Bed bugs can be one of the most annoying and uncomfortable pests to experience. If you’re looking for a way to repel these pesky creatures, then look no further.
I’m going to share, what can you put on your skin to repel bed bugs, so you can keep them away from your skin, and prevent itchy bites from appearing. So, keep on reading to find out more…
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are small, oval-shaped insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They are typically brownish in color and can grow to be about the size of an apple seed.
These pests are known for their exceptional ability to hide in tiny spaces, making them difficult to detect and exterminate.
You may find bed bugs in places where people sleep, such as mattresses, bed frames, and box springs. They can also infest your furniture, carpets, and other household items.
Bed bugs are notorious for their nocturnal habit of feeding on their hosts, leaving itchy and irritating red bites on the skin.
It’s important to know that bed bugs are not attracted to dirt or filth. Instead, they are attracted to the warmth and carbon dioxide emitted by humans.
This means that even the cleanest of homes can become infested with these pests. The good news is that there are several methods available to repel and eliminate bed bugs from your home and skin.
How To Tell If You Have A Bed Bug Infestation?
Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown, wingless insects that can cause itchy bites on your skin. To determine if you have an infestation, start by inspecting your sleeping area.
Search for bed bugs around the piping, seams, and tags of your mattress and box spring, as well as in cracks on your bed frame and headboard.
In a heavily infested room, bed bugs might be found in the seams of chairs and couches, between cushions, in the folds of curtains, in drawer joints, and in electrical receptacles and appliances.
While the presence of live bugs is a sure sign of an infestation, there are other indicators you should be aware of. Look for small rust-colored or dark brown fecal spots on your bedsheets, mattress, or nearby walls.
Bed bugs often leave tiny fecal excrement that can resemble a felt-tip marker stain. Also, check for shed exoskeletons or molted skins and bed bug bodies, as bed bugs go through several stages of development and shed their skins in the process.
Another sign of bed bugs is the appearance of bites on your skin. Although these insects don’t transmit diseases, their bites can cause allergic reactions or severe skin reactions in sensitive individuals.
Bed bug bites typically appear as small, red, itchy welts in a linear or clustered pattern. However, remember that reactions to bed bug bites can vary, and not everyone will exhibit visible symptoms.
How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs?
Pest Control Company
When dealing with a bed bug infestation, it can be beneficial to hire a professional exterminator to ensure the most effective treatment.
They have the necessary experience and resources to eliminate bed bugs from your home.
Bed Bug Bombs
Although bed bug bombs may provide some relief, they are generally not recommended as a primary solution due to the potential harm they can cause to your health.
It is better to use alternative methods for a more thorough and safer outcome.
Use Bed Bug Interceptors on Your Bed Legs
Bed bug interceptors can be placed under the legs of your bed to trap these pests and prevent them from climbing up.
Regularly check and clean the interceptors to maintain their effectiveness.
Wash Bedding On High Heat
One way to kill bed bugs and their eggs is by washing your bedding on high heat (at least 120 °F or 48.9 °C) and drying them on a high setting for 20 minutes.
This method should be regularly incorporated into your routine for maintaining a bed bug-free home.
Vacuum Your Mattress
Vacuuming your mattress and surrounding areas, including windows and moldings, can help remove bed bugs and their eggs.
Make sure to empty the vacuum bag into a sealed plastic bag and dispose of it in an outdoor garbage can to prevent bugs from re-entering your home.
Use A Bed Bug Mattress Encasement
A bed bug mattress encasement is designed to completely cover your mattress, trapping any existing bed bugs inside and preventing new ones from infesting it. Be sure to choose a high-quality encasement specifically designed for bed bug prevention.
Remove Clutter
Reducing clutter in your home makes it harder for bed bugs to hide, making it easier for you to spot and address potential infestations.
Keep your living spaces clean, organized, and free from unnecessary items.
Apply Diatomaceous Earth to Areas Where Bed Bugs Are Present
Diatomaceous earth is a powder made from fossilized aquatic organisms. It damages the exoskeletons of bed bugs, effectively killing them.
Apply the powder to areas where you suspect bed bugs are present, such as around your bed, along baseboards, and in cracks and crevices.
What Can You Put On Your Skin To Repel Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are resilient pests that can be hard to eliminate. Fortunately, there are several items you can put on your skin, and put on your body to prevent bed bugs.
These methods range from using essential oils to applying rubbing alcohol on your skin. Remember, while these remedies might help, they are not a guaranteed solution, and professional treatment may still be needed in severe infestations.
Essential oils have been known to work as a natural bed bug repellent, thanks to their strong smell. Some popular options include tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and lavender oil, which you can also put around your home as bed bugs hate these scents, especially when applied directly to the skin.
You can mix these oils with a carrier oil and apply them to exposed skin before bed to deter bed bugs from biting.
You can mix the essential oils with water in a spray bottle and mist your bed and surroundings. However, be cautious and test a small area of your skin before full application, as some people may be sensitive to essential oils, when trying to keep bed bugs away.
Using rubbing alcohol can also help keep bed bugs at bay. Dilute a small amount of rubbing alcohol with water and spray it on your skin, or apply it using a cotton ball.
This solution may repel bed bugs due to its strong smell, but bear in mind that it can also dry out your skin, so avoid overusing or applying it on sensitive areas.
Although, it’s worth nothing, that rubbing alcohol does not kill bed bugs or their eggs.
Lemon juice is another option to consider. Bed bugs cannot stand the smell of lemon, and the scent is pleasing to humans.
You can use fresh lemon juice or lemon essential oil as a spray or apply it directly to your skin. However, be aware that lemon juice can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so exercise caution when using it outdoors during the daytime.
What Scent Keeps Bed Bugs Away?
