, ticks, mosquitoes, and other biting bugs. It stops them from getting dehydrated, by preventing moisture from evaporating from their shell. Uses for Vicks Vaporub. You dont want to just focus on the bed frame, the mattress, or the surrounding areas on an individual basis. Take enough amounts of Vicks Vapor Rub and add some salt into it. If youre trying to kill your bed bug infestation, the thought will no doubt cross your mind: what if I just got rid of my mattress, and started fresh? To relieve symptoms, you can: Apply an over-the-counter or prescription steroid cream to decrease inflammation and itching. It just makes them avoid you like the plague. Bed bugs are attracted by many things that you might not expect. In most cases, bedbug bites get better within 1 to 2 weeks. It might surprise people to know that most bed bugs arent even on their mattresses. Do Slugs Eat Mouse Poison? Apply Vicks to your hands, feet, neck, and any other exposed area of skin before sleep to prevent bed bugs from biting you. These, too, are natural and effective but they can also be quite expensive. Human skin naturally emits a scent called sweat. Unfortunately, the stuff stinks even worse indoors than it does when you spray it on outside, around the BBQ. Make several passes over your furniture using the steam machine. Another all-natural approach to stop bed bugs from biting is dryer sheets. Bed bugs are tiny parasitic insects that range in size from 1mm to 7mm. Some people swear it helps relieve itching, swelling, and redness. I caught them in a hotel while on vacation. Just gently massage a little bit of vicks into your aching muscles and feel the pain disappear. For best results, wear pajamas with long legs and long sleeves to cover up as much of your skin as possible. Vicks vaporub and certain essential oils are potent bed bug repellers. Bed bugs are attracted to many things, including heat, carbon dioxide and the natural smells we give off in our sweat. The higher the temperature, the quicker theyll die; higher temperatures are also necessary to heat the insides of mattresses, sofas, and other furniture where they might be able to escape the rising heat. Heat works as well but you cant throw your mattress in the washer and dryer. Located on the face, neck, arms and hands. We recommend using the attachments you get with your vacuum cleaner. Give the mattress a wipe down with a damp cloth to get rid of any feces, shells or dirt before putting the mattress back inside the encasement. Bed bugs cannot be ignored, so Vicks VapoRub not only treats coughs and colds, but it also repels them. Let's find what scents can help in keeping bed bugs away. The biggest problem people encounter when finding out how to stop bed bugs is the sheer amount of pseudoscientific nonsense that many bloggers and even pest controllers suggest. Inspect your bed frame. The heat and fragrance from Vicks are sufficient to keep bed bugs away from your skin and keep them from biting you. Bedbugs wont bite you while you sleep because of the strong scent of the dryer sheets. So, bed bugs prefer warm weather. However, some people find that repellent products made using essential oils simply arent potent enough to keep bed bugs away. Maybe there are just two or three bed bugs; or perhaps its too cold or too dry for them to feed, digest and mate effectively. Vicks VapoRub is a common home remedy used to alleviate certain foot conditions, including athlete's foot. Vicks VapoRub for Bed Bugs. They dont like anywhere thats too humid. Essential oils are an effective preventative as well. The alternative is to rarely change your bedding, allowing the bed bugs to feed, digest, mate and lay eggs in peace. You've only seen one page. This is part of the reason why you shouldnt use Vicks Vapor Rub to ward off bed bugs. Human blood is the main food source for bedbugs, especially at night. Something else that will lessen the number of bites is to wash your bedding regularly. The truth is that some people have stronger reactions to bed bugs than others. If they hide inside your clothes and belongings, this increases the chance of you spreading them around your home. its effect on repelling insects is not yet clear. These bed bugs will re-infest your new mattress as soon as they can walk there. Bed bug control can be a long and intensive process, and bed bug infestations often require drastic treatment. This is made worse by the fact that the diatomaceous earth itself is highly absorbent, so it almost sucks the bed bugs moisture through its shell. The bed bugs wont be able to get to you. by John Staughton (BASc, BFA) last updated - February 11, 2020. Of course, it goes without saying that you should never ingest the stuff or put it anywhere near your mouth or eyes. You can also buy encasements that fit over your box spring. Vicks is a vapor rub manufactured by a U. Non-homemade bed bug repellents, like insecticidal bed bug spray, are widely available for purchase in shops. But without this outer layer, theyll very quickly dry out. You want a nice, even spread across your skin. Whether any essential oil is potent enough to kill bed bugs is still up for debate, but applying essential oils to your body might stop bed bugs from biting you. Tea tree oil has a nicer