When it comes to keeping bed bugs out of your home, you’ll most likely experiment with new approaches to find which one works best. You may have recently heard that burning incense will keep those bothersome bugs at bay. But does incense repel bed bugs?
Some people enjoy burning incense because it has a pleasant smell and keeps bed bugs away. Bedbug repellent essential oils such as cinnamon, lavender, tea tree, and peppermint oil, among others, will keep bedbugs away.
When burning incense sticks, keep in mind that not all of them will keep bedbugs away. Regular incense sticks are used to create a relaxing atmosphere in your home. Insect repellent incense sticks are recommended for maintaining bedbugs.
Does Incense Attract or Repel Bugs?
Some scents will repel bugs, while others will not, depending on the incense type. However, it’s essential to know whether incense sticks work with so many bugs in homes, such as flies, mosquitoes, spiders, bedbugs, etc.
Incense with bug repellent scents will keep bugs away. They have stronger scents that repel bugs. Bug repellent incense scents include eucalyptus, citronella, peppermint, and many other natural plant-based aromas. The majority of these are natural scents that will make our homes smell nice while also safe for our kids, pets, and the environment.
Traditional incense, such as jasmine, honeysuckle, and sandalwood, has little effect on bugs. Their scent is too mild, and some claim it attracts rather than repels bugs. You might want to avoid those particular aromas in your home.
Varied types of incense have different reactions to different bugs. Apply the following incense when you wish to get rid of a specific bug.
- Lemongrass is a powerful fly repellent.
- Ants, ticks, and fleas will be repelled by lavender.
- Tea tree kills cockroaches more quickly.
- Ants will avoid peppermint.
How Does Incense Repel Bugs?
Using different incense scents in your home helps keep various bugs at bay. Some incense scents are so strong that they repel bugs and kill them.
Because bugs lack developed lungs, they breathe oxygen through the trachea. The bugs directly ingest whatever odor is there in the air. They have no way of filtering the air they breathe in.
When you light an incense stick with a scent that the bugs dislike or are harmful to them, they directly inhale it. Corrosive compounds in the incense will dry off the bugs’ exoskeletons when they inhale it, killing the bug.
When you burn incense sticks like Citronella Incense Sticks, the bugs have difficulty finding a host. The smoke and smell will deter the bugs from looking for a host in that area. They prefer to choose a host who is easy to grasp. Most flying bugs avoid places where there is any form of smoke.
Do Bed Bugs Hate Peppermint?
Peppermint has plenty of menthol content. Most people use it for its skin-cooling effect and muscle soothing benefit. Some people will use peppermint in their food, while others will buy peppermint-based products.
Bedbugs detest the scent of peppermint and will flee it. Because of the high menthol content, it has a pungent smell for the bedbugs.
Peppermint not only repels bedbugs but also kills them with its powerful scent. Its oil acts as a contact insecticide for killing bedbugs. You can use peppermint spray or burn incense sticks or candles where bedbugs are plentiful.
You’ll have to repeat it multiple times since bedbugs will return after the peppermint aroma fades. You can use the following procedure to make an effective peppermint DIY bedbug treatment.
You’ll need
- One cup of clean water
- Spray bottle
- 20 drops of peppermint essential oil.
Shake well to mix the water and the peppermint drops. Spray the areas of your home where bedbugs frequent.
Do Bed Bugs Hate Lavender?
Because of its pleasant aroma, humans frequently utilize lavender to create a relaxed atmosphere. Some people also feel that you can use lavender to help cure mild body pain.
On the other hand, Bedbugs see lavender as just another chemical used by humans to destroy them. Linalool, which is found in lavender, is used primarily by insecticide manufacturers.
The lavender scent is repulsive to bedbugs. It will be highly effective whether you spray it or use lavender incense sticks or candles to drive bedbugs away.
It is best to avoid using essential oils around your pets and family. Essential oils are toxic; therefore, ingesting them can be harmful.
Does Incense Repel Spiders?
While spiders can be frightening to some, killing them is not a good idea. Spiders are great at eating other bugs. Think of them as natural pest repellents. Of course, this does not imply that you attract them into your home. Use incense that will drive them away.
If you have an infestation, go ahead and get those incense sticks out. On spiders, regular incense will not work. Peppermint or chestnut oil are the ideal smells to employ. These two fragrances will keep them away without killing them.
