Bedbugs are one of unpleasant insects that appear during the spring. These insects are not a pretty sight if left to roam in bathrooms or bedrooms. Another thing is that these insects are tough to eradicate at home. They reproduce and multiply at a fast rate.
There are different species of bedbugs, and, based on the type, there are other strategies and products to eradicate them from our homes. You need a quick reaction to eliminate bedbugs from home. The earlier you start disinfecting your home, the easier it will be to get rid of bed bugs. After reading this article, you will get to know if Dettol can kill bed bugs and all the correct information on how to get rid of bed bugs in your home.
Can Dettol Spray Kill Bed Bugs?
Dettol is not an insecticide, so it is not expected to kill a bed bug which is an insect. Although it has antiseptic properties, it cannot kill bed bugs as well as other insects. Using Dettol directly on the bed bugs can kill them. This method is not applied as it is wasteful.
Also, you will need a large amount of disinfectant to eliminate all bedbugs. When you combine it with other products that have disinfectant properties, it can help kill bed bugs.
Dettol can act as a disinfectant, antiseptic, or cleaning supply. It kills 99.9% of the Baxter, viruses, fungi, and germs. The main active constituent responsible for this activity is Chloroxylenol.
People still go for Dettol as a bedbug killer because it is safe and harmless. Unlike using insecticide, you can use Dettol to spray your bed and still make use of it. With it, you have the safest remedy to eradicate bedbugs and still have your beautiful nights.
Even though Dettol is not an ideal solution to exterminate or eradicate bed bugs, in the absence of other efficacious solutions, you can use Dettol. The most effective you can make use of Dettol to get rid of bed bugs is by using it directly on the insects.
Does Dettol Kill Bed Bugs Eggs?
Dettol cannot penetrate the surface of bedbug’s eggs in the concentrations used at home. To penetrate the eggs, you need to find all eggs and douse them with the Dettol, which does not sound well. It will not be economical, and also it will be time-wasting.
To completely eradicate bedbugs, you need to destroy all the eggs. Therefore, if a disinfectant is ineffective in eliminating the eggs, we can’t say it can completely eradicate bedbugs.
What Smells Can Kill Bed Bugs?
Some scents can kill and repel bed bugs, and you can use them to remove them from your home. Some of these scents are fresh mint, cayenne pepper, garlic solution, alcohol, cinnamon powder, etc. This ability is due to their volatile oil constituents, which have insecticidal activity and, therefore, are active against bedbugs.
Fresh mint can repel bedbugs. One advantage of using it is that it has a wonderful odor that bed bugs can’t stand the smell. You can use them at home to get rid of bed bugs disturbing you and your family members. The strong odor of mint makes the bugs in your house uncomfortable.
Also, the scent of garlic can make bed bugs uncomfortable. You can make it effective by boiling it to release the smell. After boiling, you can use the solution to spray areas where bed bugs hide, like cracks and crevices.
Cayenne pepper is not only useful as a spice. You can also use it to eradicate bed bugs in your home. Sprinkling this pepper directly on bedbugs will kill them. When you Spray them around your room, it repels bedbugs and other insects. You need to be extra careful when using this pepper, especially when you have children at home.
Alcohol smell also eradicates and scares away bedbugs. You can do this by spraying your bedroom with alcohol in places they hide. It irritates the body of the insect.
Will Dettol Kill Insects?
Dettol can not kill insects but can be used to repel ants from homes. If you have a problem with the insect in your home, rather than using a Dettol, it is better to go for insecticide sprays.
To kill the insect with Dettol, you will have to cover its body or spray the head. When the insect tries to clean itself, the Dettol will get into its mouth, and it will eventually die. But this will require a lot of time and effort.
When you mix it with soapy water, it can be effective against some insects. Soapy water has good insecticidal activity, and people combine the two to increase its effectiveness against the insect. The scent from Dettol will help repel ants, while the soapy water will kill the insects on the spot.
Dettol alone does not have a robust insecticidal effect, but the odor is strong enough to prevent them from coming to your house. As soon as the smell effects disappear, the insects will return. If you want to completely eradicate the insect in your home, you should go for methods other than Dettol.
Does Dettol Kill Dust Mites?
Dust mites are home pests commonly found in bedding and carpeting. Eliminating them can be difficult, but you can quickly get it done with Dettol. Dettol contains Chloroxylenol and isopropyl alcohol which are toxic to dust mites. These constituents have antibacterial and antiseptic activity against dust mites.
Dettol contains sodium hypochlorite, with the active ingredient chlorine. Dust mites will be killed by chlorine present in Dettol. The chlorine acts by bleaching action. Another thing is that Dettol has a pH of 12-13, which is highly alkaline.
The dust mite can not survive under this condo because their skin has a pH of 7. When Dettol gets in contact with dust mites, the dust dies immediately by the alkalinity of the disinfectant.
When you spray Dettol on surfaces, it kills more than 90% of allergens like dust mites, thus keeping you safe.
Will Vinegar Kill Bed Bugs?
Applying vinegar directly to bedbugs can kill them. This is because vinegar is made up of acetic acid, which is a strong acid. Spraying this on bedbugs will immediately disrupt their nervous system.
Vinegar is used in many places as a home remedy against bedbugs. It is safe and effective. However, you can not use it as a standalone treatment to eradicate a bed bug infestation. This is because it does not affect the bedbug’s egg. Eradication is not complete without destroying the eggs.
Vinegar can be a natural ingredient to eliminate and even ward off bedbugs till you get a long-lasting solution. Vinegar only provides short-term and limited effects against bed bugs. It can not penetrate the hard casings that cover bed bug eggs
The acetic acid present in a vinegar solution makes it highly acidic. The pH is around 2.5 and therefore has antimicrobial properties against insects. You can only use vinegar as a contact-type insecticide. You have to apply it directly to the spotted bedbug to be effective.
Can Bleach Kill Bed Bugs?
All bleaches can kill bed bugs, either made of chlorine or hydrogen peroxide. When you want to use bleach, you need to apply it directly to the insects. It may not be effective if you apply it only to the bed bugs’ hiding areas.
Direct contact with the bedbugs breaks down its protein, and also the acid in the bleach gets absorbed into the insect. Aside from the acidity of bleach, it is also known for its strong smell that can suffocate bedbugs. The fumes interfere with their respiratory system.
One advantage that you get when you use bleach is that it kills the insect and destroys their eggs. You must note that applying the bleach well to their hiding places is only effective when in contact with the eggs.
When you want to dilute bleach, you should not add much water. Too much diluting will make the smell less intense than it should be, and the solution won’t kill bed bugs.
Does Boiling Water Kill Bed Bugs?
Boiling water or even hot water more than 130°F (54.45°C) can kill bed bugs. They cannot survive in temperatures higher than 125°F. Boiling water will eliminate the insect and their eggs immediately. The higher the temperature, the faster the insecticidal activity.
When you pour boiling water on bedbugs, they get severe burns and die immediately upon contact. You can only apply hot or boiling water when removing bed bugs on clothes. It is not logical for use in furniture, mattresses, or wardrobes. These items get damaged if you pour boiling water on them.
Does Dettol Keep Mosquitoes Away?
Dettol can neither kill nor repel mosquitoes. It only stops them from breeding when applied. To prevent mosquitoes, you can not use Dettol as a standalone but can be combined with insecticides to make them more effective.
Conclusion
Bedbugs can be difficult to eradicate because of their eggs which you may find hard to destroy. If you can follow some of these methods, you can keep your home away from these insects.