Getting an effective solution as soon as possible is important if you want to avoid sleepless nights and itchy bites caused by bed bugs.
The rapid reproduction and small size of bugs make it difficult to get rid of them. It is true that some smells are absolutely intoxicating to bed bugs, causing them to escape your space.
A number of these aromas include mint, rubbing alcohol, lavender, tea tree oil, and lemon juice. In addition, some of these items can prevent bed bugs from laying eggs as well as kill them.
What Smells Do Bed Bugs Hate?
Bed bugs can be kept away by certain scents, but there is a lot of misinformation out there. The following list of bed bug repellents will help you determine what works and what doesn’t.
- Garlic Solution
- Cinnamon Powder
- Vinegar
- Diatomaceous Earth
- Neem Oil
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Lavender Oil
- Tea Tree Oil
- Blood Orange Oil
- Lemon Juice
- Pepper Powder
- Fresh Mint
In our house, we have seen good results from using bulk lemon juice around problem areas. There is evidence that this is effective against all kinds of pests, not just bed bugs.
1. Tea Tree Oil
If you are concerned about bed bugs, you may not want to use rubbing alcohol. As an alternative, you can choose one that is equally effective.
The essential oil of tea tree is useful for a variety of household purposes and has several benefits. It can also be used to get rid of a bed bug infestation.
Bed bugs are not only easy to get rid of, but they can also be eliminated quickly, effortlessly, and effectively with tea tree oil.
This essential oil has a strong scent that makes bed bugs uncomfortable and encourages them to leave. When they smell tea tree oil, bed bugs immediately flee.
Bed bugs’ exoskeletons are also affected by this oil. Alcohol has the same effect on bed bugs’ bodies. If you are concerned about the safety of spraying rubbing alcohol in your home, tea tree oil is a perfect alternative.
You can spray tea tree oil liberally around your house after adding it to a spray bottle. If you’re trying to eradicate bed bugs, be sure to target the areas where they’re the most prevalent.
You can also make a diluted solution by mixing it with lukewarm water if you find it too strong.
2. Lemon Juice
Is lemon juice effective at repelling bed bugs? Bed bugs can be repelled by lemon juice! Insects and bed bugs are actively driven away by the strong citrus scent of lemon juice!
Are you looking to get rid of bed bugs in your home for good? If you are dealing with bed bugs, try using lemon juice to repel them and reduce the infestation. The astringent properties of lemon juice can harm bugs a lot.
Natural remedies for removing bedbugs often include lemon juice, which has anti-bug properties. You may enjoy citrusy scents as a human, but most bed bugs in your bed and closet will hate them.
You should spray plenty of lemon juice where bed bugs are hiding if you want to get rid of them. The smell of lemon juice cannot be resisted by bed bugs, so spraying it around will help you get rid of the infestation problem very quickly.
Rather than purchasing lemon juice from the grocery store, make your own lemon juice to get the maximum benefit from this home remedy. When lemon juice is made naturally and fresh, it has twice the effect.
Mixing lemon juice with water can reduce any harsh side effects from lemon juice spraying around your house. With this method, you can effectively kill the bugs while also ensuring your family’s safety.
3. Lavender
Is lavender effective at repelling bed bugs? Bed bugs can be repelled by lavender, which has been proven. Lavender not only repels bed bugs, but it can also kill them and their larvae.
Infestations of bed bugs can be prevented and treated with lavender, one of the top natural products.
Bed bugs probably hate the smell of lavender the most. The lavender scent will definitely keep them away, so you can choose it without a doubt.
You will immediately see results with this method if you’ve been dealing with bed bugs for a long time. Your home will be rid of bed bugs instantly when lavender is present because bed bugs hate its smell and taste.
Lavender plants are commonly used in homes to prevent insect infestations.
This plant produces lavender oil, which repels bed bugs and other insects. Lavender plants can either be grown at home or lavender oil can be purchased at the market.
Lavender oil can be sprayed throughout your house and especially in areas where an infestation may be active.
This essential oil not only keeps bugs out of your space and destroys their eggs, but also promotes a better night’s sleep.
Other products containing lavender can also be used. The effectiveness of lavender in small amounts may not be as high as it is in large quantities.
