You may have come across diatomaceous earth as one of the solution to get rid of bed bug. Do you know how to use diatomaceous earth to get rid of bed bugs? Does it work? Is diatomaceous earth effective in getting rid of bed bugs? How would you compare it with borax?
If you ever had an infestation of bed bugs, you will agree with me it can be hard dealing with them. Bed bugs are not only irritating but their bites can be very itchy. Bed bugs are becoming tricky and resistant to some treatment methods.
While some people would prefer using heat such as steaming some may opt for natural methods which are environmental friendly. Diatomaceous earth is one of the natural method that one can use to get rid of bed bugs and other pests. It is recommended to be one of the effective natural remedy to eliminate a heavy infestation of bed bugs.
Here is a quick overview of how diatomaceous earth works on bed bugs. You may sprinkle a good amount of diatomaceous earth through your house especially on places you highly suspect there are bed bugs. Be patient and watch how the diatomaceous earth destroys the bed bugs.
Diatomaceous earth is effective in killing the bed bugs as soon as they come into contact with it. The efficiency can be said to be 100%. Let’s cover in details the usefulness of diatomaceous earth including reviews.
Does Diatomaceous Earth Kill Bed Bug Nymphs
If this concerns you, then the answer is here for you. Diatomaceous earth only kills moving bed bugs and for this to happen, the bed bugs have to crawl over the diatomaceous earth. It is highly effective when the bed bugs come into direct contact with the product.
Since the bed bug nymphs cannot move, they are not likely to be destroyed or killed.
Does diatomaceous Earth Kill bed bugs eggs?
Diatomaceous earth is 100% efficient in getting rid of bed bugs. The question is, does diatomaceous earth kill bed bugs eggs? The fact is, it doesn’t kill the bed bug eggs. Diatomaceous earth only kill bed bugs when they come into contact with it. This happens when the bed bugs crawl across it.
Obviously, the eggs will not be killed by the product. Why? The eggs do not crawl to the product. But once the eggs are hatched and the bed bugs start moving around, they are likely to come into contact with the diatomaceous earth. They will die as soon as they come into contact.
How to use diatomaceous Earth for bed bugs
Here is procedure on how to use diatomaceous earth for bed bugs:
a) Upon purchasing diatomaceous earth, open the bag.
Once you purchase the diatomaceous earth, the first key step is to open and check the content.
b) Sprinkle a good amount of diatomaceous earth around the places where the infestation is.
Do not place the substance directly where the bed bugs are hiding. Note, bed bugs are only interested on feeding on human blood. So, they are likely to evade the substance, but if you place near or around them, they are likely to crawl over the substance coming into contact with the diatomaceous earth.
c) Wait for a couple of days, say one or two.
Diatomaceous earth is brutal on the skin of bed bugs. So waiting means, you give it time for the bed bugs to crawl over the substance. This can happen in a day or two.
d) Repeat the above two procedures.
If you are dealing with a heavy infestation of bed bugs, you may be forced to repeat the said procedures. This is to guarantee effective and desired results
Remember, placing the diatomaceous earth at the right place is important in getting rid of the bed bugs. Find the route which the bed bugs use quite often. Sprinkle where the bed bugs are more likely to go, which is in most cases your bed and under or in furniture.
Remember to also place some near bed frames and also your curtains. There has to be a few bed bugs hiding there. The goal is to eliminate all bed bugs to prevent re-infestation.
How Fast Does Diatomaceous Earth Kill Bed Bugs
Bed bugs cannot survive as soon as they crawl on diatomaceous earth. This product has been proven scientifically to be the number one killer of bed bugs with a 100% rate. How fast it kills bed bugs shouldn’t be a concern. If you sprinkle the substance on heavily infested areas. Once the bed bugs come into contact with the substance, they will die almost immediately.
You should be concerned on where the bed bugs are. Sprinkle a good amount of diatomaceous earth and leave it for a while. It kills the bed bugs on contact and within a day, your problem would be solved. That fast! Yes.
Note, bed bugs are likely to evade this substance. It doesn’t mean all of them will. Depending on the level of infestation, the results may take hours to days.
What is Food Grade? Does Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth Kill bed bugs?
Food-grade diatomaceous earth is one that is considered to be safe for both humans and animals. Both diatomaceous earth contain less than 1% crystalline silica, that must not be not be calcined.
The food grade type of diatomaceous earth must not contain more than 10 mg/kg of lead and 10 mg/kg arsenic. This is what is meant by food-grade type of diatomaceous earth. This conditions must be met for it to be considered safe for both humans and animals.
