). But now I have found my favorite! Diatomaceous Earth is a great tool to use in your fight against bed bugs. You could also use mattress encasements to trap the remaining bugs. Instead, when the gel comes into contact with the bed bug it acts more like a sponge absorbing the wax from the outer shell and sucking out the moisture causing dehydration and death. During later inspections, researchers even found many bed bugs that clearly had DE dust on their exoskeleton proving they were exposed just not killed. CimeXa dust was then tested in the field. Bed bugs are very tiny and very flat. Mined from ancient riverbeds and lakes, diatomaceous earth (DE) is the fossilized remains of prehistoric, freshwater phytoplankton or algae. Their greatest weakness is heat but it has to be hot enough. Although DE is slow acting, its results are long-lasting and effective. Never treat children's toys or stuffed animals with insecticides. Once the exoskeleton is damaged, the DE absorbs the bugs bodily fluids. Here are the directions listed on CimeXa and Maggie's Farm Bed Bug Killer, two silica gel dusts: They give very clear directions about where the product should be applied, and it's essential to follow these directions. Pest Control Gurus is a participant in Amazon Services LLC Associate Program. But unlike many other chemical solutions, diatomaceous earth is 100% natural and safe for use. Heres what you need to know. The product is known to be effective at killing crawling insects and is popular as a safe bed bug treatment option. However, its essential not to use just any product because some powders contain chemicals that could be harmful if inhaled or ingested. Apply to upholstered furniture by removing or lifting (if possible) the cushions and treating the undersurface. So its essential to act fast after spotting any signs of their presence in your home. It is a non toxic, chemical free insecticide that dehydrates the bugs from within without causing major harm to humans or pets. Eggs are more heat-resistant and need a temperature of 125 degrees F for 20 minutes. Is this product safe for me and my family? Vacuuming is an integral part of most bed bug eradication methods. CimeXa Insecticide Dust is a dry powder and consists of 100% diatomaceous earth, which makes it safe for use around food, in nurseries, and in any other areas where children or pets may be present. Does Diatomaceous Earth Kill Bed Bugs? (If you want to use diatomaceous earth that is approved for bed bug use, check out Harris Bed Bug Killer.). Use an applicator to blow bed bug dust safely into wall voids through electrical outlets or along the baseboards. Still, it doesnt mean they wont affect pets either, so keep them out of reach of both areas after treatment until all powder has settled. If you have any questions regarding pest control, leave them below. The powder also has an easy-open flip-top lid making it easier to get at when you need it quickly without having to fumble around looking for something sharp like scissors or a knife that will ruin the powder. Like DE, silica gel attaches to the bed bug's body when it makes contact. Apply where the bed bugs will most likely come into contact with the dust, such as: You can also work the silica powder into the bedroom carpet with a brush in the infested and adjacent areas. This do it yourself bed bug spray is non toxic Dust picture frames, moldings, hollow furniture legs, cracks and crevices, along baseboards, and any areas with visible signs. Dispose of the used vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag outside of your home. As a PMP I use desiccant dust as part of bed bug treatments. If the Diatomaceous Earth becomes wet, reapply to keep active ingredients from being washed away by rain, water, or snow. When both were tested in a lab using carpet samples dusted with both products, the results showed over a 24 hour period that silica gel was effectively far superior with 97% of bed bugs dying compared to diatomaceous earth only killing 10%. If you layer your diatomaceous earth in clumps, the bugs will be able to work their way around them. Bed bugs survive the longest in colder temperatures. This soft powder, unlike corn flour, feels rough and abrasive when you touch it. Theres an alternative to diatomaceous earth thats actually highly effective against bed bugs, just as affordable, and made from essentially the same thing. Diatomaceous earth INS is useful around the house for control of cockroaches, silverfish, ants, bedbugs, fleas, crickets, termite and many other insects. If you cant get a steamer, simply vacuum your entire home. There are two main types of diatomaceous earth: Food-grade diatomaceous earth is the type you use on your garden and pets. Does Diatomaceous Earth Kill Bed Bugs? Ortho powder kills bugs by absorbing the moisture on the critters bodies, leaving them to dry out and die. It is safe for use around kids, pets, or livestock but not directly on animals! Baby powder, which is normally reserved for babies and kids, is an entirely different material that does not have sharp texture that is required for effective bed bug control. Getting the gel wet probably damages its absorptive and abrasive properties. