Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed bug science, "experiments," etc.
DE Experiment with a LIVE bed bug
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welcome2mynitemared
newbite
Joined: Jul '11
Posts: 21offline
Posted 1 year ago
Tue Sep 6 2011 12:28:36
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I was skeptical of DE and doubted it worked....so i decided it was my turn to torture a bed bug
I caught one using a peice of transparent scotch tape.
I then coated it in DE dust.
I watched its legs wiggle.......
and wiggle..... and never stop!
THE DE NEVER KILLED THE BB! IT WENT ON FOR DAYS!
This particular BB must have been a soldier because ive "taped" others and they typically curled up and died within 48 hours..without the DE on it.Take my experiment for what its worth, not 100% scientific and there are variables, but basically the DE DID NOT KILL this BB!
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You didn't find anything out that we didn't already know. Lab results have varied butin one study DE was shown to kill approximately 99% of 1st instar bed bugs and about 33% of adults. In another study greater than 90% were dead within 4 days.
It's going to depend on a lot of different factors. The health of the bug, susceptibility, life stage, etc... but it may not be 100% effective against every bug. That being said, it can kill bed bugs and seeing how low toxicity it is compared to many other dusts, it's one of the more popular choices by homeowners and professionals.
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welcome2mynitemared
newbite
Joined: Jul '11
Posts: 21offline
Posted 1 year ago
Tue Sep 6 2011 12:40:39
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Oh we are for sure still using it....like you said other factors play a part-- at this point any killing option is a good one
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makesmenuts
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Joined: Aug '11
Posts: 149offline
Posted 1 year ago
Tue Sep 6 2011 14:59:43
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I've never done a formal experiment, but the only product other than Rest Easy (contact killer) that we've used on our couch is DE, and we've found dead BBs under the couch (both nymph and adult) so it would have to be the DE that killed them. Also sprinkled it under the area rug and found dead nymphs under there. Certainly not a cure-all, but an important weapon, at least for me, in the overall war.
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ICAN
newbite
Joined: Sep '10
Posts: 30offline
Posted 1 year ago
Tue Sep 6 2011 16:29:28
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I used DE a year ago and, as far as I can tell, it killed them. I haven't had any more bites, and haven't seen any live bugs for about a year.
It's hazardous to our lungs to inhale any of the dust, so I was extremely careful to wear protective mask and gloves, used a soft paintbrush instead of puffing it into the air, and kept it away from any area where my face would be. A very thin layer of DE is better than deep piles of it. (The bugs will avoid thick applications.)
I'm still vigilant. Can't believe they're actually gone. I'm planning on using David Cain's Passive Monitor to entice any possible survivors into his "Bed Bug Hotel", or any new bed bugs that might hitch a ride on me into this house.
So, if the DE kills 98% or whatever percent of the bugs, then the Passive Monitors just might help keep it 100%.
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Rosae
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Joined: May '11
Posts: 235offline
Posted 1 year ago
Tue Sep 6 2011 17:32:20
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Maybe not all DE brands have the same quality. I have always had DE under my mattress and on the edges of my bed (about 12 cm), sometimes mixed with insecticide and this during 4 months, but the only one who suffered severely was me.
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makesmenuts
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Joined: Aug '11
Posts: 149offline
Posted 1 year ago
Tue Sep 6 2011 17:34:46
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I use a brand specifically aimed at organic pest control in the garden. It has no added chemicals. It seems to be helping with the couch a lot, although not completely. I'd use pesticides for the couch like we did to the rooms we can close off if it weren't for the pets, but DE/Rest Easy/steam are the only good options.
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