Human Safe Bug Spray For Bed???
February 26, 2022 9:06 AM Subscribe
A older friends of mine has been bitten twice while sleeping. We think that it is a bug of some sort. Second one happened last night. I am going to change sheets, wash duvet cover, etc.
Is there some sort of bug spray we can use on the bed that is human safe?
I am also skeptical. I have a can of EcoSmart insecticide which is meant to be safe(r) for use around pets (it claims to be a "Minimum-Risk pest control product" which "qualifies for exemption from EPA registration under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act"), and mostly contains plant oils (in particular: peppermint, rosemary, and wintergreen). The smell is strong (so: probably not great for sleeping on/around) and it still carries a warning to keep it away from your eyes and skin.
If I were absolutely dead set on using some sort of pesticide, I think I'd probably want to try one like this before using one of the usual ones--but I'd still rather not use this one either, based on the smell and the warnings.
posted by johnofjack at 9:28 AM on February 26, 2022
If I were absolutely dead set on using some sort of pesticide, I think I'd probably want to try one like this before using one of the usual ones--but I'd still rather not use this one either, based on the smell and the warnings.
posted by johnofjack at 9:28 AM on February 26, 2022
Only answering the direct question: Permethrin is a pesticide that actually kills bugs (as opposed to DEET and essential oil sprays, that are repellents). It is not safe to spray on skin, but it is considered safe to spray on clothing, and many companies sell pre-treated clothing.
I will not vouch for long-term use, but something like these bed sheets pre-treated with permethrin should probably be fine for a week or so, to see if that solves the problem.
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:36 AM on February 26, 2022 [5 favorites]
I will not vouch for long-term use, but something like these bed sheets pre-treated with permethrin should probably be fine for a week or so, to see if that solves the problem.
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:36 AM on February 26, 2022 [5 favorites]
Identify the bug. If it's a bed bug diatomaceous earth kills them by drying them out.
posted by mani at 9:37 AM on February 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by mani at 9:37 AM on February 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
Occasionally when I'm getting bothered by a mosquito in the middle of the night, I spray myself with bug repellent containing DEET. Using that stuff in enclosed spaces isn't the greatest, but I figure a couple times a year won't kill me and it keeps me from losing a night of sleep. Not a long-term solution though.
FWIW, if it IS in fact bedbugs biting your friend, it's recommended that you don't attempt too much cleanup work on your own. Removing sheets, etc. risks spreading the bedbugs around the house. If your friend can afford it (or is renting and you have a responsive landlord), it's definitely worth calling in the professionals, who can help regardless of what kind of bug it is. Obviously I realize that might not be an option for your friend for any number of reasons, but definitely worth considering if it's at all possible for your friend.
Bedbug infestations are actually very manageable if dealt with promptly while they're small. Most of the horror stories you hear about people throwing out all their clothes and furniture are the result of dealing with an infestation that's gotten out of control. I've experienced two small infestations (one at my house and one at a partner's house) and both ended without throwing anything away. A professional came in, treated the mattress, and bagged up all bedding and clothes in the bedroom. Then we took all the cloth items and washed & dried them on hot. That was it. It was very stressful for a couple of days but then it was over.
posted by mekily at 9:56 AM on February 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
FWIW, if it IS in fact bedbugs biting your friend, it's recommended that you don't attempt too much cleanup work on your own. Removing sheets, etc. risks spreading the bedbugs around the house. If your friend can afford it (or is renting and you have a responsive landlord), it's definitely worth calling in the professionals, who can help regardless of what kind of bug it is. Obviously I realize that might not be an option for your friend for any number of reasons, but definitely worth considering if it's at all possible for your friend.
Bedbug infestations are actually very manageable if dealt with promptly while they're small. Most of the horror stories you hear about people throwing out all their clothes and furniture are the result of dealing with an infestation that's gotten out of control. I've experienced two small infestations (one at my house and one at a partner's house) and both ended without throwing anything away. A professional came in, treated the mattress, and bagged up all bedding and clothes in the bedroom. Then we took all the cloth items and washed & dried them on hot. That was it. It was very stressful for a couple of days but then it was over.
posted by mekily at 9:56 AM on February 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
Have you ruled out bugs flying in through an open window or door at any point? It's unseasonably warm in some places and I've noticed some early biting insects around. Your friend might also be getting bitten during the day and only noticing it after waking up when the histamine reaction has occurred.
There are lots of different things it can be, some of which won't be stopped by spraying the bed with anything. I also wouldn't spray sheets or duvet with anything that kills bugs, since your friend is going to be lying on it with possible bare skin for maybe 8+ hours at a time, and it might cause more irritation than just getting bit once or twice. Even stuff that's made for clothes can be an irritant.
posted by fight or flight at 10:00 AM on February 26, 2022
There are lots of different things it can be, some of which won't be stopped by spraying the bed with anything. I also wouldn't spray sheets or duvet with anything that kills bugs, since your friend is going to be lying on it with possible bare skin for maybe 8+ hours at a time, and it might cause more irritation than just getting bit once or twice. Even stuff that's made for clothes can be an irritant.
posted by fight or flight at 10:00 AM on February 26, 2022
Can you determine, based on the location of the bites, if they're from a flying insect? If so then you might consider a mosquito bed net.
posted by mezzanayne at 10:12 AM on February 26, 2022
posted by mezzanayne at 10:12 AM on February 26, 2022
My skin seems to be sensitive to insect bites, and I often get a couple random bites a few times a year. I asked a question about this a while back when I was expecting an overnight guest, and I went overkill to make sure I didn’t give my friend bugs - washed bedding, feet of bed in bedbug traps (basically a couple cups taped together and diatomaceous earth) and a permethrin fogger. If you’re not seeing evidence of bedbugs, washing bedding is probably plenty and the insects likely can’t survive with humans as hosts and will die in a couple days regardless.
