In the article
Last Updated on 19/01/2026 by Tony Abrahams
If you’ve got bed bugs, you’re probably searching for anything that helps. And one of the first questions people ask is: what smells do bed bugs hate? Some strong smells and essential oils may make bed bugs less active in certain areas, or disrupt how they move around. But here’s the truth most websites won’t tell you:
Smells can help short-term, but they won’t remove a bed bug infestation. If bed bugs are already established in your room, you’ll still need a proper treatment plan that kills them, not just repels them. That said, let’s break down the smells bed bugs dislike, how to use them safely, and then I’ll show you what actually works if you want to get rid of bed bugs properly.
Kick Bed Bugs to the Curb Naturally
Bed bugs have a strong sense of smell. They use scent, heat, and carbon dioxide (your breathing) to locate you at night. Certain strong aromas may interfere with this behaviour, making an area less appealing.
Just remember: repelling isn’t the same as killing. If you’re being bitten, you need a system that stops bites and eliminates the infestation over time.
Smells Bed Bugs Don’t Like (Short-Term Deterrents)
Lavender Repels Bed Bugs Temporarily
Here are some commonly mentioned scents that bed bugs may dislike. These are best used as temporary deterrents, not a solution on their own.
| Aroma | What It May Do | Realistic Expectation |
|---|---|---|
| Lavender | Strong floral scent | May deter briefly, won’t eliminate bed bugs |
| Peppermint | Sharp mint aroma | May repel short-term |
| Tea Tree Oil | Strong medicinal smell | May irritate bed bugs, limited results |
| Citronella | Overpowers scent trails | May deter temporarily |
| Eucalyptus | Strong menthol-like scent | May reduce activity near treated areas |
| Cinnamon | Strong spice aroma | May deter, not a reliable “fix” |
| Lemongrass | Sharp citrus scent | May repel short-term |
| Thyme | Herbal scent | May help deter briefly |
| Rosemary | Strong herbal aroma | May help a little |
| Garlic | Pungent smell | Unreliable, but commonly mentioned |
| Neem Oil | Bitter, strong odour | May deter, messy to use |
| Cedarwood | Wood scent | May help in small areas |
| Orange Oil | Strong citrus smell | May deter briefly |
| Cloves | Very strong spice smell | May deter short-term |
| Lemons | Citrus smell | May deter briefly |
| Peaches | Sweet scent | Low reliability, included due to common claims |
You can use these scents in sprays, sachets, or diffusers to make your home feel less inviting.
If you’re not 100% sure it’s bed bugs, start here first: what is biting me at night.
Essential Oils to Keep Bed Bugs Away (What People Use Most)
Essential oils are one of the most popular natural options people try for bed bugs. They can smell strong enough to possibly disrupt bed bug behaviour in the short term, but they do not remove infestations and they won’t kill eggs hidden deep inside cracks, timber, or fabric seams.
Here are some of the most commonly used essential oils:
- Thyme Oil: Contains thymol, which may irritate bed bugs and discourage movement in treated areas.
- Citronella Oil: Often used for mosquitoes and cockroaches, and may also deter bed bugs in some situations.
- Oregano Oil: Contains carvacrol, a strong compound that is often mentioned in DIY bed bug sprays.
- Lavender Oil: Pleasant for humans, but may deter bed bugs briefly due to its strong aroma.
You can combine these oils with other natural bed bug remedies, but always keep expectations realistic.
Worried they’re hiding in clothing too? Read: how to tell if bedbugs are in your clothes.
For bite relief help, see: how to get rid of bed bug bites overnight.
Natural Remedies That Actually Work (Killing, Not Just Repelling)
Kill Bed Bugs with Steam
If you want to actually get rid of bed bugs, you need two things:
- Instant kill for exposed bugs and eggs
- Long-term protection so the infestation fades away instead of coming back
This is where steam + diatomaceous earth (DE) style powders become the real game changers.
Why Use a Bed Bug Steamer?
