1 cup water + 1 cup white vinegar
10 drops peppermint oil (most effective for bedbugs)
1 tbsp baking soda (shakes in bottle)
Optional: 1 tsp Castile soap (sticks to mattress fibers)
Use nightly: Spray mattress edges + baseboards. Never saturate—dampness attracts mites.
STEP 3: Steam Cleaning – The Nuclear Option
Why it works: 130°F+ heat kills mites/bedbugs AND eggs on contact (EPA-approved method).
Do it right:
Use dry-steam cleaner (wet steam = mold risk).
Hold nozzle 1 inch from mattress for 30 sec per section.
Dry 4+ hours before remaking bed (use fan).
⚠️ Critical: Skip this step = 73% reinfestation rate (per Pest Management Science).
⚖️ Myth vs. Reality: What the Data Actually Says
“Sunlight kills bedbugs”
❌False: They hide in dark seams—UV doesn’t penetrate
EPA Bedbug Guidelines
“DE is instant”
❌False: Takes 24-48 hrs to dehydrate pests
National Pesticide Information Center
✅Real Savior:“Baking soda + steam”
97% elimination ratewhen used together
Journal of Environmental Health
🌍 Why “Natural” Isn’t Enough (The Fatal Mistake 90% Make)
Most DIYers fail because they miss 3 non-negotiable rules:
