The Need To Know Natural Remedies For Bed Bugs
What!
Natural remedies for bed bugs?
Yes, there are.
Nature has found a way to rid bed bugs and you can harness these as well so you don’t have to use chemicals.
So what are they? Read more.
Those Natural Remedies For Bed Bugs
Herbs are the ancient medicines used by our ancestors to treat common ailments.
Through the years, herbs have also evolved and through the advent of modern medicine so advanced.
As far as natural remedies for bed bugs, herbs still continue to find their ways to get into modern medicine.
There are a variety of herbs and there are certain herb types for certain types of medical problems.
The Chinese are the most popular advocates of medicinal plants or herbs. They have been using herbs to treat ailments since time immemorial.
Herbs As Insecticides
Though there are several herbs that are used as insecticides, no particular herb is identified to curtail the proliferation when it comes to natural remedies for bed bugs.
It can be noted though, that herbs are the principal sources of ingredients or chemical extracts.
These herb extracts are turned into ingredients of our modern-day pesticides and insecticides.
Aside from that use, there are no other uses of herbs for pest control nowadays.
Though there must be, and for sure several herbs will have the property and ability to drive bed bugs away, herbs are limited in this area.
That means, no particular herb is named or identified directly against bed bugs.
They will always have to go or be integrated into pesticides for that purpose.
Pest Control, Herbs And Bed Bugs
To get rid of bed bugs, pest control firms use certain chemicals in the form of pesticides or insecticides.
Take note that these pesticides and insecticides do contain herb extracts.
Because the chemicals and herb extracts contained in these bug killers are so harsh and deadly, it is advised that you leave the handling to them. In other words, let the pest control experts have their way.
You have your own profession so do not mess with other people’s professions. Pest control personnel know what they are doing because they have been doing it for so long.
Trust them and let them do their job. Take a side step, and only get in when they tell you.
Pest control experts will also inform you how to handle furniture or things that may contain residual forms of pesticides.
Listen very carefully to instructions. Neglect them if you want to be exterminated and poisoned yourself.
Focusing On Pesticides
There are three main groups of pesticides that have herb extracts available through pest control shops in the market. These are for exterminating unwanted bed bugs.
First, pesticides from herbs can be in the form of insecticidal dust.
These pesticides are characterized by the existence or presence of ground or pulverized glass and silica powder mixed with chemicals or herb extracts.
Hence, they are dust.
The dust attacks bed bugs by destroying their external waxy protective coats. These coats are like coating making up the skin of bed bugs.
They serve as helmet-like structures.
Insecticidal dust has chemicals with them. Once the bed bugs’ protective coats are ruined, the chemicals will set in and poison or dry out the bed bugs’ systems.
Second, pesticides can be contact insecticides. Contact insecticides are those that should be applied to suspiciously infested areas or surfaces.
You will find that this is very effective in getting rid of bed bugs.
But they also have downsides.
For one, contact insecticides are repellant in nature, they stink so effectively that insects’ senses can easily sense the presence of insecticides.
That attribute of contact insecticides makes it less effective.
Since it is repellant, it is not sure and guaranteed that bed bugs will be gotten rid of.
They simply may avoid contact with applied furniture or surfaces. Hence, they will try to find or transfer to a more conducive habitat.
Third and the last group will be the insect growth regulators. This group is aimed at getting rid of bed bugs while they still are in the early stages.
IGRs will attack or poison young bed bugs, or their eggs.
By doing that, it is guaranteed that no new generation will spurt out. The only problem and mess the complainant will have to deal with are the adult bed bugs.
The use of IGRs as pesticides can be effective, yet so much time and patience are required.
As the saying goes, this measure is ‘slowly but surely.’
Bitten By The Bug
A good night’s sleep might become next to impossible if one is constantly being bitten by bed bugs.
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Bed bugs have been a problem for many centuries dating as far back as medieval times and classical Greek, as these have been documented in various writings.
Sleeping on an infested bed is one thing but being bitten is another.
While a bed bug bite is painless and has an extremely low chance of transmitting diseases, people with such problems are mostly ashamed of their dilemma.
Many believe that a bedbug infestation is detrimental to a relationship and can cause psychological strain.
Outside of mental anguish, bed bugs can cause physical harm. The question now is how you treat bed bugs and their bites.
Just Bite It
Bed bug bites initially appear as large red wheals that eventually become red marks. The mark can last for as lost as five days.
The mark is also made in an orderly way unlike the random pattern of mosquito bites.
Characteristics Of Bed Bug Bites
- Irritation, inflammation and destruction of the local tissue
- Allergic reactions that can happen immediately or delayed
- Orderly pattern of marks
Bed bug bites cannot transmit harmful diseases and their medical significance is only limited to itching and inflammation.
The immediate treatment for the affected part is by washing it with soap and water.
Scratching is strongly advised, as this will surely lead to infection and possibly require more advanced medical aid.
Treating the area with ice or possibly special herbs is also recommended, as these will help speed up the healing process.
Where’s The Herb
Herbal treatments are primarily used to control infections, and stop itching or pain.
In addition, these are used to improve symptoms, correct imbalances, boost the immune system, and increase energy.
The body needs to be strengthened for better health and quality of life.
Chinese herbs are advantageous because they can be used in combo with other herbs depending on the status of the bed bug bite.
Herbal treatments used with optimized herbal combinations are highly effective to treat the illness and address the symptoms.
Below are some herbs that can be used to treat bed bug bites.
Plantain- also known as the band-aid plant, ribwort and pig’s ear.
This herb is a common weed in parks, driveways and playgrounds. The five parallel veins that run on each leaf distinguish this herb from others.
A broad-leaf plantain can have a tall seed head and long thin leaves, while a narrow-leaf plantain has a small flower head that looks similar to a flying saucer and long thin leaves.
A considerable number of Plantago species have leaves and seeds that are used as food or treatment for bed bug bites.
There are some natural remedies for bed bugs being Mud! I kid you not – this is the simplest and oldest poultice.
A bed bug bite can be treated with powdered white clay that should be mixed with herb tea.
Clay can be stored anytime and will not likely contain fungal spores.
Bed bugs or other insect bites that cause severe itching or pain should be administered with bland starchy substances such as:
- arrowroot powder
- graded potato
- mallow root
- finely ground grains such as oatmeal
- or rice
Fresh-herb poultices- these are slightly more complicated to prepare than other herbs.
A person must first chew it and then apply the substance to the bed bug bite.
For maximum effect, the poultice can be placed in an adhesive bandage or large leaf to keep it in place.
Some natural remedies for bed bugs examples of the poultice include:
- Plantium
- wild geranium (Geranium maculatum)
- comfrey (Symphytum uplandica x)
- yellow dock (Rumex species)
- wild mallow (Malva neglecta)
- chickweed (Stellaria media)
The best herbal leaves are those that come from willow, maple, oak or hazel.
The herbs need to be recognized properly before they are chewed.
The most recognizable and safest to chew off all herbs are oak and Maple.
Leaves that are either slick or shiny should be avoided if one is uncertain about what herb should be used for the treatment.
If the leaf is extremely bitter upon chewing it is advisable to spit it out immediately.
Natural remedies for bed bugs I feel would be the best way to go if you can.
But… it is not always possible to get rid of the hoard.
So sometimes you have to go the chemical route. So here you can be informed about both and see how you go.
Pitty they have to bite – more or less bit us. And in our sleep no less…
Downright outrageous.