by Ron Ketner | Feb 20, 2014 | Bed Bug Blog | 11 comments
We live in the age of home remedies and DIY hacks. Bed bugs aren’t exempt from this movement. There are countless people that just want a quick fix for. One of the simplest proposed solutions that you might have seen mentioned online is using dryer sheets to treat bed bugs. Simply put, this is not going to work.
The false method seen online states that you should place dryer sheets under your mattress, in drawers, or underneath sofa cushions, pretty much everywhere that you might think a bed bug might try to live. The theory is that the scent from the dryer sheets will drive away the bed bugs and ultimately get rid of your problem. Unfortunately, this myth and isn’t backed by any scientific findings: There’s no proof that dryer sheets will kill or repel bed bugs.
With a closer look, you may start realized other issues that would quickly arise when trying to treat bed bugs with dryer sheets. Even if the dryer sheet repelled bed bugs, it would only result in those pesky bugs moving to another space to avoid the dryer sheets. Instead of solving your bed bug problem, this would make it worse by causing the bed bugs to spread. Basically, this means that if you were to place dryer sheets everywhere, you would be faced with one of two dilemmas. Either your bed bugs will not die and continue to thrive as normal or your bed bugs will disperse to areas without dryer sheets and continue to live.
Using dryer sheets will not get rid of bed bugs and shouldn’t be taken seriously as a method to help clear up your infestation. Instead, you should speak with a professional that will provide you with the best solution for treating your bed bugs in a cost-effective way.
Search for an IBBRA certified pest professional in your area today!
Denise Donovan on October 16, 2015 at 7:25 pm
Shoneen,
I am so sorry you are going through what you are. I know how horrific the situation can be when you try everything and nothing works – they just keep coming. Your best bet at this point is to contact a local pest control company that is experienced in bed bugs. Do it soon, as they will not go away on their own and will only continue to breed.
My prayers are with you for relief.Reply
Shelia from Chicago on January 9, 2016 at 7:04 pm
I’m willing to try anything once concerning bed-bugs.I’m using regular generic dryer sheets the best I can get out of this is a great smelling room.I’ve heard the exterminators use steam and charge a lot of money I’m on disability don’t have hundreds of dollars laying around. I bought a Steamer,use 91% alcohol,and put slip covers in the dryer daily.I’ve used the foggers for bed bugs once. I’ve had these bugs about 7 months its much better than it has been. Oh I’ve been to the hospital once because it flaired up my eczema What makes you go into depression is you’re always on caution,and upsets you when they bite your children when people come to your house or stay overnight. Having bed bugs doesn’t mean you keep a nasty home either I hope this helped somebody.
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Denise Donovan on March 28, 2016 at 10:51 pm
Shelia,
Unfortunately HEAVILY powdering your home was the number one thing you shouldn’t do. Although DE is considered a “natural” product, it can hurt your lungs AND “if you can see the DE, you applied way too much”. It’s like a mountain to bed bugs and they will avoid it.
DE does not “cut” the exoskeleton as you think but it does dehydrate and remove moisture which renders bugs dead. It is not an immediate or contact kill and does so over time.
Be careful of what you read online, there are no quick fixes or cheap way to deal with bed bugs once they have established themselves as “infestations”. It takes hard work and lots of follow up unless one has a professional come in and do a heat treatment.
We are here to help!Reply
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C.M. on April 20, 2017 at 7:29 am
Our town is full of very rich people & tourism is the bread & butter in this area. We’re listed in travel magazines as The Hamptons On The Bay. Politicians retire here, stay during weekends & breaks. The epidemic here is swept under the rug but has even made it to our local hospital. I have personally seen them 3 times there. Twice in the ER & once while visiting a friend in maternity.
