(Yes. Does Vicks help with bed bug bites? Because bed bugs like to hide under things. Signs and Symptoms of Bed Bug Bites. Vicks Vapor Rub, when used to prevent bed bugs, should only be something you use for a single night, just to get you through the problem until you can come up with a more permanent solution in the morning. Filed Under: Bug Repellant, How To, life hacks, mosquitoes, Vicks Vapor Rub. Vicks is quite ineffective because the aroma and heat do not linger for more than fifteen minutes.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'yardpit_com-box-4','ezslot_1',117,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-yardpit_com-box-4-0'); Vicks Vaporub is made using petroleum jelly, which is quite sticky. Applying some to your beds legs will prevent bed bugs from climbing up the sides of your mattress. For this reason, its often advisable to recruit a pest control expert to help you tackle bed bugs. Active menthol and a strong scent from Vicks Vaporub repel bedbugs. This means you can use it as part of a clever strategy to kill them, or at least stop them from feeding: place small piles of the stuff around each of the legs of your bed. Bedbugs are usually attracted to the smell of carbon dioxide because it implies the presence of a living host. If theres one thing a bed bug cant stand, its the smell of Vicks vaporub. In particular, pay attention to cracks and crevices where they might be hiding. So, while their bites might swell up and itch terribly, other people will hardly react at all. Once again, it wont kill the bed bugs. This outer layer is crucial for a bed bug. Does Vicks Rub Stop Bed Bug Bites? No doubt youve tried a few things alreadybut what works, and what doesnt? So, rubbing alcohol is an ineffective way to eliminate a bed bug infestation. Don 't pass your bed bugs on to others. If you are dealing with an infestation, Vicks Vapor Rub should be nothing more than a small stepping stone in the direction of dealing with the infestation once and for all. It's just a temporary solution. According to a paper in Pest Management Science, steam machines use a combination of moisture and high heat to kill and repel bed bugs. Youll find detailed answers to all of your questions on how to get rid of a bed bug infestation. Enjoy the website! Its largely a myth. Even though youre supposed to be able to use Vicks to rub into sore muscle areas, some people are subject to a variety of negative reactions to it. Which you choose is up to you, and doesnt matter for this purposebut what is essential is that you dilute it with something. The aroma and heat that bed bugs require usually dissipate within 15 minutes. Alright, thats it for this article, here are a few hand-selected articles that you might also find interesting reads: Mad about bugs and wanting to publish as many articles as I can to help educate people about these amazing beautiful creatures! Compared to Vicks Vaporub, these products are more effective and last longer. Of course, it goes without saying that you should never ingest the stuff or put it anywhere near your mouth or eyes. None of the various creams, lotions, or scented original formulas are going to drive bed bugs off more than the original. What can I spray I bed sheets to keep them away ? They hate the smell of alcohol and using it is an effective solution to your problem. And apply the mixture on your exposed skin. However, does Vicks rubbing stop bed bug bites? Vicks Vaporub to Repel Bed Bugs. To treat bed bug bites: Wash the bites with soap and water. Coconut oil can be an effective natural bed bug repellent, and is gentler on the skin than essential oils or rubbing alcohol. The mattress is essentially the highway for bed bugs to travel across. If you have no other options, you can use Vicks Vaporub at night as a last-resort bed bug repellant. There have been cases of house and apartment fires caused by people using rubbing alcohol as a bed bug spray. Human blood is the main food source for bedbugs, especially at night. But it is going to mean youre bitten less. Of course, this isnt going to stop them from biting completely. Try mixing around 20 drops of tea tree oil or peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle, then apply this to your skin. It also has a strong scent that overwhelms the nervous system of bed bugs. The reason is that it doesnt last very long and it doesnt address the underlying issue by actively killing bed bugs. The easier your skin is to access, the easier it is for them to bite you. The following steps can help keep bed bugs away: 1. They dislike the minty, strong