A Bed Bug Steamer is one of the fastest ways to kill bed bugs and eggs on contact. It’s chemical-free and ideal for homes with kids and pets.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Chemical-Free | Safe for kids and pets |
| Instant Results | Kills bed bugs and eggs on contact |
| Versatile | Works on mattresses, furniture, and carpet edges |
| Durable | Built with quality materials and safety features |
Steam is especially useful because it reaches places powders can’t, like deep in fabrics, seams, and tight cracks.
Bed Bug Killer Powder (Long-Term Control)
Bed Bug Killer Powder made from diatomaceous earth / amorphous silica works differently to chemical sprays. It damages the bed bug’s outer layer, causing them to dehydrate and die.
Unlike chemical insecticides, bed bugs can’t build resistance to dehydration.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Non-Toxic | Safe for the environment |
| Physical Mode of Action | No “chemical resistance” build-up |
| Dehydrates Bugs | Kills by damaging their outer layer |
| Long-Lasting | Keeps working over time |
The powder can take up to 10 days to kill adult bed bugs. First-stage nymphs may die much faster (often within 24 hours). For best results, use steam and powder together.
Diatomaceous Earth (DE): What It Does
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a fine powder made from fossilised diatoms (a type of algae). It’s abrasive and works by damaging the bed bug’s protective outer layer, causing dehydration.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Natural | Made from fossilised diatoms |
| Abrasive | Damages bed bug outer layer |
| Dehydrating | Causes death by dehydration |
| Non-Toxic | Safe for humans and pets when used correctly |
Apply a very light dusting to bed frames, cracks, and hotspots. The goal isn’t piles of powder, it’s a thin layer they can’t avoid walking through.
Getting to Know Bed Bugs (Signs + Smell)
Bed bug feeding on human
If you want to get rid of bed bugs fast, you need to spot the signs early.
Spotting Bed Bug Infestations
- Visual clues: tiny reddish-brown bugs in seams, cracks, and edges
- Dark spots: small black dots on sheets or furniture (droppings)
- Blood stains: small marks on bedding
- Smell: a sweet, musty odour in heavier infestations
What Do Bed Bugs Smell Like?
Bed bugs have scent glands, and people often describe their smell as:
| Description | Smell Comparison |
|---|---|
| Musty odour | Coriander, spoiled raspberries |
| Heavier infestation | Mouldy shoes, wet mouldy clothes, mint |
Crushed bed bugs smell even stronger. A few bed bugs might not create a noticeable smell, but larger infestations often do.
If you’re struggling to locate them, bed bug detection dogs can help. Some services claim dogs can locate infestations with a 97% success rate, and they can detect issues in minutes.
Bed Bug Facts: Signs, Causes & How to Get Rid of Them Fast & Forever in 2026
Safety and Effectiveness (Eco-Friendly Options That Make Sense)
Most people don’t want to turn their bedroom into a chemical war zone, especially if they’ve got kids, pets, or asthma in the home.
Eco-Friendly Bed Bug Solutions
Diatomaceous Earth Dust (DED) style powders made from amorphous silica are popular because they work through dehydration, not poisoning.
| Treatment | Eco-Friendly | Kid Safe | Pet Safe | Budget-Friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diatomaceous Earth Dust | Yes | Yes (when used correctly) | Yes (when used correctly) | Yes |
Keeping It Non-Toxic
Bed Bug Barrier’s organic killer powder is designed to be a non-toxic option for long-term bed bug control. It’s APVMA approved (September 2011) and works by dehydrating bed bugs so they can’t build resistance.
It’s also odourless and invisible once applied properly, which means guests won’t even know you’ve treated the room.
For more bed bug facts, or bite help, see how to get rid of bed bug bites overnight.
Getting Rid of Bed Bugs Fast & Long Term Without Toxins
Steam Is The Fastest Treatment To Kill Bed Bugs
If you think you have bed bugs, don’t panic. Follow these 3 steps for fast relief and long-term control.
Step 1: Secure the Mattress
Start by covering your sleeping mattress with a bed bug mattress cover, making sure it’s fully zipped and the tab is closed. This traps bed bugs inside the mattress and removes hiding spots, making bed bugs easier to spot.
Step 2: Treat the Bed Frame or Ensemble Base
Ensemble beds:
Stand the base on its end, remove the wheels, cover it with a bed bug ensemble base cover, zip it fully, then screw the wheels back in through the cover.
