Does Vinegar Kill Bed Bugs? (Pros, Cons & Alternatives)

Bed bugs are tenacious, resilient, and persistent pests. They are difficult to treat and even harder to get rid of.

Many people believe that vinegar is an effective bed bug killer. However, does vinegar kill bed bugs? The answer is complicated.

Vinegar is a natural acid that can kill some types of bacteria and viruses.

However, it is not known to be super effective against bed bugs because you must spray vinegar on the bed bug. In addition, vinegar can damage some surfaces and fabrics. For these reasons, it is important to be careful when using vinegar to kill bed bugs.

If you decide to use vinegar, be sure to test it in a small area first and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

How Vinegar Kills Bed Bugs?

Bedbugs are tiny insects that feed on the blood of animals and humans. They are reddish-brown in color, flattened in shape, and about the size of an apple seed.

Bedbugs are not known to transmit disease, but their bites can be itchy and irritating. If you suspect you have bedbugs, you may be wondering how to get rid of them.

Vinegar is a natural acid that can kill bedbugs on contact. It also has a strong scent that bedbugs dislike, which can help to keep them away.

To use vinegar as a bedbug treatment, simply pour it into a spray bottle and spritz it onto any areas where you see bedbugs.

You can also soak a cotton ball in vinegar and place it near your bed to repel bedbugs. Vinegar is a safe, effective way to try and get rid of bedbugs, but it’s important to remember that it will only kill the bugs that come into contact with it.

If you have a severe bedbug infestation, you may need to consult a pest control professional for additional treatment options or use more powerful DIY pest control chemicals.

What Chemical Does Vinegar Contain that Kills Bed Bugs?

Vinegar is an all-natural household product that can be used for cleaning, cooking, and even as a beauty treatment.

However, one lesser-known use for vinegar is as a bed bug killer. Remember, it can kill bed bugs but is not super effective, especially against an entire infestation.

Vinegar contains acetic acid, when applied to bed bugs, the acetic acid will break down their exoskeletons and kill them. We do not recommend using vinegar to kill bed bugs it can work but is not very effective.

If you decide to try and use vinegar to kill bed bugs, be sure to apply it directly to the insects and their eggs.

You can also use a spray bottle to apply vinegar to larger areas. As stated earlier be sure to exercise caution when using vinegar spray, as it can damage some surfaces if used in too high of a concentration.

Here Is How You Can Make Homemade Vinegar Bed Bug Spray

• Find an empty spray bottle within your house.
• Fill up the bottle with vinegar. Any vinegar is fine, but I recommend using white vinegar
• Shake the bottle to mix the liquid
• Using a spray bottle will keep the vinegar from evaporating quickly

How to use

• Spray directly onto the bed bugs or eggs

Why Use Vinegar for Bed Bugs?

There are a few reasons why vinegar may kill bed bugs. For one thing, it’s acidic, and bed bugs are vulnerable to acidic solutions.

Additionally, vinegar can dehydrate and kill bed bugs by causing them to lose moisture. This is especially effective when done in combination with heat, as the bed bugs will be unable to replenish their moisture levels.

Finally, vinegar has a strong smell that bed bugs dislike, making it an effective repellent. All these factors make vinegar a cheap way to kill a few bed bugs.

Pros And Cons of Vinegar on Bed Bugs

Vinegar is a natural homemade remedy that can kill some bed bugs. We do not recommend using it because it is not an effective way to get rid of bed bugs.

Does Vinegar Instantly Kill Bed Bugs?

Vinegar is just not an effective way to get rid of bed bugs. The amount you must directly spray on them is a lot. Even if you hit them, it does not mean they will die.

What Else Might Work Beside Vinegar to Kill Bed Bugs?

These days, there are other household cleaners that people have tried. We are going to look at a few and see what will work and not work.

Bleach on Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are one of the most difficult pests to get rid of. They are incredibly resilient and can survive for long periods of time without food. Additionally, they multiply quickly, making it difficult to eliminate an infestation once it has begun.

However, there are several methods that can be used to get rid of bed bugs, and one household item people try is bleach. Bleach contains chemicals that are designed to kill germs and microbes, and these same chemicals can possibly kill bed bugs.

You must get the bleach directly on the bed bugs and the eggs. That is why we do not recommend bleach it is very difficult to spray on bed bug eggs and live bed bugs, the smell can be toxic, and you can damage home items with the spray.