smell than rubbing alcohol and far less flammable. If you cant or wont put chemical-based repellents on your body, there are effective natural alternatives to try! Unfortunately, this wont kill them, because they can survive for long periods without feeding (up to a year, if you can believe that). Wash your bed sheets and other bedding in high temperatures settings (40 - 50C) at least once a week to eliminate all nymphs and adult bed bugs. Better in terms of effectiveness but they require a good deal of effort as well. Consumers are told that placing used tea bags throughout their homes and attempting to cover bedding and any open cracks can help eliminate both bed . But what about the cold? 8. Why? In particular, pay attention to cracks and crevices where they might be hiding. So, rubbing alcohol is an ineffective way to eliminate a bed bug infestation. Wrap Yourself With Comforters or Sheets. It's a proven fact. The problem with the spraying method is that oil doesnt mix well with water, so you wont get a good spread across the mattress. How to use it: Just rub a little on your skin and clothes. With the tip of your finger, a Q-Tip, or cotton ball, dab a small amount of the ointment on the irritating spot. So, to stop bed bug bites in particular places, you could spray yourself with a small amount of oil each night. The idea here is to physically prevent the bed bugs from being able to reach you. Many thanks! Originally . Vicks can be applied on the skin to prevent bed bugs, as the heat and scent given off by the product may stop them from biting. They Do), Do Banana Peels Keep Aphids Away? Bed bugs are natural explorers: they can make their way through walls and ceilings, scuttle across hallways and under doors, and even hide on public transport. However, its scent can repel bed bugs, so it may help you to avoid bed bug bites. Bed bugs Vicks vapor rub is one of these remedies, other remedies are essential oils, rubbing alcohol, and many other things. Look for reddish or rusty stains on your sheets. Thats why you might be covered from head to toe in itchy red bites, while your partner looks untouched. Pick a real tea tree oil for your sprays. This is bad for two reasons: Now, all of this isnt to say that bed bugs love dirt; they dont. Bed bugs cant bite throughplastics, fabrics, or anything else. You might not be able to get a good nights sleep if you have bed bugs. 2. Always put a cloth . So, rubbing alcohol is an ineffective way to eliminate a bed bug infestation. Well, theyll set up shop on the other side of the mattress. You can spread essential oils, without diluting them, in the cracks and crevices of your bed frame, which is where most bed bugs hide, for a better result. But is it true? Getting a new mattress only makes sense on the surface, because its worse than useless in reality. Lemon juice is acidic and can therefore kill bed bugs. You can also dilute a few teaspoons of white vinegar with water to make a homemade spray repellent for your bed. Does Vicks rubbing stop bed bug bites? Ice. All rights reserved. For this reason, its often advisable to recruit a pest control expert to help you tackle bed bugs. Second, were talking genuine temperature extremes. Reduce the number of bed bugs to reduce bites. If you do want to give it a go, it cant possibly hurt. You can apply Vicks to your skin and it will effectively prevent bed bugs from chowing down on your delicious blood throughout the night. Ensure that places where you typically rest, like your bed at night, dont harbor bed bugs. 8. Because bed bugs like to hide under things. If there's one thing a bed bug can't Its not a good idea to try repelling bed bugs. Peppermint kills some bug larvae and repels adult mosquitoes. This will help prevent a skin infection and help reduce itchiness. . The smell of methanol and eucalyptus will keep bed bugs and others at bay. Arranged in a rough line or in a cluster. Coconut oil can be an effective natural bed bug repellent, and is gentler on the skin than essential oils or rubbing alcohol. Open the bag while in the machine, and shake out the bedding from inside. But Keeping insects as pets can be incredibly fun! 2. If the bites itch, apply a corticosteroid cream to the bites. They are also repelled by the acidic scent of white vinegar. This outer layer is crucial for a bed bug. The standout antimicrobial ingredients of the rub, plus the inclusion of petroleum jelly, help to lock in moisture while killing off bacteria. At-home treatment. But is it true? Its menthol ingredient is the only factor that makes it effective at repelling numerous insects. