Natural Bed Bug Remedies: Homemade Sprays & Bite Treatments

Talcum Powder

Posted by Charles (Bangkok, Thailand) on 03/11/2013
★★★★★

For small ants or mites, or other things that itch in bed talcum powder seems effective as have used it for years. Always have a small bottle when travelling throughout Asia and always comes up trumps when the critters are out to bite. Not every night but quite frequent in my experience.

Cinnamon

Posted by Anne (Las Vegas, Nv) on 11/30/2012
★★★★★

I told my apt mgr that i needed a new sofa, they gave me one from another apt instead that had bed bugs in it.

they were driving me crazy. tried spraying it with rubbing alcohol, but did't help much.

bought a new sofa and mattresses with a cover covering both of them (it's just impossible to put a fitted sheet over both of them) but bugs evently got on those.

i read about the cinnamon. put an entire bottle all over it, and then realized it was nutmeg. so i added cinnamon over it and haven't had a bite since

first put some of the mixture all over the mattress and then put on sheet and put mixture all over that. and no more bites.

before you do this you might invest in one cover that covers both mattresses.

Cinnamon

Posted by Paulany (Niagara Falls, Ny) on 03/09/2014
★★★★★

I used cinnamon and had a Great nights sleep after staying awake for 48 hours afraid of being attacked. Does anyone know if I need to reapply the cinnamon and what the time frame is?

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Anita (Philadelphia, Pa, US) on 09/15/2014
★★★★★

I tried apple cider vinegar and it worked right away on my skin for bed bug bites. Thank you so much. I couldn't sleep at night but the Apple cider vinegar is great.

Cinnamon

Posted by Agnes (Vancouver, Bc, Canada ) on 10/16/2012

More information is needed in regards to length of time of this expriment. Bed bugs have been known to live up to a year without food. They also feed on dead skin cells in between feeding on blood so it is possible that, though they have stopped feeding on you, they are still active in your unit.

Cinnamon

Posted by Andrea (Burlington Wi) on 09/08/2015

My cousin moved into as apt last year and keeps getting bites. she is a super clean person but the previous tennants were nasty filthy. She changes her bedding twice a week. She has inspected the mattress and can't seem to find any in the creases. She has sprayed everything with bug spray made to kill them, but every night she is getting new bites! Cinnamon seams like it would leave a horrible mess and stain everything reddish brown. But she might be willing to try this. Maybe eating it would help. I'm not sure she has them maybe they are dust mites.

Cinnamon

Posted by Claudia (Ontarii) on 04/22/2018
★☆☆☆☆

Sadly the cinnamon oil didn't get rid of the bed bugs. I sprayed bedding, bedroom and whole house day and night, put it in the final rinse, and it didn't finish them. They kept on biting me. I did find 14 dead during the first week of applying the cinnamon oil and was so excited, but they kept on biting. I would even spray myself, my pijamas, bedding, floor, night stands every night before going to bed. I also bought Vaseline and mix the oil in it and apply it on my wrists, ankles and neck...nothing. I'm desperate!!!

Cinnamon

Posted by Anon (Canada) on 04/23/2018

Sorry to hear about your bed bug problem.

If you can, either buy or rent a vapor steamer (not a carpet steamer). It's a "dry" vapor that won't leave everything wet. Steam cleaning may be the only thing that kills them and their larvae (steam over 300 degrees). You may have to do it a few times but it will be worth it. Good steamers are expensive but, with all of the attachments, you can use it for deep cleaning on upholstery, beds, carpets, curtains, baseboards, crevices in your couch, in your car, floors, etc.

Look for companies that sell industrial steamers as well as machines for home use (e.g., Dupray - there are others). They know the business while some of the cheaper flimsier models (e.g., Shark) aren't effective and won't last.

In the meantime, keep up with the cinnamon oil spray. Also, when you wash your bedding, clothes, etc. add about a cup of borax (20 Mule Team).

I hope you get rid of these nasty critters soon. Take care!

Cinnamon

Posted by Hollyhock (America ) on 07/04/2022

Food grade diatomaceous earth will kill the bed bugs! Sprinkle around the perimeter of the room and around the legs of your bed.

