Let’s face it, having bed bugs in your homestead is a nightmare. If this unwanted visitors have never visited you, it’s impossible to grasp just how much they can terrorize you. Not only physically but also emotionally.
So what’s the best way to repel bed bugs from biting you? Before answering that question, let’s first understand what bed bugs are and why they have decided to visit you.
Understanding Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are commonly referred to as wingless bugs that feed on people as their primary blood source. It is believed this tiny, flat pests were once wiped out after World War II but are slowly creeping back to our homes.
Luckily, bed bugs do not spread any blood-related diseases. But their saliva can cause serious allergic reactions that can lead to severe skin irritations. However, this does not suggest you should take a bed bug infestation lightly.
If you have these nuisance and unwanted visitors in your home, it’s unlikely to spot them unless you are specifically searching for them. They tend to hide inside mattress linings, bed headrest, and other dark places. They only come out at night and when they want to feed.
The first sign that you have a bed bug problem is when you start noticing you have large itchy lumps all over your body. Sometimes you will find it hard to differentiate between a mosquito bite from a bed bug bite. If you cant differentiate, please consult a specialist.
Now that we know something about bed bugs let’s get back to our question. What is the best way to repel bedbugs from biting you?
Here is a list of some of the best ways to repel bed bugs before they bite you.
Related reading: Get Rid Of Stink Bug Smell
Best Way To Repel Bed Bugs From Biting You
The first step of getting rid of bed bugs begins with ensuring you clean up all areas you think bed bugs are hiding. Then, you can take other steps to ensure you repel bed bugs from biting you. Some of the measures include:-
1.    Applying Essential Oils Before You Head To Bed
When you search for info on how to repel bed bugs naturally, Essential Oils usually comes up as one of the main options. Now the query that comes to mind is, can these oils stop bed bugs from biting you? Essential oils have, over the years, received a lot of press as effective pest repellants.
Although most people see essential oils as a safe skin repellant, critics have argued that yes, it can repel, but it doesn’t last long. Some of these oils include Frankincense oil, Lavender oil, citronella oil, peppermint and eucalyptus oil.
Homemade remedy fanatics believe that you need to mix at least three of the above oils for the best results. The concoction will have a strong scent that will instantly repel any insect, including bed bugs, once applied.
Related reading: What Scents Attract Bed Bugs
2.    Vicks VapoRub for Bed Bugs
Does Vicks rubbing stop bed bug bites? This is one query that people keep asking anytime they think of using Vicks to repel bed bugs. Vicks VapoRub contains different types of oils that produce a unique scent that repels insects.
Though not scientifically proven, this distinctive smell is what people believe helps in repelling bed bugs and other insects. Even though there are many varying opinions on Vicks’ VapoRub effectiveness as a repellant, it wouldn’t hurt to try. Just apply it to your body before heading to bed and be the judge.
3.    Using Coconut Oil as a Repellant
Another frequently asked question is whether coconut oil keeps bed bugs from biting them. Well! The use of coconut oil may not fully resolve your bed bug infestation problem, but you can use it to repel bed bugs not to bite you overnight.
Experts believe that coconut oil’s fatty acids have lengthy insect repelling capabilities towards bed bugs, ticks, flies, and mosquitoes. Studies show Coconut oil itself is not a good repellant but rather a chemical component inside it is.
FAQ
What’s Attracting Bed Bugs To Bite You?
Bed bugs are naturally attracted to you because they feed on your blood; they can sense the warmth in your blood. Another thing that draws bed bugs to you is the carbon dioxide you breathe out. Its natural air around a sleeping mammal has higher carbon dioxide than oxygen.
The bugs can also detect your body heat and the natural human scent. These ingenious champs know how human beings smell like and will automatically be attracted to them.
Where do bed bugs live?
Experts believe that bed bugs can live anywhere in the house as long as the temperature and the conditions are right. Their flat-like bodies (flatter than your credit card) make it easy for them to fit into small spaces. They can hide in furniture cracks, mattress seams, or in any fabric, including upholstered furniture.
The most well-known areas to find bed bugs include inside dressers, carpet, bed frames, and under your mattress or mattress covers.
How do bed bugs spread?
Bed bugs usually breed quickly and can easily be transported from one place to the other. They can easily hitch a ride on folded clothes, dirty laundry, moving furniture, and travel bags. Most people won’t even realize they are spreading bed bugs until it is too late.
A good example is when changing your bedding, instead of taking the dirty ones straight to the washing machine, you drop them somewhere in the sitting room. The bugs will most definitely find some nice comfortable place in one of your couches to sleep.
How to know if you have bed bugs?
Related reading: What scent keeps bed bugs away?
Conclusion
Its no fun waking up in the middle of the night scratching your whole body due to bed bug bites. You can always try to remedy the situation using basic natural methods like spraying and cleaning dark areas in your house. But if the infestation is out of control, it’s a good idea to look for a termite control expert to help you get rid of these unwelcome visitors..
Related reading: Community Forum
