Are you struggling with bed bugs and looking for an effective, natural solution? You may have heard that lavender essential oil can be an effective way to deal with bed bugs, but is it true?
An all-natural repellent, the lavender essential oil has long been used to deter pests like moths and flies. It is well-known for its repellant properties and is even used in products like sprays, diffusers, and candles.
Multiple studies have shown that lavender essential oil is an effective solution to repel insects and bed bugs, but they’re also known to help kill bed bugs on contact.
Although lavender oil gained popularity over the past few years, it’s been widely used even before the modern age. Ancient Egyptians and Greeks both used lavender oil in their baths. It has soothing properties that help relax and calm the body and mind.
How to Properly Use Lavender Essential Oil to Kill Bed Bugs?
Any natural solution is only as effective as its application, so it’s important to understand how to use lavender essential oil to fight bed bugs.
For this solution to be an effective repellant and bed bug killer, here are some important tips on how to properly use lavender:
Use Therapeutic-Grade and Not Just Fragrance Oils
When looking to purchase a lavender essential oil, make sure you’re getting the therapeutic-grade version. These are distilled directly from the plant and have a much more potent concentration of active ingredients that help repel and kill bed bugs.
Fragrance oils, on the other hand, may smell similar to therapeutic-grade oils but lack the majority of the active ingredients. While its scent may ward off some bed bugs, it won’t be as effective in killing them.
Fragrance oils usually are from the “excess” of the oil created during the production of therapeutic grade oils. These have been distilled repeatedly to remove the aromatically active ingredients, leaving behind a fraction of what is extracted from the plant.
Always go with pure essential oils – not those that have already been adulterated with synthetic fragrances or anything else.
When Using on Skin, Avoid Direct Application
When using directly on skin to repel bed bugs during your sleep, always remember to mix lavender essential oil with carrier oil. Lavender oil is highly concentrated and can cause skin irritation if applied directly, so it’s important to dilute it before use.
Carrier oils are any type of vegetable oil that helps reduce the concentration of the essential oil before application. Common carrier oils include almond, apricot kernel, jojoba, sunflower, and coconut.
Depending on the potency of the lavender oil and your skin sensitivity, you should choose how much to dilute it. We suggest mixing 2-3 drops of essential oils for every 1 tablespoon of carrier oil.
When Spraying on Mattresses, Remember to Test It
When spraying lavender essential oil directly onto your mattress or other furniture, it’s important to test the oil first. Take a piece of unused fabric and lightly spray on the mixture.
After a few minutes, check the fabric for discoloration or any spots that appear to be darker or lighter than normal.
If everything looks good, it’s safe to use the lavender oil solution. If you notice any discoloration on the fabric, don’t risk spraying directly onto your mattress or furniture, as it may cause damage.
Oil and Water Don’t Mix
Creating a lavender oil solution for your mattress is relatively simple, but there’s one important tip to remember: water and oil don’t mix.
You can create a solution using the lavender essential oil and either rubbing alcohol or witch hazel. If you don’t have any of these two, you can also use Vodka – but only if it’s 80-proof.
Adding water to the mixture will cause the oil and solution to separate, so always remember to stick with alcohol or witch hazel when creating a lavender essential oil spray for bed bugs. These substances help “bind” the oil together with the oil, allowing you to create a stable solution.
Once you’ve created the mixture, spray it directly onto mattresses and furniture where bed bugs are likely to hide. Reapply every few days or as needed for effective results.
Re-Apply as Often as Needed
Because lavender essential oil is a natural repellent, its effects won’t last as long as chemical pesticides. It’s important to re-apply the solution as often as needed to ensure that bed bugs stay away.
If you’re using lavender on your skin mixed with a carrier oil, body oil, or lotion base, you may have to re-apply after 4-6 hours if you’re using it as a repellant. This way, you’ll ensure that your skin is protected against bed bugs all night long.
Important Things to Remember When Using Lavender as Bed Bug Repellant and Killer
Lavender essential oil has been proven time and time again to repel and kill bed bugs effectively. Yet, it’s important to remember a few key things when using this oil:
Use it Along with Other Preventative Measures and Treatment Solutions
Lavender essential oil is an effective natural repellent and killer of bed bugs, but it should be used in combination with other preventative measures and treatment solutions.
For example, regularly check beds and mattresses for any signs of infestation, use encasements to seal them off from bed bugs, vacuum carpets frequently, and use chemical pesticides when necessary.
While lavender might be an effective and surefire way to help minimize an infestation, a larger-scale approach is usually necessary in order to eradicate bed bugs for good.
Be Careful with Dilution and Application
Proper dilution and application are important when using lavender essential oil. It’s all-natural – we can use as much as we can, right? Wrong – despite its natural properties, each drop is potent enough to potentially cause skin irritation.
Do a patch test, whether on your skin or on your furniture, rags, mattresses, etc. Be mindful of how often you apply the oil and in what concentration, as well – lavender oils are generally safe to use but can still be dangerous if used incorrectly.
Store Away from Children and Pets
Store lavender essential oil away from children and pets, as accidental ingestion, can lead to serious health complications. Always keep the bottle in a safe place and out of reach.
Final Thoughts
On a short note, lavender essential oil is a great natural bed bug repellent and killer. When used correctly, it can be a great way to help prevent and cure bed bug infestations.
Just remember to use it in combination with other preventative measures and treatments, apply it carefully and properly dilute the oil before using it on furniture or mattresses.
Store the bottle away from children and pets as an added measure of safety. With these simple precautions, you can be sure that lavender essential oil will help protect your home from bed bugs.
