Laboratory research has investigated eugenol and other plant-derived substances for potential insecticidal or repellent effects.
This has led some people to place cloves around beds, mix clove oil with water, or prepare homemade sprays.
However, there is no reliable evidence that placing ordinary cloves around a bedroom can eliminate a bedbug infestation.
Concentrated clove oil is not a proven replacement for professional bedbug treatment.
It may also irritate skin, eyes, and respiratory tissues.
Some essential oils can be toxic if swallowed or improperly applied, particularly around children and pets.
If you enjoy using cloves for their fragrance, there is no need to treat them as a pest-control product.
Do not rely on clove mixtures to kill hidden bedbugs or eggs.
A treatment that makes the room smell unpleasant to insects is not necessarily capable of eliminating an infestation.
8. What About Chamomile and Other Natural Remedies?
Chamomile is sometimes promoted as a natural way to soothe irritated skin.
Chamomile preparations may have mild soothing properties for some people, but they are not established treatments for bedbug bites or infestations.
Some individuals are allergic to chamomile, particularly those sensitive to plants in the daisy family.
Applying herbal preparations to irritated or broken skin can sometimes make symptoms worse.
Other popular home remedies include:
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Lavender oil.
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Tea tree oil.
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Peppermint oil.
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Vinegar.
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Baking soda.
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Alcohol.
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Essential oil mixtures.
Although some substances may show insect-related activity under laboratory conditions, that does not mean they can reliably eliminate bedbugs inside a home.
Some home remedies may also create additional hazards.
For example, rubbing alcohol is flammable and should not be sprayed around mattresses or furniture as a bedbug treatment.
Never mix household chemicals or apply unapproved substances to sleeping surfaces.
Natural does not automatically mean safe or effective.
For reliable results, use physical removal, appropriate heat treatment, monitoring, and registered pest-control products applied according to their labels.
9. Why Throwing Away Your Mattress May Not Solve the Problem
Many people believe that buying a new mattress will eliminate bedbugs.
Unfortunately, this approach can be ineffective.
Bedbugs may be hiding in the bed frame, headboard, baseboards, carpets, sofas, and nearby furniture.
Even if the mattress is discarded, surviving insects can quickly infest the replacement.
Throwing away furniture can also spread bedbugs through hallways, elevators, and shared spaces.
If a mattress is heavily infested and cannot be treated, disposal may be appropriate.
However, it should be handled carefully.
Seal it in protective plastic before moving it and clearly mark it so that someone else does not take it home.
Whenever possible, treat the surrounding room and furniture as well.
The goal is to eliminate the infestation from the environment, not simply remove the most visible hiding place.
10. How Long Does It Take to Eliminate Bedbugs?
The time required depends on several factors.
These include:
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The size of the infestation.
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The number of hiding places.
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The structure of the building.
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The treatment method.
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Whether neighboring units are affected.
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Whether all life stages are successfully targeted.
A small infestation detected early may be easier to control than one that has spread throughout several rooms.
Some professional heat treatments can be completed in a single day, but follow-up monitoring remains important.
Other treatment programs may require several visits over multiple weeks.
This is because some eggs may survive incomplete treatment, and newly hatched insects may remain hidden.
One treatment does not always guarantee that every bedbug has been eliminated.
Continue inspecting the room and monitoring traps after treatment.
Follow the pest-control professional's instructions about when to resume normal use of the treated area.
11. How to Prevent Bedbugs From Returning
Preventing reinfestation requires a few consistent habits.
The following precautions can help reduce the chance of bringing bedbugs into your home.
Inspect Hotel Rooms When Traveling
When staying in hotels or temporary accommodations, inspect the bed before unpacking.
Check:
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Mattress seams.
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Headboards.
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Bed frames.
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Bedside furniture.
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Luggage racks.
Look for live insects, dark fecal spots, eggs, and shed skins.
If you find evidence of bedbugs, request another room or accommodation and avoid placing luggage near the suspected infestation.
Keep Luggage Away From Beds
Use luggage racks when they are available, but inspect them first.
Avoid placing suitcases directly on beds or upholstered furniture.
Keep luggage closed when not in use.
Inspect Secondhand Furniture
Before bringing used mattresses, sofas, or bed frames into your home, inspect them carefully.
Pay special attention to seams, joints, screw holes, and hidden fabric areas.
Avoid acquiring discarded mattresses from the street.
Wash and Dry Travel Clothing
After returning from a trip, inspect your belongings.
Place suitable clothing directly into the washing and drying process.
Use an appropriate high-heat dryer setting when the fabric allows.
Keep untreated luggage separate from clean belongings until it has been inspected and cleaned.
Use Protective Mattress Covers
A suitable bedbug-proof encasement can make inspections easier and reduce available hiding spaces.
Monitor Sleeping Areas
Inspect mattress seams and bed frames periodically.
If you have previously experienced an infestation, interceptor devices can provide additional monitoring.
Avoid Moving Infested Items Between Rooms
Moving furniture and bedding without sealing them can spread insects.
Contain potentially infested objects before transporting them.
12. How to Treat Bedbug Bites Safely
Bedbug bites usually improve without specific medical treatment.
However, itching can be uncomfortable.