Also consider that bites usually don’t swell up immediately, they may not necessarily be happening in bed, you just notice them when you get up / change clothes.
posted by momus_window at 10:55 AM on February 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
Also consider that bites usually don’t swell up immediately, they may not necessarily be happening in bed, you just notice them when you get up / change clothes.
posted by momus_window at 10:55 AM on February 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
Get a waterproof mattress protector, which should also be bug proof. Cover the mattress with it, and no bug is going to get through it to bite anyone. Of course, that still leaves the bugs INSIDE on the mattress, but after a while with no food, they probably will starve and die...
posted by kschang at 11:12 AM on February 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by kschang at 11:12 AM on February 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
Might not even be a bug - might be a single hive, might be a tiny staph infection (which people commonly mislabel as spider bites). Insect repellent is a bad idea unless you know that it's an insect and that the repellant in question works for that type of insect.
posted by metonym at 2:50 PM on February 26, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by metonym at 2:50 PM on February 26, 2022 [2 favorites]
I'd go with a bug proof mattress cover, they are about 30 usd, and are not that awful on the bed. I thought they would be a thick crinkly super uncomfortable plastic, but that isn't the case.
Even if it isn't bedbugs, having one to avoid a mattress full of bedbugs in the future is a fairly good idea imho.
posted by AlexiaSky at 3:28 PM on February 26, 2022
Even if it isn't bedbugs, having one to avoid a mattress full of bedbugs in the future is a fairly good idea imho.
posted by AlexiaSky at 3:28 PM on February 26, 2022
I've used diatomaceous earth successfully for this situation before. A light dusting in clean sheets for a couple of days will do the trick for a lot of non-bedbug early infestations. (I know nothing about bedbugs, just being clear. I don't know how it works with them)
It helps to treat nearby carpeted areas as well. Cleanup is just a quick vacuum. (From fabrics and carpets)
posted by Vigilant at 6:51 PM on February 26, 2022
It helps to treat nearby carpeted areas as well. Cleanup is just a quick vacuum. (From fabrics and carpets)
posted by Vigilant at 6:51 PM on February 26, 2022
Make sure to wear a mask when utilizing diatomaceous earth. It's abrasive dessicant (that's how it kills bugs... the edges absorbs all the moisture and oil from the exoskeleton)
And yes, diatomaceous earth is effective against bedbugs. Most application guides I saw says to leave it for 5 days.
posted by kschang at 1:44 AM on February 27, 2022
And yes, diatomaceous earth is effective against bedbugs. Most application guides I saw says to leave it for 5 days.
posted by kschang at 1:44 AM on February 27, 2022
First, you can make a DIY bed bug trap with sugar, yeast, water and a one liter pop bottle to find out if you have them. (When you sleep, the carbon dioxide levels in your room rises. Bedbugs can detect this and crawl out.) You half fill the bottle with water, drop in the sugar and yeast and make a tent of paper towel that reaches the floor so they climb it and drop in the water.
I worked for Seattle Housing Authority and the go to solution there was cedar oil. Cedar oil kills bedbugs on contact and repels them in general -- they hate it. I used to spray my socks and shoes with it when I was working at SHA so as not to bring them home. It did not make me popular at work or off work.
Bedbugs, I am sorry to say, can live for months if not years without feeding and lay eggs which can survive even longer. They are uber hardy.
And dealing with them is equivalent to the labors of Hercules.
For instance, you have to wash your clothes, towels sheets, etc. in hot water and dry them hot, bag up all the clothes and fabric you are not going to wear or use until you move or the infestation is dealt with.
Usually, the onus is on rental property owners in case of bed bug infestations. If you are renting and have bedbugs, you need to seek legal help a.s.a.p.
posted by y2karl at 11:15 AM on February 27, 2022
I worked for Seattle Housing Authority and the go to solution there was cedar oil. Cedar oil kills bedbugs on contact and repels them in general -- they hate it. I used to spray my socks and shoes with it when I was working at SHA so as not to bring them home. It did not make me popular at work or off work.
Bedbugs, I am sorry to say, can live for months if not years without feeding and lay eggs which can survive even longer. They are uber hardy.
And dealing with them is equivalent to the labors of Hercules.
For instance, you have to wash your clothes, towels sheets, etc. in hot water and dry them hot, bag up all the clothes and fabric you are not going to wear or use until you move or the infestation is dealt with.
Usually, the onus is on rental property owners in case of bed bug infestations. If you are renting and have bedbugs, you need to seek legal help a.s.a.p.
posted by y2karl at 11:15 AM on February 27, 2022
The good news is your bug bites may be fleas. Fleas are almost as hardy as bed bugs. Dogs are allowed at the apartment complex where I live. I get flea bites all the time just from gardening in the courtyards.
posted by y2karl at 11:19 AM on February 27, 2022
posted by y2karl at 11:19 AM on February 27, 2022
Sure it's insect bites? I was out camping with a person who started getting bitten mysteriously. A few nights later, the pattern and appearance of bites was very odd - turned out it was not insects, but a shingles outbreak.
posted by soylent00FF00 at 2:32 PM on February 27, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by soylent00FF00 at 2:32 PM on February 27, 2022 [1 favorite]
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