Their bites look:

Like a mosquito bite
Tiny red bumps girded by blisters or hives
Inflamed, itchy, red, or blistered skin
Red bumps in lines or groups
Swollen and red, with a dark spot in the center of each bite
Papular eruptions

Where Do Bed Bugs Hide?

Bed bugs have flattened bodies, which lets them easily hide in the tiniest of spaces. Their common hiding places are mattresses, under loose wallpaper, bed frames, inside electrical receptacles, and headboards. However, over time they can be found anywhere in a house.

How to Identify Bed Bugs Infestation?

Inspect the below signs to know whether bed bugs infested your home or not.

Presence of small blood spots on bed sheets and pillowcases.
Reddish or reddish-brown spots of bed bugs feces on sheets, mattresses, bedclothes, walls, closets, books, electrical outlets, and telephones.
White or clear skin shed by the nymphs on fabrics.

Does Peppermint Oil Repel Bed Bugs?

The essence of the “Mentha balsamea Wild” plant, peppermint essential oil, not only repels bed bugs but also keeps mosquitoes, ants, and bees at bay. It contains menthol and menthone, which gives peppermint oil a strong smell that irritates bed bugs. However, it’s a short-term remedy, as those annoying blood-sucking critters will return when the fragrance fades away.

Without any further ado, let’s find out how to make a peppermint oil spray for bed bugs.

Homemade Bed Bugs Repellent Spray

Supplies

10-15 Drops of Peppermint Essential Oil
1/2 Quart of Distilled or Plain Water
Empty Spray Bottle
Small Funnel
A Large-sized Bowl

Directions

Combine 10-15 drops of peppermint essential oil and 1/2 quart of distilled water into a bowl.
Empty the mix into a fine-mist spray bottle using a small funnel and shake it well.
Next, take your bed sheet, mattresses, pillow covers, curtains, and other bed bugs infested stuff outside and spritz the solution onto them thoroughly.
Leave them under direct sunlight for 4-5 hours to deter them for good.
After that, wash the washable items in the washing machine at the highest setting possible.
Don’t forget to spritz the mix on the couches, tables, and crevices of walls.

What Essential Oil Repels Bed Bugs?

Other than peppermint oil, there are some essential oil bed bug spray recipes that deter the blood-sucking creatures quite easily.

1. Lavender Oil

Grab a bottle of lavender oil and say goodbye to bed bugs. These blood-sucking creatures detest its distinct fragrance. Check out this article to learn more about this homemade bed bug spray recipe.

2. Thyme Oil

Thyme oil is another essential oil that repels bed bugs thanks to its active compound named ‘thymol.’ According to this study, thymol affects the nervous system of bed bugs. Mix 10-15 drops of thyme and 1/2 cup of water in a spray bottle. Spritz on the bed bugs infested furniture, clothes, and bedding.

3. Oregano Essential Oil

As per this research, oregano essential oil is a perfect bed bug deterrent compared to commercial repellents. Fill an empty spray bottle with 5-10 drops of oregano essential oil and 1/2 cup tepid water. Shake the bottle well and spray the prepared liquid all over the desired places.

Notes

Before using the prepared solution, do a spot test on an inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn’t stain any surfaces.
If you are facing a severe bed bug infestation, call the service professional for help.
Guide your kids and pets to stay far away from the treated area, as exposure to peppermint oil causes several health issues.
Don’t use the above solution on your skin for safety reasons. If you want to, then swap water with a suitable carrier oil. The proportion will be 5-10 drops of essential oil with an ounce of carrier oil.

Bed Bugs Prevention Tips

Besides eliminating bed bugs with peppermint oil and other hacks, read these prevention tips to inhibit their infestation in the first place.

Eliminate piles of clutter from inside and outside of your home.
Run vacuum on rugs, floor, and furniture on a daily basis.
Make sure to store your clothing in sealed bags after washing.
Install door sweeps on the bottom of the doors to halt their movements.
Grab protective covers for your box springs and mattresses to reduce bed bugs hiding spots.
Wash your pet’s bedding daily in the washer in the highest setting possible.
Close all the cracks, holes, and crevices around your home.
Before purchasing old used furniture, inspect them carefully for bed bugs.
Put your dried clothes in sealed bags if you are using shared laundry facilities.

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