medicinal odor of Vicks Vapor Rub but it is far from lethal to bed bugs. Its usually covered at least on top by a sheet of cloth, and often has wheels so that you can move it around. Does Vicks rubbing stop bed bug bites? But if they do scatter, what do you think theyre going to do? Consumers are told that placing used tea bags throughout their homes and attempting to cover bedding and any open cracks can help eliminate both bed . But to a bed bug, diatomaceous earth is the last thing theyd want to encounter. Keep your home clean and clutter-free. Rubbing alcohol is proven to kill bed bugs (and bed bug eggs), but only if it makes direct contact with them. When you lie down to sleep, they emerge for a blood meal and leave you with a rash of itchy bites that can take days or weeks to heal. Unfortunately, this wont kill them, because they can survive for long periods without feeding (up to a year, if you can believe that). Fill or seal cracks, crevices, and seams with products, such as glue or . Your email address will not be published*. Its a powder that can feel rough, but soft, to the touch. Sleep Under Layers of Sheets and Comforters. The number of bed bug bites youre getting per night is a good indicator of how large your infestation is. Pajamas can help prevent bites, at least to an extent. She often shares practical tips and friendly expert advice on everything relating to home and yard on this blog. These are meant to keep male bed bugs away from the nymphs, so they don't attempt to mate with them. Bed bugs are naturally averse to some of the potent odors and chemicals in Vicks Vapor Rub, specifically, the camphor smell culled front eh eucalyptus oil, menthol, and thymol. Check out this post which is one of the most popular of all time. You can get a weak form of this medicine without a prescription at your local drugstore. A little dab rubbed on and around the bite not only soothes the itch but takes the swelling down as well.Does Vicks help with bug bites? Hence, it is better to invest in dedicated products that will give you more value for your money. Apply Vicks to your hands, feet, neck, and any other exposed area of skin before sleep to prevent bed bugs from biting you. Apply Vicks vapor rub on your skin to repel any persistent mosquito. If they smear or spread, they are likely bed bug excrement. ), Is Toothpaste Poisonous to Mice? Most people gather their dirty clothes in one corner in a washing basket. Many thanks! Simply smooth coconut oil onto exposed areas of skin before you sleep to keep the bed bugs away (but be aware; coconut oil can cause acne if applied directly to the face)! Unfortunately, the bed bugs grew immune to DDT. But you must keep in mind that you need to apply a generous amount of Vicks VapoRub on the bite prone areas of your body. Lavender, rosemary, citronella, peppermint, and eucalyptus essential oils work the best. Its not a good idea to try repelling bed bugs. Bug bite - Rub a small amount of Vicks on a bug bite to soothe the itch and swelling. One thing bed bugs don't like, is strong, minty odors. So, for example, lets say you tried spreading a little Vicks VapoRub on a bed bug harborage underneath your mattress. Histamine is another scent that bed bugs love. This has led people to believe that leaving the light on when you go to sleep might stop them from coming it. There is a clear warning on a Vicks Vapor Rub label that it should never be applied directly under or on the nose. The finer the mist, the better the results will be. Bed bugs are rapid-infestation insects. Whether any essential oil is potent enough to kill bed bugs is still up for debate, but applying essential oils to your body might stop bed bugs from biting you. While Vicks Vapor Rub is a very effective deterrent, it will only keep the bed bugs off you. The only way to prevent bed bug bites is to apply a bed bug repellent to your body before you sleep. The dirt will attract other bugs. We found DEET and three compounds from Bedoukian Research Inc. are effective repellents against bed bugs. They stop bed bugs from coming to youtheyll go to the lure instead. You can spread essential oils, without diluting them, in the cracks and crevices of your bed frame, which is where most bed bugs hide, for a better result. Bed bugs bite only when you are sleeping, and hide away in bed frames and bedding during the day. By vacuuming every week, you will stop the majority of bed bugs ever reaching the point where they might be able to breed. One study found that coconut oil fatty acids can repel bed bugs, ticks, mosquitoes, and other biting bugs. Far better