Bed Bugs in Walls – Will Painting Help to Get Rid of Them?

Painting the walls will not help eliminate the bed bugs problem by killing them. It’s the smell of the paint that may cause them to leave the area for a while, but they will eventually come back after some time.

And since they can hide in many small cracks and crevices, it’s very difficult to eliminate them on your own with only paint additives completely.

If you have a severe infestation, the best way to get rid of bed bugs is to seek professional help to properly assess the situation and provide the best course of action for good.

However, if the problem is not so severe, there are a few natural ways you can try to help get rid of them, including paint additives for bugs.

Here in this detailed guide, I will discuss more bed bug problems in walls, why they are actually present here, and how you can get rid of them in your plastered walls fast.

So, let’s first start by understanding…

Why Do Bed Bugs Hide in Walls?

As we know, bed bugs are small parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals.

They are usually active at night and hide in dark places during the day. This includes the cracks and crevices in the walls.

Bed bugs can enter your home in many ways. They can hitch a ride on your clothes, luggage, or even on second-hand furniture.

Once they are inside, they will start to look for a place to hide and start their infestation by traveling through walls and outlets.

The cracks in the walls provide the perfect hiding spot for them as they are difficult to spot and eliminate.

Plus, if you have wallpaper on your rough brick walls, it will provide another layer of protection for them to hide inside.

How Painting Your Walls can Reduce Bed Bugs?

While painting your walls won’t directly kill the bed bugs, it can help to reduce their numbers because of the awful smell of the paint and paint additives that are added to repel the insects.

But remember, if you do not do it right, paint can create a mess very easily rather than helping to eliminate the bed bugs.

To make sure you do things right and the bugs do not return, there are certain proven methods you can try:

Method 1- Strong Oil-Based Paints

Fill all the cracks and crevices in your walls before painting them – using an effective sealant.

This will make it difficult for the bed bugs to find a place to hide, and they will eventually move or die.

Then use high-quality oil-based paint that has a strong smell. Paint your walls with it using a roller to brush. Make sure you cover all the areas where the bedbugs might be hiding.

Let the anti-insect paint dry completely before moving back into your room.

This method will help to keep the bugs away for a longer period of time. However, it can be a little expensive as strong oil-based paints come with a high price tag.

Plus, the smell can be very strong due to high VOCs, so make sure to open the windows and ventilate the area well before and during the painting process.

Method 2- Low VOCs Latex Paints

If you are allergic to the strong smell, you should avoid strong-smelling oil-based paints altogether to repel bugs.

Alternatively, use no VOC or low VOC water-based latex paints. Add some essential oils to the paint to make it effective in repelling bed bugs.

You may also consider adding a bug-repellent paint additive to the paint before spraying or rolling the paint on your walls.

This will not only help keep the bed bugs away but also other insects like spiders,  ants, and more.

After you are done with the paint, allow it to dry completely for 1-2 days.

Also, inspect your walls (windows, doors, trims, doorways, screens, closets, shelves, furniture, etc.) regularly for any sign of bed bug infestation, and take immediate action if you find any.

Method 3- Paint Colors that Repel Bugs

According to the experts at the orkin.com site, yellow and green are the colors that will most likely repel bed bugs.

White, blue, green, and purple are colors that many insects and mosquitoes hate and tend to avoid going near them.

So, you can use these colors to paint your walls and repel the pesky insects.

You can either use a single color or mix two colors together to make it more effective and attractive based on your overall color scheme in your home.

What are the Signs of Bed Bugs Living on Your Wall?

Bed bugs are small insects that are difficult to spot with the naked eye. However, there are certain signs of their presence that you can look for:

• Bloodstains on your walls, including the bed sheets or pillowcases.
• Dark or rusty spots of bed bug excrement on mattresses, upholstered furniture, or walls.
• Shed bed bug skins in areas where they are hiding, like inside the wall cracks, gaps, and corners.
• A sweet, musty odor is coming from the infected area.
• You see a bed bug crawling on the walls in your living room or bedroom.

Particularly, if you start to experience bites, it is likely that you have a bed bug infestation. Bed bug bites usually appear as small, red welts on the skin, and they can be very itchy.

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs in Walls – The Most Effective Method?

Once you have confirmed that you have a bed bug problem in your walls, it’s time to take action and get rid of them.

The best way to do this is to try the steam heat method. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1- Use a powerful vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to reach all the cracks and crevices in your walls.

Make sure to vacuum all the infested areas thoroughly. Empty the vacuum bag after each use and dispose of it immediately.

Step 2- Next, use a steamer to let the heat go deep into the cracks. This will reach the bed bugs that may have escaped the vacuum cleaning process.

Repeat this process 2-3 times a week until the bed bugs are gone.

Step 3- The final step is to use a contact spray bed bug exterminator. It’s called a contact kill because it kills bed bugs immediately when they come into contact with it.

Spray it over the nooks and crannies of your walls, paying particular attention to the baseboards, wall outlets, and wallpaper edges. When spraying near the wall outlets, do not spray inside them.

The Bottom Line

Bed bugs on walls can be tricky to get rid of completely, and using just paint won’t work.

If you have bed bugs on your walls, the first thing you need to do is identify where they are coming from. This can be difficult because bed bugs can travel through small cracks and crevices, making it difficult to pinpoint their origin.

Once you confirm their presence, you can start by cleaning the infected area and surrounding areas thoroughly. This includes vacuuming, washing all bedding and clothing in hot water, and sealing any cracks or crevices where they may be hiding.