Bed bugs are one of the most common household pests. Once they infest homes, they may be challenging to control. Although there are a lot of products in the market today that claim to be effective in getting rid of bed bugs, in reality, they don't work. Over the years, bedbugs have developed resistance to most of these treatments. Baking soda and vinegar are among the oldest methods used to treat bed bug infestations. However, there is no solid evidence to back up the former. This article will look into these two compounds and also tell us if they work or whether they're still effective.
Baking soda
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a common leavening agent. It is used in homes for baking cakes, bread, cookies and so on. However, baking soda has a dehydrating property which may function similarly to the diatomaceous earth in drying bed bugs. However, due to bed bugs' skeletal makeup and resistive nature, baking soda may not be strong enough to penetrate and kill them. It may, however, deter them from infested locations. The disadvantage is that they will relocate and congregate in other places in the home. Although some sources claim that baking soda effectively kills bed bugs, there is no scientific evidence to date to back up such claims.
Vinegar
Vinegar is formed from ethanol fermentation by the action of acetic acid bacteria. It is composed mainly of water and a small amount of acetic acid. Vinegar serves several purposes at home and is of great medicinal value. It is also one of the oldest methods used in treating bed bug infestation, but it only works for a short while and doesn't eliminate bed bugs. It may not kill them, but it may be an active ingredient to repel bed bugs. The acetic acid components of vinegar are the primary insecticidal agent. Vinegar can only impact bed bugs when they come in contact with them. Once bed bugs are dabbed with vinegar, this can cause disorder in their nervous system, which may kill them or repel them into other hidden places.
Conclusion
Both baking soda and vinegar play a role in repelling bed bugs, and they can be more effective when mixed. But this is not the goal. The objective is to get rid of bed bugs completely; this method does not provide such powerful treatment to get rid of them in our homes, and as such, they should not be relied upon.
FAQs
Can bed bugs ever go away?
Even though bed bugs might be difficult to get rid of completely, especially in cases of hyper infestation. With the correct information, tools and intervention of a professional bed bug exterminator. It is possible to get rid of bed bugs altogether.
Do bed bugs go away naturally?
If the conditions to keep bed bugs remain, bed bugs remain in the home. The only situation when bed bugs won’t thrive is when there is a cold climate.
How long can bed bugs live without feeding?
Bed bugs can live up to a year without feeding, depending on the temperature and humidity.
Can bed bugs be transferred?
Yes, bed bugs can be transferred from visitors, families or friends, or while travelling, you might have come in contact with bed bugs.
How long does it take to deal with bed bugs?
With a professional exterminator, bed bug infestations could be curbed in less than 3–7 days. However, some treatments may last for 3–4 weeks, depending on how badly your home has been infested.