Cinnamon

Posted by Hollyhock (America ) on 06/22/2023

Food grade diatomaceous earth will kill bed bugs. Put it around the perimeter of each room, and under each leg of the bed.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Mystic Gardener (Central Ohio) on 09/27/2015

I panicked when I found out I had bed bugs. I spent a lot of time and money uselessly, then I calmed down and actually used my brain. I think there may be a lot of fear mongering out there, possibly perpetuated by the pest control companies. No matter where they are hiding, they will come to you, the food source, during the night. I put all clothing and other soft items in plastic bags and left them in my car in the hot sun for an afternoon. The inside of my car reached over 140 degrees. I understand only 120 degrees is needed. In the winter you could use a dryer or even a warm oven. During that time, I bombed the house. Get the kind that says they are for bed bugs and roaches. I believe that killed all the bugs that weren't deep within the couch. Then I inspected all dresser drawers and vacuumed everywhere, emptying the canister outside immediately in a zip lock bag. I bought a big roll of 4ml plastic at Home Depot and some gorilla tape. I spread DE on the plastic, set my couch on it, wrapped it up and taped it completely with Gorilla Tape. Then I threw a pretty quilt over it. My couch is where I sleep, but for those of you with beds, you'll want to do those of course or buy the ready made mattress covers. I haven't seen a bed bug since, it's been 2 weeks, and I've been looking. Yesterday I turned my couch on its side, cut a slit in the plastic, put a bomb in there, set it off and quickly covered the slit with a patch. I did that just in case. I'm letting my quilt touch the floor so they CAN get up to me at night if there are any that weren't already in the couch when I wrapped it. Then if I see any, I will just throw that quilt in the dryer, or spray them with alcohol, but I haven't seen any! YOU are the lure. So if they are "in the walls" (doubtful), they will be coming out to feed. I will probably leave my couch wrapped for 6 months. Also, the information that they can live for up to 18 months with no blood supply (their food), really sounds like a stretch to me. I'll find out in 6 months and will update this post.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Mystic Gardener (Central Ohio) on 11/25/2015

This is an update on my earlier posts.

Well, it's been almost 2 months since I wrapped my couch (where I sleep) and I am thrilled to say I still have not seen any more bed bugs! And I look for them. If I get up in the middle of the night, I take a flashlight and really look, but so far, nothing. Yay! Just recently I was in someone else's apartment and as soon as I walked in I smelled a disgusting smell unlike anything I had ever smelled before. I could not put my finger on what it was. Thankfully I only sat on a hard kitchen chair, because I learned later that person's apt. is badly infested with bed bugs and I think that must be what I was smelling! So, take that for a head's up. If you encounter that in someone's house, beware! They DO have a smell if there are enough of them. My infestation must not have been too severe because I never noticed that smell in my place, thankfully.

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Prioris (Fl, Usa) on 10/03/2013

Diatomaceous Earth may be killing them but you don't notice. If they are inside the couch and not coming into contact with DE then they will be protected. They can go without food for a very long time. Also remember it takes a week before you see any effect. If they are breeding, they may be replacing the ones killed. I used DE with an insecticide that I bought at Lowes.

When bed bugs were effecting my bed, I just put a thick double ring around bed and room. I vacuumed and washed in hot water everything also.

Given you have so many, they are probably everywhere in house. It may be that you are dealing with large numbers.

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Andrea C (Wales) on 10/04/2013

Hi, here in UK the old tried and true remedy for Bed Bugs is, put a moistened bar of soap in the bed at night, as it's body heat that attracts them at night, or even something to warm the bed up. They then come out, and stick to the bar's of soap, and they can live up to two year's under wall paper waiting for dinner to arrive!

Are you sure it's bed bugs? I am asking because when I and my friend and her kids were getting bitten to death at night in bed in her home, the DR said it was Bed bugs. It wasn't, it was Scabies caused by a mattress given to her by someone else!! And it's so infectious the whole Housing Estate were rampant with it, and all of us were tearing our skin off, any thing with an abrasive surface was worn away on our bodies. Another friend's DR told her, the bites on HER kids were Gnat bites (scabies again). My friend was too embarrassed to warn everyone as the week before, she went door knocking to tell all the parent's her kids had head lice so everyone could treat the kid's at the same time, it gets worse!! A lot of people on the Estate worked at the local Paraplegic Hospital and all the Patients and staff there got infected as well, and it made the National News as these Staff also stood in for sick staff at other Hospital's. And everyone in the other Hospitals got infected, school's Clinics, in fact everywhere people integrated with each other, so I had the unenviable job of ringing News stations up and telling them it was 'Scabies' because the Hospital's thought it was Bed Bugs and were treating for it, as Bed Bugs are sneaky and you rarely see them, but you soon know when your on the menu!!! And if it's definitely Bed Bugs your home will need to be sprayed as they love to hide in padded headboards, stuffed toys, wall skirting, in clothing, loads of places I'm afraid, but the Bar of Soap method I mentioned has been used for ever to get them in the bed. Love Andrea C xxxxxxx

Cat Litter

Posted by Tam (The Valley, Ct, Usa) on 05/17/2013
★★★★★

I got rid of my bed bugs fast using cat litter. One web source said to crush the crystals with a mortis and pestle, but, time must have passed and I found a brand of cat litter that has micro crystals of sylica gel at the grocery. :-D The silica gel dries out bed bugs.

