How to Use Cloves Against Bedbugs: A Practical, Step-by-Step Guide
Bedbugs are among the most frustrating and persistent pests found in homes. They hide well, multiply quickly, and are notoriously difficult to eradicate completely. While professional treatment is often necessary for serious infestations, many people look for natural methods they can use immediately—both for prevention and for temporary relief. One household ingredient that has shown surprising usefulness is the humble clove.
Cloves have a long history of being used as a natural insect repellent. Their potent smell, antimicrobial properties, and the presence of eugenol—a natural compound known for its insecticidal effects—make cloves an effective tool for deterring bedbugs. Although cloves cannot completely replace a full pest control treatment, they can significantly help reduce bedbug activity, slow their spread, and protect key areas, especially your sleeping space.
This article provides an in-depth, practical, and easy-to-follow guide on how to use cloves against bedbugs using whole cloves, clove powder, and clove essential oil. You’ll also learn why cloves work, how to prepare them properly, how to combine them with simple household strategies, and the best ways to get the most out of this natural remedy.
Why Cloves Work Against Bedbugs
Cloves are effective in repelling and disrupting bedbugs because of their unique chemical makeup and intense aroma. While cloves will not kill every bedbug, they can create an environment that bedbugs strongly dislike, forcing them to move away from treated areas.
1. Strong Aroma That Bedbugs Avoid
Bedbugs rely on smell when navigating toward hosts and hiding spots. The pungent, spicy, and lingering aroma of cloves overwhelms their senses and acts as a natural deterrent. A heavily scented environment disrupts their ability to locate humans or remain comfortable in their hiding areas.
2. High Eugenol Content
Eugenol is the key active component in cloves. It is widely studied for its antimicrobial and insect-repelling abilities. For bedbugs, eugenol can:
- interfere with their nervous system,
- make it harder for them to breathe,
- discourage them from remaining in treated areas,
- sometimes kill smaller or weaker insects on contact (especially with clove oil).
3. Drying and Abrasive Effect (Clove Powder)
When cloves are ground into powder, they create a dry, slightly abrasive texture. Bedbugs avoid crawling over powdered substances, which disrupts their movement and forces them to seek other routes or areas.
4. Long-Lasting Aroma
Whole cloves release their aroma slowly, making them incredibly useful for long-term repelling. A single batch of whole cloves can stay aromatic for 5–10 days, especially when placed in warm rooms.
While cloves alone will not completely eliminate a severe infestation, they are an excellent natural support method to reduce bedbug presence quickly, protect sleeping areas, and prevent further spreading.
How to Use Cloves Against Bedbugs: 3 Effective Methods
Below are the most powerful and practical techniques for using cloves to repel or slow down bedbugs. You can use one method or combine them depending on the severity of the problem.
1. Using Whole Cloves: Long-Lasting and Simple
Whole cloves are the easiest and cleanest way to create a bedbug-repelling environment. They don’t stain, spill, or lose their aroma quickly, making them a low-maintenance choice.
How to Use Whole Cloves
- Place whole cloves inside small breathable pouches (cotton, gauze, mesh, tea bags).
- Distribute the pouches around bedbug hotspots:
- under the mattress
- inside pillowcases
- behind the headboard
- under the bed
- next to wall cracks or gaps
- in wardrobes or drawers
- Replace every 7–10 days, or sooner if the scent fades.
Why It Works
Whole cloves release a steady aroma that creates a protective scent barrier around sleeping areas, making it harder for bedbugs to travel toward you.
2. Using Clove Powder: For Cracks, Corners & Hiding Spots
If you want a stronger approach, clove powder is more concentrated and more direct. Because bedbugs like to hide in tiny gaps, cracks, and seams, the powder can help discourage them from entering or remaining in those spaces.
How to Use Clove Powder
- Grind whole cloves into a fine powder (coffee grinder or food processor).
- Sprinkle a light amount in:
- baseboard cracks
- bed frame joints
- drawer corners
- closet floors
- behind electrical outlets (very small amounts)
- under carpets or rugs
- Leave the powder for several days before vacuuming and reapplying as needed.
Why It Works
The powder both repels bedbugs with its scent and discourages them physically from crawling across treated areas.
Precautions
- Do not use large amounts near pets.
- Avoid placing directly on mattress surfaces where skin contact occurs.
- Do not use near electronics in large quantities.