Bed bugs can be a real nuisance in your home, but luckily, there are scents that can help repel these unwanted pests.
Many essential oils have properties that can deter bed bugs and prevent them from infesting your home.
One popular option you may use is lavender oil. Not only does lavender oil have a pleasant aroma, but bed bugs also find its scent repelling.
To utilize lavender oil, add a few drops into a spray bottle filled with water and witch hazel, and then spray around your bed and other areas where bed bugs might be hiding.
Another effective scent is eucalyptus oil. Eucalyptus has demonstrated repellent properties against bed bugs, and when combined with lavender oil, it can provide an even stronger defense.
Simply add 5 drops of eucalyptus oil to the spray bottle you’ve prepared with lavender oil.
Peppermint oil is another useful addition to your arsenal of bed bug repellents. Mixing 3 drops of peppermint oil into your spray bottle can provide a third layer of protection.
The strong scent of peppermint is not favored by bed bugs, so they are likely to avoid places where this scent is present.
Apart from essential oils, other scents can also help to keep bed bugs at bay. For instance, rubbing alcohol has been known to repel bed bugs due to its strong smell.
You can either apply it directly on surfaces or make a solution with water and spray it around your bed and other infested areas.
Remember to always shake the mixture well before using and reapply the spray regularly to maintain its effectiveness.
Make sure you test the solution on a small area of the surface first to ensure that it won’t damage your furniture.
What Is The Best Bed Bug Repellent?
When dealing with a bed bug problem, finding the best repellent is crucial to protect yourself and prevent further infestations.
Confidently tackle this issue using the knowledge provided here while considering practical techniques and powerful bed bug repellents to keep the bugs away from your home and skin.
To eliminate bed bugs around your house and deter them from crawling onto your bed frame, an effective repellent spray is key.
One of the best overall options is Ortho Home Defense Max Bed Bug Killer, as it’s specifically designed to target these pests. This spray has proven to be effective at killing bed bugs while providing lasting protection.
For complete protection, you should also apply a repellent directly onto the areas of your body that are exposed during sleep. A lotion that is designed for this purpose can be an excellent solution.
There are several bed bug repellent lotions on the market, which are both safe and effective in keeping bed bugs at bay.
Make sure to apply these lotions according to the manufacturer’s directions to ensure maximum protection.
As well as using repellent sprays and lotions, there are other strategies to stop bed bugs from invading your personal space. Home remedies such as diatomaceous earth can be employed to create a barrier between your bed and its surroundings.
Sprinkling this substance around your bed frame and along the baseboards of your home can help kill and repel these unwanted pests.
How To Prevent Bed Bug Bites
Bed bugs can be a nuisance, causing discomfort and disrupting your sleep. To help you avoid their unwelcome attention, here are some strategies to repel these pesky insects.
First and foremost, consider using a skin-safe insect repellent. Products containing DEET, Picaridin, or IR3535 are effective in repelling bed bugs, as well as other biting insects like mosquitoes, fleas, and biting midges. Apply the repellent to exposed skin, making sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions.
As well as the repellents designed specifically for your skin, some essential oils have been found to deter bed bugs.
For instance, lavender, peppermint, and tea tree oils may work to repel these insects. Before applying any essential oil directly to your skin, test a small patch to check for any allergic reaction.
If you don’t have any issues, dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil and apply it to the exposed skin before bedtime.
To prevent bed bugs from entering your home, maintain regular cleaning and vacuuming routines. Ensure that you wash your linens and clothing in hot water and, if possible, keep your belongings organized to reduce the chances of providing hiding places for bed bugs.
Finally, be diligent when staying in hotels or other accommodations. Inspect your surroundings for any signs of bed bugs and take precautions to keep your luggage and belongings away from potential infestations.
When Should You Contact A Professional Pest Control Company To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs?
It’s essential to act quickly when you suspect a bed bug infestation in your home. If you’ve tried various home remedies and haven’t seen an improvement, it might be time to consider contacting a professional exterminator for bed bug control.
Here are a few circumstances when you should seek professional help to eliminate bed bugs:
- Persistent infestation: If you’ve tried multiple methods to get rid of bed bugs but still notice evidence of their presence, such as bites on your skin or spots on your bedding, it’s time to call in the professionals. These pests can be extremely difficult to eliminate, and postponing expert intervention may only allow the infestation to worsen.
- Allergic reactions: Some people are more sensitive to bed bug bites and might develop severe allergic reactions. If you or someone in your household is experiencing difficulty breathing, swollen limbs, or intense itching due to bed bug bites, don’t hesitate to call a professional exterminator.
- Heavy infestation: When bed bugs are present in large numbers, DIY methods may not be sufficient to eliminate the problem. If you discover multiple bugs or a large infestation in multiple rooms, contacting a professional pest control company will be necessary to effectively address the issue.
- Peace of mind: If you’re uncertain about whether you’ve effectively eliminated the bed bugs from your home, a professional exterminator can provide much-needed reassurance. These experts can inspect your home, accurately identify the source of the infestation, and suggest appropriate treatment options to ensure your living space is bed bug-free.
Summary
Bed bugs can quickly become an annoying and uncomfortable presence in your home, leaving itchy bite marks on your skin. If you’re dealing with a bed bug infestation, you may be wondering what can you put on your skin to repel these pests.
Fortunately, there are several items that can help keep bed bugs away from your body and eliminate the problem.
Essential oils like lavender, peppermint, and tea tree oil have properties that make them excellent natural repellents against these bugs, to keep bugs away. Rubbing alcohol is another effective option that has a strong scent to deter bed bugs.
If all else fails and the infestation persists, then contacting a professional exterminator will be necessary for proper treatment and prevention of future invasions.
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