Quite a number of people have eat or still eat the food-grade diatomaceous earth. This must be news, right. Mostly, it is consumed mixed with beverages such as juice usually to help in parasite control, colon cleansing and detoxification.
The food-grade therefore cannot be effective to eliminate beg bugs. To be effective, the diatomaceous earth has to be completely dry. This is the only way it will effectively get rid of bed bugs fast.
How Does Diatomaceous Earth Kill Bed Bugs?
First, diatomaceous earth is natural mineral that is made out of the rock. It is a very popular and can be used to get rid of bed bugs and other pests. If you doubt this product whether it works, you should probably try to eliminate the bed bugs.
Diatomaceous earth appears or look like corn flour – it has a white color. How does it diatomaceous earth kill bed bugs? When you sprinkle diatomaceous earth on infested area and the bed bugs come into contact with it. It kills them by scratching away the outer layer of the bed bugs. Diatomaceous earth granules are abrasive and sharp, they scratch the skin of the bed bugs which in turn cause them to bleed, dry and eventually die.
We’ve mentioned diatomaceous earth efficiency is 100%, it means it kills the bed bugs on contact.
Top 5 Best Diatomaceous Earth Products for Bed bugs – Reviews
In this section, we will talk about the best diatomaceous earth products, reviews.
1. Harris Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth, 5lb
Eliminating bed bugs shouldn’t be a problem with this product. With over 900 reviews online, Harris diatomaceous earth is all you need and the best product for you.
It last long up to a year or more and can eliminate a large infestation of bed bugs. It is in its purest form having no additives and fillers.
It has been recognized as the one of the best for eliminating pest including bed bugs.
2. Earthborn Elements Diatomaceous Earth, 3lb
To get rid of bed bugs with diatomaceous earth, go Earthborn Elements. It comes in a 3lb bucket. It is 100% food-grade diatomaceous earth.
It is safe for both human and pets. According to manufacturers, you can use it to improve digestive health, to boost the immune system and body detoxification. So, other than killing bed bugs, your health can also be improved.
Good News! The manufacture offers money back just in case you are not satisfied with the product.
3. EasyGo Products Diatomaceous Earth, 10.5lb
With this product, your bed bug problem shouldn’t be a concern anymore. It comes in four different packages – 1.25, 2.5, 5.5 and 10.5 pounds. You have a variety to choose from. But if you want value for the price, then go for the 10.5 pound.
This a pure Nevada-mined freshwater food-grade. It also been certified as one of the best for eliminating bed bugs.
The quality is top –notch, so be guaranteed of desired results.
4. Safer 51703 Diatomaceous Earth, 4lb
With this diatomaceous earth product, you can never get it wrong when dealing with bed bugs. It is one of the popular product in killing of bed bugs. It has more than 1400 reviews, meaning its quality is superb.
It is non-food grade type of diatomaceous earth but its effectiveness is one which you cannot doubt.
It has 85% of silicon dioxide and other ingredient completing the other 15%. Other than killing bed bugs, it can also kill cockroaches, centipedes, millipedes and crickets. Bed bugs won’t survive long after coming into contact with this product.
5. Dicalite Minerals Diatomaceous Earth, 50lbs
Here is a product that is appealing if you want size. Dicalite Minerals diatomaceous earth is a 50lbs package of premium-grade.
It is highly rated, a 5 star rating worth the price. It is best used as filtering media for pool filters. It can also be used to level grounds and underground filter systems.
If it has the potential to filter down to 3 – 5 microns considered the best for taking care of the tiniest spaces, think of what it could to bed bugs. Of course, it will damage them like nothing.
Borax Vs Diatomaceous Earth for Bed Bugs? Which one is Effective?
How do you compare borax and diatomaceous earth for bed bugs? Which is one effective in eliminating bed bugs? Let’s talk about the two.
To start with both borax and diatomaceous earth have the ability to eliminate bed bugs effectively. Borax gets rid and kill the bed bugs in almost the same manner as diatomaceous earth.
Diatomaceous earth scratches the bed bugs outer layer due its abrasive structure. Borax on the other hand, attaches to the bed bug’s boys absorbing moisture from the bed bugs leading to dehydration and eventually death.
According to a study done scientist, borax was more effective when the bed bugs consumed it. This means that, their exoskeleton was less affected if the bed bugs came into contact with it. When borax is consumed by the bed bugs, the mortality was surprisingly 95% but just by coming into contact, the mortality rate was 33%.
