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How long to leave Diatomaceous Earth

1. 

   newbiebugger
   

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   Posted 1 year ago
   Wed May 2 2012 15:42:41
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   Hi there!

   I moved in to an apartment in Brooklyn that has a history of bed bugs. It's been treated, and before moving in with all my belongings, I hired my own inspector (not landlord's) to inspect the apartment. He said all clear, but if I wanted to be safe to take preventative measures.

   So before moving in my furniture, I lined the permitter of the entire apartment with Diatomaceous Earth. It's been 2 months, and while all seems good in the apartment in terms of bugs and other vermin, I've began to develop a skin allergy (confirmed by derm that they are not bug bites). Because the only thing that's different in this apartment is the powder, my parents are trying to convince me to remove it, but I'm being paranoid, and of course there's a chance for anything to happen in a new york city apartment.

   So my question is, how long is it usually recommended for Diatomaceous Earth to be left as a preventative measure. Is it pointless to have it for more then 2 months? If there were bed bugs left in the walls, and not inside the apartment (everything in the apartment was caulked by the landlord), is it possible that they are still alive and if I remove the powder there's a potential for an infestation?

   Basically - how long do people usually leave Diatomaceous Earth laying around?

   Thank you in advance!

2. 

   Nobugsonme
   

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   Posted 1 year ago
   Wed May 2 2012 23:59:30
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   If it's lightly applied in cracks and crevices (I am not an expert but this is how I understand it's supposed to be used), it can be left down indefinitely for most people.

   If you overapplied it or applied it out in the open, or are reacting to it (and it sounds like the latter may be the case), then you probably should remove it.

   If it's causing trouble for you, you might want to have someone else do this. And in any case, a respiratory mask may be in order for removing as with applying per the FAQ.

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   Kitkat89
   

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   Posted 1 year ago
   Thu May 3 2012 16:06:36
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   Nobugsonme - 15 hours ago  » 
   If it's lightly applied in cracks and crevices (I am not an expert but this is how I understand it's supposed to be used), it can be left down indefinitely for most people.
   If you overapplied it or applied it out in the open, or are reacting to it (and it sounds like the latter may be the case), then you probably should remove it.
   If it's causing trouble for you, you might want to have someone else do this. And in any case, a respiratory mask may be in order for removing as with applying per the FAQ.

   I over applied DE around the bottom of my bed frame and I was wondering what I should use to clean it up. Some is also on my carpet along the edges of my wall. Should I just spray my carpet with water and just dab it up? Or should I use some type of cleaner?

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