Place a container (I used the plastic ones we get when we order Chinese take out, they have a good footprint for furniture legs and are shallow, and free) under the most human/animal occupied furniture legs first. Bed bugs will die soon after they pass through the silica gel. Bed bugs can hibernate for up to 18 months, so keep the silica litter under the furniture legs for that long.

Also, that oil soap made for wood kills bed bugs on the spot. I used more than a healthy dose in several gallons of water. I have a back pack sprayer. For the wood bed frame (mattresses removed) I just sprayed away and watched them come out from every crack. After all was flooded and I saw no more movement, I used a towel on the bed frame and a mop on the wood floor. We let the frame sit for two days to dry then wrapped in saran wrap.

I do still have upholstered furniture wrapped in plastic. When 19 months pass since I saw the last bed bug, I will remove it. I wish I had known about the cinnamon, my kids would have appreciated that.

Within my first 10 days of panic, I bombed the house, and then lay DE all over the floor. Both were very bad ideas and in response to feeling desperate. My son did not breathe well with the DE (he has asthma) on the floor. My kids are older so I was not concerned about them ingesting the silica litter. In the containers placed under furniture legs it poses no harm compared to DE constantly being disturbed into the air.

We read some funny writings, it helped to laugh. The guy that wrote about the cat litter wrote that he missed his bed bugs, and, like him, I still have about half a bag (was $11.00) of the litter left.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Janice (Tulsa, Okla) on 05/20/2013

Thank you so much, people need to know how to get rid of those crazy bed bugs, without paying a lot of money, it's all about the money. We can't afford it. God bless you.

Cinnamon

Posted by Cassandra (Atlanta Ga.) on 02/04/2014
★★★★★

It works. I used it and it worked for me and my family.

Cinnamon

Posted by Paula (Buffalo, Ny) on 03/10/2014

I put cinnamon on my mattress and been sleeping pretty good for the last couple of nights but my concern is that I still find one or two bugs on the bed when I go to turn in at night. Does anyone know if I need to repeat application of the cinnamon?

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Naila (Orange County) on 10/29/2014

How do you suggest to use the ACV? Drink it? Rub it with a cotton ball directly on our skin bumps?

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Mama to Many (Tennessee) on 10/30/2014

Dear Nailia,

When we use Apple Cider Vinegar for bug bites, we use it topically. I use it straight. But if the skin is broken it burns a little. But it usually relieves itching for hours. For children or sensitive skin, we dilute it with half water. Or even more.

Turmeric internally may also help the itch as it is an anti-inflammatory. 1 teaspoon twice a day for adults.

~Mama to Many~

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Asiyah ( Sc) on 05/08/2015

Thank you so much. I needed that bit of information. I recently moved with my Aunt. Her home is infected. They've really had a feast on me. The itch feels like someone put a germ under my skin.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Julie (Lavergne, Tn) on 07/05/2015

How did you use the apple cider vinegar for bed bugs? Do you pour in a bowl and soak your foot in it?

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 07/06/2015

Dear Julie,

When I use Apple Cider Vinegar for bug bites, I put it into a spray bottle and spray it onto the bites. Alternately, dab some onto a cottonball. If you are dealing with a sensitive skin area, dilute with water at least 1/2 and maybe more if that seems too strong for your skin.

~Mama to Many~

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 01/26/2017

It wouldn't hurt to try white vinegar instead of apple cider. My husband has used white vinegar topically in the past for athlete's foot. He did dilute that and used 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Trudyg (USA) on 06/04/2013

Just a thought: Diatomaceious earth kills bugs, so could you put your mattress in a 'bed-bug proof' mattress cover and put DE inside the cover? Or use one of the plastic covers--seems like you wouldn't be exposed to breathing the dust but the bugs would, you could eventually remove it and vacuum thoroughly. I have also heard that M*** oil soal works, put it in a sprayer and really wet all cracks, crevices, etc and then wipe up after a short while. Said the oil coats the bugs, they come out looking for air but die. Heat, also, you could put fabric items (clothing, pillows, sheets) in a black plastic garbage bag, seal it up and leave in the sun for a week. At the very least, put some DE in a saucer and place furniture legs in the saucer so the bugs walk thru it when they come out at night. Hope this helps.

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Dee (Jeffersonville, Indiana) on 08/02/2012

You can buy food grade DE from a pet supply store like Fedders Supply, under $15 for 4 lbs. Good luck with the bugs, I'm 9 months rid of them so far so good.

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Zander (Cincinnatti, Oh) on 12/04/2011

We had a bed bug infestation from a guitar case which we had loaned out and retrieved.

