What Do Bed Bugs Hate the Most? Here Are 4 Organic Treatments

Alright, we know bed bugs are a nightmare. Once they’re in, it feels like they’re impossible to get rid of. But here’s the thing — bed bugs have a few weaknesses. Let’s dive into exactly what do bed bugs hate the most and how you can use it to keep them out for good.


Scents and Smells

What Do Bed Bugs Hate the Most?

You’re probably wondering: can smells really keep bed bugs away? Actually, yes, but here’s the catch — while certain scents are great deterrents, they can also cause bed bugs to spread out into other areas of your home. That’s because strong smells don’t kill them; they just make bed bugs uncomfortable enough to move to a new spot. Here’s what works best:

  • Lavender: The scent of lavender repels bed bugs. They hate it, but it might push them to other rooms.
  • Peppermint: Another natural scent that bugs can’t stand. Same story — it can scatter them.
  • Tea Tree Oil: This one packs a punch. Bed bugs want nothing to do with it.
  • Eucalyptus Oil: Add a few drops to your cleaning routine or mix it with water for a natural spray.

These smells won’t kill bed bugs, but they will make your home a less appealing place for them to settle. Just be cautious — these scents alone aren’t enough. Without a full treatment, they might only move the problem elsewhere.

lavender oil repels bed bugs


Environmental Conditions

What Do Bed Bugs Hate the Most?

If you’ve ever had bed bugs, you might think they can handle anything. But the truth is, there are some environmental tweaks they despise:

  • Extreme Cold: Bed bugs can’t stand freezing temperatures. Think below zero for at least a few days. This might not be practical, but if you live somewhere cold, it can help to leave infected items outside.
  • Heat: Bed bugs hate temperatures over 49°C (120°F). Using a steam cleaner on mattresses and soft furnishings will kill them instantly.
  • Bright Light: Bed bugs prefer dark spaces. Keeping your room lit won’t kill them, but it makes hiding harder.

By adjusting the environment, you make life hard for them, pushing them out of their comfort zones.


Household Products and DIY Remedies

What Do Bed Bugs Hate the Most?

Baking Soda

If you want DIY options, here are some things you can try that bed bugs absolutely hate:

  • Vinegar Spray: Vinegar can kill bed bugs on contact. It’s also a smell they’re not fans of.
  • Baking Soda: Some people swear by sprinkling baking soda around the bed frame, but it’s mostly used for absorbing moisture — bed bugs thrive in humid spots.
  • Essential Oils: Mix a few drops of essential oils (like lavender or eucalyptus) with water, and spray areas where bed bugs could be hiding. It’s simple, non-toxic, and bugs hate it.

These aren’t a cure-all, but they’re great as part of an ongoing plan to keep bugs at bay.


Materials and Surfaces

What Do Bed Bugs Hate The Most?

Believe it or not, bed bugs have a hard time with some materials. These aren’t foolproof, but every little barrier helps:

  • Smooth Plastic: Bed bugs struggle to crawl on smooth surfaces. Placing bed leg traps under your bed legs can stop them in their tracks.
  • Metal Frames: Unlike wooden frames with all their cracks and crevices, metal bed frames don’t offer hiding spots.
  • Bed Bug Barrier Products: This includes bed leg bed bug traps, powders, and isolation systems that are designed to create a hostile environment. Our Bed Bug Barrier Isolation System forces them to cross the lethal powder before they reach the bed.

Want to know a secret? Bed bugs hate these materials because they can’t hide as easily.

Bed Bug Bites: How to Find, Treat and Prevent Them Fast


Bed Bug Treatments and Commercial Products

What Do Bed Bugs Hate the Most?

Diatomaceous Earth (Bed Bug Powder)

For those serious about long-term protection, you’ll need something that gets straight to the point — killing bed bugs and keeping them out:

  • Diatomaceous Earth: A natural powder that kills bed bugs as they crawl across it. It takes a few days, but it’s effective, safe for pets and people, and a key component in the Bed Bug Barrier Isolation System.
  • Steaming: A steamer can instantly kill bed bugs hiding in mattresses, bed frames, and soft furnishings. Make sure to go over every seam and corner.
  • Mattress Covers: Specially designed bed bug covers create a barrier, trapping bed bugs inside and preventing new ones from nesting. These covers make spotting bed bugs easier and protect your mattress in the long run.
  • Bed Bug Barriers and Isolation Systems: Bed bugs hate these systems because they can’t bypass the barriers without encountering something lethal. Our Bed Bug Barrier treatment is an organic DIY solution that provides both instant and long-lasting protection.

Using these treatments, you’re not just stopping the bugs — you’re making sure they know they’re not welcome.


Final Thoughts on What do Bed Bugs Hate the Most

So, what do bed bugs hate the most? Turns out, there’s a lot — strong smells, extreme temps, smooth surfaces, and effective barriers. But remember, using scents alone can sometimes scatter the problem rather than solve it.

Take a few of these tips, put them together, and bed bugs won’t stand a chance. Want to keep bed bugs away for good? The Bed Bug Barrier Isolation System has your back.

Are You Looking for an Organic DIY Treatment?

DIY Treatment Bed Bugs Hate The Most Video For An Ensemble Bed

DIY Treatment Bed Bugs Hate The Most Video For A Bed with Slats

If you have enjoyed our blog, What Do Bed Bugs Hate The Most, then you might enjoy, How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is a bed bug afraid of?
    A bed bug is primarily afraid of extreme temperatures, Diatomaceous Earth and certain strong scents. High heat, especially above 49°C (120°F), is something they can’t survive. Additionally, they dislike the smell of certain essential oils, like tea tree, lavender, and eucalyptus, which can make them uncomfortable enough to avoid those areas.
  • What are bed bugs’ weaknesses?
    Bed bugs have several weaknesses, including their inability to withstand extreme heat and cold. They’re also vulnerable to dehydration, which is why substances like diatomaceous earth are effective at killing them over time. Bed bugs rely heavily on small, dark hiding spots, so disrupting their access to these spaces makes it harder for them to thrive.
  • Do bed bugs have a natural enemy?
    Yes, bed bugs do have natural enemies. Certain insects like cockroaches, spiders, and centipedes will prey on bed bugs if they encounter them. However, relying on these natural predators isn’t a practical solution for controlling bed bugs in the home.
  • What Do Bed Bugs Hate the Most?
    Bed bugs hate high heat, strong scents like lavender and tea tree oil, and diatomaceous earth, which dehydrates them. They also struggle with smooth surfaces and bright light, which make it harder for them to hide and thrive.

Sources

Share
Published by