Types of Bed Bug Repellent

bed bug sitting on skin

Bed bugs are a real nuisance, and their bites can lead to redness, itchiness, and, in rare cases, allergic reactions. If you’re dealing with an infestation or traveling, using bed bug repellents can help keep these bloodsuckers at a distance. In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of bed bug repellents, both chemical and natural so that you can stay safe from their itchy bites.

What Repels Bed Bugs?

Repellent substances do not necessarily kill bed bugs but rather keep them off of treated surfaces. However, it’s important to note that some substances can both kill and repel bed bugs at the same time (such as geraniol and eugenol).

These are the compounds currently known to repel bed bugs:

  • DEET
  • Icaridin
  • Cinnamon oil
  • Eugenol
  • Citronellic acid
  • Geraniol
  • Carvacrol
  • Thymol 
  • Linalool

Natural Bed Bug Repellents

bottle of clove oil and cloves on marble
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Most of the natural bed bug sprays that kill and/or repel have essential oils as the active ingredient(s). But are they effective? Yes, some essential oils can actively repel bed bugs. But not all of them work, so don’t just grab the ones you may have in your drawer. The essential oils that have been found to repel bed bugs are:

  • Geranium oil (contains geraniol)
  • Lemongrass oil (contains citronellic acid)
  • Oregano oil (contains carvacrol and thymol)
  • Thyme oil (contains carvacrol and thymol)
  • Clove oil (contains eugenol)
  • Cinnamon oil (contains eugenol)
  • Java citronella oil (contains geraniol and citronellic acid)
  • Red thyme oil (contains carvacrol and thymol)

Researchers conducted a study in which cinnamon oil showed a 99% repellent effect on bed bugs that were looking for shelter. Additionally, in another study, other substances like geraniol, eugenol, carvacrol, and citronellic acid held off bed bugs for up to 24 hours.

Important note: The protection provided by these components weakens when they are applied to items near a sleeping human like bedding, liners, mattress covers, and other items on or around the bed. 

This phenomenon is explained by the researchers Anne Krüger, Erik Schmolz, and Arlette Vander Pan in their 2021 study. They found that bed bugs are less sensitive to repellents when searching for a blood meal than when looking for shelter. In other words, when bed bugs are hungry, the essential oils won’t stop them

How to Use Natural Bed Bug Repellents

bed bug sitting on skin
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You can make a DIY bed bug repellent using one of the essential oils above (or a blend of them) and water:

  • Mix 10 to 20 drops of the oil(s) of your preference with water into a spray bottle. 
  • Shake and apply daily on your furniture, your bed frame, your carpet, or other areas where bed bugs are seen.

You can also use these essential oils when washing your bedding or clothing items. The Maine government recommends washing all hard surfaces with pine, orange, or lemon essential oil soaps (a sudsy detergent or enzyme cleaner also works) as part of the bed bug clean-up process.

An important note: It is not advisable to use these oils to make a homemade bed bug repellent for your skin as they can cause irritation. 

Chemical Bed Bug Repellents

DEET repellents are an effective alternative to natural products. So effective, in fact, that DEET is considered the best overall bed bug repellent. Recent evidence suggests that DEET and icaridin (also known as picaridin) effectively repel bed bugs looking for shelter. But out of the two, only DEET was found to repel bed bugs when they were foraging for food. 

Additionally, researchers have reported that DEET-treated fabric also showed a high repellency against bed bugs for up to 14 days. 

How to Use Chemical Bed Bug Repellents

You can apply commercial repellents for ticks and other biting insects that contain DEET to the outer surface of your clothing. Note that if the product is not labeled for bed bugs, you should check with your state pesticide regulatory agency. 

Pro tip: Chemical repellents can’t be used on furniture or other surfaces not indicated on the label. For instance, most DEET bed bug or insect repellents should be sprayed on top of clothing as there are currently no bed bug repellent body sprays or lotions registered to be used directly on human skin. Additionally, DEET should never be applied to synthetic fabrics or underneath clothing.

How to Repel Bed Bugs

You don’t necessarily need to invest in bed bug sprays to repel bed bugs. Most of the natural bed bug sprays on the market lose their repellent effect once dry, and essential oils have shown an efficacy of, at best, 24 hours. So, while bed bug repellents may help, they are not an effective way to prevent or treat a bed bug infestation.

