They invade mattresses in different ways. Dust mites accumulate due to dead skin cells, high humidity, and lack of cleaning. Bed bugs usually hitch rides on luggage, clothes or secondhand items and spread through walls and crevices.
Natural Elimination Methods
- Baking Soda: A great household item for pest control. It absorbs moisture, making the environment unlivable for pests and neutralizes odors. To use it, sprinkle it generously on your mattress and bedding. Let it sit for 2 – 3 hours, then vacuum thoroughly with a HEPA filter. Repeat every 1 – 2 weeks.
- Essential Oils: Some oils like tea tree, eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint have natural insect-repellent properties. Mix 10 – 15 drops of your chosen oil with 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Lightly mist the mattress, focusing on seams and crevices, and let it air dry before using bedding.
- Steam Cleaning: High heat can kill both dust mites and bed bugs along with their eggs. Use a handheld steam cleaner to steam the whole mattress, paying extra attention to edges and seams. Let it dry completely before covering with fresh bedding. Rent one if you don’t own it.
- Freezing: Extreme cold also works. For smaller items like pillows or mattress toppers, put them in sealed plastic bags and freeze for 24 – 48 hours. For larger items, move them to a cold outdoor area when possible.
- Diatomaceous Earth: This fine powder damages pests’ exoskeletons, killing them. Dust it lightly over the mattress and leave for at least 24 hours. Then vacuum thoroughly to remove the powder and dead pests. Make sure to use food-grade for safety.