Using Cloves for Bedbugs: A Natural Repellent Guide (Not a Complete Solution)
3. Clove Oil Spray (A Potent Repellent)
Safety First: Always dilute clove oil and perform a patch test on fabrics. It can stain and is potent.
Recipe: Mix 10-15 drops of pure clove essential oil with 1 cup of water and 1 tsp of dish soap (to help emulsify) in a spray bottle. Shake well before each use.
Application: Lightly mist (do not soak) areas where bedbugs travel or hide:
Mattress seams, tufts, and tags
Bed frame joints and cracks
The perimeter of carpets and rugs
Behind loose wallpaper or pictures
Never spray directly on bedding, skin, or into electrical outlets.
Never spray directly on bedding, skin, or into electrical outlets.4. Clove Steam Method (To Flush & Dislodge)
This helps drive bugs out of deep crevices for easier vacuuming.
How: Add a handful of whole cloves to a pot of boiling water. Let it simmer for 10 minutes to infuse. Carefully pour the hot water into a bowl and place it securely under the bed or in the infested room. The rising aromatic steam can irritate and flush out hidden bugs.
- Warning: This is for flushing only. Have a vacuum ready. Do not use this method near children or pets due to the risk of scalding.
Where to Focus Your Efforts: Key Hiding Spots
Where to Focus Your Efforts: Key Hiding SpotsBedbugs excel at hiding. Target all potential harborages:
The Bed: Seams, folds, and labels of the mattress & box spring. Inside the bed frame, headboard, and footboard.
Furniture: Seams and undersides of sofas, chairs, and drawers.
Room Perimeter: Along baseboards, carpet edges, behind curtains, and inside electrical switch plates (do not spray liquids into outlets).
Personal Items: In clutter, behind wall hangings, and in bedside tables.