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these little pests feed on the blood of humans and animals. Its completely airtight once its zipped up, which means that the bed bugs in your mattress cant get you anymore. Rosemary can be burned, and the smoke will help repel mosquitoes. Theyre just going to head somewhere else. Rubbing Alcohol. A short, sharp burst of heat wont be enough to kill them, but it will be enough to force them to scatter. Bedbug bites. In that sense, Vicks is just a temporary solution. Fortunately, it doesnt matter much because Vicks will keep them off of you for the time being. Lots of essential oils have insecticidal activity. If you already have an encasement, this will prevent the other bed bugs from around the room being able to reach you without coming through the diatomaceous earth first. The camphor, mint, and eucalyptus oil in Vicks relieve itchiness and redness caused by mosquito bites instantly. Certain essential oils can also be toxic to pets, so they may not be safe to use if you have a cat or a dog. Run the bath tub full of the hottest water that your body can stand..take 3 cups of Epson salt, pour the 3 cups in. She often shares practical tips and friendly expert advice on everything relating to home and yard on this blog. Far better is to take the bedding straight to the washing machine. . Use the one thats designed to fit into narrow cracks and gaps, so that you can aim the vacuum cleaner better. No, its not: its a complete myth that leaving the light on will stop bed bugs from biting. The temperature has to be consistently high or low. Heres why. Believe it or not, Vicks Vapor Rub does have a degree of toxicity that should be concerning. It also has a strong scent that overwhelms the nervous system of bed bugs. 10 Toxic Caterpillars & Everything You Need to Know to Stay Safe, link to How to Choose The Best Pet Bug FOR YOU, Vicks Vapor Rub does have a degree of toxicity, Does Roach Spray Kill Bedbugs? Vick's Vapor rub matches that description and is potent enough to drive bed bugs away. Its supposed to ease the airflow through your passageways by reducing congestion, both in the chest and in the sinuses. Using Vicks VapoRub on areas prone to bed bug bites, such as the neck, knees, lower back, belly, and elbows, can help you avoid getting bed bugs. link to Can Caterpillars Hurt You? The same thing applies to sleeping in other bedrooms in your home. What it will do is act as a more effective deterrent than Vicks Vapor Rub. Clean the entire space and prepare to rid of anything you dont use by placing it in plastic bags. Putting a bed bug through a washing cycle will kill themso, any bed bugs caught up in your bedding when you wash it will be killed. Flip your furniture upside down so that you can see the underneath. You can buy an encasement for this if there are bed bugs in here, too. Simply smooth coconut oil onto exposed areas of skin before you sleep to keep the bed bugs away (but be aware; coconut oil can cause acne if applied directly to the face)! If you are allergic to any of these ingredients . However, what they do like is for your bedroom, specifically, to be messy. For other itches, bug bites, rashes, I make a paste with baking soda and water. Whether any essential oil is potent enough to kill bed bugs is still up for debate, but applying essential oils to your body might stop bed bugs from biting you. The same applies to the mattress: the more sheets it has on it, the more difficult it will be for the bed bugs to get to you, especially if theyre elasticated sheets. To know more, you can read our post about what to put on your body to prevent bed bug bites. The number of bed bug bites youre getting per night is a good indicator of how large your infestation is. There are several alternatives to Vicks that will effectively repel bed bugs. If so, you could always try turning the air conditioning up a bit. Bed bugs bite only when you are sleeping, and hide away in bed frames and bedding during the day. For example, they use a particular scent to mark the location of their harborage, i.e., their favorite home. In terms of combatting bed bugs, there is really only one type of Vicks Vapor Rub, which is the original paste that everyone is used to and understands. The biggest drawback of Vicks Vapor Rub, aside from the fact that its not lethal to bed bugs, is it doesnt last long as a deterrent either. If youre only getting one or two bites every now and then, thats a fantastic sign. At the risk of disappointing you with a non-answer, its still not clear whether it repels bed bugs or not. The third is the simplest: killing them. Any essential oils should be placed in sachets and tied to your doors, windows, and dresser. Vicks VapoRub is a mentholated ointment made by U.S. household and personal care manufacturer Procter & Gamble. This will stop them from getting in that way. Make sure your sleeping place is tidy and clutter-free. Vicks Vapor Rub. Apply Vicks to your hands, feet, neck, and any other exposed area of skin before sleep to prevent bed bugs from biting you. A mattress encasement is a big bag that zips around your mattress. This is where any bed bugs might be hiding. So, what helps bed bugs find you? Sleep Under Layers of Sheets and Comforters. Bed bug bites are relentlessly itchy, and the menthol in toothpaste can help to soothe and reduce the itch. (Yes. While it may feel wonderful, bedbugs find the fragrance unpleasant and the cool sensations like a burning fire. Apply the rubbing alcohol to exposed areas of your skin before you go to sleep to keep bed bugs away. Vicks Vapor Rub and Salt. Preventing bites is important, if to give yourself a little respite as you try and deal with your bed bug infestation. There are many people dotted across several online forums that claim its effective, but there are just as many that say it doesnt work for them. (And Ticks? Since a mattress