Have you considered using peppermint oil as a bed bug repellent or killer? You’re right where you need to be!
In order to keep bed bugs at bay, spray a solution containing peppermint oil on the bed frame and the mattress. As the main ingredients, distilled water and peppermint oil are used.
Bed Bugs Seek Human Hosts
It’s common to call these insects bed bugs because of their habits, but the name does not give a clear indication of what they do to humans.
Bed bugs are parasites that feed on human blood or animal blood. When bed bugs feed on human skin, they may cause irritation and other health problems.
Bed bugs are often found in certain areas, as is evident from the name. Beds or bed frames can serve as a hiding place for parasites until nightfall, when they feed on people who sleep there.
We are unlikely to appreciate being parasitized by insects. There is no easy way to get rid of bedbugs. Often, mattresses, beds, and bedding are thrown away at local sanitation centers.
There are, however, some solutions to bed bug infestations. Essential oils such as peppermint may act as a deterrent.
Insects Dislike Peppermint
It’s interesting to note that many insects dislike peppermint’s scent. Peppermint plants are often grown in gardens to repel insects. Some insects, like flies, spiders, and mosquitoes, may be deterred by placing a peppermint plant inside a house.
The scent of peppermint doesn’t appeal to bed bugs, either. Peppermint plants aren’t effective in bed, but essential oil-based sprays can deliver some benefits.
The Essential Oil Peppermint Strategy
The spray solution is created by mixing peppermint oil with water. One cup of distilled water may be mixed with 15 drops of peppermint essential oil by some homeowners.
A spray bottle is then filled with the solution. Shake the peppermint solution in the bottle before spraying.
You can repel bed bugs with peppermint oil sprayed around and on your bed. Bed bugs may be scared away by the menthol scent and may even die if they come into contact with the solution.
Remember that peppermint spray only has a temporary effect. It may be necessary to repeat the process.
How Does Peppermint Oil Affect Bed Bugs?
Humans use peppermint oil for various purposes, as it is a special type of essential oil. Cooking recipes use it to enhance flavor, soaps to enhance fragrance, and aromatherapy uses it as a primary ingredient.
Among other household pests, peppermint is known for its ability to repel bedbugs, cockroaches, and ants.
The high menthol content of peppermint essential oil creates a cooling sensation when inhaled or applied topically. For muscle stiffness relief, it can also be mixed with other essential oils and used in a warm bath.
A carrier oil or an alternative type of oil must be used with peppermint oil to ensure that it is properly diluted. Aside from skin and eye irritations, it can cause burns as well.
In addition to killing and repelling bed bugs, peppermint oil is a natural insecticide. As a result of its high menthol content, it is effective in repelling bed bugs because of its strong scent.
The burning sensation on human skin is comparable to the pain of a bed bug’s death when applied directly. Bed bugs can be killed using peppermint oil as a contact insecticide.
Is Peppermint Oil Effective in Killing Bed Bugs?
Of course!
Peppermint essential oil is best known for its ability to repel insects, but it is also powerful enough to kill bed bugs as well. To get the best results, it needs to be sprayed directly on bed bugs.
So, peppermint is a naturally occurring insecticide. Later, bed bugs will be able to walk freely over peppermint-sprayed surfaces without harm.
Note that peppermint sprays are not safe for pets and should not be used around them.
Does Peppermint Oil Repel Bed Bugs?
Peppermint isn’t the only essential oil that bed bugs are allergic to. These natural essences are hated by them.
It is particularly difficult for bed bugs to tolerate the smell of peppermint. Peppermint diluted with water can be sprayed around your mattress or bed frame while you are sleeping to prevent bed bugs from alighting.
While this solution is an effective short-term remedy, once the scent dissipates, these irritating critters will still find their way back to you.
What Else Should You Consider Besides Peppermint Oil For Bed Bugs?
This guide revealed that peppermint is effective at killing bed bugs and repelling them.
Although it is effective against bed bugs, it is not recommended as a stand-alone solution. In addition to peppermint oil, here are some other remedies to try:
Vacuum And Steam Cleaning
Without vacuuming and steam cleaning, your bed bug control solution will never be complete. Squeeze through all corners, cracks, and crevices of your mattress, bedframe, nearby furniture, cabinets, and walls with a powerful vacuum cleaner equipped with a crevice tool attachment.
Hot Water Wash
Make sure to seal any pillow encasement, mattress cover, clothes, or curtains that have been affected with a plastic bag.
Wash it directly in your laundry machine on the highest temperature setting with hot water. A hot water wash kills bed bugs while cleaning your laundry.
Silica Gel
In cases where you are running low on diatomaceous earth, silica gel can be substituted. Various products come with these packets to prevent mold growth and prevent spoilage.
Powdered silica gel can be sprinkled over affected areas after it is ground up. It damages the bed bug’s protective layer and causes dehydration by acting like diatomaceous earth. “Desiccation” is the process of drying out their exoskeleton.
Diatomaceous Earth
DE is becoming a very popular alternative to chemical-based bed bug insecticides due to its non-chemical nature and safer nature. Abrasive silica makes up most of its sand-like grains.
In addition to being safe to use around pets and children, diatomaceous earth is inexpensive as well. Apply DE liberally around your bed, in gaps along baseboards, on window sills, nearby furniture, and any other possible hiding places for bedbugs.
Final Words
All of the above oils will not be suitable treatments for bed bugs if you already have them.
Professionals in the field and insect authorities do not see essential oils as a good solution, even though some herbal resources claim essential oils “repel” and “prevent” bed bugs.
Additionally, some studies have shown that many “pest repellant” essential oils do not even kill bed bugs when applied.
Heat treatment is strongly recommended for killing bed bugs, as you can see elsewhere in our blog. We use it not because we have a hidden agenda; we use it because it works better than anything else available for bed bugs.
You’d better believe we’ll start using a more effective solution as soon as it becomes available, especially since we guarantee our service, which costs us money!
Essential oils have many health benefits and can be useful in the home and in the kitchen. Keep using and enjoying them if you love them. You can get rid of bed bugs for good by calling a local bed bug extermination professional.