Can Vinegar Kill Bed Bugs? Get All Answers!

It might get frustrating for anyone seeing bed bugs at home. Whenever such insects infest anywhere, they spread quickly in no time. Many people get tired but can’t find an effective solution to get rid of bugs. If you are facing the same problem, you should try vinegar.

But does vinegar actually work? Read this blog to find your answers. Today, we will walk you through whether vinegar works for pests, how you can use it, and some of the best alternatives as well.

Why People Prefer Vinegar for Bed Bugs

Vinegar is the most preferred home remedy against bed bugs. Why? Because it’s cheap and easily available at any home and kitchen. Some people also consider this as an appropriate solution rather than chemical products, especially in households where children or pets are also living.

While vinegar is a solution that you can try, its effectiveness may vary with how you use it and the seriousness of the infestation.

Why You Get Bed Bugs

Ever wondered how bugs get into our clothes, homes, and furniture? These tiny pests mostly stick with us because they prefer to live in our belongings like wardrobes, beds, and luggage. Hotels, motels, and public transport are some places from where they stick to us.

Their excellent hiding capability ensures they will become visible only when the infestation increases. They nest at mattress seams, cracks in furniture, and even behind walls, making it hard to notice.

When Vinegar Doesn’t Work for Bed Bugs

Vinegar has several drawbacks for treating bed bug infestation. The vinegar does not kill the eggs of bed bugs, meaning new bugs may hang out even after application. Moreover, vinegar evaporates quickly, and its strength becomes diluted.

While it kills the bed bug instantly, it does not provide lasting control over the bugs. This is why it is an effective short-term solution, but you should try other permanent solutions to eliminate bed bugs.

Ways to Use Vinegar to Eliminate Bed Bugs

1.   Vinegar with Distilled Water

The most active form of vinegar for killing bed bugs is white distilled vinegar because of its higher acidity. However, the other type, like apple cider, is not that strong. It works best when vinegar is used in its undiluted state so that you can use its maximum effectiveness in eradicating bed bugs.

2.   Protect Your Eyes Before Application

Vinegar may irritate your eyes and skin while applying because of its acidic properties. If you are allergic, try to avoid any exposure by wearing protective gloves and goggles. Wearing long sleeves and trousers will also help in case your skin is sensitive.

3.   Spray on Affected Areas

Spray vinegar solution directly on bed bugs and their hiding spots for effective results. Some common spots include mattress seams, furniture crevices, and cracks in walls. Be sure to saturate these areas thoroughly so you can kill more bed bugs when you are in contact with them.

4.   Spray Again

Since the vinegar alone will not make any difference permanently, you’ll need to spray regularly. Repeat this practice for at least a week to ensure the elimination of newly hatched bugs. Since vinegar is not enough to kill eggs, you should try other treatments like vacuuming or heat treatment.

Steps to Prepare Vinegar Spray for Bed Bugs

1.   Gather the Supplies

You will require white vinegar and a spray bottle. Any brand of distilled vinegar will do until it contains at least 5% acetic acid.

2.   Fill the Spray Bottle

Take an empty spray bottle, fill it with vinegar and tightly close the lid. Make sure to not use diluted vinegar because of its less potency.

3.   Apply the Vinegar

Gently spray vinegar over infested mattresses, furniture seams, and other wall cracks. This will increase the chance of hidden bed bugs getting exposed by the vinegar sprayed over these cracks.

4.   Repeat the Process

Repeat this whole process every day. Since vinegar is not a long-term solution for bed bugs, it may create a great impact if you do it regularly.

How Long Does Vinegar Take to Kill Bed Bugs?

Vinegar acts instantly when it comes to contact with bed bugs. When you spray, the acidic action interferes with the nervous system, and they die within minutes. However, vinegar doesn’t show any results unless you apply it everywhere in the infested area. That’s why vinegar alone is not effective at killing all the bed bugs.

Vinegar for Bed Bugs: Pros and Cons

Pros

• Easy to Find and Very Cheap: Using vinegar is an effective way to do this and is available in most houses.
• Non-Toxic and Safe: It is safe to use around pets and kids, unlike other harsh chemicals.
• Kill on Contact: The acidic property of vinegar can kill bed bugs if applied directly to the insects.

Cons

• Unpleasant Smell: Vinegar has an overwhelming and lasting smell that people find hard to bear.
• Limited Effectiveness: It only kills the bed bugs by contact and not the eggs.
• Short-Term Effects: Vinegar dries up fast and has to be reapplied several times.
• Surface Damage Potential: Acidity in vinegar may damage some furniture and surfaces.

Why Using Vinegar Is a Short-Term Solution

Vinegar might help you regulate a small problem with bed bugs. However, it is definitely not the best answer to control infestation for an extended period of time. The reason is that it kills the bed bugs on contact and doesn’t target the eggs or hidden pests.

Severe infestations may require professional pest control services or other effective ways of eradicating bed bugs completely.

Conclusion

Vinegar can eliminate bed bugs with contact, but it is never a complete treatment for an infestation. Its inability to destroy eggs and failure to provide any long-term control makes it improper to use alone for bed bugs.

However, vacuuming, sealing cracks, heat treatment, or other natural remedies combined with vinegar can increase the chances of destroying bed bugs entirely. If such infestation occurs, you should seek professional pest control services to solve the problem.

FAQs

1. Does vinegar kill bed bugs entirely?

No, vinegar kills bed bugs only when in contact. It doesn’t kill the eggs of bed bugs nor remove the hidden bugs.

2. What kind of vinegar works well for treating bed bugs?

White vinegar is more effective, as it holds a high acetic acid content.

3. How often do you spray vinegar to eliminate bed bugs?

You are supposed to spray daily for several days. However, complete control will require other methods and alternatives.

Don’t Let Bugs Rule Your Place!

People often ignore bugs in their homes and soon these pests multiply into thousands. If you are stuck in a similar situation like this, our pest control services will handle it. Just call us now and let our experts make your home a place of comfort again.