does diatomaceous earth REALLY work on bed bugs?

in Bedbug Questions



Question by Suzanne:
does diatomaceous earth REALLY work on bed bugs?

I have bed bugs!!!….does diatomaceous earth REALLY work on bed bugs…or have i just been suckered in (like the rest of the country)

Best answer:

Answer by Bill M
Try it and see. I’ve heard that it also works on roaches.

What do you think? Answer below.


More posts like this one in Bedbug Questions.

{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }

Bed Bugs Handbook March 21, 2011 at 9:00 am

Diatomaceous earth does work against bed bugs, however, it is only one of a combination of products/approaches that need to be applied. Using diatomaceous earth alone will help to reduce the bed bug population the home or apartment, but will not eliminate it. It works by clinging to the outer shell of the bed bug, dehydrating them and killing them.

The problem is that the bed bug needs to cross through the dust field. Since its impossible to place dust everywhere the bed bugs are hiding or may cross through, it is only a partial solution. Many home owners like this approach since it is an organic product. To stay all organic use along with steam heat and vacuuming. There are also organic sprays (see 1st resource) that can help to knock down or reduce the bed bug population.

In terms of a sequence:

1. Vacuum first (use crevice tool)
2. Steam
3. Spray with a knock down spray
4. Spray with a residual spray
5. Followup with diatmoceious earth
6. Cover mattress and box spring

You may need to repeat 2 or 3 times. Each treatment reduces the bed bug population a bit more.

Reply

Dawn March 21, 2011 at 9:23 am

This is what the science teacher at my school says – put containers with dry ice in them under the bed. The bugs are attracted to the CO2 and then freeze. Don’t know if it works, but he is confident!

Reply

Shan March 21, 2011 at 9:24 am

I would first try hiring a professional exterminator. However, sometimes even an exterminator cannot get rid of bed bugs. If the exterminator fails, you can get rid of the bed bugs with baking soda.

I would use baking soda, as opposed to Diatomaceous Earth (DE). Yes, DE works, but DE also cuts human lungs, so it’s dangerous. Baking soda is gentle on people but will kill the bed bugs.

Buy about 10 boxes of baking soda. And you’ll need more later.

Start with one room at a time…maybe your bedroom.

1. Sprinkle the baking soda everywhere on the floor. Make sure you put a good coating around and under the bed. Spread the baking soda with a broom, so you have a fairly even coating. Then just leave the baking soda on the floor. Do not vacuum.

2. Remove all sheets and comforters. Wash these in detergent and Hot water. Dry thoroughly.

3. Vacuum the bed extremely well.

4. If you can afford to replace the mattress, replace it. If not, buy a bed bug mattress cover, like this one: http://www.ecrater.com/p/9043751/bed-bug-mattress-cover-protection I’m sure you can find these at Walmart and Kmart if you’d rather not buy on line.

5. Wrap duct tape or Gorilla Tape around the bed legs STICKY SIDE OUT. This way the bugs will get stuck trying to get to you. Another alternative is to buy some peel and stick tiles and place the feet of your bed on these…but place the tiles sticky-side up, so the bugs will get stuck on the tiles. Change the tape or tiles as needed.

6. Pull the bed away from the wall so that it does not touch.

7. Remake the bed, but never allow sheets or comforters to touch the floor.

After a week, vacuum the floor and re-apply the baking soda.

Treat all bedrooms this way. Also treat any room that you suspect harbors bed bugs. Treat for a full year. Yes, a year! Bed bugs are extremely hardy and it will take a full year of all out war to get rid of them.

Good luck.

Reply

Ivana Balic March 21, 2011 at 9:53 am

Today the market offers a variety of „do it yourself“ bed bugs solutions but you need to be careful because not all pesticides are proven to be safe for indoor usage especially for homes with small children. You can choose from different types of products such as sprays, powders and other.
Try with Kleen Free Naturally, 32oz, Bed Bugs spray

Reply

Justin March 21, 2011 at 10:00 am

Diatomaceous earth DEFINITELY DOES work for eliminating bed bugs. That is the organic choice but make sure that you use a product that is certified organic. I have seen alot of companies putting ‘organic’ on their label but when you dig alittle more, they are not organic at all. it is just a marketing ploy. so i found that companies that have the seal OMRI on their label they are certified organic.
Anyway, the best way to get rid of bed bugs (i have done this before and it worked very well!!) is to place a small dish with DE in it. probably at least 2 inches of DE. Now put the posts of your beds inside the dish/saucer. The bed bugs will be looking for food. They are only going to get food from attacking you. They are going to be coming up the bed posts. if you put the dish of DE with your bed posts in them…. they are going to have to travel through the DE to get to your bed…. and they will die within 48 hours. This is how i did it and it worked without a hiccup.
Now i did mention that i did my homework on companies. i try to use organic in as much of my life as possible so finding an organic solution was important to me. i didn’t want an exterminator coming in there throwing all kinds of chemicals around the same place i eat and my wife and pets eat. So with that being said, i used Safer Brand Ant and Crawling Insect Killer with Diatomaceous Earth. It comes in a bright yellow bag. you can get it from their website (what i did) but i happened to find it at Home Depot one day i was there shopping. i never heard of the brand before this and now i own about 10 of their products. good stuff! Hope you can get rid of them!!

Reply

baridocars July 23, 2011 at 7:49 am

I used it and diatomaceous earth really does work on bedbugs I have tried everything and within 48 hours I was able to sleep in my bed without bedbugs. I don’t know why more people don’t know about this wonderful stuff.

Reply

baridocars July 23, 2011 at 7:54 am

diatomaceous earth really does work on killing bedbugs. We have tried everything… I had to buy it at a local feed and suppy company, about $12 for 6lb pkg.. within 48 hours no bedbugs… I was able to sleep in my bed 1st time in 3 months… if you have bed bugs get this stuff it is GREAT!!!
We have tried everything… none of the other stuff worked…. DE does kill the bedbugs.. and it’s cheap.

Reply

RC December 21, 2011 at 8:32 am

Had whole house treated with heat 1 week so far no bites and old ones are starting to go away. Fought it for 6 months, tried everything, heat cost $1,500.00 if I am bug free it was worth it

Reply

bed bugs life cycle August 28, 2014 at 12:14 am

With excellent knowledge of the best bed bug control methods and an arsenal of efficient
pest control products, Pest Away can and will help you make your home comfortable again. The benefit
of bed bug do it yourself kits is generally that you do not have
to bay the sometimes exorbitant fees that exterminators want.

The longer you wait to treat the problem, the more likely
you are to have a serious infestation occur.

Reply

roach bait with igr August 28, 2014 at 2:41 am

Place roach traps in areas where you think they can hire.
It can take weeks and even months to get rid of them.
They destroy clothes, important documents, food items and cable wiring.

Reply

how to get rid of cockroaches without Exterminator August 29, 2014 at 12:09 am

Because you can find a lot of organizations eager to aid you with your challenge, you must always be pretty picky and therefore select a trusted organization. survey of poison handle centers,
they cause a lot more insecticide poisoning accessoire than another pesticides other
than for organophosphates. These insects have survived unchanged for millions of years.

Reply

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: