Which of you has wondered, does diatomaceous Earth kill bed bugs? The simple answer to this question is a resounding YES. Though many of you may find there are still bed bugs crawling about your apartment even after using this seemingly magical powder. By the time you reach the end of this article, you will have the answers to all your questions. Let us begin with a few basics so that you are familiar with the subject.
What Is Diatomaceous Earth?
Diatomaceous Earth is a mineral powder. It is a naturally occurring powder, that comes from soft sedimentary rock. It might be white or cream in color. Apart from pest control, it is used as an abrasive agent, in agriculture and in the production of explosive material.
Diatomaceous Earth is usually sprinkled loosely over a large area that is infested with bed bugs. The results are visible over the next couple of minutes. The bed bugs begin to collapse and die when they come in contact with the powder.
Diatomaceous Earth, white or cream in color, is a mineral powder and an abrasive agent occurring from sedimentary rock. It attacks the exoskeleton of bed bugs and dehydrates them upon contact. It is a cheaper, non-invasive, and safer way. However, you have to take a good quantity of it and might have to repeat the process for effective results.
You can clean the house before using the powder and sprinkle it in a mist-like coat. Bed bugs are not resistant to diatomaceous earth. A few hours will bring some effective results. You can repeat the process if required.
How Does Diatomaceous Earth Kill Bed Bugs?
Diatomaceous Earth acts on the exoskeletons of bed bugs. It begins to dissolve the exoskeletons of the bugs. The effect of this powder is so potent that in a few minutes, the bed bugs who come in contact with it, die of dehydration.
Does Diatomaceous Earth Kill Bed Bugs?
As has been stated previously, the simple answer to this question is yes. Diatomaceous Earth will effectively take care of any bed bugs that come in contact with it, but it comes with its own set of problems. Some of the drawbacks of using this powder are listed below:
- You will need a fairly large quantity of it to be able to get rid of an infestation.
- Since bed bugs are excellent at hiding, the bed bugs that are hidden will remain so, until they come in contact with the powder, and hence, this might not be a very effective way to handle an infestation.
- You might need to repeat the treatment a number of times before creating any favorable results.
- A thorough clean-up is required once the bed bugs have been dealt with. The best way is to vacuum the area so all the dead bugs and leftover powder are picked up.
Advantages of Using Diatomaceous Earth
Listed below are some of the advantages of using Diatomaceous Earth to deal with your bed bug situation:
- It is a cheaper option than getting professional help as pest control is very expensive, more so if you are looking to clean up a large area.
- It is a non-toxic and safer method of pest control than using chemicals. Food grade Diatomaceous Earth is available in the market and can be used safely in houses with pets and infants.
- Bed bugs have not yet developed a resistance to it. Due to the overuse of pesticides and chemicals to deal with household pests, many bed bugs have developed resistance to it. Diatomaceous Earth remains an effective way to target them.
- It is a non-invasive procedure. This goes to say that using Diatomaceous Earth does not require you to vacate the premises or rotate furniture about the place. It can be done with all surrounding items intact.
How To Ensure The Treatment Is Effective?
The following tips will give you a good idea of handling Diatomaceous Earth treatments at your home:
- Wash all the fabric at your home. This includes clothes, tapestries, rugs, washcloths, etc. Use the hottest possible cycle on your washing machine setting and then give your clothes a spin in the dryer on the hottest possible cycle again.
- Vacuum all over before sprinkling the powder. This way you will pick up any bed bugs that come your way. You could also use the steam setting on your vacuum cleaner and see if it is strong enough to kill any of them.
- While sprinkling the powder, ensure that you have a fine, mist-like coat of it on a large area. Do not leave the powder in clumps.
- Allow the powder to stand for some time. There is no hard and fast rule here, but a couple of hours should be sufficient.
- Repeat the process every few days.
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