Numerous studies lead scientists to the conclusion that in the fight against bedbugs, it is not so much the source and origin of the smell that is important, but its intensity. Even in experiments with human odor, too much of it repelled pests, while the low, barely perceptible aroma for insects, on the contrary, attracted. The odorous substances that caused noticeable changes in the behavior of bed bugs belong to the class of aldehydes, that is, alcohols. These may include:
- Octanal
- Nonanal
- Decanal
- Sulkaton
- Heptanal
All of these alcohols are found in the essential oils of various plants, so when it comes to scent repelling pests, the lion's share of products are related to aromatherapy, although there are some other substances that can also create a sharp, concentrated aroma that can affect house bugs. What kind of smells repel bedbugs and how to use them correctly so that the effect is noticeable?
Before moving on to considering specific compounds, it will be useful to understand how bedbugs generally breathe and perceive odors. This will help you understand the general principle of the method and avoid mistakes during its application, which can reduce the effectiveness of the entire procedure.
Herbs for bedbugs: varieties and effectiveness
In search of effective remedies for bedbugs, people often turn to traditional methods, namely herbs. What attracts people to these methods is their affordability and safety. Unlike insecticides, plants are free, smell nice and don’t make you worry about the health of your children and pets. However, removing bedbugs is a very responsible and important task in which you cannot act at random. Therefore, in this article we will tell you what herbs can be used against bedbugs, and we will also talk about their real effectiveness.
Wormwood is enemy number one
To understand whether wormwood helps against bedbugs, you should look at the characteristics of both representatives. Wormwood or sage is a perennial plant that has a sharp, specific odor and bitter taste. In our climate zone, grass is widespread, so getting it is not difficult. Her photo is presented in every medicinal reference book.
The house bug is a parasitic insect that feeds on the blood of warm-blooded animals. To smell its prey, a representative of this species has a highly developed sense of smell. It is on this principle that getting rid of the parasite with the help of herbs is based.
On a note!
Bedbugs are afraid of wormwood, as its specific aroma drowns out their ability to sense the victim.
How it works?
The use of herbal repellents in the fight against bed bloodsuckers began a very, very long time ago. True, then people could not yet know why herbs that were harmless to humans acted on insects in this way. Today it is known that some plants contain a lot of phytoncides. Phytoncides are special substances that plants secrete to repel bacteria, fungi and insects that feed on them. Accordingly, these substances act as strong irritants on bedbugs.
Like many other insects, bed bugs navigate by smell. The smell of phytoncides is so strong that it literally blinds insects - it’s like breaking a bottle of cologne under a dog’s nose. Due to the irritating smell of herbs, parasites cannot smell the smell of the human body - you can sleep peacefully, knowing that you will not be bitten.
Expert opinion
The most effective way to combat pests has been and remains professional treatment of the premises. It allows you to protect your family from exposure to toxic substances, save time and effort, and sometimes money. Buying modern insecticides is an expensive pleasure. In addition, there is no certainty that this particular drug will work on bedbugs.
The pest control service arrives immediately when called and treats the premises with products that are safe for residents. The owners of the apartment are provided with a guarantee, and if necessary, re-harassment is carried out free of charge. The insects will be completely destroyed, and the house will become clean and cozy again.
Watch a video on traditional methods
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What herbs to use against bedbugs?
There are not so many plants that can repel bedbugs - only six. Let's take a closer look at each of them:
- Sagebrush
Almost everyone is familiar with this herb. This is a tall plant with a thick stem, fluffy leaves and a characteristic smell that is difficult to confuse with anything else. Wormwood grows throughout almost all of Eurasia, America and even Africa. This plant is not too picky, so it is easy to find even in large cities. Many people like the aroma of wormwood and it can be used as a medicine for stomach upsets.
- Tansy
A popular herbal bedbug repellent is tansy. This tall plant with small yellow flowers grows abundantly near roads. The use of tansy against bedbugs began in Ancient Rus' - it was hung over windows and doors to prevent flies and other pests from entering the house. Like wormwood, tansy is often used to make essential oils and medicines.
- Ledum
This plant grows in forests, near rivers and streams, and in swamps. Ledum looks like a tall plant with thin, long leaves, vaguely reminiscent of pine needles. The phytoncides contained in wild rosemary are good at repelling bedbugs and other parasites, but it must be used with caution - prolonged inhalation of the smell of this plant can cause nausea and dizziness, and eating it by pets can cause severe poisoning in the latter.
- Chamomile
Chamomile has long been used to treat a variety of diseases, but its beneficial properties are not limited to this - this herb can be used as a repellent against bedbugs. It is difficult to find chamomile in the city - it grows mainly in rural areas. You should not collect chamomile near big roads - it quickly absorbs harmful substances.
- Valerian
Many people associate the name “valerian” with a well-known sedative. If you can find this plant, it can help you fight bedbugs. It looks like tall grass with lush white inflorescences.
