Of course the best step to killing bedbugs, is to prevent ever having them. But if you find yourself in the unenviable position of finding bedbugs (be sure you identify that you actually have bedbugs and not something else), here are some of the best methods for dealing with them (aka, getting rid of bedbugs) organically, without the use of harsh chemicals that may be dangerous to humans, pets and the environment.
Now killing bedbugs isn’t a one-step solution. They are tiny, hard-to-find creatures, and can difficult to eradicate. Not everyone can afford the cost of an exterminator or pest-control company to get rid of their bedbugs. This page includes some of the best options for killing bedbugs on the market that are organic or natural solutions.
What this page does not include, are the 12 myths that do not work for killing bedbugs.
Using Natural SPRAYS to Kill Bedbugs.
One of the reasons DDT was banned in the United States was because of its harmful effects on humans and the environment. So finding natural methods to deal with the bedbug scourge is a positive thing. Here are some methods that you may find helpful in killing the bedbugs you found. As with all natural remedies (well, all remedies actually) you have to be diligent in your application. Bedbugs are survivors, so it’s not one-and-done when it comes to killing them. You will need to do a constant treatment to get the babies, get the adults, and the eggs.
And then you need to identify how you got them in the first place and be sure to let the source know, or stop doing whatever it is you did to attract them.
There are plenty of natural killers on the market. Just take a look at this Amazon page of natural bedbug treatments and you will see lots of them. But what makes them effective? Or, better yet, are they?
Natural and organic bedbug killers use products found in nature to kill the bedbugs. A lot of these natural products are using essential oils to kill and control bedbugs. Some work, some don’t (we mention a couple of questionable ones in our article on bedbug killing myths article).
In the 2014 article: “Potential of Essential Oil-Based Pesticides and Detergents for Bed Bug Control“, the Journal of Economic Entomology studied some of the more prevalent natural bedbug products on the market. They found the two products that work the best are “EcoRaider Bed Bug Killer”, which uses a combination of cedar oil, geraniol and sodium lauryl sulfate (wikipedia link). And “Bed Bug Patrol”, which uses a combination of peppermint oil, clove oil, and sodium lauryl sulfate. We have listed both products at the bottom of this page and on our recommended resources page.
Using Heat and Steam to Kill Bedbugs.
Bedbugs hate high heat. For the very simple reason that heat kills bedbugs. We’re not talking about the ordinary heat of a hot day in Texas. That kind of heat just makes them mildly uncomfortable (like the rest of us). To really kill bedbugs, you need the kind of heat that you get from a steam cleaner. Like 200 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter kind of heat.
So if you want kill bedbugs in your home, get a good steam cleaner, and make sure it can let out steam without a high stream of air along with it. The goal is to use the hot steam to get inside the fabric of your furniture and carpet and deep inside the cracks and gaps on your wall, but not to use hot air to blow them away from your steam. So a high pressure steamer is not ideal for killing the bedbugs as you run the risk of just pushing them beyond the heat where they can then escape.
In addition to using a steam cleaner, you can also try a hair dryer, but you run the risk of just pushing the bedbug further away from you, plus with a hair dryer you have to hold it in place for a long time in order to be sure to kill the bedbug (up to 15 minutes). Your best bet is to get a steam cleaner. Look for one that gets over 200 degrees Fahrenheit (most should as water boils at 212 degrees). Also look for ones that advertise killing mites, as they are designed (or at least marketed) for killing pests and not just getting wrinkles out of fabric.
Other high heat methods that work are throwing your bedding and clothing into a washing machine and washing with hot water. The prolonged exposure to the hot water will kill them, both with heat and by drowning. This is something we recommend you do after traveling (see our articles on 10 Easy Travel Tips for Avoiding Bedbugs When Vacationing).
Another useful method for destroying bedbugs with heat is to throw clothes and blankets in a hot dryer and tumble dry for an hour. This will not only help kill bedbugs, but also their eggs.
So getting them with the one-two combo of a hot water bath and then a hot tumble dry is a great way to destroy them on your clothing and bedding, but it does nothing to get rid of bedbugs and their eggs in your furniture, walls, drapes and carpets. You need to be proactice with cleaning agents to do that, such as steam and bed bug sprays.
Products Made from Nature for Eradicating Bedbugs
Eco Raider Bed Bug Killer — Kill Bedbugs with Natural Spray from EcoRaider. We all want to use products that are safe for the environment, and Bed Bug Killer from EcoRaider is such a product. (check prices from Amazon).
Bed Bug Bully — When you’re tired of being bullied by bedbugs, it’s time to turn the tables on them. Bed Bug Bully is made with natural products (soy bean oil, cinnamon, and others) to kill your bedbugs and keep them from coming back for 30 days. Fore more information and to order, visit manufacturer site .
Eco Defense Bed Bug Killer — This organic bedbug destroyer is made to kill on contact, but is still safe to be around for children and pets.
Do It Yourself (DIY) Bedbug Remedies
Before you try do it yourself applications, please read the 8 Bedbug Killing DIY Myths that do not work.
The easiest bed bug eradicting measure that does actually work, and does a fairly good job at killing the critters while also be safe for you and your pets is sprinking Diatomaceous Earth around the areas that bed bugs are living.
Diatomaceous Earth is 100% natural and organic, with no chemicals. It’s made from amorphous silicon dioxide, which is naturally occuring sand that can come from living organisms — it’s basically dried algae that has been pulvarized to little tiny particles — very sharp particles for insects that crawl over it like bed bugs, fleas and other biting critters — but not at all harmful to children, adults or pets.
