Can Essential Oils Kill Bed Bugs?

Blood orange oil is now proven to repel and kill bed bugs effectively. This is a great thing due to the fact that it’s a natural product and can be handled safely. With the current bed bug epidemic, this can be an asset for you to defend your home from these parasites.

In the following article, we’ll explore all about blood orange oil, its benefits, and effectiveness against bed bugs.

Bed bugs are elusive and most instances they won’t be seen until there is a severe problem. People waking up with bites could be an indication of bed bug activity. Check to see if they are present in your area. For more on bed bug bites, check out our article HERE.

For instructions on how to look for bed bugs, check our article HERE

What Is Blood Orange Oil?

Blood Orange is in the sweet orange family (Citrus aurantium dulcis), and it’s a natural essential oil in a pure form that is used in  aromatherapy for its bright, tart citrus scent, and energizing properties.

The blood orange is an intriguing variety of sweet orange though, but has the same botanical name, Citrus sinensis. The blood orange adapts its name from the beautiful hue in its fruit segments which is blood red in color.
Native to Sicily, the blood orange fruit grows on the Citrus x Sinensis tree, and the essential oil is derived by cold compression of its peel.

Citrus x Sinensis trees are middle-sized evergreens that usually grow up to thirty feet tall. Its bark is greenish-brown and its leaves are glossy.  The tree produces very aromatic white flowers that develop into delicious fruit. Anthocyanin, a red pigment, is also an antioxidant that is rare in the rest of the citrus family, is what gives this citrus the beautiful red color.

Blood orange oil is often used as an antidepressant. The oil is also known to help reduce inflammation, as well as muscular aches. Orange oil has also been used to ease digestive issues. It also has antiseptic properties, and helps for bloating. Blood orange essential oil can also be used as an insect repellant. ( More on that later).

And of course, it smells great!

How Will Orange Deter Bed Bugs?

Blood Orange Oil vs Bed Bugs

In two separate studies conducted at Rutgers University and at the USDA-Agricultural Research Service, the efficacy of 18 different essential oils in killing bed bugs were put to the test and blood orange oil was the top performer.

In its natural state, blood orange oil will naturally repel insects like mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and bed bugs of course.

In order to KILL bed bugs though, it has to be concentrated.  Your everyday aromatherapy mix wont kill a bed bug effectively.  It’s odor will repel the bed bug though, so it can help you feel more at ease by treating around the home with the oil or diffusing at night.

If interested in learning more about bed bugs, check out my bed bug basics article.

How To Mix Blood Orange Oil To Kill Bed Bugs

In the Rutgers and USDA study, the amount of blood orange oil needed to kill a bed bug was measured. The most effective ratio was found at 0.184 milligrams per bedbug.  At this strength, all bed bugs died.

I’ve mixed four milliliters (liquid) per three quarters of a gallon of water, gave it a vigorous shake in my pressurized applicator, and have killed bed bugs with it.  You can always increase or decrease depending on the reaction of the bed bug, as for some homes could be infested with pesticide resistant bugs, so these will require a little more -umph- so I would do six milliliters, for example.

I also would mix in other known effective essential oils to ensure it will kill bed bugs if needed. For example, cedar oil and peppermint would be great.

Blood orange oil properly mixed will leave a residual that will help in repelling and killing bed bugs.  It won’t kill forever, so it’s important to set a spraying schedule to ensure ridding yourself of bed bugs permanently.

What Smells Do Bed Bugs Hate?

Bed bugs are hard to get rid of, but there are some scents that bed bugs hate that will help you deter them from setting shop in your room or place of habitat.

Essential oils such as tea tree oil, blood orange essential oil, and the smell of alcohol can help to deter bed bugs from entering your home. The smell of tea tree oil can help to prevent bed bugs from laying eggs, while the smell of blood orange essential oil can keep bed bugs away from your home.

Bed bugs don’t like the smell of alcohol, so using it is an effective solution to your problem. You can use alcohol for your bed to prevent bed bugs from infesting it.

While it is true that alcohol can kill bed bugs on contact, it is not an effective solution for preventing or eliminating a bed bug infestation though. Bed bugs are resilient pests and can quickly spread throughout a home, making it difficult to eradicate them fully with just alcohol.

Additionally, alcohol may not reach the hidden areas where bed bugs hide, allowing them to escape and continue breeding.
To effectively tackle a bed bug infestation, it is recommended to use more proven methods, like a professional exterminator, or proper DIY with proper IPM ( Integrated Pest Management).

The Bottom Line

Blood orange oil can be great for dealing with bed bugs.  You may use it in its natural form to soothe bed bug bites, repel bed bugs by spot spraying around the home or using a diffuser at night, and actually KILL bed bugs by concentrating it.

Definitely a great asset for dealing for bed bugs. Now, while blood orange oil may have insect-repellent properties, there is limited scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness in dealing with bed bugs.

Bed bug infestations typically require professional intervention and the use of proven methods such as heat treatment, vacuuming, and insecticides specifically designed for bed bugs. While natural remedies can be used as complementary measures, it is important to prioritize methods with proven efficacy. If you are dealing with a bed bug infestation, make sure you employ effective treatment options.

If interested, check out our article on our recommendations of blood orange oils so you guys won’t spend hours doing research or end up buying a crappy oil.

I encourage you guys to drop a comment or question below.  I would love to hear from you!

Wilson.

Q&A

Q: What is the effectiveness of blood orange oil in repelling bed bugs?

A: Blood orange oil is known to be effective in repelling bed bugs due to its strong scent.

Q: How can blood orange oil be used to get rid of bed bugs?

A: Blood orange oil can be used as a natural pest control method to repel bed bugs. It can be applied directly to infested areas or used in homemade sprays and diffusers.

Q: Are there any other essential oils that can repel bed bugs?

A: Yes, besides blood orange oil, tea tree oil, lavender oil, and neem oil are also commonly used as essential oils for bed bugs.

Q: Can lavender oil be used for bed bug prevention?

A: Yes, lavender oil is known for its soothing scent and can also act as a bed bug repellent, helping to keep your home bed bug-free.

Q: How do essential oils for bed bugs work?

A: Essential oils work by emitting strong smells that insects like bed bugs find repulsive, making them want to stay away from the area.

Q: Is it best to use essential oils to repel bed bugs instead of chemical insect repellents?

A: While both options can be effective, some people prefer to use essential oils as they are natural and don’t contain potentially harmful chemicals.

Q: Can essential oils kill bed bugs?

A: Yes, certain essential oils can kill bed bugs. When applied directly to bed bug-infested areas, the oils can suffocate and kill the bugs.

Q: How can I use neem oil to get rid of bed bugs?

A: Neem oil can be used as a bed bug repellent by diluting it with water and spraying it on infested areas. The strong smell and properties of neem oil repel bed bugs and can help eliminate them.

Q: What is the most effective oil to get rid of bed bugs?

A: While different oils can be effective, tea tree oil is often considered one of the most effective oils for repelling and killing bed bugs.

Q: What smells will keep bed bugs out of my home?

A: Bed bugs dislike the smell of certain scents, including peppermint oil, blood orange oil, and the smell of lemon. Using fresh lemon slices or diffusing these oils can help repel bed bugs.