BEDBUGS! How to be proactive in preventing an infestation

Seems like these days everyone's major fear for their home and personal comfort is a bedbug infestation. In the last few years, there have been huge increases in incidences and almost daily articles in the newspaper about new areas of infestation, including major sports stores, cinemas and high-end hotels. Most of us feel that there is not much we can do about this, but hope for the best... and in the awful case that we do get infested, get our home treated by an exterminator.

Aileen's natural baby care line has a natural outdoor spray, which contains essential oils that can function as a bedbug repellant, and can be ordered online or purchased at several health food stores, including The Big Carrot. Of course, nothing is a guaranteed prevention for bedbugs, but this helps in being proactive instead of feeling helpless.

You can visit the Sprout Botanicals website for product information.

Below is what we recommend to patients regarding a bedbug prevention protocol and evidence that natural essential oils function to repel blood-sucking arthropods.

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Following is a link to a 2006 research paper from the Journal of Medical Entomology, an article entitled "Repellency of Oils of Lemon Eucalyptus, Geranium, and Lavender and the Mosquito Repellent MyggA Natural to Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) in the Laboratory and Field."

The tested product contained essential oils of lemon eucalyptus, geranium and lavender and was tested on ticks which are blood-feeding arthropods, as are bedbugs. Repellancy effects were substantial.

Sprout Botanicals Outdoor Spray's ingredients are known to be effective in deterring mosquitoes and blackflies, should also logically function as a preventative measure to repelling bedbugs. It is not a guarantee to prevent bedbugs, but as evidence shows, does function as an effective repellent for blood-feeding arthropods.

Sprout's Outdoor Spray contains essential oils of eucalyptus, geranium and lavender, which not only smell great, but are also the same oils tested in the 2006 study. Although it is called an Outdoor Spray it is completely safe to use indoors and inhale as it is 100% chemical-free.

Bedbug prevention can be implemented in the following ways:

1. Sprayed uniformly on mattresses (covers and sheets removed) every 2 weeks. Allow a few hours for mattress to air dry before re-covering with linens.
2. Carried in your bag or purse to public places prone to bedbug infestations (theatres, cinemas) and sprayed on the seat before sitting down.
3. Sprayed on your clothes after having been seated in a public place.

Good luck, and don't let the bedbugs bite!