To prevent an infestation in your home, certain essential oils are particularly effective in creating repellent olfactory atmospheres.
Mattresses, curtains, furniture, sofa… The Bedbugs become embedded in the smallest corners of our interior and multiply at a crazy pace. THE Bedbugs are blood-sucking insects : they feed on the blood of their hosts, especially at night. Their bites cause intense itching and red skin lesions comparable to those of mosquitoes. To prevent a housing infestation, certain essential oils prove particularly effective in creating olfactory ambiances repellents. According to one study, essential oils which contain the aromatic molecules of thymol, carvacrol, eugenol, geraniol or linalool. have the ability to increase the effectiveness of conventional chemical insecticides. They are found in particular in:
- L’common oregano essential oil
- L’clove essential oil
- L’lemon eucalyptus essential oil
Others works confirm that common oregano EO offers hope as ainsect repellent (which repels) against bedbugs as well as essential oil catnip (Nepeta cataria) – less known.
Mix essential oils vigorously
The pharmacist specializing in scientific and medical aromatherapy Aude Maillard advises us tocreate aromatic water composed of a mixture of EO of common oregano, clove and lemon eucalyptus and tap water in an empty 100 ml bottle, if possible in tinted glass, fitted with a spray bottle.
► Mix 2 ml of each of these EOs (common oregano, clove and lemon eucalyptus) or 60 drops of each in the 100 ml bottle and fill it with tap water to the top of the bottle.
► As essential oils are not miscible with water, shake vigorously for synergy before and during use in order to create a fine emulsion and to be able to spray it on the surfacess.
► “To increase the solubilization of EOs, it is possible to solubilize them in a dispersant like solubol which can be found at EO sellers and add 30 ml of perfume base (= 95° alcohol). In general, we put 4 times more, which increases the price of the synergy since there are 24 ml of solubol to put in the 100 ml but the synergy will be more homogeneous. argues Aude Maillard.
Spray at least three times a day
Aromatic water can be sprayed at least three times a day on surfaces at risk and at each potential risk of infestation:
- on the clothes,
- before sitting on a seat on public transport,
- on car seats and headrests,
- on armchairs, sofas, cushions,
- the rugs,
- the pillows,
- the box spring
- and the sheets.
“The idea is that the surface is largely covered. Spraying must be renewed regularly (every two hours) in case of doubts about the contamination and Dthem three times a day with the aim of prevention“, explains the specialist. Before emphasizing that if “we rarely have the habit of mixing water with essential oils when the synergy is for human use, here as it is for a surface, there are no intolerance problems”. However, be careful: aromatic water should not be sprayed on the body or skin because there is a risk of burns.