Hey everyone!
I just found bed bugs in my dorm mattress after a roommate brought home a thrifted couch. The university pest control won’t spray until next week, and I’m panicking about chemicals in a tiny shared space. I’ve tried diatomaceous earth (DE) around my bed legs and tea tree oil sprays, but these bloodsuckers are relentless. Are there natural solutions that actually work in cramped dorm rooms?
- Heat treatment: Can a hairdryer or steamer kill them?
- Essential oils: Which ones repel vs. kill?
- Prevention: How to stop spread to neighbors without burning my clothes?
If you’ve survived a dorm bed bug war, drop your non-toxic hacks below!
Food-grade diatomaceous earth saved me! Puffed it around my bed frame and outlets. Bugs were gone in 2 weeks. ever mix DE with peppermint oil?
Handheld steamer killed bugs on contact! Hit seams, cracks, and even my backpack. @EarthFriendlyTom DE is messy but worth it.
Rubbing alcohol dried out eggs but STANK. Switched to lavender and clove oil sprays, kept them away while waiting for pros.
Hairdryer on high heat for 30 mins killed bugs in my mattress seams. Then sealed it in a bed encasement.
Freeze non-washables in a Ziploc for 4 days! My laptop survived. @NatureLover64 clove oil stains fabric, careful!
Told my roomies it’s ‘just a precaution’ and shared a DIY spray recipe.
Bed leg interceptors caught bugs trying to climb up! Pair with mattress covers.
@LindaWild freezing is underrated, saved my sketchbooks!
@ScienceBuffBen Switch to silica gel powder, less dusty!
Everyone: HEAT + SEAL + REPEAT 