Friends of ours that work the hotels not only tell us they have them they take photos of them in the rooms they are cleaning. Nice rooms that jet setters who travel the world stay in. It’s viewed as such a dirty secret here people are afraid to report it. I know single mothers or mothers with abusive ex husband’s that are so afraid they will lose their kids if someone tells their ex or calls CPS on them because they have bed bugs. Some of these places have them so deep in the walls from years of people trying to take care of it themselves because they are embarrassed to have them.Can you suggest options for the elderlY or low income people we know that have them bad & can not afford an exterminator? People that own their homes. Are there any grant options for these people since this is a world wide epidemic? Something to pay for an exterminator to come in more than once? Is there something we can do other than just vacuum & spray the flea & bed bug spray from the drugstore on their furniture every 10 days? At $20 a bottle even this is too expensive most of them & they are stuck just killing the ones they do see. DE hasn’t even helped & in some cases it’s caused sinus issues for them when the cups were placed on the feet of their beds. I’m seriously at a loss as how to help these people
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Rhonda on June 25, 2019 at 4:44 pm
What we used to get rid of them is called Demon WP. It dosent cost very much and it works. You get it at the feed store or farm supply stores. You get it in pre measured bags. Each bag has 4 in it. You just get a 1 gal sprayer and put water and drop one bag of pre mix in shake and spray. It’s normally under 10$ and make 4 gal. Spray then do it again in 3 days and then again in 7. Repeat process every month till they are completely gone. Took me about 3 months. The stuff kids bed bugs turmites roaches fleas wasp and a long list of other things
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Bethaney Brookes on May 9, 2017 at 10:13 am
I have paid the exterminator to come four times and I still haven’t gotten rid of them. I”m starting to think they are as much a waste of my time and money as everything else people suggest. I hate living here and I can’t sleep anymore. I have a feeling I’ll never be rid of these things.
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RaShawn HarrisRowland on June 27, 2017 at 1:37 am
I have an EXTREME BED BUG PROBLEM. I’m getting TIRED of getting eaten up the little rodents. Please advise me of what home remedy will work, please?
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Ashley Tucker on July 10, 2017 at 2:09 am
I’m staying with my mom and just two months ago she let my cousins come over and wash a heap of clothes at our house soon after my mom started experience invites at night in her room however we discarded it as most people do as spiders or something to that effect however when the bikes became more and more we finally saw two or three bed bugs in her room however there were no where else in the house and few weeks later you started to experience them in the living room and after having let her stay in my room while trying to control the ones in her room there now in my room as well as my son every night I wash our blankets and very hot water as well as put them in the dryer I spray the beds and furniture down with 91% alcohol I’ve also tried over the counter bed bug spray however nothing is helping I have been up for countless night even to the point where I’ve gone and slept in the car and have my son sleep over at a friend’s so that he wouldn’t get this I am now so paranoid that I can spot even the tiniest one from a distance because I’m always on alert I have not had a full night’s rest in months I do not have money for the Exterminator to come out I’ve tried many exterminators even local and I just don’t have enough money to pay for these things with all my bills and everything else that I have going on but the problem is so bad I even found one in my car yesterday I have no idea what to do I’m at my Wit’s End and not only that my mom is disabled and her house is pretty cluttered I have no idea how or where to start with getting rid of these things I have tried and tried everything that I could possibly do that does not concern a lot of money she’s on the fixed income I work full-time but we have bills on top of bills on top of bills there’s no way I can pay an exterminator but there’s no way I can do this anymore there’s the nice where I’ve actually pay for a hotel for us because it’s so bad please please if anyone knows anything help us I’m so sick of not getting any sleep and having to get up and go to work and come home and not sleep and repeat the whole thing over and over again just to the point where I’m actually depressed I don’t want my mom to have to move somewhere and pay rent when she owns her home but it’s to the point where I’m thinking we may just have to get out of here I’m so sick of it and for the people who think that bed bugs are only nocturnal I see them in the day as well this s*** has to end as soon as possible before I blow a gasket this s*** is out of control and it seems that I see more and more of the tiny ones than I do the fool wrong one I don’t myself experience itchy bites or my son however I do get small painful irritated bumps behind my ear or on my arm from time to time thank God my son hasn’t experienced it and that’s probably because I’m up watching him like a hawk all night to ensure that nothing is calling on him I’m so so sick of this please help me
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Laquata Jones on August 16, 2017 at 8:11 am
How do I get rid of the bed bugs permanently? I’m going to get rid of the mattress & box springs my brother in law brought us, we know that’s where they came from!! We live on my husband’s disability so we don’t have alot of money!! Recommendations please for the best, cheapest way to get rid of them permanently please??!!!
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