Bed bugs are perhaps one of the pests that can easily make people shudder. Even hearing the word can be a bit scary. It’s extremely horrifying to find bed bug bites on your body and legs after sleeping.
Unluckily, bed bug infestation is widespread. It is also difficult to find ways to get rid of bed bugs. Tons of DIY solutions come up online. However, only a few of them work well.
Professionals don’t recommend using commercially available bed bug insecticides. This is because it can expose you and your loved ones to harmful chemicals. That is why most people prefer using home remedies, such as essential oils.
One of the most popular essential oils people use to get rid of bed bugs is neem oil. However, is neem oil effective against bed bugs? (Read Bugs on Pepper Plants)
Is Neem Oil Effective Against Bed Bugs?
You can use neem oil as a repellent and a bed bug insecticide. It can kill bed bugs upon contact. Bed bugs hate the smell of neem oil. That is why it can repel them.
According to professionals, neem oil works best if you combine it with other bed bug home remedies.
Though it is non-toxic and 100% natural, you still have to make sure you use neem oil properly. This is particularly true if you want complete bed bug control.
You might also wonder if neem oil is safe for humans. Unfortunately, neem oil can cause a lot of reactions if your skin is sensitive.
Because of this, you need to put a small dab on your skin first to see if you get any allergic reaction before using it. (Learn How To Get Rid Of Bugs In Houseplants Soil)
Using Neem Oil for Bed Bug Infestation
A lot of people wonder if neem oil kills bed bugs or repels them. The answer is both. Neem oil can kill and repel bed bugs at the same time. However, it is good at repelling them.
When using neem oil as a natural bed bug insecticide, you have to follow a couple of methods.
- Protect yourself against bed bug bites by applying neem oil-based lotions.
- Disinfect your car and suitcases using neem oil spray.
- Bring a neem oil spray with you whenever you travel and stay in a hotel.
- Use a combination of neem oil and another essential oil to spray on your belongings.
- For the first 72 hours, you will have to spray neem oil on your furniture or mattresses diligently. Then, spray it 3 times every other day until you reach 18 days. This will help kill the eggs.
Clean the Space Properly
You need to clean your house properly before you use neem oil. You have to remove any pillows, sheets, bedding, or other hiding spots for bed bugs.
Though it is ideal for replacing them with new ones, you might not have the budget. You can wash these things using hot water.
Mattresses are difficult to clean. Professionals recommend that you buy a new one if you have a bed bug infestation.
Bed bugs release droppings and shedding everywhere. Thus, you have to vacuum mattresses, chairs, couches, baseboards, and other areas where they may hide.
When cleaning the hiding spots of bed bugs, you can use a neem oil spray to wipe them. Make sure you dilute the solution using 1/2 teaspoon of dish soap and 1-4 oz—water in a spray bottle.
Watch for Early Signs of Infestation
Before you use any treatment, you have to look out for early signs of bed bug infestation. It’s easy to assume that your bed is infested with bed bugs. However, it can be another pest.
It’s easy to treat bed bugs if you catch them early. Some of the common signs of bed bugs include:
- Bed bug bites
- Dark spots – bed bug droppings
- Yellow and pale skins shedding
- Eggshells and eggs
- Live bed bugs
- Reddish or rusty stains on bed sheets
Does Neem Oil Kill Bed Bugs?
People use neem oil for bed bugs because they want to kill them. Though neem oil is a great bug repellent, it works great as a repellent on your body.
Neem oil can stop bed bugs from biting you while you sleep. You can also prevent these blood-sucking pests from biting you if you apply a neem lotion or neem spray on your body.
Another question people ask is, “does neem oil kill bed bugs?” Unfortunately, it is difficult to answer this question. Neem oil can kill bed bugs when they touch it. However, it does not kill the bugs if they don’t touch it. (Read Natural Bug Repellent DIY)
That is why using neem oil to exterminate an infestation can be a little tricky.
Preventing Bed Bug Bites Using Neem Oil
Neem oil is an excellent treatment and ointment for bed bug bites. Neem oil has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral properties. Thus, you can use medicine or ointment containing neem to soothe the pain if you get bitten.
There are also a lot of moisturizers out there that contain neem. You can apply it to your body to act as a bed bug repellent.
Using Diatomaceous Earth for Bed Bugs
Diatomaceous earth is another pesticide that you can use together with your neem oil spray. However, you’ve got to be careful since there are different grades for diatomaceous earth.
When buying one, make sure you purchase the pesticide-grade one. Please do not buy the food-grade or pool-grade ones because they will not work.
Diatomaceous earth, commonly called DE, can easily kill these bugs. One of the best things about DE is that it lasts forever once you use it.
Since neem oil does not last long, combining it with pesticide-grade diatomaceous earth can effectively control bed bugs.
Final Verdict
While neem oil is great for bed bug prevention, you should not rely on this treatment alone. Neem oil bug spray is great for repelling these insects. However, if you’ve got many infestations, you might have to hire a professional pest control company for help.
