Blogs

put on your skin so bed bugs won't bite

What you should put on your skin so bed bugs won’t bite

Bed bugs are super annoying. Not only are they intruding and infesting your space and making your space dirty, but they bite. They cannot simply exist in peace. Bed bug bites do not spread disease but, that does not mean we can agree to be their meal, especially when you want their bite to cause so much irritation. If you are thinking about what you should put on your skin so bed bugs won’t bite then you are at the right place.

Cinnamon oil

Cinnamon oil

Cinnamon oil

If you are being bothered by bed bugs, it probably would be helpful to let you know that cinnamon oil can keep bed bugs away. It does not necessarily kill the bed bugs but does an excellent job of keeping them away. The strong smell of the cinnamon keeps the bed bugs away.

Lemon Juice

Lemon Juice

Lemon Juice

We all love the citrus smell of the lemon, but guess who is not a fan of lemon? If you guessed bed bugs, you are right. Not only do they not like the smell of lemon but, the citric acid in lemon is hazardous to the pesky little intruders. This high critic acid content makes this a very effective bed bug repellant.

Clove Oil

Clove Oil

Clove contains a component called eugenol. This eugenol is a very effective bed bug repellant and fungicide. But, you will need to concentrate on eugenol for it to be lethal to bed bugs. You could buy the concentrate eugenol or, you could make your own if you have cloves, diethyl, and evaporation extraction setup.

Many of you may not have a science lab in your home, so it’s easier to just use cloves of concentrate eugenol at home. For those of you who have it, have fun with your science experiment.

Lemongrass oil

Lemongrass oil

Lemongrass contains citral and geraniol which is pretty bad for bed bugs. But similar to the clove repellent, lemongrass may not be strong enough to kill bed bugs. That being said bed bugs will avoid spaces with lemongrass so plant lemongrass to deter bedbugs and it will add to your home’s aesthetics too. 

The fact that your plant cannot reach the crevices and the major hiding spot is one big drawback. But you could always use a spray bottle to spray those areas with lemongrass oil.

Peppermint oil

Peppermint oil

Bed bugs must hate every smell that we find good and soothing. Peppermint contains menthol, which is a very effective bed bug deterrent. Peppermint oil does irritate our skin giving us a burning sensation. This sensation is heightened for the bed bugs. This burning sensation can actively kill bed bugs.

Thyme Oil

Thyme Oil

Thyme oil can also help you keep the bed bugs away. It is the thymol content in thyme that makes the bed bugs not want to be around it. Bed bugs hate the smell and thyme also contains anti-bacterial properties so it can be quite useful to you apart from its bug-repellent properties.

Lavender Oil

Lavender Oil

Lavender oil has so many benefits. It is known to lower your stress levels and help with insomnia. Well, the benefits do not just end there. Lavender is also a very good insecticide. It is the linalool compound in lavender that drives the bed bugs away. It is such a win-win situation to use lavender. It helps you get relief from stress and bed bugs are repulsed by the bed bugs.

Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus does not necessarily keep bed bugs away but, the scent of eucalyptus is so strong that the bed bugs cannot track their hosts to feed on them. But it is not only that, the eucalyptol content in eucalyptus is an active deterrent. This directly affects the nervous system in the bed bugs which ultimately leads to death.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has a strong odor which keeps the bed bugs away. It is not only the smell but, oil also penetrates the exoskeleton upon contact which makes it very lethal to the bed bugs. It may be one of the most effective repellents to keep bed bugs from biting you

Odomos

Odomos

If you want something potent that is sure to keep the bed bugs at bay, try Odomos. Odomos is a certified protector against mosquitoes and bed bugs. It is known to work for at least 7-8 hours. You can apply it on your hands, legs, and any open area that is susceptible to bed bug bites. 

However, try not to use it in areas where the skin is sensitive like your face. It is very strong and effective but, if you are a ‘no-chemical’ family, you may want to try other essential oils. Odomos has been a trusted bug-repellent for over 20 years. 

Garlic

Garlic

You may have heard you can repel bed bugs and mosquitoes when you consume enough garlic. However, that is simply not true and is just a myth. As dangerous as the smell of garlic is, you cannot make yourself repellent to unpalatable to the bed bugs. 

What could make you repellent to the bed bugs is the smell of garlic ON your body. That is right, rubbing garlic on your body can keep the bed bugs away. However, be sure to reapply from time to time(Preferably 10-15 minutes).

You may also like:

FAQs

How do you use tea tree oil for bug repellent?

To a 12 or 16-ounce spray bottle, add 1 or 2 ounces of essential oil (tea tree, eucalyptus, cedar, peppermint, or lavender). Swirl in some water. Before heading outside, apply a spray to all exposed parts and clothing.

What is the concentration of eugenol in cloves?

The primary ingredient (70–90%) in the aromatic oil extract from cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) is eugenol. Cloves are a popular spice for flavoring meats, stews, desserts, and beverages. Lower quantities of eugenol can also be found in other aromatic spices like cinnamon.

How do you protect your skin from bed bug bites?

You should Wash and dry your bedding on high heat, vacuum, and steam clean furniture and floors, get a mattress and box spring cover, sleep in long-sleeved clothing, and declutter to keep the bed bug bites away. This is because keeping the bed bugs away is the only way to keep the bites away.

What is the best oil to deter bed bugs?

When tested as fumigants, thymol has been the best oil to deter bed bugs.

How do you separate eugenol from cloves?

Eugenol, an oil contained in cloves, has a boiling point of 248 °C, but it can be separated at a lower temperature by a procedure called steam distillation, which involves co-distilling water.

Why is dichloromethane used in eugenol extraction?

Dichloromethane dissolves clove oil more readily than water does, this is why it is used in eugenol extraction.

Where should I sleep if I have bed bugs?

Some individuals think that by sleeping in a separate part of their house, they may stay away from bed bugs. People frequently start sleeping in other bedrooms or on the sofa after realizing their bed is contaminated. The ability to swiftly identify possible hosts to feed on has evolved in bed bugs.

Will sleeping with lights on stop bed bugs?

Despite their preference for darkness, bed bugs will still bite you if you leave the light on at night.

Conclusion

These are different remedies you could put on your skin so bed bugs won’t bite. Even though bed bugs are not carriers of diseases, being bitten by bed bugs is certainly not fun. Some of these methods can be more effective than others so don’t be afraid to try them to find the one that works for you. 

Just because it is chemical does not mean it is harmful to you. Or if you have always condemned all types of all kinds of chemicals, you could resort to natural repellents.

Close Search Window