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. For effective pest control, dust mattresses, box springs and cracks and crevices in the room. Otherwise, you can leave the powder for as long as it takes to get rid of the nasty critters. Of course, to look at diatomaceous earth, it doesn't look like fossils it is more of an off-white powder that looks similar to talc and has no odor. I also provide product recommendations for my favorite pest extermination products. Bayer Tempo 1% Dust is also ideal for commercial properties such as hotels, restaurants, public buses, cafes, hospitals, and residential homes. These are single-celled phytoplankton, a type of sea alga. Most readily available bed bug powder treatments contain diatomaceous earth, which comprises fossilized remains of phytoplankton. It takes about five days to start taking the effect you will need. However, not all of them are organic DE. 20122022 Pest Control Informational Resource, The 7 Best Bed Bug Powder Products in 2022 Comparison Chart, JT Eaton Bedbug and Crawling Insect Powder, Top 7 Best Bed Bug Powder Killers Reviewed, What is the Best Bed Bug Powder Killer in 2022? A silica gel is a better option and will kill more bed bugs than DE, and within a shorter time, when used together with other treatment methods. The journal Insects in 2016 published a study into the effectiveness of diatomaceous earth dust for bed bug control. If you dont want the expense of hiring an exterminator, one option you may want to consider is a powder. Liberally sprinkle the white powder in joints, crevices where the rungs are, inside box springs and so on. Desiccant dust does not break down so remains active for years if left undisturbed. Use HotShot powder bedbug killer to treat large household items. It's also cheap and free of harmful chemicals. Its most preferred for the harmful but human safe ingredient DE, which comes in a 7-Ounce container. When you buy something using the links on my posts, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Adults, eggs, and nymphs will all be killed after 30 minutes through the dryer. Sticks to bed bug through electostatic charge, then absorbs its moisture, Causes abrasions, leading to dehydration, No, but it kills nymphs hatched from treated eggs, Yes, up to 10 years if it stays dry and undisturbed. How to Prevent & Avoid Bed Bugs: 14 Prevention Tips. It also has an application rate of 2 oz per 100 ft, making it easier than ever to get rid of those pesky critters without being wasteful with your product or taking up too much time trying to spread it across your floorboards properly. Diatomaceous earth is also known as chinchilla powder, diahydro, kieselguhr, kieselgur or Celite. Still, you should always take care when applying pesticides near them, even if they are considered pet-safe by the manufacturer. Is bed bug powder effective? Comes in a convenient shaker top that will allow you to sprinkle it evenly throughout the area needing treatment. It can be used as needed for infestations or to prevent these troublesome pests, whether in your bedroom, office, kitchen anywhere that bedbugs may try to take up residence! Bed bugs have been found to develop resistance to lethal doses of pesticides within a year or a few generations. Diatomaceous earth strips them of this protection. However, it may take longer for the bugs still in eggs to hatch and die. Wash all your clothes, bedding, and linen in hot water. In such a situation, you can hire a professional team of pest exterminators to treat the infested areas with an effective bed bug powder. You can share our article with your friends! Go here to learn about the best pesticide for bed bugs. Does diatomaceous earth powder kill bed bug eggs? This type of interceptor is a good choice because it has a two-wall design. This is key, because one reason bed bugs are great survivors is they have a heightened ability to stay hydrated for extended periods. At Walmart, you will find bed bug powders such as the HotShot Bed bug Powder. Diatomaceous earth (often referred to as DE and Bed Bug Killer Powder) is an off-white silicon dioxide-rich fine powder made from fossilized aquatic organisms called diatoms. After vacuuming, remove and seal the vacuum bag to contain any eggs or bed bugs you may have picked up. Its a good idea to wear a dust mask when using this product because it could cause prolonged exposure otherwise. By everything we mean your clothes, bedding, quilt covers, throws anything that is lying around near the infected area that you may think has been affected by bed bugs. Treat all cracked areas around your walls to prevent bed bugs from laying eggs. Once bed bugs encounter the powder, it works by layering the top outer part of the bug and consequently killing them through dehydration. Silica gel, such as CimeXa, is best applied as a dust treatment and should be applied after the room has been heat treated. Wash and