What Do Bed Bugs Hate the Smell of?

Despite their reputation for being difficult to kill, bed bugs are easily frightened by a few common scents. If you want to get rid of bed bugs, use these scents or hire an exterminator. However, be careful not to get these scents on your family members and pets. Regardless of the method you use, the most effective way to kill bed bugs is to get rid of the source of the infestation.

Peppermint has a strong smell that frightens bed bugs. You can add peppermint oil to your favorite soap or spray it on your bed. It will give off a strong scent that will irritate the pests, but won’t affect you negatively. It can also be applied directly to your skin, or incorporated into scented candles. Peppermint oil is a natural, versatile scent that is safe for children and pets and is a proven bed bug repellent.

Another natural remedy that has been proven to kill bed bugs is rubbing alcohol. It’s a disinfectant that will kill the bugs on contact, and its strong smell will make them flee. A simple spray on your bed can kill up to 50% of the population in one session. If you can’t get rid of bed bugs with a spray, consider hiring a professional to do the job for you.

Essential oils are another good option. These oils contain linalool, a compound that is effective against bed bugs. Lavender oil will not kill the bugs, but it will deter them from invading your home. Lavender oil is also a popular scent in perfumes and body lotions, so you’ll probably want to try this one.