is to take the bedding straight to the washing machine. They feed for about 3-10 minutes and their bodies swell and become bright red. A mattress encasement is a big bag that zips around your mattress. To make a bed bug repellent (homemade): As a note, this probably wont work with products that contain tea tree oil. The truth is that some people have stronger reactions to bed bugs than others. You can also spray your sheets with a solution from essential oils, as the scent repels bed bugs and can further reduce your risk of bites. Pick a real tea tree oil for your sprays. Does Vicks work on bed bugs? Symptoms. No matter what you do, they keep coming and keep biting. How to use it: Just rub a little on your skin and clothes. If you buy a mattress encasement, it doesnt matter how infested the mattress itself is. If there's one thing a bed bug can't stand, it's the smell of Vicks vaporub. When it comes to killing bed bugs, lemon juice is a natural and nontoxic option that can be just as effective as chemical pesticides. , so they may not be safe to use if you have a cat or a dog. They are also repelled by the acidic scent of white vinegar. A bed bug will happily feed on a different blood type once they get used to you. If you use essential oils to avoid bed bug bites, it is important to apply them to your body safely. If there are, then youre just going to get bitten anyway. Far better than trying to prevent bites is to kill the bed bugs themselves. It keeps control of the underlying inflammatory reaction of the skin. 1. In terms of combatting bed bugs, there is really only one type of Vicks Vapor Rub, which is the original paste that everyone is used to and understands. These pheromones, though, only work on male bed bugs, and will do nothing to dissuade females from invading a space. Whether any essential oil is potent enough to kill bed bugs is still up for debate, but applying essential oils to your body might stop bed bugs from biting you. Use the one thats designed to fit into narrow cracks and gaps, so that you can aim the vacuum cleaner better. Why? Your neck, shoulders, undersides of the knees, and soles of feet are some of the areas. Heat works as well but you cant throw your mattress in the washer and dryer. But is it true? Bed bugs are generally attracted to scents closely related to their primary food source, humans. You can apply Vicks to your skin and it will effectively prevent bed bugs from chowing down on your delicious blood throughout the night. At this point, its likely that there will be more than one source for the bed bugs in your room: some might be. Take the bedding and bag it up securely in a large plastic bag. Far better is to treat the mattress and see if you can decontaminate it. However, also like Vicks, they dont actively kill bed bugs, at least not so far as killing them all the way to the source. Lots of essential oils have insecticidal activity. Its the same with any animal. Take the bag through to the laundry room, and place it inside the drum of the washing machine. White Vinegar. It might surprise people to know that most bed bugs arent even on their mattresses. This is because many essential oils are natural insecticides, and will make bed bugs flee the scene. Fortunately, weve highlighted more products you can use to protect yourself against bed bug bites. Bed bug bites are relentlessly itchy, and the menthol in toothpaste can help to soothe and reduce the itch. Black Walnut Tea. The itching from bed bug bites can last for up to two weeks, St. Surin-Lord says. Essential oils are an effective preventative as well. Instead, you should stay in the same room, but use the methods described above and below to get rid of bed bugs fast, and prevent them from being able to reach you. Homemade bed bug repellents include natural essential oils, rubbing alcohol, coconut oil, Vicks vaporub, and white vinegar. Ice. Since you can apply bug spray directly to your skin, you can also apply it to your bed and the surrounding framework. You arent getting rid of them. A great alternative to vacuum cleaning is to use a steam cleaner, which well talk about later. Were sure you can figure out which theyd prefer. The camphor, mint, and eucalyptus oil in Vicks relieve itchiness and redness caused by mosquito bites instantly. Vicks is widely known for its strong eucalyptus and menthol scent. When you apply Vicks to certain parts of your body, bed bugs only experience one significant side effect: the essential oils make them ill. Bed bugs are known to hate essential oils, and the strong, menthol scent of vicks makes them sick. Arranged