While spray pesticides are a common treatment to try to kill bed bugs, other application use a different method. Diatomaceous Earth is a chalk-like substance that is known to kill bed bugs. Comparably, baking soda is another powder that has been credited with bed bug removal. Both of these powders work by dehydrating the bed bugs as they walk around.
The problem with powder treatments, however, is that the bed bugs have to track through the powder several times for it to dehydrate them enough to kill them. It is very unlikely this will happen for all of the bed bugs, especially in a serious infestation. Bed bugs are resilient little pest. Not only will most likely not enough of them will walk through the powder enough times to be affected, but they’ll end up moving to other rooms in your house to avoid the powder. You will likely end up with a bigger infestation than you started with. Also keep in mind that powders have no effect on the bed bug nymphs and unhatched eggs hiding in walls and other household furniture. Even if the powders do succeed in killing off some adult bed bugs, once the eggs hatch and the nymphs mature, you’ll have another round of infestation on your hands.
It’s also important to consider the health implications of powder treatments. Like chemical pesticide treatments, ingesting these substances can be hazardous to the health of children and pets in your home, as they are most likely to accidentally ingest the powder.
Because of the ineffectiveness of using diatomaceous earth or baking soda to get rid of bed bugs and their health risks, we do not recommend this method. Speak with a pest management professional who can quickly assess your situation and give you information about a treatment that is both cost effective and proven to work.To schedule an appointment with our team to learn more about bed bug removal methods in your home or business, call us at (864) 735-7767.
151 Lake Rd, Easley, SC 29642 | Phone: 864-368-9261