Bed frames with slats:
Use a Bed Bug Steamer to steam the entire bed frame, focusing on cracks and joins. Remove slats and steam both the top and underside.
Before replacing the slats, apply Bed Bug Killer Powder to the bed frame and slats using a duster. Cover every inch, including undersides.
Step 3: Set Up Barriers or Tape (Isolation Method)
This step protects you from bed bugs in the room by isolating the bed so the only access points are the bed legs.
- Screw-in Barriers: Attach to ensemble bed legs. Apply powder inside and outside the barriers and on the wheels.
- Floor Barriers: Place bed legs into the Floor Barrier and dust powder inside the tray and barrier.
- Bed Bug Barrier Tape: For square bed legs or legs larger than 65mm, apply tape around the bottom of the leg and dust powder around the leg and floor.
Final Tips:
- Keep your bed at least 30cm away from walls, bedside tables, and furniture.
- Stop sheets and blankets touching the floor, so bed bugs can’t climb up.
- Once your bed is isolated, bed bugs are forced to cross powder to reach you, and the infestation fades away over time.
For bite help, see: bed bug bites in Australia.
DIY Treatment Video For An Ensemble Bed
DIY Treatment Video For A Bed with Slats
If you enjoyed our blog, What Smells Do Bed Bugs Hate? you might also like to read why supermarket bed bug sprays don’t work.
Frequently Asked Questions: What Smells Do Bed Bugs Hate?
- What scent keeps bed bugs away?
Essential oils like lavender, tea tree oil, peppermint, eucalyptus, and citronella may help deter bed bugs short-term. But they won’t eliminate an infestation on their own. - What can I put on my body to prevent bed bug bites?
Some people apply essential oils (properly diluted with a carrier oil) or use insect repellents with DEET. However, treating the environment is the only real way to stop bites long-term. See: what can I put on my body to prevent bed bug bites? - What smell attracts bed bugs?
Bed bugs are mainly attracted to carbon dioxide (your breathing), body heat, and your natural body scent (including sweat and skin cells).
Sources: What Smells Do Bed Bugs Hate?
- US EPA: Pesticides to Control Bed Bugs (includes desiccants like silica/DE and why resistance is less likely)
- US EPA: Stay Legal and Safe Treating for Bed Bugs (safety notes, including diatomaceous earth guidance)
- Peer-reviewed review (PMC): Behavioral responses of bed bugs to essential oil constituents (repellency is typically short-term)
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.
Lisa says
This tip will NOT eliminate those bas—–, but, it will give you a much needed break from the itching, scratching, not sleeping, AND THE BITES……my best defense: Vicks Vapor Rub!!! The smell screws up their sense of smell. They can’t find you. I scoop a little in my hand, rub my hands together. The warmer- the thinner and more spreadable area it covers. Arms, hands, neck, face! Then I use some and spread it on my pillows and sheets up by my head and shoulders. They can’t smell the carbon dioxide of your breath so they can’t find you. The Vicks also seems to calm down the itching of the bites. Whether the heet/coolness calms it or just distracts you from itchy ng, either way, it helps!
Tony Abrahams says
great idea Lisa
NICHOLAS says
I’m suffering,they are killing me
Tony Abrahams says
Hi Nicholas.
I’m so sorry to hear that you’re dealing with bed bugs – I know how overwhelming and stressful it can feel. The good news is that there are effective solutions to get rid of them and regain control of your space.
Start by isolating your bed so you can sleep without getting bitten. Move it away from walls and furniture, and install bed bug traps under the legs to stop them from climbing up. Using a mattress encasement can also trap any bugs inside and make it harder for new ones to hide.
For killing the bugs, you can use steam to instantly eliminate them on mattresses, bed frames, and furniture. Then, apply a natural product like Diatomaceous Earth (DE) around areas where they might travel—it kills them over time and provides long-lasting protection.
If you’d like more specific guidance or tips, let me know. You’re not alone in this, and with the right steps, you can get rid of them for good. Hang in there—you’ve got this!
Regards BBB Team