We self treated with DE [you have to be VERY careful with this, protect your respiratory system with a respirator, not a paint mask and it must be food grade, not swimming pool filter type] and, at a separate time, yes kerosene. We have an all wood ceiling and floors. We used a nasty, non-natural insecticide in the kerosene and mopped the floors and ceiling with the mixture. Obviously, one must exercise common sense caution with the use of kerosene [as with any flammable liquid], which is the centuries old treatment for bed bug destruction and repulsion [old timers would place their bed posts in cans of kerosene to prevent them from scaling the posts].

A thorough examination of the bed frame and bedding--under mattresses particularly, must be done as well as under lamps, particularly floor lamps, furnishings, book cases, behind switch plates and outlet covers. Remove such covers and paint the backs of each with DE bound in a bit of soapy water. Allow to dry completely before replacing.

We made the fatal error of using bug "bombs" at our first discovery of these creatures which spread them and caused us to have to battle them for months, rather than the day or so it might have taken to eradicate them. The bug bombs spread them. They are much easier to find and eliminate if they are not spread.

The last bed bug we saw was 3 months after the search and destroy measures faithfully followed as described above; however, I experienced what I believed were bite marks for ..... two years afterwards.

I went to extreme measures and actually slept in a diving suit! When "bite" marks appeared inside the covered areas I tried to determine if these were delayed skin reactions to previous bites that had perhaps occurred elsewhere in the home. That was so much fun to wonder about.

After leaving my home for three months, I came to suspect MRSA as the source of the "bite" marks. The marks were typically MRSA like "spider bite" in appearance.

I began a natural protocol for MRSA which included zinc, turmeric and coconut oil. The "bites" then disappeared.

I believe that what I had was MRSA carried by the bed bugs. I would like to confirm with a home test kit, if possible. If anyone has information about where such can be ordered online, I would be truly grateful.

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Heather (Katy, Tx) on 05/20/2011
★★★★★

We used this with AWESOME results. Get food grade DE (it's relatively cheap), and sprinkle around the beds and baseboards. No type of DE is safe to inhale, you can use a mask if you like, but I didn't bother.... There weren't clouds of it wafting up or anything.... It's like a powder. Bugs were gone that night and haven't come back. It's been over a year, and we're bed bug free. But if you have animals you may want to try a different method, or lock them out of the room if you're lucky enough to only have one room infested. The other grades of DE are heat treated or have additives, and the shape of them has changed so they don't work as well, but they work wonders for pool filtering and agriculture. And the food grade DE is supposed to have other health benefits if you add it to your diet.... Just don't be stupid and snort it.... Very bad for your lungs!

Calamine Lotion W/ Zinc Oxide

Posted by Daniel A (Los Angeles, Ca) on 11/28/2011
★★★★★

This is great stuff..!! The store brand worked wonders with just one application. Must use the calamine w/zinc oxide. My skin cleared overnight after having been bitten by bed bugs. To get rid of them I grinded some silica gel crystals (the kind that comes on cat litter) and powdered the whole apartment with a garden duster. The roaches in the kitchen died within a couple of hours. The bed bugs died also within a couple of weeks due to their habit to hide. Once the powder gets on them, they can't shake it off and it cuts their bodies and sucks all the water off of it. Once powdered they die in a couple of hours as promised. I recommend these two effective methods to anyone. The powder can be a hassle, and is like powder glass, so it may scratch you; but once the pests are gone, it is easily picked up with a vacuum cleaner.

Calamine Lotion W/ Zinc Oxide

Posted by Bcaru (Bristol, Ct) on 02/18/2016

I would be very concerned about yourself and any animals that will breathe this stuff in. Silica is very bad for lungs.

Cinnamon

Posted by Yeag (Louisville, Ky) on 06/07/2012

Need more feed back on whether or not eating cinnamon every day really works... I drink it in coffee & tea often & no bed bug bites from recent bug citings.

Wintergreen Alcohol

Posted by Richie (San Jose, Ca) on 10/19/2012

I have a great way to avoid bites on your bed at night while you deal with thier eviction.

Think of your bed as an island. First make sure it is clear of bugs (those white covers for box springs and mattresses work nice. Need to be brand new! ).

Okay, place a tupperware container under each leg/post and have it filled (at least half way) with water. Done! They cannot get to you at night. I have many in my room, but none "walk" across my island "moat". Works nice.

Cinnamon

Posted by Dani (Miami, Fl) on 01/07/2011
★★★★★

I sprinkled cinamon everywhere in the bedroom, and it's been a few weeks. Things look OK.

Cinnamon

Posted by Franco ( San Diego, California) on 04/15/2015

I was thinking, if you ingest powdered cinnamon in food. What do you think of boiling cinnamon sticks and drinking the water concentrate as a tea? Also when you boil cinnamon in the house, the house really smells like cinnamon. They might not like the smell, either. What do you think?

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Don (Gardner, Ma) on 04/15/2011
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

The only Diatomaceous Earth products you should use inside your home are those that are Human Grade Formula. Many outdoor Diatomaceous Earth products/posions contain added chemicals that can be harmful to humans/pets.

