The Cheap and Easy Alternative to Getting Rid of Bed Bugs
Are you looking for a safe, easy and cheap way to help get rid of bed bugs? Diatomaceous Earth is your solution!
DE is nontoxic, safe to use and much cheaper than other alternatives!
What is Diatomaceous Earth?
Diatomaceous Earth is a naturally occurring mineral composed of the fossilized remains of diatoms, tiny micro-organisms that lived in large bodies of water. This clay is mined and crumbled into a fine powder which can be used for many purposes including the removal of bed bugs.
How Does DE Work to Get Rid of Bed Bugs?
Diatomaceous Earth is composed of fossilized microscopic diatoms which are very sharp to the insects outer body. When parasites and insects such as bed bugs come in contact with the DE it lacerates their exoskeletons and the powder of the DE then absorbs all of their bodily fluids, causing them to dehydrate and die!
Method
Apply a thin layer of Red Lake Earth Diatomaceous Earth to the infested area. Leave the dust on for a few days then simply vacuum or sweep up. Note: the amount of time that it takes the diatomaceous earth to kill the bed bugs depends on the extent of the infestation. Multiple applications may be required for a severe infestation.
PLEASE NOTE:
Be sure to place the DE in cracks, crevices, and areas that the substance will not be disturbed, as you do not want to place it in an area where it may be turned up and result in inhalation of the product. It is important that when you are applying the dust you use a dust mask or respirator.
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can i use DE on carpets ? i dont know where there infesting. Had orkin here 3 times to treat. we through out box spring,head& foot board& bed frame 3 weeks ago.Thats where they were infested . i still been seeing one or two a week. i’ve been dealing with this since mid december. so i just ordered the DE. I HOPE IT WORKS… also for precaution can it be used on couches? Thanks Lori.
February 3, 2012 at 8:21 am
Hi Lori,
Red Lake Earth can be used on carpet and couches however, try to keep the powder to protected areas, such as cracks and crevices, where it will not be stirred up in to the air (as you do not want to inhale large amounts of dust). Rather than sprinkling the RLE over the entire carpet, spread the powder along the baseboards, in the seams of your couch and mattress, along the bed frame and in any other cracks or crevices where the bed bugs may be hiding.
Leave the product down for at least a week. When you see the results you want, simply vacuum up the Red Lake Earth powder.
Please note: Although we have never heard of any problems, if you have white carpet or furniture you may want to sprinkle the powder in a small test area first (as Red Lake Earth is gray in color).
February 3, 2012 at 10:35 am
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Thank you for sharing this information. You have explained Diatomaceous Earth in a way that mothers like me could understand. I am just wondering if Diatomaceous Earth is safe to be placed on bed since i believe my kid’s beds are infested with bed bugs. I am afraid that they would turn out poisonous just like the other chemical ingredients of the other pesticides used to kill bed bugs. Thanks in Advance! – Loren
June 14, 2011 at 11:50 pm
Hi Loren,
It is best to place the diatomaceous earth in the cracks and crevices of your matresses as well as your bed frame and base boards. Not only will this be where the bed bugs will be found, but by placing the DE in these areas you can avoid having the diatomaceous earth be disturbed and turned up into the air. Although it is not toxic, as with any dust, it is best to try to avoid inhaling large amounts.
June 15, 2011 at 10:12 am