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How to Use Diatomaceous Earth to Kill Bed Bugs

By:

Timothy Wong

Updated:

December 16, 2024

Diatomaceous earth can be a chemical-free, do-it-yourself option to kill bed bugs. But in order to be effective, it’s important to understand how it works and apply it correctly.

What is Diatomaceous Earth?

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a chemical-free insecticidal dust widely used to eliminate household pests, including bed bugs. It’s made from the fossilized remains of single-celled marine algae called diatoms.

To the naked eye, DE is a fine, off-white powder that resembles flour. But under a microscope, it’s actually composed of tiny, hollow cylinders with jagged edges that give it an abrasive texture.¹ These sharp edges damage the waxy coating on bed bugs’ exoskeletons, which normally helps retain moisture. Once this coating is compromised, the bugs dehydrate and die.

Dawid Siodłak, SEM photo of diatomaceous earth CC BY-SA 4.0 — “SEM photo of diatomaceous earth” by Dawid Siodłak / CC BY-SA 4.0

Only Use Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth

Before attempting to use DE to kill bed bugs in your home, it’s extremely important thing to understand that there are different types of diatomaceous earth:

Food-Grade: Contains less than 1% crystalline silica, making it safer for use around humans and animals. Only use food-grade DE for bed bug control.
Pool Grade / Garden Grade: Intended for filtration, these forms of DE are calcined (heat-treated) and contain high levels of crystalline silica, which is hazardous to human and animal health.

While food-grade DE is considered safe for use as an insecticidal dust, it can also pose risks if mishandled:

Inhalation: DE can irritate the nose and throat, causing coughing or shortness of breath. Prolonged exposure may lead to serious respiratory conditions like silicosis.²
Skin and Eye Contact: Its abrasive nature can cause dryness and irritation.

Always follow label instructions, wear protective gear (e.g., mask and gloves), and minimize airborne dust during application.

How to Kill Bed Bugs with Diatomaceous Earth

Things You Need:

Food-grade diatomaceous earth
Dust applicator
Brush (optional, for spreading the dust)
Face mask/respirator (to avoid inhaling dust)
Gloves

Preparation:

Launder bedding and clothes: Wash sheets, pillowcases, and blankets in hot water to kill bed bugs and eggs. Place clean bedding and clothing into sealed plastic bags to prevent reinfestation.
Clear treatment areas: Move furniture away from walls and ensure no part of the bed or bedding touches the walls or floor.
Dry surfaces completely: If using liquid bed bug sprays, wait until all treated surfaces are fully dry before applying diatomaceous earth.

Step 1: Identify Key Areas

Locate spots where bed bugs hide or travel to access your bed. Focus on areas such as:

Mattress seams and box springs
Cracks in baseboards and walls
Furniture joints
Edges of carpets and rugs
Electrical outlets
Window sills and doorframes

Step 2: Apply Diatomaceous Earth

Put on gloves, a face mask, and goggles to avoid inhaling or touching DE directly.

Use a dust applicator to apply a thin, even layer of DE across target surfaces. Avoid clumps or piles, as these can cause bed bugs to detour around instead of crawling through the dust.

General application areas (depending on your space, and where the infestation is):

Create a barrier ring around your bed to force bed bugs to crawl through DE when attempting to feed.
Apply DE along baseboards around the perimeter of infested rooms to prevent bed bugs from spreading.
For furniture and bed frames, focus on joints, crevices, and any hidden corners.
On mattresses, dust along seams, folds, and tufts, then encase the mattress in a zippered encasement for at least two weeks.

Step 3: Treat Crevices and Hidden Spaces

Use the dust applicator to insert DE into small spaces like:

Electrical outlets
Wall voids
Tight cracks or gaps

Step 4: Maintain and Monitor

Vacuum up DE from flooring every 7 days and reapply a fresh layer. Dispose of vacuum contents in a sealed plastic bag and discard it outside.

DE may take up to 4 weeks or longer to eliminate most bed bugs. Leave it undisturbed on treated surfaces for 1–2 weeks before cleaning.