While other essential oils could also work, keep in mind that the goal is to deter rather than kill them. You can buy a Nantucket Spider Bundle containing incense sticks that repel spiders. Alternatively, you can also choose to make your incense.
The smell of cider repels spiders. If you can find or make cedar sticks, burn them in strategic places throughout your home. You’ll have another wonderful incense to keep the spiders away.
Do Bed Bugs Hate Rubbing Alcohol?
A well-known disinfectant, rubbing alcohol, can also eradicate bedbugs. It not only kills bacteria, but it also kills bedbugs. Those bedbugs not killed will flee fast since the smell is so repulsive.
Rubbing alcohol is known to prevent bedbugs from laying eggs. If the bedbugs do not lay eggs, there will be no reproduction, and the infestation will be over. Rubbing Alcohol is available for purchase on Amazon.
When using rubbing alcohol, be cautious because it has been known to ignite fires. Rubbing alcohol is so effective that spraying it on bedbugs in a specific region would kill 50%.
Because of the risks, using rubbing alcohol to kill or repel bedbugs is not a good idea. Calling a professional is the best solution. However, when taken correctly, it can provide immediate relief.
Can Candles Repel Bugs?
Candles are an excellent mosquito repellent. Especially citronella, pine, marigold, peppermint, and lavender candles. The good news is that candles can burn for hours without losing their scent.
Most bugs dislike the smell of scented candles, especially those with natural scents. Apart from repelling them, the scent is so powerful that it masks both human and animal odors. Bugs that feed on humans and animals are oblivious to their presence and fly right past them.
You can find scented candles on Amazon or in local retailers near you. If you can’t find them, you can make your scented candles at home. At the very least, you can experiment with different scents when making them at home.
Experimenting with several scents will help you figure out which aroma works best for you.
What Scents Keep Bed Bugs Away?
It may be impossible to eradicate all bedbugs from your home. Fortunately, you can flush them out of their hiding spots or kill them with specific odors.
Consider the following smells to keep bedbugs at bay:
1. Essential oils
Essential oils like lavender, mint, basil, cinnamon, menthol, and citrus are some scents that will keep bedbugs away from your home. Linalool is present in these oils (used in making insecticides).
Because most of the plants listed above are used as spices in our homes, they can be used as natural bedbug repellents. Use lemongrass, tea tree oils, and neem for further bedbug control.
2. Vinegar
The smell of vinegar is another scent that will keep bedbugs away. Although vinegar does not contain linalool, it does have mild acidic properties. Because of its acidic qualities, vinegar has a pungent smell that is also corrosive.
Vinegar smell overwhelms bedbugs’ nerve systems when they inhale it. The corrosive compounds in vinegar corrode the exoskeleton of bedbugs, causing them to dry out.
3. Garlic
Another fantastic aroma that helps keep bedbugs away is garlic. Allicin, a chemical component produced by the garlic plant, is present.
Bedbugs, like most humans, dislike the scent of garlic since they have no way of filtering it.
4. Lemon
Lemon has a citrusy aroma that most bugs dislike. Citrus scents are toxic to bedbugs and can kill them.
Because of its acidic qualities, fresh lemon juice is more effective. Mix freshly squeezed lemon juice with water in a spray bottle and spray around your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How to burn incense?
If you’re not sure how to burn incense in your home, here’s a quick guide:
1. You will have three options when buying incense: stick, coil, or cones.
2. You’ll need some physical support to help them. Use an old fire-resistant dish or buy or make incense holders.
3. Light the incense tip after placing it in the holder.
4. After a few minutes, blow out the incense flame and watch as the incense stick drives the bugs out of your home.
2. Are there risks of using incense at home?
Inhaling any type of smoke is harmful to your health. The risk of air pollution is greater when smoke is present indoors. Incense will most likely release harmful compounds when burned. The levels released exceed what experts consider to be safe.
If you must burn incense, do it outside unless the room is sufficiently ventilated. Follow the instructions carefully before using store-bought incense.
3. Why should we use incense stick for bug control?
You can avoid applying synthetic poisons and chemicals to your skin by using incense sticks. Incense is an excellent option vs applying scented lotions or oils in today’s society, where more and more people are becoming health-conscious.
Incense sticks do not kill bugs; instead, they encourage them to fly away. Because some bugs contribute as pollinators and aid in the removal of other harmful insects, killing them may not be the best idea.