Does Vicks vapor rub kill bed bugs? It is a common question among many who had terrible experiences with those annoying creatures. Let's answer this question!
Waking up in the morning with rash and itchy spots on your skin is troublesome, a thing that can end your day even before it starts.
So people wonder about Vicks vapor rub, Does Vicks vapor rub kill bed bugs as a home remedy? Luckily, several home remedies can help you to keep them away from your skin.
Creams, essential oils, lotions, and sprays do not kill these mini vampires but effectively keep them from feeding on your blood.
Does Vicks vapor rub kill bed bugs? We resolve the reply to this question.
Does Vicks Vapor Rub kill bed bugs
What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are insects from the genus cimex, their preferred host is a human. They feed on our blood typically at night, and their bites result in skin rash, especially in allergic persons.
Bed bugs are small, oval, and brownish. Adult bed bugs have flat bodies about the size of apple seeds, their bodies swell and evolve red after feeding. Bed bugs can't fly, rather, they move quickly over floors, ceilings, and walls.
Bed bugs are infamous pests that are difficult to eliminate, they can be hard to find and harder to kill, fortunately, there are various ways to try and get rid of bed bugs, but it is essential to keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
The best way to control their bites is to prevent their approaching human skin. So, Does Vicks vapor rub kill bed bugs?
Can Vicks repel bed bugs
What is the Vicks Vapor Rub?
If you’ve ever had a cold with congestion, you might have used Vicks VapoRub to feel fine. Spreading VapoRub jelly on your chest and upper lip helps clear up the congestion temporarily.
Vicks Vapo rub contains several essential oils such as camphor, menthol, eucalyptus, nutmeg, thymol, and even turpentine oil. These individually contribute to its unique and distinctive scent.
The active ingredients in Vicks VapoRub are supposed to help open your airways, suppress coughs, and reduce pain where they’re applied.
But VapoRub also has several other proposed uses, including; reducing stretch marks, relieving a cough, soothing sore muscles, and treating toenail fungus.
These are significant uses of Vicks vapor rub, but Does Vicks vapor rub kill bed bugs? Vicks VapoRub contains cedar leaf oil, which effectively repels insects.
Also, It has a strong menthol scent and a petroleum jelly-like texture. After we know what Vicks is, we will discuss; does Vicks vapor rub kill bed bugs.
Does Vicks vapor rub help to prevent bed bugs
Do bed bugs hate Vicks vaporub?
Luckily, all insects share their hatred of minty scents. Vicks can be applied on the skin to prevent bed bugs, as the product's heat and scent produced by Vicks may prevent them from biting.
It is useful in emergency times, seriously at night when you are enclosed to use a home remedy. You can dab a small number of Vicks on your wrists, neck, elbow, knees, and ankles.
Unfortunately, working as a repellent, Vicks vapor rub doesn't work for a long time. The scent and heat that are essential for the repellant effect fade after 15 minutes.
Besides, it has a petroleum base making you feel sticky and greasy.
Does Vicks vapor rub kill bed bugs
As mentioned, Vicks has a satisfying effect in repelling these vampires, but does Vicks vapor rub kill bed bugs?
It is not evident until now if Vicks vapor rub can kill bed bugs or not yet, it can prevent bed bugs, controlling their speed and manifestation.
How does Vicks vapor rub kill bed bugs
We have known that Vicks vapor rub has a pleasant effect and helps you to get rid of bed bugs, but how does Vicks vapor rub kill bed bugs?
- It is applied directly to the skin on your neck, shoulders, undersides of the knees, and soles of feet are some of the regions.
- First, you should apply a small amount to examine if you are sensitive to its ingredients.
If you are allergic to any of these ingredients, you may want to consider using a different product. The insects repel away by the smell of the menthol in it.
- You can also rub it on mosquito bites you may already have and it will loosen the itch. If you are allergic to any of these ingredients, you may want to consider using a different product.
What can you put on your body to get rid of bed bugs?
Essential oils
Various kinds of oils maintain a strong unpleasant aroma for bed bugs. Some of the most frequently desired essential oils for this intent comprise lavender oil, tea tree oil, and peppermint oil. You can make a home spray.
Vinegar
Vinegar is cheap and highly effective in repelling bed bugs, It contains acetic acid that hearts the insect nervous system.
As essential oils, You can make a home spray. It also can be used directly on the skin.
All you need to do is to wet cotton with vinegar and apply it to all the exposed parts of your body. You can also spray it on the matter and the furniture.
Alcohol
Rubbing pure alcohol or almost pure alcohol, which is used for wound disinfection, can help against bed bugs.
It works in two ways. As it’s a solvent, it liquefies the outer layer of the bed bug’s exoskeleton, this causes the bug to dehydrate quickly upon contact.
These natural remedies found in your home can help you to get rid of this vampire.
Other ways can help you
What kills bedbugs permanently?
Steam
The steam can kill bed bugs instantly by the effect of heat that denatures the insect. Bed bugs can not tolerate temperatures higher than 137 F.
The steam should be applied slowly to the folds and clumps of mattresses and corners where they may hide. Do not use steam directly on the bed, as it can damage the fabric.
Hair drier
Targeting the bed bugs with a hair dryer can kill them by the effect of heat.
Silica gel
Because it dehydrates lipid content in this vampire, silica gel is an effective way to kill it.
Unfortunately, Despite all available other ways, it still takes a year or longer to die, because they can live for a very long time without feeding.
Summary
We can say that Vicks vapor rub can help you repel bed bugs. Its offensive scent keeps them away from your skin. Yet, there is no evidence that they can effectively kill bed bugs.
Also, other home remedies still help you get rid of this troublesome insect such as some essential oils and vinegar.
Written by: Mona Samir
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