Bed bugs are small, flat, oval-shaped insects that feed on blood from humans or animals. They are nocturnal pests that can infest homes, apartments, hotels, and other places where people live or stay. Although bed bugs do not fly, jump, or hop, they can crawl onto clothing, luggage, and other items and hitchhike to new locations. Bed bugs are attracted to warmth, carbon dioxide, and chemicals, but what scents attract bed bugs?
Scents that Attract Bed Bugs
- Human Sweat: Bed bugs are attracted to the scent of human sweat, which contains chemicals that signal the presence of a potential meal. Bed bugs can detect the scent of human sweat from up to 20 feet away.
- Carbon Dioxide: Bed bugs are attracted to the carbon dioxide that humans exhale when they breathe. Carbon dioxide acts as a lure, guiding bed bugs to their host. Bed bugs can detect carbon dioxide from up to 100 feet away.
- Blood: Bed bugs are attracted to the scent of blood, which contains nutrients that bed bugs need to survive and reproduce. Bed bugs can detect the scent of blood from up to 5 feet away.
- Heat: Bed bugs are attracted to the heat that humans emit when they sleep. Bed bugs can detect heat from up to 3 feet away.
- Chemicals: Bed bugs are attracted to the chemicals that are commonly found in human skin, such as lactic acid, uric acid, and ammonia. Bed bugs can detect these chemicals from up to 2 feet away.
Scents that Repel Bed Bugs
- Lavender: Bed bugs hate the scent of lavender, which is a natural insect repellent. Lavender can be used in the form of essential oil, dried flowers, or sachets to repel bed bugs.
- Peppermint: Bed bugs also hate the scent of peppermint, which is a natural insect repellent. Peppermint can be used in the form of essential oil, dried leaves, or sachets to repel bed bugs.
- Tea Tree Oil: Bed bugs are also repelled by the scent of tea tree oil, which is a natural insecticide. Tea tree oil can be used in the form of essential oil, diluted solution, or spray to repel bed bugs.
- Cinnamon: Bed bugs do not like the scent of cinnamon, which is a natural insecticide. Cinnamon can be used in the form of powder, oil, or spray to repel bed bugs.
- Eucalyptus: Bed bugs are also repelled by the scent of eucalyptus, which is a natural insect repellent. Eucalyptus can be used in the form of essential oil, dried leaves, or sachets to repel bed bugs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, bed bugs are attracted to the scents of human sweat, carbon dioxide, blood, heat, and chemicals. However, bed bugs can be repelled by the scents of lavender, peppermint, tea tree oil, cinnamon, and eucalyptus. If you want to prevent or control a bed bug infestation, it is important to keep your home clean, clutter-free, and well-ventilated. You should also inspect secondhand furniture, clothing, and other items for bed bugs before bringing them into your home. If you suspect that you have a bed bug infestation, you should contact a pest control professional for assistance.
