The Absolute Best Homemade Bed Bug Spray 

Written by Angie Menjivar
Updated: October 10, 2023
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They’re notorious for their nocturnal behavior, feasting to your detriment while you rest. But how do you get rid of them? Discover the absolute best homemade bed bug spray! It’s a simple solution that can save your skin from unsightly and itchy bed bug bites.

What Are Bed Bugs?

When you bite into an apple close to the core, you reveal small, brown seeds. They’re only about 0.3 inches long, shaped like an oval, and they are the same size as an adult bed bug. Bed bugs have a reddish-brown color, and their bodies are rather flat. They don’t have wings and can’t fly. These bugs need a host because they feed on blood. They could turn your blood into a meal or the blood of animals, including pets.

When bed bugs haven’t reached adulthood, their color is a bit different. Instead of a reddish-brown tint, they are more yellowish, sometimes appearing translucent. You can imagine how tough it is to spot a young bed bug, especially if it has not had a blood meal. Bed bug eggs may be even harder to spot unless they’re against a contrasting color. They’re white and very small.

bed bug on mattress

Bed bugs are only 0.3 inches when fully grown.

©iStock.com/Mainely Photos

Where Do Bed Bugs Live?

Bed bugs earned their name because they take advantage of the vulnerability of sleeping humans. They feed when you’re cozy in bed and enjoying your dreams. They live and thrive in different environments, however. Not just homes. They might live in buses and trains as well as cruise ships and dorm rooms. They can live in hotels, apartments, and shelters as well. If you accidentally pack some into your suitcase, you can also bring them home with you after travel.

bed bug infestation

Bed bugs earned their name because they take advantage of the vulnerability of sleeping humans.

©Dmitry Bezrukov/Shutterstock.com

The Absolute Best Homemade Bed Bug Spray 

The best homemade bed bug spray is easy to create. All you need are two ingredients: water and tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is an essential oil that works as a natural insecticide. It kills viruses and bacteria and also works to eliminate fungi. It’s anti-parasitic and takes bed bugs down too. To create the homemade bed bug spray, combine 50 milliliters of water along with two teaspoons of tea tree oil in a glass spray bottle.

Shake the bottle well and spray it liberally in all the nooks and crannies where bed bugs may be lurking. Focus on the areas between cushions on your sofas, in box springs, on your headboard, and all over your mattress. Folds in your curtains and around your bedside table are also areas where you should spray your homemade bed bug spray.

fresh tea tree twig and essential oil on the wooden board

Tea tree oil is an essential oil that works as a natural insecticide.

©AmyLv/Shutterstock.com

Preventive Measures to Keep Bed Bugs Away

Preventing bed bugs requires several measures. For example:

  • Use protective covers for all the mattresses in your home.
  • Schedule regular vacuuming.
  • Eliminate cozy environments for bed bugs like clutter.
  • Seal cracks around your doors.
  • Don’t leave your suitcase on the floor or on the bed when traveling. Instead, use a suitcase stand.

There are instances when bed bug infestations are too far gone. If this is the case, contact your local pest control company.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Angie Menjivar is a writer at A-Z-Animals primarily covering pets, wildlife, and the human spirit. She has 14 years of experience, holds a Bachelor's degree in psychology, and continues her studies into human behavior, working as a copywriter in the mental health space. She resides in North Carolina, where she's fallen in love with thunderstorms and uses them as an excuse to get extra cuddles from her three cats.

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