When we are drifting off to sleep in a hotel or on a new mattress or even after traveling, the last thing we want to think about are bed bugs. You can take steps to keep bed bugs away using natural pest control and you may have asked, “Does Lavender Really Repel Bed Bugs?”
We all crave having a peaceful night’s rest. That’s why we do everything possible to get rid of all distractions before going to bed; like switching off the lights, having our showers, giving our skin some warm nice treatment, and getting into comfortable pajamas.
However, it’s quite irritating to sleep and wake up with some little red bumps all over your skin. You might be more worried if the bumps cover a wider range of your skin instead of a few clusters here and there.
Bed bugs are one thing everyone truly detests!
You must have tried out lots of DIY options to get rid of bedbugs from your home — or perhaps you’ve even exhausted your alternatives.
Well, it’s understandable. Because those little creatures are one hell of pests to deal with. They are quite stubborn and unwavering!
But then, have you tried out Lavender?
Although there are lots of controversies regarding the efficacy or inefficacy of lavender, we still recommend that you give it a shot!
The toxicity of the lavender essential oil makes it a practical home remedy for eliminating many creepy insects, and the “almighty bed buggy” is not left out.
The question now is;
What’s The Main Cause Of Bed Bugs?
Well, according to research, one of the commonest causes of bed bug infestations is travel.
Oftentimes, travelers are quite unaware when they get into an “entanglement” with bed bugs as the pests are in the habit of hitchhiking their victims. They attach themselves to people’s luggage or clothing and are inadvertently transported from one locality to another.
One dangerous thing about bed bugs is that they are quite subtle and can go unnoticed.
Being a flat-bodied insect gives it an added advantage as it can hide inside the tightest corner of any surface — whether bed, wardrobe, mattress, bedsheet, and other pieces of furniture.
Although bed bugs prefer to stay undercover, they will always creep out of their hideouts to feed whenever a host is available.
But even then, bed bugs are careful about their activities.
To avoid going noticed, the deadly insects normally wait until midnight before proceeding with their blood-hunting activities.
When they bite, they also inject their victims with a mild anesthetic which causes them to sleep on while they feed to their satisfaction.
Moreover, rolling over a bed bug while it is feasting on your blood during sleep is not enough to get it crushed because their bodies are tough and flat.
Does Lavender Repel Bed Bugs?
Truth is, although lavender is a natural product, it’s quite toxic — that’s why bed bugs hate it so much.
Here, it gets quite tricky because lavender oil can poison your domestic pets too — not just pests.
When orally consumed by accident, the oil can lethally affect your dogs, cats, and little children. Adults are often not affected due to their higher body weights.
External exposure to essential oils had reportedly caused certain skin reactions like; hives, rashes, and ulcerations. Hence, you have to dilute with other oils before applying to your skin — if you must.
How Do You Use Lavender Oil To Repel Bed Bugs?
You might be wondering how to use lavender oil to repel bed bugs… Are you?
Always remember, once your home is infested with bed bugs, there is no limitation to where they can hide.
They can occupy your wardrobe, stick on to your clothes, hide underneath your mattress and pillows, creep into your wooden bed, and other furniture.
Therefore, while combating those bed bugs with lavender oil, you need to be ruthless and comprehensive.
Here are some useful tips to go about it:
First, when steam-ironing your clothes, add a drop of lavender to the iron — the scent that will be emitted from that ironing will help repel the bed bugs that might be attached to your clothes.
Secondly, you can prepare a powerful solution out of lavender oil and spray it on any surface, cracks, and holes that you suspect to be infested. However, be careful not to spray it on a wet surface as such could reduce the potency of the solution.
Another way to make effective use of Lavender oil to avoid bites from bed bugs is by adding a few drops to your bathwater. The smell (of the oil) on your body will help repel the insect.
As disturbing as bed bugs might be, lavender is a very useful instrument to deal with them.
However, you have to be careful while using any essential oil. Avoid spraying it close to edibles or water. And above all, keep out of reach of children.