In the article
Last Updated on 10/08/2025 by Tony Abrahams
If you’re dealing with bed bugs and wondering if vinegar can help, the short answer is: yes, but only to a point. Trying to get rid of bed bugs with vinegar can kill some of them on direct contact, but it won’t eliminate an infestation on its own.
Still, it’s often the first DIY option Australians turn to because it’s cheap, easy to find, and feels like a quick fix.
Here’s what vinegar actually does (and doesn’t do), how to use it properly, and why it needs backup to fully solve your bed bug problem.
Can You Rid of Bed Bugs with Vinegar?
You Can Get Rid of Some Bed Bugs with Vinegar
Yes, vinegar can kill bed bugs, but only if it hits them directly. The acetic acid in vinegar disrupts the bug’s nervous system, which is enough to kill them on contact. But this only works on the ones you can see and spray.
Limitations:
• Doesn’t kill bed bugs hiding deep in furniture or walls
• Has no long-term effect once it dries
• Can drive bed bugs further into cracks instead of killing them
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Does Vinegar Kill Bed Bug Eggs?
No. Vinegar does not kill bed bug eggs. The eggs have a tough outer shell that vinegar can’t penetrate. So even if you kill a few live bugs with vinegar, new ones can hatch days later and restart the entire bed bug infestation.
If you’re trying to wipe out bed bugs completely, ignoring the eggs is a costly mistake.
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How to Use Vinegar for Bed Bugs (Step-by-Step)
If you want to give vinegar a try, here’s how to use it safely and effectively:
- Use white distilled vinegar – stronger than apple cider vinegar.
- Pour it into a spray bottle, undiluted (for maximum strength).
- Spray directly onto:
- Mattress seams
- Bed frame joints
- Behind headboards
- Cracks and crevices where bugs hide
- Repeat daily for at least a week.
- Air out the room – vinegar smells strong and lingers.
Note: This method only kills bugs you hit directly. It won’t reach bugs hiding in wall sockets, under floors, or behind skirting boards.
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Will Vinegar Repel Bed Bugs?
Sort of – but not reliably.
Vinegar has a strong smell that may temporarily repel some bed bugs. But once it dries (usually within an hour), the effect wears off completely.
And worse: spraying vinegar might cause bugs to scatter into harder-to-reach areas like:
- Inside electrical outlets
- Wall cavities
- Under carpets
- Into other rooms
So while vinegar might chase them away for a bit, it doesn’t keep them from biting you again later.
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Why Vinegar Isn’t Enough on Its Own
How To Stop Bed Bugs
This is where a lot of DIY attempts fall short. Vinegar can kill a few bugs, but it won’t stop the infestation.
Here’s why vinegar isn’t a full solution:
| Problem | Vinegar Result |
| Kills live bugs on contact? | Yes |
| Kills hidden bugs? | No |
| Kills bed bug eggs? | No |
| Offers long-term protection? | No |
| Safe to use around pets and kids? | Generally yes (in small areas) |
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Best Type of Vinegar to Use
Not all vinegars are created equal when it comes to pest control.
| Type of Vinegar | Effective for Bed Bugs? | Notes |
| White Vinegar | Yes | 5%+ acetic acid is strong enough to kill on contact |
| Apple Cider Vinegar | Not ideal | Too weak, better for soothing bites |
| Cleaning Vinegar (6%+) | Stronger | More effective but smell is intense |
| Balsamic, Wine Vinegar | No | Useless for this purpose |
Best option? White distilled vinegar, undiluted.
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How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs Fast and Forever
Get Rid Of Bed Bugs With The Bed Bug Isolation Method
If you’re looking for a method that actually works – not just temporarily but for good – you need to stop chasing bugs around the room and force them to come to you.
That’s exactly what the Bed Bug Isolation System does. It’s not another spray. It’s a complete setup that turns your bed into a trap – and then uses safe, organic tools to kill every bed bug that tries to reach you.
What Is the Isolation System?
The Isolation System is a scientifically tested, non-toxic, DIY treatment that kills all the bed bugs in your room using a one-time setup.
Instead of spreading sprays all over your house or hoping vinegar gets the job done, this method brings the bugs to you – and then eliminates them instantly and permanently.
Here’s how it works:
Step-by-Step: How the Isolation System Works
Step 1: Steam the Bed Frame (Instant Kill)
Use a handheld steamer to blast live bed bugs hiding in seams, joints, and cracks on the bed frame or base (but never the mattress).
Step 2: Apply Diatomaceous Earth (Long-Term Kill)
Use our Bed Bug Killer Powder (made from food-grade Diatomaceous Earth) on:
- Bed frame slats and corners
- Inside our bed bug barrier traps
This fine powder cuts into the bug’s shell, dries them out, and kills them over a few days – even the ones you don’t see.
Step 3: Trap Every Bug Trying to Reach You
Install Bed Bug Barrier Traps under each bed leg. These traps are lightly dusted (not filled) with DE powder and are the only way bed bugs can reach the bed. Once they enter, they’re exposed to the powder and can’t escape.
Step 4: Seal the Bed with Covers
Cover your mattress and ensemble base with our waterproof, bite-proof mattress encasements. This traps any bugs already inside and keeps new ones out.
Step 5: Isolate the Bed
Move your bed at least 30 cm away from walls, furniture, and curtains. Make sure nothing touches the floor – not bed skirts, not blankets. This forces all bed bugs to use the traps under the bed legs, which kills them.
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FAQs: Get Rid of Bed Bugs with Vinegar
- Q: Can I mix vinegar with other ingredients like baking soda or alcohol?
A: Not recommended. Vinegar and alcohol can be dangerous when mixed, and baking soda won’t add any killing power. - Q: How long do I need to keep spraying vinegar?
A: Daily for at least 7 days – but new bugs may still hatch if eggs aren’t destroyed. - Q: Is vinegar safe to spray on my mattress?
A: Yes, but it may damage memory foam and leave a strong smell. Use a waterproof mattress cover instead.
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Final Thoughts: Can You Get Rid of Bed Bugs with Vinegar?
You can kill some bed bugs with vinegar. But you can’t get rid of all of them. It’s a good start, but not the end.
If you’re in Australia and dealing with bed bugs, use vinegar as a temporary solution while you set up a long-term plan that actually works. The Isolation Method is affordable, safe, and requires just one serious setup, not endless spraying.
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Are You Looking for an Organic DIY Treatment?
Watch Our DIY Treatment Video For An Ensemble Bed
Watch Our DIY Treatment Video For A Bed with Slats
If you have enjoyed our blog, How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs with Vinegar?, then you might like to read, What Smells Do Bed Bugs Hate?
Sources: Get Rid of Bed Bugs with Vinegar
University of Kentucky Entomology – Bed Bug Fact Sheet
(Covers bed bug biology, treatment limitations, and why DIY methods like vinegar may only have limited impact.)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Bed Bugs
(Outlines effective treatment methods and debunks common myths about home remedies like vinegar.)
Pest Strategies – Does Vinegar Kill Bed Bugs?
(Goes into depth on vinegar’s use against bed bugs, its limitations, and how it compares to other solutions.)
Tony pioneered a non-toxic, eco-friendly solution for bedbug infestations. His innovation won the ABC TV show “The New Inventors” in 2009. In 2012, he successfully registered Diatomaceous Earth for bedbug control in Australia.
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