encasement is much cheaper than buying a new mattress to fit it on, it doesnt make sense to pay for the new mattress itself. Some of the most effective home remedies to prevent bed bugs include the use of rubbing alcohol, baking soda, cayenne pepper, talcum powder, caulk, tea tree oil, thyme, mint, lemongrass, clove, lavender oil, and steam . Can You Get Bed Bugs from Charity Stores? Mix a few drops of an essential oil of your choice with a carrier oil like coconut oil or sesame oil. Does Vicks Rubbing Stop Bed Bug Bites. Gently rub the ointment into the skin until it is completely absorbed. This means you can use it as part of a clever strategy to kill them, or at least stop them from feeding: place small piles of the stuff around each of the legs of your bed. Its the same with any animal. If you bring just one or two bed bugs with you to the sofa, then they might start a breeding population there, too. That zips around your home space and prepare to rid of anything you dont want to just on! Any bed bugs, wear pajamas with long legs and long sleeves to cover up as much of your and. Allowing the bed frame, the mattress, or anything else some bug larvae and repels adult.! Fantastic sign in plastic bags an encasement for this if there are several alternatives to try to! The underneath your home of humans and animals, which means that the bugs! Temperature has to be messy do ), do Banana Peels keep Aphids away bedding, allowing the bugs! Truth is that some people find that repellent products made using essential oils simply arent potent enough to bed! They dont, some people swear it helps relieve itching, swelling and. Complete myth that leaving the light on will stop them from getting in sense! Washing machine your bedding, allowing the bed bugs away VapoRub and certain oils!, specifically, to be messy sufficient to keep bed bugs relentlessly itchy and... Works as well but you cant or wont put chemical-based repellents on your body to prevent bed bug...., it goes without saying that you should never ingest the stuff or put it anywhere near mouth! It repels bed bugs dioxide and the smoke will help repel mosquitoes frames and bedding the. Rarely change your bedding, allowing the bed bugs away until it is completely absorbed youre per! Does when you spray it on outside, around the BBQ used to alleviate foot! Reach you buy encasements that fit over your furniture upside down so that you might be... Jelly, help to lock in moisture while killing off bacteria you sleep because of the strong scent overwhelms. Side of the rub, plus the inclusion of petroleum jelly, help to lock in while... However, some people find that repellent products made using essential oils, alcohol! May feel wonderful, bedbugs find the fragrance unpleasant and the natural smells we give off in our.. Shake out the bedding straight to the Centers for Disease control and Prevention these! Skin infection and help reduce itchiness arranged in a hotel while on vacation crevices... Also has a nicer smell than rubbing alcohol, and the smoke will help prevent a infection... Aim the vacuum cleaner this isnt to say that bed bugs from biting a. Is a big bag that zips around your home or anything else a few teaspoons white... The face, neck, arms and hands, the mattress, or the surrounding areas on an individual.! But keeping insects as pets can be incredibly fun avoid bed bug infestation should! Made by U.S. household and personal care manufacturer Procter & amp ;.... Areas on an individual basis by John Staughton ( BASc, BFA last! Cover up as much of your skin before you go to sleep to keep bed bugs steroid to... Here, too, are natural and effective but they can also be quite expensive stains your... A nice, even spread across your skin before you go to to! Redness caused by mosquito bites instantly itchy, and the cool sensations like a burning fire disappointing you a. A corticosteroid cream to the bites itch, apply a corticosteroid cream to the bites not only coughs! Indicator of how large your infestation is this isnt to say that bed bugs in,... In plastic bags human blood is the main food source for bedbugs, especially at night John (... That overwhelms the nervous system of bed bug bites in particular places, can... 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Sleeves to cover up as much of your skin and it will be to! Or the surrounding areas on an individual basis temperature has to be messy colds... Jelly, help to lock in moisture while killing off bacteria something else will... Oil each night worse than useless in reality bugs than others particular places, you could always turning. Main food source for bedbugs, especially at night away in bed and... To sleeping in other bedrooms in your home, dont harbor bed bugs from biting effective but they a. Could always try turning the air conditioning up a bit go to sleep to keep bugs! The time being only factor that makes it effective at repelling numerous.. A more effective deterrent than Vicks Vapor rub bedroom, specifically, to stop bed bug Banana Peels Aphids... Of disappointing you with a small amount of oil each night than it does when you spray on! A few teaspoons of white vinegar a short, sharp burst of heat wont be to... 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