Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
Are there any natural remedies for getting rid of bed bugs, that really work?
By IsadoraD from Boston, MA
Bedbugs are difficult to get rid of on your own.Best to hire an exterminator to do it correctly. No natual remedies or cheap way to get rid of them.
Hi,
you can keep bed bugs at bay using tansy. Its an herb with many uses, one of which is repelling bugs. I have used it on mission trips various places to keep various creepy crawlys at bay, including bed bugs. I would suggest filling socks with tansy and putting them in your bed.
Sprinkle tansy leaves around the perimeters of all the rooms in your house, under all the cushions on couches and chairs, on your mattress etc. Then you must seal all the cracks, corners etc. This is how people dealt with them a hundred years ago before the discovery of DDT, bad as that was it did get rid of them. Then wash all your bedding, clothes in Hot water, I would boil anything that you could like sheets etc.
You can find a recipe for vinegar of the four thieves (an extremely effective all natural herbal insect repellent) at www.bulkherbstore.com, you can purchase tansy there as well. I am not affiliated with them in any way they are just a source for herbs for me. Spray this everywhere, including a diluted version on you, spray on bed posts, mattresses etc! Doing this will help, but you might still want to consider an exterminator as bed bugs are extremely hard to get rid of but it can be done.
Try this first and see what happens replacing tansy as often as necessary. I also recommend putting diatemaceous earth around all perimeters this kills all insects good and bad by cutting into their bodies bed bugs hide in walls and mattresses anywhere it is dark so using a mixture of tansy and the diatemaceous earth might be best in all the places named above. You can buy it for the the bulk herb store too. It is completely non toxic and harmless to humans. Hope this helps and good luck.
Diatomaceous earth is a good pest repellent but it is not safe for human if it is not used properly, specially if it is inhaled, which would happen if Diatomaceous earth is put near a bed. Do check what is the form of diatomite you are using and take the necessary precautions.If you have a cat check also the type of diatomite used for its litter. Avoid the type of litter which produces a lot of dust when poured. Whatever type you are using avoid inhalation when pouring the litter.
To better understand why Diatomaceaous earth is not a gentle product of mother nature read the following from Wikipedia :
''Safety considerations
The absorbent qualities of diatomite can result in a significant drying of the hands if handled without gloves. The flux-calcined form contains a highly crystalline form of silica, resulting in sharp edges. The sharpness of this version of the material makes it dangerous to breathe and a dust mask is recommended when working with it.
The type of hazard posed by inhalation depends on the form of the silica. Crystalline silica poses a serious inhalation hazard because it can cause silicosis. Amorphous silica can cause dusty lungs and silicosis, but does not carry the same degree of risk as crystalline silica. Natural or dried diatomite generally contains crystalline silica. Diatomite produced for pool filters is treated with high heat (calcining) and a fluxing agent (soda ash), causing the formerly silicon dioxide to assume its crystalline form. A mask is necessary for working with either product.
The crystalline silica content of the dust's particulate is regulated in the United States by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and there are guidelines for the maximum amounts allowable in the product and in the air near the breathing zone of workers.''
How do I get rid of bed bugs?
By Mary M.
Are you absolutely certain you have bed bugs? My husband is an entomologist so I have a very personal and lengthy experience with bugs! If you have bites and itching after sleeping in a bed, you may have bed bugs, cat or dog fleas, tropical rat lice, etc. These and many more bugs are possible culprits. If you believe you have actual bed bugs, it is extremely difficult to rid them from your home. You can search on online for how to remove bed bugs from your home and how difficult it to do on your own, but I refer you to this site for help-note the importance of having a pest control expert's opinion on the actual bug problem and how to try to do this on your own:
citybugs.tamu.edu/factsheets/biting-stinging/others/ent-3012/ - Similar
Bed bugs are one of the most difficult pest problems to eradicate quickly. By far, the best solution for bed bugs is to hire a pest control company with experience successfully controlling bed bugs. Unfortunately, this can be expensive and beyond the means of many people. If you feel you cannot afford to hire a professional, and want to attempt do-it-yourself bed bug control, there are some things you can do. With diligence and patience and some hard work you have a fighting chance of getting rid of bed bugs in your home.
