Using diatomaceous earth to kill bed bugs is one effective way to get rid of these bugs completely.
Diatomaceous earth is a fine, whitish natural powder that is usually gotten from a rock. The product is highly effective and recommended for use against bed bugs.
Are you searching for diatomaceous earth for bed bug treatment? Do you want to know how to kill bed bugs with it?
Diatomaceous Earth For Bed Bugs
In this article, we will show you nearly everything you need to know about the use of earth powder in bed bug eradication. Continue reading!
Does Diatomaceous Earth Kill Bed Bugs?
Your interest in knowing if D.E. kills bed bugs is not out of place. Bed bugs are very stubborn creatures that have mastered how to avoid anything that gives them discomfort. Not to talk of killing them.
Hence everybody’s interest in knowing if diatomaceous earth can do this job that different kinds of pesticides fail at. That is, to wipe out bed bugs.
Yes, diatomaceous earth kills bed bugs. But it is certainly not the way that other bed bug killers do. Bed bugs can’t ingest them, so the only way D.E kills the critters is by direct contact with it.
Take away that contact, and diatomaceous earth will be ineffective against bugs.
How Does It Kill Bed Bugs?
Diatomaceous earth contains fossilized particles that are sharp and rough. You can’t see this though, except with the use of a microscope. Looking at it ordinarily, it looks like fine corn flour.
When an unsuspecting bed bug crawls on diatomaceous earth, the particles which are known to be rough and sharp like I already mentioned, scratch the outer body of the bug.
This scratch can sometimes be so fatal on the outer layer of the bug that it creates a very big cut on it. Once that happens, the bed bug begins to lose water from that place until it dries up completely and dies.
How Long Does It Take To Kill Bed Bugs?
The time it takes for a bed bug to die after making contact with diatomaceous earth depends largely on how big the cut on its layers is.
If the scratch is much, water evaporates quickly from the body, leading to its death. If it’s not much, then it will take much longer for it to die.
This is the main reason it takes from 2 days up before the real impact of diatomaceous earth will start to show.
Only in cases where the scratch on the bed bug is fatal will you see a result in a shorter time.
Does It Kill Bed Bug Nymphs?
Yes, it does. It is not only effective in cutting and dehydrating the adult bed bugs. It also eliminates others like the hatchlings and the nymphs.
The reason is that bed bugs in all stages move. Except for the eggs. The hatchlings, nymphs, and adults all move. Because of this movement, they are likely to crawl on the diatomaceous earth once it has been applied to an area.
Modern brands of this product even add other things like synthetic alarm pheromones. These chemicals activate in the bed bugs the thought to run around the area as fast as they can.
The more they run, they more cuts they get on their outer layers, leading to more deaths.
Is It Safe To Use Diatomaceous Earth Indoors?
Diatomaceous earth is made of chemicals that are not harmful to use indoors. Diatomaceous earth can even be ingested and it will not cause any form of harm to adults, children or pets. Most people even take it for health reasons.
However, the challenge with diatomaceous earth comes if it is inhaled in a large quantity.
Where To Apply It In Your House
The first thing to do in eliminating bed bugs with diatomaceous earth is to identify the right places to apply the product for great results.
Some of the places to apply it includes beneath the mattress on your bed, around the bed, carpet edges, wall voids, etc.
Brands Of Diatomaceous Earth To Buy For Bed Bug Elimination
Are you searching for the best brands of diatomaceous earth to buy? Here is a list of some of them.
- Safer 51703 Diatomaceous Earth Bed Bug Killer
According to the information on the product label, Safer Diatomaceous Earth kills bed bugs within 48 hours of contact.
Once contact has been made, the powder tears through the exoskeleton of the insects and causes them to die of dehydration. The product is recommended for both indoor and outdoor use.
Once applied to an area, the product also takes care of other insects like Ants, Fleas, etc.
- Harris Bed Bug Killer, Diatomaceous Earth
With over 1,200 customer reviews of which the majority of those reviews are positive, Harris Bed Killer D.E is among the best brand of diatomaceous earth to buy.
According to the product label, this powder can effectively treat hard to reach areas. Making it a great option for a thorough treatment.
The product comes with a puffer that allows it to be applied at any moment without the need for any other application tool.
Once applied, the effect can last up to several weeks on the site. It is fast-acting and fully registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is also listed with the Organic Minerals Research Institute.
- Hot Shot Bed Bug Killer Dust With Diatomaceous Earth
This product is recommended for use in wall voids, on carpet edges, etc. You can use it around the bed, mattresses and box springs. You can also apply it within the cracks and crevices around the entire house.
According to the product label, Hot Shot Bed Bug Killer Dust With Diatomaceous Earth is to be used for indoor treatments only.
The product also kills ants, beetles, centipedes, cockroaches, etc. Once applied, the product begins to kill bed bugs within 48 hours. It works in a particular area for up to several weeks after the initial application.
- Perma Guard’s Crawling Insect Control Diatomaceous Earth.
Also known as Earthworks’ health, this particular product has been registered and approved for use by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
According to the product label, this product contains no extra chemicals. It is 100% natural. It can be used both indoors and outdoors for bed bug treatment.
Once applied in a place, the effects will last in that place for a very long period.
You can check out the customer reviews of this product online on several sites.
Where To Buy Diatomaceous Earth
There are several places you can buy top quality diatomaceous earth for bed bug eradication. Especially the brands mentioned in this article.
You can decide to get them online in different shopping malls, or you can get them offline from wherever you want.
Two great examples of places to get almost all of them online are Amazon and Walmart. You can get them for as cheap as $10 depending on the brand, size and other necessary things. You can also get them for as high as hundreds of dollars.
How To Apply Diatomaceous Earth For Bed Bugs
In applying diatomaceous earth for bed bug treatments, you must apply it in such a way that it can be effective against bed bugs.
That means you must not only be observant about where you apply it, you must also watch out for how you apply it. You can’t just apply it carelessly everywhere and expect it to work somehow.
You have to apply them generously in places where you are sure there are quite some bed bugs. For instance, under the mattress, around the feet off your bed, the box springs and nearby furniture.
After you have marked out places where you need to apply the product, begin by taking some of the powder and placing them in those places.
If you are going to make a heap of diatomaceous earth for bed bugs to crawl through it and die, you are going to have to keep it small.
Making it quite big will not only be a big turn off for the bed bugs, but it will also make it difficult for you to always walk through it.
Safety Tips In Handling Diatomaceous Earth For Bed Bugs
- Too much exposure to diatomaceous earth does not cause any serious harm to people. Except when it is inhaled in large quantities.
- Let the kids know what it is and warn them to keep away from it. Though they may not be in any danger if they ingest it, it can have adverse effects on their respiratory system once it is inhaled in large quantities.
- Carefully remove the bed bugs wearing your protective gloves.
In Summary
We have in this article discussed diatomaceous earth for bed bugs and nearly everything you need to know about the product.
Are you searching for how to get rid of bed bugs using diatomaceous earth?
The information contained in this guide will go a long way to help you.