3. Using Clove Essential Oil: Most Potent and Fast-Acting
Clove oil is the strongest option because it contains highly concentrated eugenol. It can repel bedbugs quickly and—if sprayed directly on them—may kill some of them on contact.
How to Prepare a Clove Oil Spray
Mix the following in a spray bottle:
- 10–15 drops clove essential oil
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon rubbing alcohol or witch hazel (optional; helps oil spread evenly)
Shake well before each use.
Where to Spray
- bed frames and joints
- the underside of furniture
- baseboards and corners
- door and window frames
- wall cracks and small gaps
Do NOT spray directly on mattresses or pillows unless diluted further and tested on a small area—it may irritate the skin.
Why It Works
Clove oil delivers both a strong scent and direct insect-repelling action. It works fastest of all clove methods.
How to Combine Clove Methods for Better Results
For stronger repelling power, you can use more than one clove method at the same time. Here is the best combination strategy:
1. Use Whole Cloves Near the Bed
This keeps scent high and long-lasting around your sleeping area.
2. Use Clove Powder in Wall Cracks, Furniture Gaps, and Corners
This protects hidden areas where bedbugs usually lay eggs or hide during the day.
3. Use Clove Oil Spray for Daily Surface Treatment
This discourages bedbugs from returning to treated spots.
If used together consistently for 1–2 weeks, many people report a noticeable decrease in bedbug movement and biting activity.
How to Increase the Effectiveness of Clove Treatment
Cloves alone are helpful, but pairing them with simple household practices can multiply their impact. Below are essential steps:
1. Vacuum Daily
Vacuuming removes eggs, shed skins, and hiding insects. Focus on:
- mattress seams
- bed frame edges
- carpets near the bed
- sofa seams
- around baseboards
2. Wash Bedding in Hot Water
Heat kills bedbugs at all life stages. Wash at 60°C (140°F) or higher.
3. Dry Fabrics on High Heat
Heat from drying machines is one of the most effective bedbug killers.
4. Seal Cracks and Gaps
Use sealant or tape to block bedbug hiding spots.
5. Reduce Clutter
Bedbugs thrive in cluttered areas because they offer many hiding places.
6. Use Mattress Encasements
Professional-grade encasements prevent bedbugs from living inside your mattress.
Signs That Cloves Are Working
While cloves do not magically eliminate every bedbug instantly, you will notice early improvements:
- fewer bites at night
- less movement near sleeping areas
- a reduction in bedbug smell (they smell sweet, like almonds)
- bedbugs leaving treated corners or seams
- a slower spread to new rooms
If signs improve, continue the routine for several weeks.
Limitations: What Cloves Cannot Do
It’s important to understand the limitations of cloves:
- They do not kill large infestations.
- They do not kill eggs effectively.
- They cannot replace heat treatment or professional extermination.
- They work best as repellents, not total eradication tools.
Cloves should be used as part of a larger strategy, especially for severe infestations.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does it take for cloves to work?
Most people notice changes within 24–72 hours, especially when using clove oil spray.
2. Can cloves kill bedbugs?
Clove oil can sometimes kill small or weak bedbugs on direct contact. Whole cloves and clove powder mainly repel rather than kill.
3. Will cloves kill bedbug eggs?
No. Only extreme heat kills bedbug eggs effectively.
4. Are cloves safe for children and pets?
Whole cloves are generally safe. Clove oil should be used cautiously around pets and infants due to its strong potency.
5. Do cloves stain mattresses or fabric?
Whole cloves do not stain. Clove oil, if undiluted, can leave marks on fabric.
6. Can I combine cloves with other natural repellents?
Yes! Cloves pair well with:
- tea tree oil
- lavender oil
- peppermint oil
- diatomaceous earth
- rubbing alcohol (for instant kill on contact)
Final Thoughts
Cloves are one of the most accessible, affordable, and surprisingly effective natural remedies for repelling bedbugs. Thanks to their strong scent, eugenol content, and long-lasting aroma, they help reduce bedbug activity, protect sleeping areas, and support your other pest-control efforts.
While cloves alone are not a permanent solution for severe infestations, they are a powerful tool for immediate relief and prevention—and when combined with proper cleaning practices and long-term strategies, they can make a real difference.
If you’re dealing with bedbugs now, use cloves as part of a consistent routine and you may notice fewer bites, less movement, and better sleep within just a few days.
Stay consistent, use multiple methods, and you’ll get the most out of this natural remedy.