in a rough line or in a cluster. However, its scent can repel bed bugs, so it may help you to avoid bed bug bites. Reduce the number of bed bugs to reduce bites. The entire bedroom area, including your mattress, can be sprayed with essential oil sprays. Symptoms of bedbug bites are similar to symptoms of other insect bites and rashes. No. The heat and fragrance from Vicks are sufficient to keep bed bugs away from your skin and keep them from biting you. Vicks Vapor Rub repels bedbugs, but only temporarily. To get rid of any bed bugs that fell off, disinfect the area where your laundry is being done. If your infestation is isolated to your mattress, then this would prevent every single bite you might otherwise get. Alternatively, you could use thinner sheets, so that they dont keep you warm, but they do keep you wrapped up. For example, they use a particular scent to mark the location of their harborage, i.e., their favorite home. At-home treatment. Thats because its toxic on contact (which is why many people will get a rash if they apply tea tree oil neat). For ideal cough suppression, rub some Vicks VapoRub on the chest and neck, place a warm, dry cloth over the head while positioning yourself in an upright or standing pose. Heat treatment costs more than regular bed bug spraying, but its worth it, because it works. White vinegar is more effective when diluted in water and sprayed all over the bed. Now, this might be uncomfortable in the heat of summer. Washing bedding at high temperatures and checking for signs of bed bugs in hotel rooms can help prevent bed bug bites. Bed bugs are a growing problem in North America, and infestations are becoming more common all over the world. Coconut oil contains fatty acids that have been found to repel bed bugs, ticks, mosquitoes, and other biting flies. Regularly vacuuming your mattress and bed box. If you do not have any signs of an infection or a serious reaction, you can often treat the bites at home. Whats the Time Between Bed Bug Bite and Reaction? Vicks can also be applied to the legs of the bed to prevent bed bugs from climbing onto the bed. It just makes them avoid you like the plague. The biggest drawback of Vicks Vapor Rub, aside from the fact that its not lethal to bed bugs, is it doesnt last long as a deterrent either. Rubbing Alcohol. You can also buy encasements that fit over your box spring. Non-homemade chemical products are formulated using insecticides like DEET and typically have stronger bed bug repellent properties. If your bed bug infestation is out of control, contact a pest control professional for help. To apply vinegar to your skin, simply. The problem with the spraying method is that oil doesnt mix well with water, so you wont get a good spread across the mattress. However, Vick's is more of a preventative, keeping bed bugs away rather than destroying them or affecting their eggs, both of which need to be done. However, everyone who uses Vicks Vapor Rub should never apply it extensively, all over the body. Again, theres often water inside that theyll drown in. It is great on hard dry heels feet, softens them and heals the cracks. It helps to use a diffuser with essential oils, which may drive some of the bed bugs away with the strong smell of the oil in the air. Itchy. Vicks VapoRub uses on feet. Some people swear it helps relieve itching, swelling, and redness. Well, theyll set up shop on the other side of the mattress. For more years than I can remember, I've had an allergy to . These products are safe to apply to your body and are guaranteed to keep bed bugs from biting you. By changing the bedding, youre disturbing their harborage, forcing them to scatter. So, a bed bug thats accustomed to type O blood would prefer feeding from somebody with that same blood type over somebody that doesnt. These scents contain linalool, which is strong enough to repel or kill bed bugs. Flip the mattress to expose their harborage, and get to work spraying them. Thats why you can survive for hours or even days in very low temperatures, but youll eventually succumb to the cold without shelter. However, it is important to remember that while lemon juice may be . Combat a bad bug bite or sting by applying an ice pack to the spot for 15 to 20 minutes every hour for the first 6 hours to help relieve pain, itching, and swelling. As we said, tea tree oil is known to cause rashes. They dont like anywhere thats too humid. If you were to leave the bedding in a laundry basket, theres a chance they could end up who-knows-where. Vicks Vapor Rub. 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