Step 5: Check for Remaining Bed Bugs

To check if there are more bed bugs, install bed bug interceptors at the bottom of each leg of your bed. Reapply DE as needed in high-traffic areas where bed bugs persist.

For optimal results, combine DE treatment with methods such as steam cleaning. If you still see bed bugs, it’s advisable to contact a pest control professional.

Additional Tips for Using Diatomaceous Earth

Sleeping: For DE to work effectively, you need to continue sleeping in your bed. While this means acting as “bait,” it ensures that bed bugs will attempt to reach you and come into contact with the powder.
Proper application is key: To ensure effectiveness, apply DE in thin, even layers and target common bed bug hotspots, such as mattress seams, cracks, and crevices.
Combine with other methods: DE works best when used alongside complementary treatments like steam cleaning, laundering, and vacuuming.
Minimize clutter: A clutter-free environment reduces hiding spots and helps prevent reinfestation.

FAQs

How Long Does It Take to Work?

Diatomaceous earth works passively and requires time for noticeable results—typically 2 to 4 weeks or longer. This is because:

Direct contact is required: Bed bugs must come into contact with the powder for it to be effective. Since bed bugs feed only every 5 to 10 days,³ it may take time for all bed bugs to leave their hiding places and encounter the DE.
Delayed effect: Even after exposure, bed bugs may not die immediately. DE works by damaging their waxy coating, causing dehydration—a process that can take several days. During this period, immature bed bugs (nymphs) may molt, forming a new protective layer that resists water loss.
Does not kill bed bug eggs: Eggs must hatch and the nymphs must feed before being exposed to the DE. This hatching process usually takes 6 to 10 days, further extending the timeline for visible results.

Given these factors, DE alone may not provide a quick or comprehensive solution. For faster, more reliable results, professional extermination services are often the better option.

Is DE Effective Against Bed Bugs?

DE can be effective but has limitations, especially when used as a standalone treatment. In one study from the University of Kentucky, DE was tested in six bed bug-infested apartments.⁴ Professionals applied DE without combining it with other control methods (e.g., spraying, encasements, laundering, or discarding infested items). The results showed:

Only 1 of 6 apartments had a satisfactory reduction in bed bugs using DE alone.
The remaining 5 apartments saw little to no improvement and required conventional extermination methods.

These findings highlight that DE requires bed bugs to come into direct and prolonged contact for it to be lethal. If DE is not applied correctly or in the right places, bed bugs can avoid it entirely.

This doesn’t mean that DE isn’t effective at killing bed bugs, though—it just means that you shouldn’t rely on DE as a standalone solution. It should be used in conjunction with other methods of bed bug control to help increase your chances of getting rid of these pests.

Conclusion

Diatomaceous earth can play a role in controlling bed bugs, but it works slowly and is less effective against eggs or bed bugs that avoid treated areas. For thorough and efficient bed bug elimination, DE should be used as part of a multi-pronged strategy.

For the fastest and most reliable results, consider professional help. At MMPC, we are an eco-friendly pest control company with over 25 years of experience specializing in canine bed bug inspections and eco-friendly treatments.

About the Author

Timothy Wong is the technical director of MMPC, an eco-friendly pest control company in Long Island City. He has over 20 years of pest control experience, holds professional licenses in NY, NJ, PA, and MA, and has published papers on bed bugs and pest control methods.

References

Diatomaceous earth – Wikiwand. (2021). Wikiwand.com. https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Diatomaceous_earth ↩︎
Akhoundi, M., Bruel, C., & Izri, A. (2019). Harmful Effects of Bed Bug-Killing Method of Diatomaceous Earth on Human Health. Journal of Insect Science, 19(5). https://doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/iez095 ↩︎
US EPA,OCSPP. (2019, September 25). Protecting Your Home from Bed Bugs | US EPA. US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs/protecting-your-home-bed-bugs ↩︎
Potter, M. F., Haynes, K. F., Christensen, C., Neary, T. J., Turner, C., & December 2013, L. W. |. (n.d.). [Bed Bug Supplement] Diatomaceous Earth: Where Do Bed Bugs Stand When the Dust Settles? Pest Control Technology. ↩︎