Lysol to Kill Bed Bugs

If you’re dealing with a bed bug infestation, you may be wondering if Lysol can help get rid of these pesky pests.

Unfortunately, Lysol does not kill bed bugs.

In fact, most household cleaners are not effective against bed bugs. Bed bugs are very difficult to kill because they are resistant to many common pesticides. The best way to get rid of bed bugs is to hire a professional exterminator or buy a bed bug professional exterminator kit.

Baking Soda on Bed Bugs

There is some debate over whether or not baking soda can effectively kill bed bugs. Some people swear by it, while others say it doesn’t work. So, what’s the truth?

Does baking soda kill bed bugs?

There is no definitive answer, as there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. However, some people believe that sprinkling baking soda around infested areas may help to deter bed bugs, as they do not like the smell.

Others believe that applying a mixture of baking soda and water directly to bed bugs will kill them. Again, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.

Ultimately, whether or not baking soda kills bed bugs is still up for debate.

Can Tea Tree Oil Kill Bed Bugs?

Tea tree oil is a natural insecticide that might kill bed bugs. When applied to infested areas, tea tree oil might kill a few bed bugs and their eggs.

However, it is important to note that tea tree oil should not be used as the only method of treatment. To effectively get rid of bed bugs, you will need to combine tea tree oil with other methods, such as vacuuming, pesticides, and steam cleaning.

Does Borax Kill Bed Bugs?

One popular method of getting rid of bed bugs is to use borax or boric acid. But does this method actually work?

There is some evidence to suggest that borax and boric acid might kill adult bed bugs. In one study, researchers found that boric acid was able to kill all stages of bed bug life, including eggs, nymphs, and adults.

Borax was also found to be effective, although not quite as much as boric acid. However, it’s important to note that these studies were done in controlled laboratory settings. It’s unclear how well these methods would work in the real world.

There are also some potential risks associated with using borax or boric acid to kill bed bugs. These chemicals can be harmful to humans if they are inhaled or ingested. They can also irritate the skin. As a result, it’s important to use caution when using these products.

Can Diatomaceous Earth Kill Bed Bugs?

Diatomaceous earth is a white powder made up of the fossilized remains of tiny aquatic creatures called diatoms.

The powder is sharp to the touch and, when applied to bed bug infestations, it works by piercing the bed bugs’ exoskeletons and causing them to dehydrate and die. Diatomaceous earth is a natural, non-toxic substance that can be an effective way to get rid of bed bugs.

However, it is important to note that diatomaceous earth does not kill bed bugs immediately. It can take several days for the powder to work its way into the bed bugs’ exoskeletons and kill them.

In addition, diatomaceous earth can be difficult to apply evenly, so it is important to follow the directions on the package carefully. When used correctly, diatomaceous earth can be an effective tool for killing bed bugs.

Professional Bed Bug Treatment

If you call an exterminator to get rid of the bed bugs it is going to cost you. The good news is these are professionals that can guide you through getting rid of bed bugs.

You need to make sure you understand what they are doing and what they guarantee. Many will only give you a 2-week guarantee so after a month if the bed bugs return you will have to pay again for treatment.

If I was hiring an exterminator I would ask for a 6-month spraying schedule to make sure the bed bugs are gone.

You can also hire a company to do heat treatment to get rid of bed bugs in contact with extreme heat. This is an instant elimination of bed bugs if the company does it correctly.

After the heat treatment, I would spray for a few months with the DIY pesticides. I did this on one of my rentals and it worked well.

What Is the Cause of Bed Bug Infestation?

Bed bugs are creepy-crawly pests that feed on blood. Naturally, it goes to where there are humans and animals.

It is known that these pests are attracted more by warmth and carbon dioxide rather than blood. They hide in beds and tiny crevices that are hard to clean, making them very difficult to detect unless there is already an infestation.

The reason you get bed bugs is that you or someone in your family carried them into the home. You stayed at a hotel and the bed bug hitched a ride on your luggage. You may have visited a public building, office, or school and a bug hitched a ride on something you have with you like a bag or backpack.

There was something you brought into the home that the bed bug hitched a ride on, these are traveling bugs. This is how they get to a new home to infest.

Conclusion

If bed bugs have invaded your home, don’t rely on household cleaners to get rid of them – they are not a match for these pesky pests! DIY pesticides may be an option but you need to follow the directions and guidelines for using them.

You can also hire a professional exterminator who has specialized knowledge in safely removing the bed bug problem.