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Inorganic materials such as diatomaceous earth or amorphous silica gel may be used in conjunction with other methods to manage a bed bug infestation, provided they are used in a dry environment. Upon contact with such dust-like materials, the waxy outer layer of the insect's exoskeleton is disrupted, which causes them to dehydrate.
Diatomite rock sample from Sisquoc Formation Scanning electron micrograph of diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth (/ ˌ d aɪ. ə t ə ˈ m eɪ ʃ ə s / DY-ə-tə-MAY-shəs), also known as diatomite (/ d aɪ ˈ æ t ə m aɪ t / dy-AT-ə-myte), celite, or kieselguhr, is a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that can be crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder.
Of these, diatomaceous earth in particular has seen a revival as a non-toxic (when in amorphous form) residual pesticide for bed bug abatement. While diatomaceous earth often performs poorly, silica gel may be effective. [75] [76] Basket-work panels were put around beds and shaken out in the morning in the UK and in France in the 19th century.
You can try insecticide dusts like diatomaceous earth, boric acid, and amorphous silica gel in rarely used areas, like attics, basements, and crawl spaces. You can also spray the dust into cracks ...
In nature, many animal species commonly take "dust baths" to rid themselves of insect parasites and prevent attacks from biting insects. [1]In 2000 B.C.E., records in China describe the application of mineral-based dusts (e.g., diatomaceous earth) to plants to control insects. [2]
When this layer is damaged, the insects become vulnerable to drying out. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of Diatomaceous earth decreases if it is wet. Therefore, it must be used often. [2] This method was used back in the 1930s and 1940s when farmers would run dust over their fields. This would have the very same effect as diatomaceous earth. [3]