With some low-cost natural home remedies for bed bugs, you can manage bed bugs effectively. So, here’s how to keep bed bugs away:

  • Declutter: Bed bugs love to hide, and clutter provides them with plenty of shelter. So collect any disposable items and excess paper, cardboard boxes, or magazines into a plastic bag, double-seal it, and throw it in an outside bin.
person vacuuming a mattress
Vacuuming a mattress
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  • Vacuum thoroughly: Vacuum the entire room, paying special attention to your mattress, around and under the bed, behind wall hangings and electrical outlets, and in any cracks and crevices you may find. Then, dispose of the vacuum canister’s contents (or the bag) in an outside trash bin.
  • Set bed bug traps: Bed bug traps should be set under each leg of the bed. They will help both to detect bed bugs and deter them from climbing on the bed. 
covering mattress with a mattress protector
Mattress encasement
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  • Use mattress encasements: Bed bug-proof mattress encasements will prevent the bed bugs present on the mattress from biting you (and cause them eventually to die inside the encasement). At the same time, they will prevent new bed bugs from nesting in your mattress.
  • Dry on high heat: Dry clothing, shoes, rugs, pillows, and any fabric item on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes. The heat will kill bed bugs and their eggs. You can also dry clean or use steam to kill bed bugs on items that cannot be thrown into the dryer.
pile of diatomaceous earth
Photo Credit: SprocketRocket / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 1.0
  • Sprinkle diatomaceous earth: Diatomaceous earth is an effective desiccant dust that kills bed bugs by damaging their exoskeleton. Sprinkle the dust on cracks and crevices, but remember to wear a mask and other protective equipment while doing so.

And lastly, but most importantly: Call a bed bug pro. A licensed professional can conduct a chemical or heat treatment in your home, solving your bed bug problem with a more efficient approach. Although professional bed bug chemical treatments often require follow-ups, a pro will know how to target bed bugs’ hiding spots and their eggs.  

Best Bed Bug Repellent

Out of our selection of the best bed bug sprays, three products that contain repelling essential oils stand out:

  • The EcoVenger Spray by EcoRaider
  • The Bed Bug Patrol Spray
  • The Eco Defense Bed Bug Spray

Pro tip: Most of the chemical bed bug sprays contain a residual action that is different from the repelling effect of the natural sprays. These chemical sprays have a residual killing effect that keeps on killing bed bugs even after drying.

FAQ About Bed Bug Repellents

Are There Bed Bug Repellents For Skin?

According to the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC), there are currently no registered bed bug repellents that can be applied to human skin. 

Do Ultrasonic Bed Bug Repellents Work?

In short, ultrasonic bed bug repellents don’t work. Researchers who tested these repellers found they have no effect on bed bug behavior. Despite the lack of evidence, however, they are popular and inexpensive, and you can easily find them in brick-and-mortar stores or online. They are also called electronic or plug-in bed bug repellers. 

Is Lavender a Bed Bug Repellent?

There is no evidence to suggest that lavender is repellent to bed bugs. Although many bed bug sprays are scented with lavender oil, tea tree oil, or peppermint oil, and many sources online suggest using them as home remedies against bed bugs, there is no sufficient evidence to back the claim that they repel bed bugs.

Find a Pro Near You

Are the bed bugs bugging you? Having your home invaded by these hitchhiking pests is stressful, but you don’t have to battle them on your own. Pest Gnome connects you to the best pros in your area who have the right resources and expertise to help you out. Get in touch with a pest control pro near you and don’t let the bed bugs bug you anymore.

Main Image Credit: Content Providers(s): CDC/ Harvard University, Dr. Gary Alpert; Dr. Harold Harlan; Richard Pollack. Photo Credit: Piotr Naskrecki / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Teresa Joaquim

Teresa is a creative writer who holds a Master's degree in Psychology. Despite being a nature lover, she is terrified of cockroaches. As a native of the tropics, she is used to dealing with mosquitoes, although they still manage to bother her. Her favorite things are art, music, and playing with her two cats.