Be Safe, Not Sorry.

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Heather (Katy, Tx) on 05/20/2011
★★★★★

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Trudyg (Al) on 07/30/2013

Try Tractor supply co or your local co-op. Ask for different dusts for your poultry--they should have small bottles to large bags They may not realize what the name of it is, but if you say you need a dust for your feed grain or to dust your hen house, they'll show you where all the dusts are and then you have to read the label. I've seen it called earth dust or red earth, but the label will show it correctly. It's great stuff.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Leora (London, Uk) on 10/20/2010

I know this is an old post now, but I was wondering where do you buy Diatomaceous Earth? I'm in the UK and I'm not sure even what kind of store I would try. Thanks.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Hatebedbugs (London, Ontario, Canada) on 05/24/2011

Another one that works too is using Dog and Cat Flea shampoo mixture in a spray bottle. This is one that I found out from "Billy the Exterminator" show.

Hair Dryer

Posted by Altaf Hussain (Jubail, K.S.A) on 10/29/2008
★★★★★

Hello, Its 99% true I tried myself before reading this article just 3 months back it really works.
I will add two more steps.

Step 1) use high heat hair fryer.

Step 2) use vaccun cleaner immediately to suck the dead bugs and eggs.( not to forget clean the filter bags of Vacuum cleaner after)

step 3) I used Kitchen cleaner spray (EASE YOUR BAM which is available in grocery store) on Bugs and eggs on infected or hide place and wipe out with rough cloth, on spraying the Buggs egg get carbonize.

try once, it really works.
thanks

Kerosene

Posted by Sandy (Usa) on 09/02/2020
★★★★★

Yes. best treatment for bedbugs is kerosene.

Cinnamon

Posted by Beth (Las Vegas) on 01/20/2017

Is this safe for cats? I really hope so, but I need to know for sure before I use it . Thank you

Cinnamon

Posted by Malaysia (Georgia) on 02/09/2017

Will ground cinnamon work as well?

Cinnamon

Posted by Maxine (San Pablo Ca) on 06/02/2017

How much distilled water and how much witch hazel-bed bug spray

Cinnamon

Posted by Rhea (Ohio) on 11/16/2017

How do you mix this since all of this won't fit in a spray bottle? Can I mix just enough of it to fit in a 24ounce spray bottle what would the amounts be?

Cinnamon

Posted by Alyshafei (Cairo) on 05/05/2018

Hi, I want to make this bed bug spray. I can't find witchhazel where I live. What would be a substitute for it? Thank you

Cinnamon

Posted by Tessa (Loveland, Oh) on 07/14/2018

What did you use to mix this in? Since it makes slightly over a gallon it won't fit in a gallon jug. Just wondering what you mixed it all in and stored it in.

Cinnamon

Posted by Phoebe (Massachusetts) on 07/04/2022

Hi Tara and Earth Clinic, Thank you so much for the cinnamon oil, witch hazel, distilled water recipe to get rid of bed bugs. It helped me A LOT a few years ago. Last week bed bugs came again to my apartment. I still have some distilled water, but distilled water is now very hard, or maybe impossible, to find in any store in my area, and I think Amazon is charging about $10 for shipping! Is there any other kind of water you could recommend I use, instead of distilled water? Or would plain tap water be ok? Thank you for considering this message. I think the recipe is GREAT!

Cinnamon

Posted by Linda (Charleston SC) on 09/12/2022

Is the Cinnamon mixture for BedBugs safe to use around dogs?

Cinnamon

Posted by Christie (Washington) on 06/21/2023

How do I know which witch hazel to use and I'm confused about the amount till I use the whole bottle like 16 oz or just an ounce of it how does it work there's so many witch Hazel's I don't know which to do

Cinnamon

Posted by Mariana (Virginia) on 04/08/2025

Thank you for your research. We have had a problem getting rid of b.bugs. This is such a nice way to do it. I am doing this today!!

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Claudia (Ontario) on 04/22/2018

What do you mean "a bomb"?

Steamer, Tea Tree Oil

Posted by Betty (Burbank) on 03/16/2015

I just wanted to focus attention on the most important aspect of being able to successfully eliminate bedbugs. In all the posts I have ever read about completely getting rid of bed bugs, they say they hunted every last little one of those disgusting creatures down and killed them be it with, heat, soap or steam. No stone is left unturned. Bed frames and mattresses were torn apart, couches deep steamed, clutter and hiding places investigated - hunting every single one down and killing them. New bites after what you thought was a successful bedbug hunting season? That's to be expected and common AND your indication there is a hiding place you must hunt down and KILL! Depending on your level of infestation, will be how long this takes to eliminate them. I have never heard of anyone just spraying insecticides or sprinkling diatomatios to rid them permanently. This is why there are no professionals who guarantee curing bedbugs. DO NOT make it worse by roach bombing the place and making them spread. Diatomatios earth can help but also cause them to spread out of the area they were confined to. Hunting, cleaning killing is the most important part.