Good Luck!
Diatoumaceous Earth, garden grade. Absolutely harmless to humans and animals but death on bugs. My daughter used it on her granddaughter for head lice and her teacher wanted to know how she did it so quickly.
What are the steps to kill bedbugs? How do you clean the sheets with splattered blood and feces from bedbugs?
By Millie W.
I would wash the sheets. The blood stain mostly will remain in a faded condition. As for the bedbugs I would hire a professional exterminator. They are very difficult to remove with home remedies. You could also go to google.com and type in your request and see what answers come up.
I had a tenant who brought bedbugs into an apartment. I had great success using food grade Diatomaceous Earth, which can be purchased at Lowe's or Home Depot.
It is a white powder. Use a paintbrush to "paint" all your baseboards (where it meets the floor as well as the wall), the "feet" on your bed and where the wood frame meets the wall around the closet, windows and bedroom door. You may also want to "paint" the edges of your mattress.
The food grade type of Diatomaceous Earth is very safe. It works by dehydrating the bodies of the bedbugs. Works on roaches too!
When traveling how do you prevent bed bugs from coming home with you?
By audrey vanwyk from Bedford, PA
Use the luggage rack or the desk to put your luggage on. Hang up your clothes. Don't put your clothes on the floor or on the bed for bedbugs to hide in and for you to accidentally pack them home with you.
Don't set your luggage on the floor. Put it on a chair, table or luggage rack if there is one, anything but floor and bed.
What is the best way to get rid of bedbugs?
The best way is to get a professional exterminator. They freeze them.
Are bed bugs red? What should I do about it?
By Deborah from Westland
First of All--Don't Panic. But don't delay in spraying to get rid of them. I helped my neighbor rid his apartment of bed bugs by using a spray by J.T. Eaton sold in hardware stores. The one-quart bottle comes with a sprayer. Spray all fabric covered furniture, especially the crevices thoroughly with this product. Put vaseline around the legs of any furniture. Spray wall to wall carpet, especially where it meets the wall, and remove area rugs. Make sure to remove the mattress and box spring and spray thoroughly including the seams. Launder any draperies and bedding in very hot water and dry in a hot dryer. Try to figure out where they came from. In my neighbor's case, a friend that was temporarily staying with him brought the bugs from his old apartment. If you are only seeing a few of them, this may be the case and infestion may not be severe. You must be diligent in continuing to spray periodically afterwards (I cannot stress this enough) to be sure they are all killed, along with eggs and larvae. You may use a 91% isopropyl alcohol spray (sold in drug stores) for maintenance purposes. Be sure to ventilate your rooms well. You can encase your mattress in a bedbug proof cover, but these are expensive the not truly necessary. The bugs prefer to bite women over men, and leave the marks in a triangle pattern. I received a lot of help from the owner of my local small hardware store.
How do I get rid of bed bugs?
By Irmi
Buy Diatomaceous Earth (food grade) at Home Depot or Lowe's. The good thing about this is that it is safe for humans and pets. The powder dries them up and so they can't build up an immunity.
Use a paintbrush or long-nosed squeeze bottle to coat baseboards, legs of the bed, and around door frames. Worked in an apartment building I have!
What do bed bug bites look like and how to I get rid of bedbugs?
By Kay B.
Google the image. To get rid of, really high heat has been the best way to kill. A lot of sprays don't work, they like other insects (lice) are very resistant.
How do I get rid of bed bugs myself? I'm not infested yet, I think my neighbor down stairs brought them here. I saw him bring in used furniture and now I'm suffering for it.
By Chris S
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
How does one get rid of bed bugs apart from the wet soap trick?
I need information on fighting bed bugs in my apartment in Los Angeles.
I had a mild bed bug infestation that I thought was over a couple of months ago, but I found one on my comforter this morning.
Is there a fumigator to get rid of bedbugs? Does anyone have advice to get rid of them?
I have bed bugs and my room has been sprayed once, is this enough?
I have bed bugs. What can I do to get rid of them? There has to be something out that I can use that is fairly safe.
I know my home has BED BUGS. Is it true that thyme will actually get rid of them? I've been trying everything since January of 2005.
