Whether you're dealing with an active infestation or wish to become better prepared should you ever encounter these tiny, elusive, and pervasive insects, essential oils are among the most effective preventative and treatment modalities for bed bugs. These blood-sucking parasites are notorious for their bite and near-impossible eradication. While many effective treatments exist to eliminate bed bugs, the most potent way to treat a bed bug infestation is to stop it from occurring through essential oils. Even if you're suffering from a severe infestation, calling upon the power of essential oils can help bring relief to its painfully itchy bites.

Bed Bugs: A Brief History of Treatments

Although evidence of bed bugs dates back almost as far as recorded human history, the prevalence of these creatures remained relatively unbalanced until the 1940s and 1950s. During this time, the United States began using a specialized compound, DDT, to target and eliminate bed bugs. At first, these treatment options were highly successful. Over the next several decades, there was a significant decline in the number of reported cases. At first, the pest control industry celebrated its victory over this ancient infestation. However, during the 1990s, a unique situation began to develop.

As the new millennium approached, the reported number of bed bug cases increased simultaneously. While the modern pest control industry continued to spray its time-honored pesticides, the number of active bed bug infestations did not decline as in previous decades. Upon closer inspection, researchers discovered something quite interesting—the biology of bed bugs transformed. These parasites mutated to withstand the chemical action of most pesticides, making them uninfected. Specifically, these bed bugs have built resistance to DDT and organophosphates.

Why Bed Bug Bites Hurt: A Glance Inside

Perhaps one of the most common symptoms of bed bugs—if not the most common—is their painful, itchy bites. As a bed bug bites into your flesh to feed upon your blood, its salivary fluid results in skin inflammation and irritation. While the severity of its bites can dramatically vary from one person to another, most individuals experience some level of discomfort. In rare cases, severe blistering can occur in areas where bugs have bitten.

Within the saliva of bed bugs, unique strands of proteins and specialized compounds are the culprits of their unsavory reactions. If left unchecked, prolonged feedings by hundreds of bed bugs can lead to serious side effects, such as anemia and systemic poisoning. While there is potential for serious health side effects, this risk can be averted with essential oils and continuous treatment.

Essential Oils for Bed Bug Bite Relief

The most effective essential oils for bed bug bites treat inflammation and irritation. The following oils are considered highly effective in reducing pain, itch, irritation, and inflammation:

Mint: The primary active compound in mint, an oil known as menthol, may help reduce inflammation and irritation. For relief, dip a cotton ball in freshly made mint tea or essential oil, or place a mint leaf directly on bites.

Basil: Basil essential oil is traditionally used to combat the itch and pain of bed bug bites. To help relieve irritation and discomfort, take a cotton ball and apply a liberal amount directly over each bite. Some find that making a paste by adding basil essential oil to a small amount of baking soda and water offers prolonged relief.

Peppermint Oil: Although you should never add peppermint oil directly to your skin, as it can irritate, placing 1/2 cup of peppermint oil into a bathtub of warm water can provide significant pain and itch relief. Repeat at least once a day for potent relief.

Lavender Oil: Lavender oil's soothing, healing compounds are among the most effective in relieving pain, itch, and inflammation associated with bed bug bites. To utilize it, simply apply a liberal amount of lavender oil with a cotton ball directly over the bites.

Witch Hazel: Witch hazel is a natural pain reliever that reduces inflammation, pain, and itch. This oil contains a high concentration of compounds known as tannins, which eliminate pain and shrink skin tissue. Because of this, it's a common ingredient in hemorrhoidal ointments. By shrinking skin tissue, the bites are shrunk, which helps calm pain and itch. You can apply a soaked cotton ball directly to bites or add up to 1/4 cup to your bath water for widespread relief. 

Our natural, plant-based Bed Bug Patrol Killer Spray provides an all-natural solution to infestations of bed bugs, as well as fleas, spiders, and other common indoor bugs. Our 100% natural solution is made in the USA. It relies on the power of natural ingredients like citric acid, clove oil, and peppermint oil to naturally deter these bugs from living in your furnishings and upholstery. Just spray our solution on affected surfaces twice per day, and it will get to work on exterminating your bed bugs and preventing their return. To keep you safe from bed bugs on your travels, arm yourself with our Bed Bug Blasting Travel Spray, which comes in a handy, TSA-approved travel-size bottle for your convenience.