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Cathy (CA) on 08/18/2022

It's not going to be overnight you have to give it time to work I suggest putting the powder down everywhere throughout your couch on the inside and out and they will die I guarantee you just give it some time please.

Cat Litter

Posted by Laurel (Missouri) on 04/06/2017

Cat liter is bentonite clay--I keep food grade and do lots of things with it.

Library Books

Posted by Carly (Seattle, Wa - Usa) on 12/20/2012

If you notice a bumpy red rash and have been reading library books lately, the link below might be of interest to you.

If you think about it, bed is where most people read library books. (I don't even want to think about the second most popular place they do their reading).

Anyway, heads up on the issue - better safe than sorry!

Merry Bug Free Christmas!!!

http://wtvr.com/2012/12/08/bedbugs-found-in-library-books-on-college-campus/

Cinnamon

Posted by Jean (Plano) on 04/28/2016

So with the cinnamon do you sprinkle it on the bed and then vacuum it off, will it stain?

Cinnamon

Posted by Kim (Wisconsin) on 08/05/2016
★★★★★

It did work for me.

Cinnamon

Posted by Claudia (Ontario) on 02/03/2018

Lol. You made laugh with the nutmeg :D

I do need some humor! I hate bedbugs. I've been bitten since Dec 15th when I went to help a friend's friend. I cleaned her bedroom, didn't think of anything. Next morning I got bitten like crazy.

I used some cinnamon that helped for a couple of days, but they seem to be back with vengeance. I will double check the method and try again. How long to get rid of them? and how exactly do I apply it?

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Arclight (Calgary, Ab) on 05/22/2016
★★★★★

Take a bath with apple cider vinegar as it balances out the ph level in your skin and gets rid of your bed bugs..

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Lisa (Ms) on 01/25/2017

Can I use white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar for bedbug bites?

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Yeag (Louisville, Ky) on 06/11/2012

I can not get rid of bed bugs... I just sprinkled diamaceous earth everywhere & they are still here... Just killed 3 adults @ 2:45 am... I tried soapy water, insecticides, & diamaceous earth... No luck!!! ... please post this on your page asap in order for me to get a remedy to kill them...thanks!!!

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Yeag (Louisville, Ky) on 06/15/2012

Replying to Steph. From texas... A few hours after dusting house, the 3 of us were sitting in the floor that was dusted a few hours before & were attacked by the bugs... Of course I killed them with my bare hands as I saw them. I killed about 10 throughout the night... Threw out all the couch covers to be hot washed later & dried.. Around dawn, I put a clean white sheet on love seat, & couch & laid down... It is now 5:20pm EST. & there are no signs of the bugs on the sheets so far... I pray DE works... I picked up a 4 pound bag of DE at Home Depo for $9.. So, I would assume a store similar to Home Depot would be the place for you to buy it cheaper... thanks for your reply...Yeag.

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Dawn (Reno Nv) on 09/09/2013

You need to try high heat steam cleaner. It help and is the key to begining the killing them all. High heat on everything and baking soda left on carpet. I wrote my treatment on this blog. Read it and see if it helps you. I saw suggestions of soap mixures sprayed around house - good idea lots here to try. Find the source. Remember to sanitize your walkway and shoes.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Deni (Ca) on 06/04/2013

Seem that you might need an exterminator. Most of them warrants their job, too....

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Stephanie From Texas (Plano, Tx, Usa) on 06/10/2012

I recently read about food-grade diatomaceous earth for getting rid of all kinds of creepy-crawlies, including bedbugs, fleas, etc.. The great thing is that it is completely safe for use in kitchens, on pets, etc. , and I would assume around small children. According to the ad I read, it can be put on the rails of the bed, dusted even on the mattress, I think, and so on, where it microscopically scratches the soft bodies of the bugs, causing them to dehydrate and die. Apparently it is not an instant fix, but an effective and complete cure, lasting months if not vacuumed away. I sent my daughter the info because her cat has fleas, and the testimonials I was reading indicated it could be rubbed on the animal as well as being worked into the carpet. Directions were given for use against bedbugs, and I made a mental note in case I ever need it. It was being sold for $16 for over 4 pounds, and the folks being quoted said that it goes a long way and lasts a long time. I assume there are a variety of websites that offer it, though I have not found it yet in two or three natural foods stores I have checked locally. Apparently the place to look would be in pet care, but you do want the food grade so that it can be used throughout your home as needed - I'm going to get it for the little ants who sometimes visit my kitchen! I hope you get relief right away, having a little one in the house!

