How To Use Diatomaceous Earth To Effectively Remove Bed Bugs
If you are looking for natural and safe ways to remove bed bugs from your home, one option you may come across is using diatomaceous earth. This super-fine powder is actually the shells of tiny, ocean-dwelling creatures called diatoms. It will create cracks and breaks in the shells of bed bugs, causing them to dehydrate and die. Diatomaceous earth (DE) can be effective in ridding your home of bed bugs, but you have to use it very precisely and efficiently in order to get results. Here are some guidelines to follow for effective bed bug extermination with diatomaceous earth.
Wash and dry all of your soft, separate materials first.
You can't effectively kill bed bugs on clothing or in bedding with DE, so you need to treat these removable items separately. Luckily, this is easy to do if you use heat to your advantage. Wash these items on hot, dry them on hot, and then set them somewhere safe until you've treated the other spaces with DE.
Be generous.
DE can get really dusty and fluffy when you sprinkle it. This causes a lot of people to be overly sparing when they apply it. But you really need lots of DE to ensure all bed bugs come into contact with it. Cover your mattress and box frame; you should see a visible layer of DE over the entire surface. Also treat the carpet around your bed, any soft furniture like sofas and recliners, and the like. DE is not expensive, so use it generously.
Replace it every two or three days.
Now, this step is really important. Every two to three days, you need to vacuum up all of the old DE and reapply it. DE absorbs moisture from the air over time, and as it does, it becomes less effective. Keeping a constant, fresh layer of DE down for at least two weeks is essential for bed bug removal. Plus, each time you vacuum up the DE you'll be vacuuming up more bed bug eggs, which will further help you get rid of these pests. Make sure you empty your vacuum outside after each session.
Diatomaceous earth is a great, natural solution to kill bed bugs, but the process is pretty labor-intensive. If this sounds like a bit too much for you to handle, contact a bed bug pest control company in your local area. They can use heat treatment or pesticides for faster results.