This means that only products containing lavender as its main ingredient will achieve similar results. If you are dealing with bed bug problems specifically, you may prefer insect repellants containing lavender.
4. Rubbing Alcohol
Is rubbing alcohol effective at repelling bed bugs? Bed bugs are repellent by rubbing alcohol. In general, bed bugs stay away from areas where rubbing alcohol is present due to its unpleasant smell.
Furthermore, rubbing alcohol can also dehydrate bed bugs from the outside and eventually kill them. With rubbing alcohol, you can kill bed bugs in your home!
The smell of alcohol makes bed bugs extremely uncomfortable, and they don’t like it at all. The use of alcohol on bed bugs is also an effective way to kill them.
Alcohol irritates the bodies of bed bugs, according to several studies. Alcohol can also completely dry out bed bugs’ bodies if they come into direct contact with it. This ultimately leads to death.
By using rubbing alcohol in your home, you can eliminate up to half of your bed bug population. In what way? You can direct these insects away from your house with the odor of rubbing alcohol.
The smell of alcohol causes bed bugs to leave your house and lay eggs in another location. Therefore, alcohol will kill existing bed bugs and prevent future infestations. Rubber alcohol can be sprayed in places where they may be hiding.
There are, however, also dangers associated with alcohol, including fire hazards and skin irritations. Take caution when using alcohol. Use other alcohol-containing products if you wish, as long as they are safe.
5. Mint
Is mint effective at repelling bed bugs? Bed bugs can be repelled and killed by mint! It has a very strong methanal smell that repels bed bugs due to its very high methanal content.
You and your family haven’t slept peacefully for a while, have you? You can keep the bugs away and sleep tight with some fresh mint. Bed bugs hate the smell of mint in your house, while you’re going to enjoy its smell.
By immediately disrupting and making bugs uncomfortable, mint can help you get rid of bugs in your home. The mint also affects the nervous system of bed bugs, making them hate being around it.
Therefore, mint can be used together with another bed bug-repelling method to help you kill them quickly.
Boiling fresh mint in hot water releases its strong scent all around your home. Boiling will spread its scent throughout your house, causing bed bugs to leave your home.
The mint water can also be poured into a spray bottle and used throughout your house. If you have mattresses and sheets in your bedrooms, then you can sprint this solution on them.
6. Neem Oil
Neem oil can be used to repel bed bugs if you have it at home. Bed bugs can be controlled naturally by using neem oil, says a Mooresville pest technician.
Pests will leave as quickly as possible due to its smell. Bed bugs and mosquitoes are both deterred by it.
7. Cinnamon
Aside from the above, cinnamon smell also repels bed bugs. As bed bugs cannot handle the smell, it can keep them away.
By spreading the powder onto your bed, you can get rid of bed bugs and prevent them from re-appearing. For bed bugs, you can also use products containing cinnamon powder as an ingredient.
8. Powdered Pepper
Pepper odor is unpleasant for bed bugs, especially powdered pepper. Almost every household has this ingredient because it is used in cooking.
Since bed bugs cannot stand the smell of powdered pepper, it will help keep them away. Sprinkle powdered pepper in your home to keep bed bugs away, so you and your family can enjoy each other’s company.
Pests will surely be scared away by pepper’s aroma and active ingredients. Several stores near you sell powdered pepper, which is not only effective, but also readily available.
9. Diatomaceous Earth
If there was a solution for all pests, it would be diatomaceous earth (DE). The use of DE as a bed bug treatment is recommended by some pest experts. Fossilized algae are the source of diatomaceous earth.
It is the powder that cockroaches, bedbugs, and ants fear the most. DE causes them to dehydrate and die when they come into contact with it.
DE destroys the waxy exoskeletons of pests, affecting their body systems. Furthermore, the powder has an unpleasant smell that bed bugs hate. Pests will be quickly eliminated by the odor and might not return.
There are stores near you that sell DE, or you can order it online. It is necessary to sprinkle the powder everywhere to eradicate bed bugs, even those hiding in corners.
You should vacuum or clean DE and dead bed bugs regularly to keep your home clean. You can gradually get rid of bed bugs by simply using DE.