dry fabrics on the highest heat setting possible. Instead, they are helpful for confirming you actually have bed bugs and creating another line of defense around your bed. Seal the bags to be sure the bed bugs cant escape then tip directly into the washing machine. . Unlike chemical pesticides, food grade diatomaceous earth is 100% natural and non-toxic. Hi Blane, At the end of June 2021, I helped a handicapped friend who was in a bedbug-infested apartment. The Harris 8 oz. It is found naturally along oceans and lakes in different parts of the world. Make sure you use it in such a manner that it forms a beautiful film. The most important thing to do when using food grade diatomaceous earth to kill bed bugs is to ensure all the places where bed bugs love to hide. Next, well go over the areas on which you need to focus. Diatomaceous earth, whose active ingredient is amorphous silicon dioxide, is the fossilized ground-up remains of diatoms. As the bed bugs crawl through or over the DEs abrasive particles, the waxy layer becomes damaged and moisture is then lost from the bed bugs body so it slowly dehydrates and dies. After all, you want the powder to absorb liquids from the bed bugs bodies. These are single-celled phytoplankton, a type of sea alga. Dont forget to vacuum the base of your bed and the floor underneath the bed. Walmart stores have a variety of bed bug killer solutions, from powders and sprays to bed bugs and flea floggers, among other insecticides known to kill bed bugs instantly. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. It is known to kill the bugs within a period of 48 hours after its application. We all know that bed bugs are a big problem in the US. If youve searched for home remedies to kill bed bugs yourself, youve probably been pointed toward diatomaceous earth, a popular natural remedy for treating all types of pests. These dusts were not meant to be spread all over your bed or carpet or your pet's bedding. The reason why diatomaceous earth doesn't kill bed bug eggs is because the eggs don't crawl. Bugs like to hide in the most obscure places away from their prey. However, silica gel is not actually a gel at all, it is manufactured from silica into a lightweight white fluffy powder. Compared with sprays with harsh chemicals and pesticides that can leave harmful residue, bed bug powders are an easy-to-use alternative without any of those issues. Silica Gel is Better. It also comes with a convenient puffer bottle for easy application, so its perfect for people who want to get their house treated but are afraid of the harmful effects that other chemicals can have. The boric acid powder is made from boron, a mined raw material, and water. For example, CimeXa recommends mixing 16 ounces of the silica powder per gallon of water. When youre struggling with bed bugs, youre willing to try just about anything to get rid of them. Reapply every seven days until all the bugs die out. Researchers ran several comparative tests using the CimeXa silica gel. Requires special equipment like a dust mask, goggles, and long sleeve shirt pants. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. In a second test, researchers evaluated how effective silica gel would be when applied to the carpet. It can kill any bug with an exoskeleton easily, but is safe for. Where To Apply: Behind stoves and refrigerator. detoxifies the body. With an active ingredient of 0.05% Deltamethrin, its long-lasting control will keep your mattress safe from both eggs and larvae so you can get some much-needed rest without fear or worry about waking up to a bed bug infestation. I brought them to my house but left them outside, all this time. The main active ingredient, silicon dioxide (from diatomaceous earth), is an all-natural insect killer. One method is using a heat chamber but these tend to cost hundreds of dollars. The bug powder emits huge smoke of dust, which may irritate your nose, eyes, and throat. Saturate the borax covered mattress with the water. This means that chemical pesticides are not enough to kill bed bugs because theyve evolved to a point where they arent affected by them as strongly. By the final evaluation, there were 98.1% fewer bed bugs. The reason why diatomaceous earth doesn't kill bed bug eggs is because the eggs don't crawl. And in addition to that, the DE works only after the bed bug comes into contact with it. A mixture of 2 heaping tablespoons of diatomaceous earth to 32oz water [this spray works only after water evaporates] A duster filled with diatomaceous earth [the powder] A powerful vacuum with attachments you'll use for sucking loose bugs out of their hiding places. Silica gels are the obvious choice but one important point to note is that if you are going to use silica dust or DE, it should not be used as a stand-alone treatment. When the insects come into contact with it, they begin to die within 48 hours or less from initial contact no need to reapply for months, as the powder has a long-lasting effect. It is found naturally along oceans and lakes in different parts of the world.