Diatomaceous earth kills bed bugs by dehydrating them.

Read below for a great introduction into what Diatomaceous earth is. From: (https://www.canada-bedbugs.com).

Diatomaceous earth is a remarkable, all-natural product made from tiny fossilized water plants. Diatomaceous Earth is a naturally occurring siliceous sedimentary mineral compound from microscopic skeletal remains of unicellular algae-like plants called diatoms. Diatoms are tiny, single-celled algae found in plankton. These plants have been part of the earth’s ecology since prehistoric times.  It is believed that 30 million years ago the diatoms built up into deep, chalky deposits of diatomite.

The diatoms are mined and ground up to render a powder that looks and feels like talcum powder.  The resulting diatomaceous earth is a fine, white, crystalline powder made up of the fossilized shells of the microscopic diatoms.  Lightweight, gritty, and porous, diatomaceous earth finds a surprising array of uses. One of Diatomaceous Earth’s most intriguing uses is as a mineral based pesticide.

Only use food-grade DE indoors. DE also poses a health risk from inhalation, so practice safety when applying it (if you do), by using masks and gloves for protection. Generally, it is better to let a trained professional (your Pest Control Operator will usually include DE in their plan for you). DE does not kill bed bugs on contact and is instead placed in locations where bed bugs are suspected to travel or pass through. The silica kills bed bugs by dehydration.

1.) Wear a mask when you are using/applying diatomaceous earth.
Various forms of diatomaceous earth pose an inhalation hazard, due to the microscopic sharp edges of the silica dust. This can lacerate your lungs and introduce a whole slew of lung problems for you.

2.) Wear gloves when using diatomaceous earth.
This is mainly just for you – diatomaceous earth will make your hands very dry. Make sure to use latex gloves when handling it.

3.) Don’t put diatomaceous earth anywhere where children or pets, or you, might be during sleep or regular activity. Just to be safe – this allows the diatomaceous earth to remain in the location you desire, as well as to prevent the dust from swirling up into the air, posing the inhalation hazard as outlined above in step one.

4.) Place diatomaceous earth in locations you suspect bed bugs will travel.
Great locations for diatomaceous earth include under baseboards, in cracks and crevices (use an applicator to shoot dust deep into dark cracks and crevices), and anywhere you suspect your infestation is heaviest. If you suspect many are sheltering in your closet, than it might be a great idea to create a perimeter around the closet, on the closet, etc. Again, just practice caution: wear your mask and gloves, and make sure none of the silica is inhaled, this is crucially important.

SOME CONCERNS WITH DIATOMACEOUS EARTH

1.) Bed bugs can sense the dust, and will therefore exercise all means necessary to avoid crossing over it.
This is a valid concern and a con of diatomaceous earth. Keep in mind that diatomaceous earth is not a one shot trick for getting rid of bed bugs. It is a way to control the infestation by increasing your chance for reducing numbers, while also creating harsh environment for the bed bugs to inhabit.

2.) Diatomaceous earth does not kill bed bug eggs and will only kill live bed bugs. This is important to remember and in fact, creating a schedule for reapplying diatomaceous earth so that future hatching bed bugs will cross it, is an important step to keep in mind.

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