Q: Hi Tracey,

... a bed bug has been found in the household I live in. I am currently gathering any advice for getting rid of bed bugs, but I already put all of my things in plastic bags and cleaned. I am going to put diatomaceous earth along all my walls tomorrow....

I hope you are doing well,
Thank you so much for everything!

- O.

P.S. do you happen to know if it is true that bed bugs are repelled by lavender essential oils?

A: Hi O.,

So sorry to hear this.

The primary way to combat bed bugs is by sealing up cracks and seams and by dehydrating them through heat.

When cleaning, it is only hot drying that kills the bugs. Washing in cold, warm or hot water will not kill them - only hot drying. So hopefully, that can save you time and money.

The most important thing you can do right away is to enclose mattresses, pillows and box springs in zippered bed bug covers. The next most important thing is to caulk the cracks in the baseboards and put the feet of beds and couches in jars with diatomaceous earth inside.

If essential oils could fix the problem, I'd be a millionaire! * I do make a spray of 90% cedarwood and 10% geranium, that can be sprayed into cracks and crevices and as a repellant. But it is not effective until you've take care of the advice above.

Let me know if I can help with the spray or the diatomaceous earth.

*The use of cedarwood and geranium oils is evidence-based. My formula is based on research that shows it to be >90% effective at eliminating bed bugs and their eggs.

Thanks, Tracey, Certified Natural Health Practitioner, Founder, Teacher

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