Though pesticides are a common application, other treatments use a similar method. Diatomaceous Earth is one substance that’s chalk-like in texture and known to kill bed bugs. Comparably, baking soda is another powder that has been credited with bed bug removal. These powders both work by dehydrating the bed bugs as they walk around.
The problem with powders 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 that this will happen for all of the bed bugs, especially so for a serious infestation. Bed bugs are resilient, and not only will they most likely not walk through the powder several times, but they’ll end up moving to other rooms in your house to avoid the powder and you’ll end up with a bigger infestation than you started with. Not to mention, the powder has no effect on the nymphs and unhatched eggs hiding in walls and other household furniture. Once the eggs hatch and the nymphs mature, you’ll have another infestation on your hands.
It’s also important to consider the health implications of powders. 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. Instead, you should speak with a professional that can quickly assess and inform you about a treatment that is cost effective and proven to work.
If you’d like to schedule an appointment with our team to learn more about bed bug removal methods, call us at 877-445-2847. If you have any concerns about these or other pests near your home, we’re here to help. We offer pest control services all over Arizona and will come out to assess your property for free. Ensuring a safe and pest-free home is our top priority. Contact us today to schedule your free assessment and take the first step toward peace of mind.