Many products are available that aims in preventing as well as killing of the bed bugs. Majority of these products are pesticides or insecticides, which are poisonous and sometimes not safe on humans and pets. There are natural products also that are equally effective and are less toxic as they have chemical-free composition. These products often contain a combination of pyrethrins and canola oil that is considered safe on pets and humans. Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is one such natural product used to kill bed bugs.
Brief background of Diatomaceous Earth
Millions of years back, single celled water plants called diatoms existed in all the waters of the earth. These plants absorbed mineral salts from the waters and made a secure shell to protect themselves. Once they ceased to exist, the shells dropped off into sea beds. Numerous layers made huge deposits of diatom shells. Man has made use of the various benefits of these deposits from ages immemorial. Diatoms have dense volumes of silicon dioxide along with other traceable minerals. These are also present in fresh water lakes in its pristine form. Most of the fresh water lake diatoms are classified as a food-grade product, which makes it safe on humans and pets. Among the many uses of DE is its potential to kill bed bugs.
How does Diatomaceous Earth dust work on bed bugs?
Diatomaceous Earth is an effective household pesticide to prevent many pests, including bugs, cockroaches, mosquitoes, ants, beetles, bedbugs, etc. When bed bugs are exposed to Diatomaceous Earth powder/dust, the hard particles of DE powder penetrate through the exoskeleton of the bug and damage its digestive and respiratory organs by causing severe dehydration. This eventually kills the bed bug without causing side effects to humans or pets.
How efficacious is Diatomaceous Earth dust powder on bed bugs?
The elimination of bed bugs using Diatomaceous Earth depends on the severity of the infestation. Since bed bugs take shelter and spreads in various places, Diatomaceous Earth should be applied thoroughly in all the hiding places. This may require several applications of Diatomaceous Earth to see significant results. The treatment takes up to ten days to get rid of bed bugs once they are exposed to Diatomaceous Earth.
Applying Diatomaceous Earth Dust Powder
- Sprinkle layer of Diatomaceous Earth in infested areas such as carpets, floorboards, dressers, cloth hanging, electrical plates, wall corners, crevice, cabinets, doorframes, mattress and cracks.
- It is better to sprinkle a thin layer of DE since it is hard for bedbugs to walk through a thick coating of the dust powder, and this lessens the chances of killing the bed bugs.
- Dry duster tools are available that controls the spray of the product. Another tip is to use a sock with the DE powder that aids in dusting the room. Other tools such as a puffer, paintbrush are also effective instruments for applying Diatomaceous Earth Dust Powder.
- Wear a dust mask while applying DE as inhaling dust powder is dangerous for health.
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