The other thing you might look into is having an ozone machine run in your home, which would kill all bugs, fungus, etc, and not result in any toxicity or residue, but I have only hearsay info about that, and I would imagine it would be pricey.

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Darlene (Kewaskum) on 06/22/2012

I buy DE to deworm and delouse my goats and try to keep the fly population down in the barn by sprinkling it on the manure periodically. Periodically I also put in something I'm baking for the family to also keep the humans free from worms. It costs me about $30 for 50# and, yes, it does go a very long way. You might try a feed store to see if they sell it. I don't think I've ever seen it sold in a natural food store, but most of the ones I frequent are small businesses.

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Candance (Nebraska) on 09/07/2013

Just need to make sure the Diatomaceous earth is "food grade", as there is also a type they use for pools and it is not safe to be around. You can usually find the food grade fairly cheaply at a feed supply store as some farmers add it to their cattle feed. I picked up 50# for less than $30 that way.

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Tom (Fort Worth, Texas) on 09/14/2013

To: Bed bug hugs... you wrote in getting rid of them to... "completely seal mistress and box springs with plastic"

...ah.....actually a great post, and a reminder for all of us to proof carefully.

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Sandra (Canada) on 10/09/2015

Thanks BedBugHugs, I want to try your method but I'm not understanding about spraying with soapy water or the essential oils of neem and pennyroyal after applying the DE. Won't this make a muddy mess, and render the DE ineffective? I have tons of DE down and still getting bites. I'm thinking of taking it all up and having someone come in to steam clean with dry heat, then put the DE back down again. Did you mean to apply DE to your sheets and pajamas and sleep in it? How much of the essential oils would one put into an 8oz bottle? I purchased the Neem Oil on line, it came as a Carrier Oil, did I get the right stuff?

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Sheri (Minden, La.) on 01/17/2016

Bed bugs have gotten smarter than we know, ears and nose both infested with the silicon white substance they lay eggs in. Nightmare is all I can say, fighting the battle of my lifetime. Anyone who says they don't live in their host, is either a fool, or too afraid to admit the unthinkable. When we are their blood supply, is it really so hard believe?

Calamine Lotion W/ Zinc Oxide

Posted by Stephanie (Toledo, Ohio) on 04/06/2011
★★★★★

I stayed at a hotel in New Orleans for a conference and was bitten by bed bugs all over my face, arms, legs, and chest. (We caught one and were able to take it to the front desk so it was definately bed bugs.) It took several days for the welts to appear, but when they did, they were bad. I looked on-line for 2 weeks to find help to reduce the swelling, redness, and itching. During those two weeks the bites continued to look and feel worse. I looked and felt terrible. I tried witch hazel, aloe, coconut oil, camphor, hydocortosone creme, antibiotic cream.. Nothing worked.

Someone mentioned Calamine lotion (make sure to get the one with Zinc Oxide in it) and within 24 hours of using it the swelling was gone, the redness was less than half of what it was, and it itching stopped. After 2 weeks the bites are finally healing instead of getting worse!!!! Thought I would share it here. Thank heavens we knew what happened and were able to treat our stuff with heat upon returning home so we didn't bring them home with us!!

Calamine Lotion W/ Zinc Oxide

Posted by Joshharrington (London, Uk) on 04/13/2014
★★★★★

Really good stuff. Booked a hotel and picked a bad one. Full I tell you, full. But this stuff cleared everything within a few hours. Very effective!

Calamine Lotion W/ Zinc Oxide

Posted by Sara (The Beach) on 02/18/2016
★☆☆☆☆

Industrial silica is dangerous to inhale but food grade isn't. diatomaceous earth food grade is safe for human consumption and will safely rid you of bed bugs and ants and other exoskeleton bugs :)

Cinnamon

Posted by Bcaru (Bristol, Ct) on 02/18/2016

If you're going to eat cinnamon, you should research which has the actual good benefits. I believe Ceylon cinnamon is the correct one to use, especially if you're using it to eat, it helps lower blood sugar naturally. Also whole I the subject of cinnamon, please be aware that all food is irradiated. Irradiation takes away it's benefit. There are places that you can research online that sell herbs, spices and essential oils. I'm not sure if I can mention the name or not, so rather than mention it, I'd rather make sure this post is here than take a chance. Good luck

Wintergreen Alcohol

Posted by Brannon Hollis (Chicago, Il) on 11/28/2010

After reading your posting regarding wintergreen alcohol, I use what I had left over to spray on the every part of the bed and letting it dry. It works!! Also, to it up used the Lysol deinfectant spray as a backup we shall see...

Cinnamon

Posted by Teresa (Ft. Wayne, Indiana) on 10/14/2010

Also cucumber peelings work to get rid of ants. I thought that my mom was joking when she told me to peel a cucumber and throw small slices in the corners of rooms but it worked great and after 12-24 hours not an ant in sight! You'll notice in 3-5 days when the cucumber slices dry up and need replaced because the ants will come back.

