What Smell Do Bed Bugs Hate? How to Keep Them Out of Your Edmond, OK Home

So you wake up one morning to find itchy red welts all over your body. You lift your mattress and see tiny reddish-brown bugs scurrying away. 

Uh oh – bed bugs have invaded your Edmond, OK home. It’s a nightmare nobody wants.

Bed bugs aren’t your run-of-the-mill pests. These tiny creatures can cause a great deal of trouble in your home. Not only do their bites leave you itchy and uncomfortable, but an infestation can also be a real hit to your wallet. 

Did you know that bed bug treatments can cost anywhere from $300 to $5,000? And that’s not including the cost of replacing infested furniture or lost sleep. 

As you scour the internet for treatments, you might be wondering, “what smell do bed bugs hate?” We’ll break it down for you.

The Science of Smell and Bed Bugs

You might wonder, “Can smells really repel bed bugs?” The short answer is yes! 

Bed bugs rely on their sense of smell to find food (that’s you) and places to hide. Certain scents can interfere with their ability to do this, making them avoid the area altogether. It’s similar to how we might avoid a room that smells like rotten eggs. 

But what smells do bed bugs hate the most? Let’s find out.

Lavender Oil

Lavender oil is a popular choice for repelling bed bugs, and for a good reason. This fragrant oil is known for its calming effects on humans, but it’s a different story for bed bugs. Bed bugs despise the smell of lavender oil!

You can use it by mixing a few drops with water in a spray bottle and spritzing it around your bed, mattress, and other infested areas. Not only will it keep the bed bugs at bay, but your room will also smell fantastic (and you may find yourself getting a better night’s sleep, too).

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil is another scent that bed bugs can’t stand. The strong, minty aroma acts as a powerful deterrent. To use peppermint oil, mix a few drops with water and spray it around your home. 

You can also place cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil in areas where bed bugs are likely to hide. This method works doubly well if you’re also dealing with other pests like ants or spiders, as they hate peppermint too!

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is often used for its antimicrobial properties, but did you know it can also repel bed bugs? The strong smell of tea tree oil disrupts the bed bugs’ ability to communicate and find you. 

To use tea tree oil, mix it with water and spray it on your bedding and furniture. Just be cautious if you have pets, as tea tree oil can be toxic to animals.

Lemongrass Oil

Lemongrass oil is not just for making your home smell like a tropical paradise. It also has insecticidal properties that can help keep bed bugs away. 

The strong citrus scent of lemongrass oil is intolerable to bed bugs, making it an effective natural repellent. Mix it with water and spray it around your home for the best results.

Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil is another scent that bed bugs hate. Its strong, menthol-like aroma can make bed bugs scatter. You can use eucalyptus oil similarly to the other oils by mixing it with water and spraying it around your home. Eucalyptus oil can also help with congestion and respiratory issues, too, making it a win-win for your health and home.

Vinegar

If you don’t have essential oils on hand, white vinegar can do the trick. The strong smell of vinegar can repel bed bugs and other pests. To use vinegar, fill a spray bottle with it and spray it directly on bed bugs and their hiding spots. While it might not smell as pleasant as the oils, it’s a readily available solution that can help in a pinch.

Diatomaceous Earth

While smells can repel bed bugs, using diatomaceous earth can also help eliminate them, albeit in a different way. This natural powder is made from fossilized algae and is safe for humans and pets. Scatter diatomaceous earth around your bed, mattress, and other infested areas. 

It works by dehydrating the bed bugs, eventually killing them. Combining this with your scented sprays can create a powerful one-two punch against bed bugs.

Other Tips for Getting Rid of Bed Bugs

While the scents we described above can work wonders in getting rid of bed bugs, they are by no means a silver bullet. The scientific evidence on their long-term efficacy is limited, so you’ll want to consider a more holistic approach to keep them out for good.

Prevention should always be your first thought when it comes to bed bugs. 

In fact, one of the best ways to prevent bed bugs from infesting your home is by keeping it clean. Regularly vacuuming your home, especially around your bed and furniture, can help remove bed bugs and their eggs. 

Wash your bedding, curtains, and clothing regularly in hot water to kill any bed bugs that might be hiding there. A clean home is less inviting to pests of all kinds.

And when you do bring new items into your home, be cautious. Secondhand furniture and clothing can be a great way to save money, but they can also harbor bed bugs. 

Before bringing any second hand items into your house, inspect them thoroughly for signs of bed bugs. Look for small, reddish-brown bugs, tiny white eggs, or dark spots on the fabric. If you find any signs of bed bugs, don’t bring the item into your home.

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, bed bugs can still find a way into your home. If you suspect a bed bug infestation, don’t hesitate to call professional pest control services like Summit Pest Control in Edmond, OK. We have the expertise and tools (like heat treatment) to eliminate bed bugs and prevent future infestations. 

The Final Word on Bed Bug Prevention

Keeping bed bugs out of your home might seem daunting, but it’s entirely possible with the right approach. 

While scents can be helpful tools to prevent bed bugs, often, it takes a professional approach to fully eliminate them. That’s where professional pest control comes in. There’s nothing wrong with some eucalyptus here and some lavender there, but for a more effective long-term approach, you need something a bit more targeted.

Reach out to Summit Pest Solutions today and sleep tight, knowing you’ve taken the first step toward a bed bug-free home.