Do dryer sheets repel bed bugs?

Dryer sheets do not effectively repel bed bugs, despite being a popular home remedy myth that circulates online, and relying on them can give false sense of security while infestation grows. Dryer sheets contain linalool and other fragrances that may have slight repellent effect in lab settings when bed bugs are directly exposed in petri dishes, but in real world conditions inside mattresses, box springs, and cracks where bed bugs hide, dryer sheets have no significant repellent or killing effect, and bed bugs will cross over them to reach host for blood meal. Studies have shown that while dryer sheets may cause some avoidance in small enclosed spaces, they do not prevent bites or eliminate infestation. Similarly, other scent based remedies like peppermint oil, lavender oil, and essential oils have limited and short-lived repellent effect and do not kill eggs. Bed bugs are attracted to warmth, carbon dioxide, and blood, and will tolerate unpleasant smells if hungry. Pest control experts do not recommend dryer sheets as control method. Effective prevention and elimination methods include encasing mattress and box spring in bed bug proof encasements, using interceptor traps under bed legs, washing bedding weekly on high heat for 30 minutes which kills all stages, vacuuming mattress seams regularly, inspecting second hand furniture before bringing home, and professional heat treatment heating rooms to 120 to 135 degrees which kills 100 percent of bugs and eggs, which are proven methods rather than dryer sheets.