Witch hazel has an astringent effect that is deadly to bed bugs. When sprayed directly on them, it will dry up the bed bugs’ outer layers. This will tighten their breathing holes and kill them. The main component of pure witch hazel is tannin which has strong tightening and hardening properties.
To kill bed bugs and their eggs, add 50ml of pure witch hazel to 100ml of hot water. Then pour this into a small spray bottle and spray it directly on the bedbugs. This can also be sprayed on bedding to repel bedbugs and keep them from biting you at night.
There are different types of witch hazel in the market and if you get the wrong one, it will not be effective for bed bug control. Always ensure you get pure witch hazel that has not been mixed with other components.
How to get rid of bed bugs with witch hazel
To repel and kill bedbugs, use a concentrated witch hazel solution. If you can get the plant and make your own solution, that would be perfect. If this is not possible, ensure you buy 100% pure witch hazel which should be available in any store around you.
When using pure witch hazel to kill bedbugs, just mix it with warm water in the ratio of 1:3. A good example is 1 tablespoon to 3 tables spoons of hot water. When dealing with a serious infestation, increase the mixture but maintain a ratio of 1:3 of hazel and water respectively. Ensure that you use pure witch hazel if you want to get the best results.
Witch hazel can repel and remove bedbugs from wooden floors. Mix 10 ounces of witch hazel, 120ml of dish soap, and 0.5 gallons of warm water in a bucket (do not use hot water). Then use a hand towel dipped in the solution to wipe the floor. Squeeze into the cracks and gaps to kill bed bugs and their eggs.
To increase the efficiency of witch hazel against bedbugs, you can mix with other oils that are toxic to bed bugs. This includes clove, cinnamon, lemongrass, and oregano essential oils. A mixture of those oils and witch hazel will kill bed bugs instantly.
1. Witch hazel + Clove oil
A mixture of witch hazel and clove is effective because clove contains a component known as eugenol.
Eugenol is toxic to several insects including bedbugs. A mixture of the two will therefore make a deadly spray that will kill bed bugs instantly when sprayed close enough. Here is how to mix the two:
Mix 5 ounces of witch hazel with 1 ounce of clove oil. Then add 1 cup of warm water and shake so that it blends well.
Identify where the bed bugs hide and use a hand sprayer to sprinkle the solution directly on them. This will kill the bedbugs and their nymphs thus stopping and infestation.
2. Cinnamon oil + Witch hazel
The advantage of using a mixture of cinnamon and witch hazel to get rid of bed bugs is that the mixture is clear. It will not leave stains and marks on your bedding, seats, or on any upholstery. Ensure you get close enough to the bedbugs when spraying this solution.
To get rid of the bed bugs, pour 0.5litres of warm water in a hand spray bottle. Then mix ounces of cinnamon with 6 ounces of witch hazel and add to it. Ensure they blend and spray the mixture on the bedbugs. Cinnamon does not easily mix with water so ensure you keep shaking as you spray for best results.
3. Witch hazel + Oregano oil
When mixed with witch hazel, oregano oil becomes more toxic to bed bugs because it contains carvacrol.
A mixture of the 2 will also get rid of bed bugs eggs including all the development stages. This is one of the best ways to get rid of bed bugs on clothes after hugging or sleeping in an infested bed.
Simply mix 6 ounces of witch hazel with 2 ounces of oregano oil. Then add 240ml of hot water to the mixture and pour it into a spray bottle. Get as close as possible to the bed bugs and cover them with the solution to kill them.
4. Lemongrass oil + witch hazel
Lemongrass oil is extracted from lemongrass plant and is highly acidic for bedbugs. When this is diluted and combined with witch hazel, it will burn through the bed bugs’ outer layer and kill then in a mater of seconds.
To get rid of bed bugs, mix 6 ounces of witch hazel with 4 ounces of lemongrass oil. Dilute the mixture with a cup of water (240ml) and spray it on the bed bugs. A mixture of lemongrass oil and witch hazel will kill bed bugs instantly.
Witch hazel for bed bug bites
Actually witch hazel is popular for calming the effects of bed bug bites on the skin. It is believed that it will relieve the irritation instantly and help with the bumps. Bed bug bites can be red sore and swollen especially if you have sensitive skin.
However, the tanning that is found in witch hazel can irritate your skin if not diluted. This component is a serious irritant and can damage your skin. Before applying anything on bed bug bites on private parts or any other area, seek professional guidance especially if you have sensitive skin.