- Celandine
Celandine is one of the most controversial plants. On the one hand, it helps well against various diseases and effectively repels insects, but on the other hand, it is quite poisonous to humans and animals. You need to collect it carefully - celandine juice can burn the skin and mucous membranes.
Chamomile against parasites
Another effective herb against bedbugs in the apartment is chamomile. It is completely safe for humans, but has a detrimental effect on pests. This herb against bed bugs is used as an ingredient in some insecticides.
On a note!
There are many varieties of the plant, but only Dalmatian chamomile will help against bedbugs. It is this species that contains pyrethrins - substances that are harmful to the pest. You can buy dried chamomile at a pharmacy or collect it in the meadows in the summer.
How to use chamomile:
- Grind the dried flowers to a powder.
- Sprinkle the product on furniture, baseboards, ventilation ducts and other surfaces where insects are concentrated.
Chamomile against bedbugs is effective when used regularly and in high concentration. For 5-7 days you need to add fresh powder daily. When considering the question of how the drug works, the paralyzing effect is decisive. It has been noted that the pyrethrins contained in chamomile provide the greatest effectiveness when burned. But using this method in an apartment is unsafe.
Application
Now you know what herbs can be used against bedbugs and you are wondering how to use them. The method of application depends on the type of plant, as well as the time of year.
Wormwood, tansy, chamomile, valerian and wild rosemary can be used in their pure form - just hang bunches of fresh herbs in the infected room, place them under beds and sofas. The grass must be fresh - dried plants do not have enough phytoncides. Accordingly, the bundles need to be changed after 2-3 days.
But what if it’s winter outside and there’s no way to collect fresh weed? In this case, decoctions will come in handy - they are easy to prepare in the summer. The finished decoction must be hermetically sealed so that the smell does not escape.
Many also advise preparing alcohol tinctures from the above plants. So you need to use celandine, which in its pure form has a slight odor. However, the cost of the alcohol required to prepare the tincture makes its use unprofitable - it is much cheaper to buy a good insecticide.
Be careful when using decoctions and tinctures - they can damage furniture, wallpaper and personal belongings. For decoctions to be as effective as possible, you need to spray, sprinkle or smear them in the habitats of parasites and along their routes of movement. This includes baseboards, bed legs, cracks in the floor, walls and ceiling, as well as the back walls of furniture.
Pesticide
Not only aromatic herbs are extremely unpleasant for bedbugs, but also poison-containing liquids with an irritating odor. These include:
- kerosene;
- ammonia;
- acetone;
- turpentine;
- white;
- table vinegar.
But even when inhaling vapors from such liquids, insects do not die, but run away.
It is recommended to use this option for repelling parasites only in non-residential buildings, since toxic fumes can harm human health. The exception is vinegar, which quickly disappears without causing discomfort to residents. It can be used in concentrated and diluted states.
Vinegar concentrate is instilled directly into bedbug nests and suspected bloodsucker settlement sites. Ammonia is diluted in water, and as a preventative measure, the floors are washed with the solution. The remaining liquid pesticides are also pre-mixed with water, after which the living space is disinfected. After completing the procedure, leave the apartment for 3-4 hours and ventilate upon return.
Efficiency
So, you picked wormwood or tansy in the yard and are eager to fight the blood-sucking parasites. However, do such products really help remove bedbugs?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Herbal repellents do help repel parasites, but they cannot cause serious harm to them. Bedbugs quickly adapt to unfavorable conditions and irritants, so after 3-4 days they will get hungry and stop reacting to the unpleasant odor. To remove bedbugs, you need to kill all the adults and their eggs - herbal remedies cannot cope with this task.
Despite their ineffectiveness for complete pest control, they can be used to temporarily repel parasites, as well as to prevent infection. If your neighbors' apartment is infested with bedbugs, you can place bunches of tansy or wormwood near ventilation shafts and outlets to prevent the insects from migrating into your home.
If you want to get rid of parasites forever, then it is better to use high-quality insecticides - modern products have low toxicity for people and animals and are practically odorless. Using good insecticides, you can remove parasites in 2-3 applications.
Folk remedies
In addition to using herbs against parasites, folk remedies include several effective recipes from improvised products:
- Mix baking soda and vanillin in equal proportions. Scatter the resulting powder in secluded places, potential locations for bedbugs.
- Combine salt (4-5 tablespoons) with vanilla, in the amount of one dessert spoon. Pour the mixture under sofas, beds, carpets, and behind baseboards. Leave for 2-3 hours, then vacuum. Even after cleaning, the room smells pleasant to humans, but unbearable to insects.
But bedbugs are not at all afraid of garlic, despite its pungent aroma.
Bright light
Bedbugs are not light-loving; this is evidenced by the insects' lifestyle. They go out to get blood only at night; during the day they hide in dark places well protected from light (under a mattress, under a sofa).
Peak activity of nocturnal insects is 3-7 hours. If at this moment you suddenly turn on the light in the room, the insects will rush to their nests. In practice, it is quite difficult to use photophobia as a weapon against bedbugs, so let’s move on to the next point.
