Has "Bed Bug Powder" worked for anyone? « Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums

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Has "Bed Bug Powder" worked for anyone?

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bedbugginNYC

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Posted 2 years ago
Sun Aug 22 2010 18:07:16
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Hi everyone.

I should be receiving my order of Bed Bug Powder in the mail very soon. I am adding it to my bed bug killing routine. I will also have an exterminator coming soon.

I was wondering if anyone can share their success stories using the powder, and/or provide any tips that worked for them.

Thanks so much!
Eve

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Posted 2 years ago
Sun Aug 22 2010 18:29:00
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If you have a PCO coming soon I would hold off on the powder entirely for now. Bed Bug Powder is yet another version of diatomaceous earth or silica. There seem to be dozens of brand names for the stuff but essentially the active ingredient is the same.

There are people going to be coming up behind me to stress the inhalation hazard of this stuff so I'll let them go there. This stuff is an inhalation hazard so be careful when you apply, don't apply too much (because the critters will just walk around the clumps) and don't expect instant results because even after exposure it takes the bug a week or two to die.

But the real reason I say to hold off, is that one of the tools in the PCO chest is dusting voids. They will do it correctly, in the right locations (behind the walls and in baseboard gaps) and they will use products which are mixed with chemicals that you don't have access to. Your spreading this stuff out willy nilly will only mess with the calculations. Not a criticism, using up pounds of this stuff spreading it everywhere is a common newbie mistake. The key to using it correctly involves creating a nearly invisible film and this is not that easy.

I don't want to rain on your parade. DE is a valuable tool in the arsenal of fighting these things (I use it) but it is only one aspect of the battle. It is not the magic bullet that the website you bought the stuff from (and numerous other websites just like it) indicates.

Eve
Eve

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Posted 2 years ago
Sun Aug 22 2010 18:34:32
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Further notes: I just noticed this on the Bed Bug Powder web page:

Next carefully create a barrier by lifting each leg and spraying a circle of Bed Bug Powder on the floor around the legs then simply place the bed legs inside the middle of the circle of Bed Bug Powder. Using this method the Bed Bugs will have to cross the powder in order to get to you, this process will kill them before they can reach you and they usually die in hiding.

This is not going to happen. The bugs will walk right through this stuff and feed as normal (perhaps two trips). It takes several days for the powder take effect.

Eve
cilecto

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Posted 2 years ago
Sun Aug 22 2010 18:37:47
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bedbugginNYC: Sometimes it takes more than one approach to successfully eradicate BB. This is referred to as "integrated pest management" (IPM). Dessicant powders, like diatomacious earth (DE) or other forms of silica are some of those approaches. IIRC, "Bed Bug Powder" is a brand of DE. That said, there's an "art" to its use and precautions to take. Here's this site's FAQ on DE. I recommend you review it. Some here (myself included) have been critical of the way "BBP" markets the product; oversimplifying how it's used and skirting the potential hazards, or insinuating that it could be effective when you travel. That said, if it's DE, it should be as good as any other DE.

For a bigger picture view of what it takes to detect and fight BB, you might want to browse the guides in the Resources section, like the U of Minn.

Best of luck.
spideyjg

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Posted 2 years ago
Sun Aug 22 2010 22:06:29
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Itchy mon strikes again.

Notice their videos how much "Itchy Mon" scratches himself. It is a riot!

Everything Cilecto said.

Jim
bedbugginNYC

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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Aug 23 2010 17:46:17
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I will ask the PCO about the powder when they come on Wednesday.

If I end up using the powder, I will use the precautions mentioned on the forum.

Thanks.