White vinegar is a staple with a treasure trove of uses and benefits. But Does White Vinegar Kill Bed Bugs? Its answer might surprise you!
If the numerous remedial uses of vinegar make you think, Does Distilled White Vinegar Kill Bed Bugs? Clear your clouds of doubt below!
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What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are tiny, oviform parasites that prefer to feast on humans and animals for their survival. These blood-sucking creatures have a reddish-brown hue and range from 5-9 mm in size. A mature female bed bug can deposit up to 200-250 eggs that hatch within 6-10 days. Due to their flattened body, bed bugs can go deep inside the gaps and crevices of cushions, mattresses, and headboards.
What Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like?
As bed bugs are nocturnal, they bite during the night, which causes skin rashes and allergic symptoms. Bare body parts are more likely to get bit by bed bugs. Bed bugs bite looks:
- Similar to a mosquito bite
- Papular eruptions
- Red and itchy skin
- Swollen and red bite with a dark center
- Red bumps in lines or groups
- Tiny red bumps circled by blisters or hives
Does White Vinegar Kill Bed Bugs?
White vinegar can kill bed bugs. But this hack works when vinegar and bed bugs come into contact with each other, which not seems convenient and practically possible. But if you still want to kill bed bugs with vinegar, check out the instructions here.
How Does Vinegar Kill Bed Bugs?
Distilled white vinegar eradicates the blood-sucking bed bugs by disrupting their nervous system, thanks to its acetic acid content. Never use apple cider vinegar and other types of vinegar to avoid staining.
Will Vinegar Kill Bed Bug Eggs?
Sadly, white vinegar has no effect on the eggs of bed bugs. But you can easily get rid of their eggs with a vacuum cleaner. Rubbing alcohol is also a good option.
Other Home Remedies to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
Keeping the notorious blood-sucking bed bugs at bay is a cumbersome task. As white vinegar is not worth trying, check out these natural and cheap home remedies.
1. Use Diatomaceous Earth
One of the most potent and effective ways to eliminate bed bugs is diatomaceous earth (DE). According to research, when bed bugs encounter the abrasive diatomaceous earth, it exsiccates their body’s exoskeleton, resulting in a quick death.
Remedy
Fill all the holes, cracks, crevices, and other small openings with the miraculous diatomaceous earth. Sprinkle a sufficient amount of DE rear and underneath the kitchen appliances, upholstered furniture, wardrobe, and bed frames. Repeat this hack until all the bed bugs are gone.
2. Try Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is not a bed bug eliminator, but it’s an excellent deterrent that keeps them far away from your property, thanks to its distinct strong odor. However, it’s a temporary remedy because these arthropods will be back once the oil’s smell dissipates.
Remedy
Fill an empty spray bottle with peppermint essential oil. Take all your bed bugs-infected stuff outside and spritz the solution on them properly. Place them under the sunlight for a couple of hours. Redo this method until all the bed bugs are gone for good.
3. Wash Everything
The simplest and cheapest home remedy to kill bed bugs is to clean every washable item thoroughly. Before trying the below method, wear a good quality breathable face mask, hand gloves, and goggles.
Remedy
Throw all the washable items into the washing machine with color-safe chlorine-free bleach at the highest temperature. Next, put the washed items into the dryer for 15-20 minutes. Once it’s done, store the stuff into airtight sealed bags. For non-washable items, place them under direct sunlight for 5-6 hours.
Note:Â While trying the above methods, instruct your kids and pets to stay far away from the treated area.
How to Prevent Bed Bugs in an Apartment?
While eliminating bed bugs, it’s crucial to follow the below tips to prevent their future infestation.
- Discard heaps of clutter from your property.
- Don’t forget to vacuum your rugs, floors, and furniture regularly.
- Install door sweeps below every door of your house.
- Put your clothing in sealed bags after washing and drying.
- Use protective covers for your box springs and mattresses to eradicate their hiding places.
- Patch all the cracks, gaps, and crevices of your house properly.
- Before using anyone else’s clothes, inspect them thoroughly.
- If you’re planning to purchase old furniture, examine them carefully for bed bug infestation.
- Launder your pets’ bedding on a regular basis.
- Put your non-washable stuff under direct sun for a couple of hours.
Learn how long bed bugs live on clothes here