Will vinegar kill bed bug eggs

​Does Vinegar Actually Kill Bed Bugs?

​As discussed earlier, vinegar, particularly white distilled, can kill bed bugs because of its powerful acetic acid content. However, the chemical only becomes a viable bed bug killer if it comes in direct contact with the said pest.

But the use of vinegar as a bed bug killer also comes with a set of advantages and setbacks. Vinegar is cheaper and easier to apply compared to other types of bed bug treatments. On the other hand, it is only good as a contact insecticide with short term effects and is incapable of terminating the eggs.

​What Else Should You Consider Besides Vinegar For Bed Bugs?

​Fortunately, your remedy for bed bug infestation is not limited to a professional exterminator and a bottle of vinegar. In fact, there’s a spectrum of alternatives that you can be used effectively in getting rid of bed bugs.

​Diatomaceous earth

DA or diatomaceous earth is one of the most commonly used alternative solution against bed bug infestation. It is a chemical-free solution popularly used against a variety of bugs or household pests.

Diatomaceous earth absorbs the moisture in the exoskeleton of bugs leading to dehydration. The sand-like material is composed of crushed remains of fossilized diatoms with sharp edges that can inflict damage on the insect’s skin.

But in the case of bed bugs, diatomaceous earth is not that effective as a single treatment for bed bug infestation.

​Read More: Click here to learn more about diatomaceous earth.

​​​Vacuum and steam cleaning

​Vacuuming is an ingenious way of eliminating both live bed bugs and their eggs. Make sure that you use a vacuum cleaner with high suction power and crevice tool so that you can reach all hard to reach corners and hiding places of bed bugs.

For serious infestation cases, it is best to vacuum your home at least twice a week. Dispose of the vacuum bag outside the property and keep it sealed.

A steam cleaning system also works fine alongside your vacuum cleaner in cases of bed bug infestation. A steam cleaner shoots high temperature steam directly towards targeted surfaces such as mattresses, carpets, and curtains.

Steam from these devices range between 150 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Bed bugs are known to die easily when exposed to heat of at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Essential oils

Essential oils are nature’s gift to us.

These oils offers a lot of health benefits from improving one’s mood to enhancing hair growth and providing support to our circulatory and nervous systems.

These oils are also known killers and repellents on a wide variety of household pests. And among them are bed bugs.

But not all essential oils work effectively against bed bugs. Oils that can kill and repel bed bugs at the same time are lavender, cinnamon, lemongrass, peppermint, eucalyptus, clove, and tea tree.

​Read More: Click here to learn more about eucalytpus oil.​​​

Does Vinegar Kill Bed Bugs And Their Eggs?

Vinegar contains acetic acid, which is believed to have an effect on bed bugs. It is made by fermenting alcohol continuously until the ethanol (alcoholic content) is used up. Similar to alcohol, vinegar can be made from different plants such as grapes, corn, apples, rice, and barley. Other varieties of vinegar can be made out of different ingredients.

Depending on the concentration of vinegar, spraying it directly on bed bugs and their eggs can kill them. The strong acetic acid will disrupt the insect’s nervous system. This increases the possibility of killing these insects, but it may not work alone to treat an infestation. You can use it for visible bed bugs but it will only work to repel them while you’re looking for a longer-lasting and more effective treatment.

How to Use Vinegar to Deal with Bed Bugs

There are a few simple things you can do to utilize homemade vinegar spray when dealing with bed bugs. Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and use it to do the following:

• If you have already identified the infested areas, soak them with vinegar. See to it that you spray the vinegar over cracks and crevices on walls and narrow spaces where bugs hide. Doing this will make the bed bugs scatter and die on the soaked areas. The same goes for the seams of mattresses and box springs.

• Spray it over visible adult bed bugs or send them running to nearby areas that you have treated with vinegar.

• It can help prevent further infestation by soaking all infested areas. Do this for a few weeks until you notice a reduction in bed bug sightings.

Warning!!

It may be tempting to combine bleach and vinegar to kill bed bugs, but you should NEVER do this. It will cause the emission of chlorine gas, which is toxic and harmful to your health.

Pros and Cons of Using Vinegar to Getting Rid of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs hate vinegar, but the worst it can do to them is repel them and force them to hide. When it comes to their eggs, vinegar may not work so much to kill them because of their exteriors. One way to get rid of them is to use a magnifying glass to find and treat them.

Since vinegar acts as a repellant, it won’t do anything huge when it comes to dealing with a bed bug infestation. It will only keep the bedbugs at bay, but it is enough to keep them hiding in your identified hiding areas while you search for a better and more effective bed bug treatment.

Other Options to Potentially Kill Bed Bugs

Aside from using vinegar, there are other options that you can use to get rid of these bugs. You can use high heat by getting bed bug heat equipment or using diatomaceous earth on cracks and crevices. Just like professionals, there are contact and residual chemical sprays that you can use at home. You can choose a product that kills bed bugs or you can also try other products like traps to control bugs and prevent their population from increasing. If you want to know more about these options, feel free to browse through our products at bedbugsos.ca.

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