Could This One Simple Essential Oil Be The Secret To Keeping Bed Bugs Away?

Bed bugsare arguably some of the most challenging pests to deal with in your home. These aptly named parasites can hang out within small crevices like bedding and mattresses, and they can transfer between residences via luggage, old furniture, and used clothing. Once they get into your home, they can quickly multiply while also biting your family and pets. Given their notorious reputation for being difficult to eradicate, you might wonder if there are options outside of insecticides. Emerging results show some repelling effects of oregano essential oil, but you should not expect to either prevent or manage a bed bug infestation with this method alone.

Part of the interest in oregano essential oil as a bed bug treatment comes from a 2018 study published in the Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases. Here, researchers found that oregano oil at a 40% concentration was more effective than a stick of 33% DEET. It's thought that some of its ingredients may also help repel other insects, such as mosquitoes. However, it's important to note that the study looked at how the oil might protect humans against bed bug bites, and not against home infestations. While it might not hurt to use oregano essential oil per se, having an active bed bug infestation is not the time to try out new methods that may (or may not) work. What's more, the research currently shows that such oils might help repel bed bugs, but not necessarily kill them. Holding off on calling a pest control expert is one of the common mistakes people make when dealing with bed bugs.

While the research behind oregano essential oil for insects like bed bugs is of interest, it's important to know that current evidence does not support this as your sole method of bed bug management. You may instead consider using the oil as just one tool for bed bugs in conjunction with other preventive methods. For example, you should always check for bed bugs when staying in a hotel room or rental home, and inspect your luggage contents when you get home. Frequent vacuuming and decluttering can also help. Some experts recommend using essential oils like oregano around your sleeping quarters as a way to deter bed bugs, but this will likely not help treat an active infestation.

If you believe you've recently been in contact with bed bugs, it's important to inspect areas around your home where the insects might be hiding. This includes your mattresses, furniture, and clothing. You should also wash all of your clothing and sheets on the highest settings possible. Freezing plastic toys and books in sealed plastic bags is another recommended step, but this freezer hack people use to get rid of bed bugs is generally not reliable. If you do see signs of bed bugs, it's time to put down any essential oils you've tried and to call a pest control expert right away. The sooner these pests are eradicated from your home, the lower the chances of recurrence. An expert will use a combination of the best ways to get rid of bed bugs in your home, including commercial-grade insecticides, heat treatments, and non-toxic professional products.