Woman shares natural home remedy to 'eliminate' bed bugs

Bed bugs, the tiny critters that lurk in the crevices of beds and come out at night for a blood meal, can be a real nuisance. They're drawn to exposed skin but their bites are usually painless, though they can cause irritation and itching.

The stigma attached to these pests often leads to distress for those who find them in their homes, making it crucial to address the infestation promptly. Sarah Dempsey, a laundry expert from myjobquote.co.uk, has offered up four "effective" and "natural" methods to eliminate bed bugs, reports the Express.

Firstly, washing your bedding is a key step in tackling a bed bug problem. Sarah advises: "Washing your bedding at a high temperature is an effective way to get rid of bed bugs. The heat is a great way to eradicate the bed bugs."

However, she cautions that washing alone might not be the ultimate fix. She elaborates: "It can certainly reduce the number of bed bugs in your home but it is not always enough to completely remove them."

For best results, Sarah recommends a thorough approach: "Strip your bedding and place it straight into a bin bag. Then, carry the bin bag to the washing machine and empty your bedding into the machine. Wash the bedding at a high temperature on a cycle of at least 90 minutes or more."

The second tip involves freezing the pests out, which will be detailed further. Aside from washing bedding, the laundry expert recommended that households could freeze them to eradicate the pests and their eggs.

She explained: "Freezing infested items is a great way to get rid of bed bugs. As with many other home remedies, this may not be a complete solution to removing bed bugs. However, it is a very effective way to greatly reduce the number of bed bugs in the home."

"Simply place bedding, pillowcases, and any other infested items in the freezer and leave them in there for around a week."

The extreme cold is lethal to bed bugs, so placing fabrics in a plastic bag and into the freezer can be an effective measure. Diatomaceous earth is another excellent natural method for exterminating and deterring bed bugs. It's derived from fossilised aquatic organisms known as diatoms, which consist largely of silicon dioxide.

This substance not only kills the bugs but also serves as a physical deterrent when applied to crevices and openings. While diatomaceous earth doesn't provide immediate results, typically taking seven to 14 days to kill the bugs, it is highly efficient and safe for non-toxic handling.

Sarah regards diatomaceous earth as "one of the most effective methods" for "eliminating" bed bugs.

She advised: "When trying to eradicate bed bugs, it's best to combine this method with other home remedies for optimum results."

"Apply a fine amount of diatomaceous earth around the seams of your bed frame, mattress, and furniture. This method works by causing the bed bugs to perish from dehydration."

4. Vacuum the home thoroughly.

Once households have physically searched for the bugs, use a strong vacuum to clean the entire area.

It is best to use a narrow vacuum nozzle to reach in-between the gaps, the mattress, bed frame and corners - this will help remove the eggs and any remaining bugs.

The expert noted: "Vacuuming is a very effective way to control a bed bug infestation. Unlike many other home remedies, vacuuming can help to remove adult bed bugs, nymphs, and eggs."

"It's important to remember to empty the vacuum in an outside bin to help reduce the chances of them returning."

"Vacuuming won't always completely get rid of the bed bugs. However, it is an effective method to help greatly reduce the numbers."

"Vacuum your entire home thoroughly. Pay very close attention to the areas where the bed bugs are most prevalent such as between wall joints and underneath furniture. Once you've completed the vacuuming, make sure you empty all of the contents of the vacuum in an outside bin."