Cinnamon

Posted by Bitten Up (Cal., US) on 04/06/2015

To Kevin

did you use cinnamon to get rid of bed bugs or roaches? And how did you use it?

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Raymond (Brooklyn, Ny) on 12/15/2009

Try Diatomaceous Earth to kill Bed Bugs and Roaches

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Georgia (Toronto, Canada) on 05/15/2010

diatomaceous earth - I found this in the form at a garden nursery ( so the label said) as silicon dioxide...it was in powder form...do you know if in this form it's supposed to be harmful in inhaled??

EC: People on the site report taking Food Grade or Medical Grade Diatomaceous Earth, which is different from the kind found in nurseries and pool supply stores.

Re: safety hazards, please see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth#Safety_considerations

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Caroline (Houston, Tx) on 07/25/2011

I want to get in touch with Heather from Katy, Texas to talk to her about diatomaceous earth and how she used it exactly. Is there anyway you can give her my email address? Thank you!

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Teresa (Richmond, Indiana) on 03/26/2012

Having problems with bedbugs. Please help!!! Were did you buy the Diatomaceous? Does the food grade work? Please email me. Do you know if its fast around animals?

Thanks

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Flourishing (usa) on 05/23/2024

Only 12 years later. You can find it easily on Amazon. Look for Food Grade.

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Yeag (Louisville, Ky) on 06/10/2012

I killed 14 bugs last night.. I am now trying diatomaceous earth. Started dusting at 10am... Lord, I hope this works... I will keep you all posted... & thanks for the help... yeag

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Karen (Leander, Tx) on 07/29/2013

i would like to know Where you found food-grade diatomaceous earth. I've been all over the Austin area... Including feed stores... And let me tell you, there must be 100 store employees around and about the area that now think I'm an idiot... and kept trying to send me to pool supply places. I will gladly drive to the Houston area to buy some, and stop to visit relatives while I'm there.

Diatomaceous Earth

Posted by Dawn (Reno, Nevada) on 09/09/2013

To the lady wanting to know where to purchase the "FOOD GRADE", you can find it at any animal feed store. I have learned the DE is best applied as a mud and rub skin. You will be amazed to see them rub off, but remember there are eggs and largea still in your pores. I also am using, Bag balm, hot water, cool water, a good soap, baking soda, Corn Starch, Epsom Salts, Betadine, Alcohol and high heat steamer cleaner, like a shark. I picked mine up at Lowes. The shower mud up with DE. I rub everywhere with it. Include the bottoms of your feet and trim nails cause they hide under the free edge, and pour in hair. Saturate everything with mud and leave as long as you can. I usually rinse the first application removing the ones loose on the surface. Apply a second coating. This is the coating to leave on as long as you can. After rinsing the DE follow with baby shampoo or a regular bar of soap. The hot water should be used if possible to open pores. I like to finish with a cool rinse. Finally, I either finish with leave on Eptom Salts or Vinegar splash. I also put the DE in my tea controling any problem that I might have ingested. Drink Vinegar now too cause I found reserchers documenting the helpful result from intake. See Symptom Finder. Wise Geek web site also explains the Arthopod problem and solutions in detail. Some of these mites are so small that they are not visible even with the use of a microscope. The baking soda sprinkle it on your couches and floors and bed(ing). Massage it into the fabric and leave it. It drys them out and you will see the corps floresent ready for vaccuuming. If you have pets, leave the baking soda on the floor to help them stay mite free. When finishing up your after shower treatment q-tip betadine on to any welts, which are burning bites. The Alcohol onto the scalp and seal with a towel. Just take a hair clip and hold the towel in place. Get yourself a high steam pressure machine about 70 dollars. I have not seen anything kill these tough bugs die instantly other than high heat. Wash all clothing in high heat and with Borax (Boron) or baking soda, both are natural sources just like DE. If you can afford a service call you local carpet cleaners cause they cost much less than the exterminator. Be vidulent on keeping the cleaning routing daily, maybe run the steamer around the house twice at first until you notice the reduction of bites. The last thing I have learned about the problem with these bugs is that in a house hold of five one or two may be effected by them. It is the allergy tollerance (wise geek site) of the individual which determines the situation. I am getting eaten alive and my husband nothing. I cleaned his favorite area with baking soda, his bugs presented after four hours were large, and make me wonder if he isn't the problem. I wish you all the best. This is the worst medical problem I have had in my entire life. Even if you feel like this, don't stop treating your home with baking soda and cleaning with the items I have mentioned. It will take time to get all the eggs from your home cloth surfaces and out of your pores. Brush your hair alot and spray the dog with vinegar daily before his brushing.