Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is produced from silica that has small particles and razor sharp edges. 
Luckily, DE is non-toxic and all natural – compare to sprays or bed bug powders. But, does Diatomaceous earth kill bed bugs?
The simple answer is, YES, the razor sharp edges of diatomaceous earth (DE) will cut the bed bugs’ abdomens and exoskeleton. This will dehydrated the bed bugs – which will cause their eventual death.
However, DE is slow-acting and will only create a barrier or safe zone around walls or carpets. Thus, you’ll achieve top effectiveness if you use DE alongside the best steamers and heat treatment.
Details: Does Diatomaceous Earth Kill Bed Bugs?
Food-grade Diatomaceous Earth is a fine powder that has razor sharp edges that’ll rub away the bed bug’s exoskeleton and defense systems – which will dehydrate and kill the pets.
How to Use Diatomaceous Earth to Kill Bed Bugs
1. First, Diatomaceous Earth – the powder that’ll required to be dusted around your room – it’ll kill be bed bugs with is sharp edged particles.
2. Next, you’ll require to make a trap so that the bed bugs can’t get off your bed frame or under the carpet and continue running.
So, take the simple castor cap – its cheap and readily available. Now, pour your Diatomaceous earth around the castor cap. Now put the bed leg onto the castor cap.
Notably, bed bugs don’t fly and thus they’ll only crawl. So, when they come off the bed they’ll simply drop into the Diatomaceous earth.
3. Also, pour the Diatomaceous earth around the bed rails, bed frames, and any other place that the bed bugs will use as a bridge to get to another location.
4. Next, now use your pesticide – consider using permethrin or deltamethrin – both are great bed bug killers.
As you spray anything that starts moving the mattress, bedding, bed springs – the bugs will jumps onto the Diatomaceous earth.
Caution: Wash you hands after using Diatomaceous earth. However, the dust is so fine that it might not harm the human system.
5. Take a soap dish – put the DE powder and place onto all four legs of your bed. Dust the perimeter of your room to ensure that no bed bug comes in or goes out of the room alive.
Why use Diatomaceous Earth to Kill Bed Bugs?
Diatomaceous earth only won’t readily exterminate all the bed bugs. Despite that DE will create a barrier for the bugs – you’ll need to use this powder combined with other pesticides or heat treatment.
Here’s why you should consider using Diatomaceous earth for the control of bed bugs.
1. 100% Natural Bed Bug Killer
Diatomaceous earth is luckily 100% Natural since its produced from diatoms – which are fossilized sea objects. These sea objects are made from silicon dioxide.
We love the natural and non-toxic products that’ll also be highly effective. DE perfectly matches this profile – and it even a suitable pet treatment – particularly for deworming.
2. Safety even with Effectiveness
DE has razor sharp edges that’ll break down the bed bugs’ exoskeleton and abdomen.
Also, Diatomaceous earth acts like a desiccant that’ll break down the bug’s waxy shell – causing dehydration and fatality.
Diatomaceous earth has no toxivc chemicals or pesticides that may harm your family, kids and cats or dogs.
3. Create a Safe Mechanical Barrier
DE easily forms a great mechanical barrier – a great physical barrier that’ll prevent entry or exit of bed bugs from a designated areas such as bed room.
Bed bugs will hence not easily crawl through the Diatomaceous earth since their abdomen will be torn down – which leads to dehydration and hence death.
4. Excellent if Combined with Heat Treatment
DE will work excellently if combined with heat treatment. Thus DE will a great additional to your bed bug control at home or business enterprise.
Luckily, Diatomaceous earth won’t cause damage when heated up in the treatment process. Thus, you can place the DE on objects that can’t be heated or those awaiting heat treatment.
5. Long Residue Effect and Non-Resistant
Interestingly, Diatomaceous earth has a long residue effect when compared to some sprays and powders.
However, DE is equally not fast in its killing action – the power will take about 1-3 weeks to kill a large percentage of the bed bugs.
Also, bed bugs wont develop resistance to Diatomaceous earth – actually this is not like other pesticides that bed bugs whose ingredients the bed bugs will develop resistance against.
Safety Precautions When Using Diatomaceous Earth?
Despite that Food Grade DE is labeled safe for use in controlling bed bugs – its not a guarantee that it’ll be safe & effective – its not analyzed by America’s EPA.
Therefore, to use Diatomaceous earth in your bed bug control expeditions, you must know how to safely apply the powder in your house.
Avoid the anxiety and stress that may come with finding a bed bug – apply the DE in your mind operating at its best and you’ll get excellent bug extermination results.
