Dealing with a bed bug infestation is stressful, and many homeowners look for natural remedies that are safer than chemical sprays. Peppermint oil is one of the most popular DIY solutions — but does it actually work? The short answer is that peppermint oil can repel bed bugs and even kill them on contact, but it won’t eliminate an infestation on its own.
Peppermint’s strong scent, driven by its high menthol content, can temporarily mask the signals bed bugs use to locate hosts. When sprayed directly, it can dehydrate and kill some bugs, but it won’t reach eggs or hidden clusters. That’s why peppermint oil is best used as part of a broader treatment strategy.
Professional pest control is still the most reliable way to get rid of bed bugs. Most treatments cost between $500 and $1,500 depending on the severity of the infestation and whether heat or chemical methods are used. For homeowners looking to try peppermint oil first, we’ll explain exactly how to use it — and when it’s time to call in the pros.
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Does Peppermint Oil Repel Bed Bugs?
Did You Know
Peppermint has a strong scent that bed bugs can’t take. Spraying an ample amount of diluted peppermint around your bedframe or mattress can help keep bed bugs at bay.
Yes, but only for a short time. Peppermint oil’s strong scent overwhelms the chemical signals bed bugs use to locate humans. When sprayed around beds, furniture, and baseboards, it may temporarily drive bugs away from treated areas.
However, the effect fades quickly. Once the scent wears off — usually within a few hours — bed bugs come right back. It’s not a long-term solution.
Other essential oils like tea tree, eucalyptus, and citronella may have similar effects, but none provide lasting control. If you’re seeing bed bugs consistently, peppermint oil won’t be enough to stop the infestation.
Does Peppermint Oil Actually Kill Bed Bugs?
Yes, but only on contact. When sprayed directly on live bugs, peppermint oil can break down their outer shell, causing dehydration and death. But it’s not a residual insecticide — it won’t kill bugs that crawl over a dried surface later.
Also, keep in mind that undiluted peppermint oil can irritate skin, eyes, and lungs, especially in enclosed spaces. Always use it diluted with a carrier oil or water to avoid potential harm to people and pets.
How To Use Peppermint Oil to Kill Bed Bugs
If you want to give peppermint oil a try, follow these steps for best results:
- Buy the real stuff. Look for 100% pure peppermint essential oil — synthetic versions won’t work.
- Dilute it. Mix with a carrier oil (like coconut or grapeseed) at a 10%–20% concentration, or combine with water and a few drops of dish soap for a sprayable solution.
- Target live bugs. Spray directly onto bed bugs in visible areas, especially mattress seams, box springs, furniture crevices, and along baseboards.
- Clean your bedding. Wash sheets, pillowcases, and blankets in hot water, then dry on high heat.
- Reapply often. You’ll need to spray again every five to seven days for at least a month to catch any bugs that hatch from eggs.
Even with repeated applications, peppermint oil alone won’t eliminate all bed bugs. It’s best used as a short-term fix while you prep for more aggressive treatment.
What Else To Consider for Bed Bug Treatment
If you’re dealing with more than just a few bugs, here’s what else you’ll need to add to your game plan:
- Diatomaceous earth: Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a fine powder that kills bed bugs by damaging their shells. Apply around bed frames, baseboards, and furniture legs. Wear a mask while applying — it’s safe, but dusty.
- Silica gel: Works like DE. Crush packets into a fine dust and sprinkle into cracks and seams.
- Hot water wash: Strip bedding, curtains, and washable items and run them through the hottest washer and dryer cycles.
- Vacuum and steam treatments: Use a crevice tool to vacuum mattress seams, baseboards, and furniture. Then follow up with a steamer (200°F+ if possible) to kill bugs and eggs.
For heavy infestations, it’s smart to combine DIY methods with professional help. Many pest control companies offer one-time treatments or full packages using heat, chemicals, or both.
Use the form below to get price estimates from local pest control providers:
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FAQs about Bed Bugs and Peppermint Oil
Yes, steam is one of the most effective chemical-free ways to kill bed bugs, including their eggs. Bed bugs die at temperatures above 120°F, and steamers designed for pest control typically produce temperatures over 200°F.
Use a commercial-grade steamer with a wide nozzle to treat mattresses, furniture seams, and baseboards. Move slowly — about 1 inch per second — to ensure the heat penetrates deep enough. Don’t use a garment steamer or a carpet cleaner, as they don’t get hot enough.
Steam is ideal for spot treatments, but it works best when combined with vacuuming, laundering, and possibly chemical or desiccant treatments to reach all life stages.
Essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, and lavender are natural, easy to buy, and safer to use around kids and pets than harsh chemical sprays. Some, like peppermint, even have mild insecticidal properties when used correctly.
But it’s important to set realistic expectations. Essential oils are not regulated pest control products, and most won’t kill eggs or provide long-lasting protection. They can repel bed bugs temporarily, but infestations usually require stronger solutions.
If you’re going the DIY route, use essential oils alongside other proven strategies like vacuuming, hot water washing, diatomaceous earth, and mattress encasements.
No, peppermint oil alone won’t eliminate a large or well-established infestation. While it might repel or kill a few bugs on contact, it doesn’t reach eggs, hidden nymphs, or bugs burrowed in walls or furniture.
Larger infestations need a comprehensive approach, including steam, vacuuming, laundry, and possibly insecticide or professional heat treatment. Professionals also have the tools to identify hiding spots that most homeowners miss.
If you’ve been treating for weeks and still see bites or live bugs, it’s time to call a licensed exterminator. Delaying professional treatment usually means the infestation spreads and becomes more expensive to fix.