10. Blood Orange Oil
Do you know what blood orange oil is? Then this is the solution to your long-running bed bug problem. When bed bugs are the issue, this essential oil is proven to be one of the most effective solutions as it can kill the pests effectively.
These pests will be discouraged from coming back to your home if they smell that scent. Pests can be repelled by spraying oil on mattresses, pillowcases, and clothes.
For a more diffused scent in your house or room, you can put the oil in a diffuser. The product can also be applied directly to bed bugs, which will effectively eliminate them within a short period of time.
Although the process can take some time, it is always worth the wait. However, the best way to solve your pest problem, if you do not wish to use orange oil, is to call a pest control expert.
11. Vicks
Bed bugs can also be eradicated with Vicks VapoRub scents. Ensure that you put a small amount on the bottom of mattresses and the inside seams, as well as nearby cracks.
At night, pay special attention to any areas where you saw these annoying creatures scurrying about!
Those with allergies or sensitivities may find these scents quite strong. Scent candles are another way to keep them out of your bedroom.
It is not recommended when you wish to send them elsewhere, however! The ancient remedy VapoRub boosts your energy level and treats colds! Why is it so great? There’s a peppermint smell to it!
12. Garlic
Garlic scents are extremely effective at repelling bed bugs. Despite its potency, it is not liked by everyone. As a result, you may have to put up with the smell if you want your pest problem to disappear.
Garlic’s strong smell can become overwhelming when left in the air for too long, as anyone who has cooked with garlic knows.
You will need to get used to this tactic when you use it against them. However, it may work! Cut open a fresh garlic bulb and a potent clove scent fills your home.
By interacting with this chemical compound, bed bugs become frightened or irritated! This might make them rethink entering in the future!
13. Vinegar
Bed bugs can also be kept at bay with vinegar scents! Bugs hate its scent because it smells like wine.
Whenever the smell is strong enough, they will retreat to any dark corner they can find. Keep the sheets clean every day by washing them diligently.
Fabric will absorb scents much more powerfully than sprays sitting on top all night! When you have pets, you need objects that won’t harm them. Your dog, cat, or vice versa may lick or scratch them.
14. Paraffin Oil
The strong smell of paraffin oil can repel bed bugs! It works as a natural bug repellent when placed around the house. People with allergies may not notice the smell of paraffin oil scents right away because they are usually subtle.
However, it is strong enough for pests such as bedbugs to never wish to come anywhere near it again! The scents are very similar to those of scented candles and incense sticks, so they are very beneficial.
In addition to burning at high temperatures, they emit strong scents throughout a room that repels bed bugs. It eliminates the need to mix anything by hand!
15. Spearmint Oil
Bed bugs can also be deterred by spearmint scents! Due to its scent, these pests are not attracted to it.
Because peppermint oil contains a high amount of menthol, it is an excellent choice for repelling bed bugs. A direct application can also kill pests in a contact insecticide way.
Peppermints, however, do not have lasting effects against these annoying bugs, which is a major downside to this solution. You should keep in mind fellow bug busters if you want long-term relief from your pest problem.
16. Silicone Oil
You can use silicone scents to repel bedbugs in a room! Due to its scent, these pests avoid it. You can use it as a bug repellent. Using silicone oil directly on your skin or clothes is perfect since its scents are very organic!
The natural scented oil will also prevent parasites from entering your body. Keep this scented oil away from your pet’s eyes.
Do Bed Bugs Have a Smell?
Bed bugs are said not to have scents. Those you can detect with your nose, at least. In spite of the fact that they have a scented smell to them, it doesn’t affect you at all.
It is often unpleasant and musty to smell bed bugs. It has been described as smelling like coriander or mold by many.
The smell has also been described as sweet and even garlic-like. When insects get scared, they release odors!
Final Words
Scents such as lemon, cinnamon, neem, spearmint, and silicone are not liked by bed bugs. Using these smells will make them hide from you.
Their goal is to easily attack you and feed off of you! You will keep them away from your house for good just by threatening them with these scents.
It is also possible to find these scents in a variety of forms. These scents are even available in commercial products to help repel bed bugs!
Preparing them yourself, however, means adding them to water first to make them sprayable.