DE is not a chemical and is as harmless as talcum
powder. It works mechanically and thus bed bugs or any insect cannot
become immune to it. For them it's like walking over razor blades. It cuts
through their skin and they soon die from dehydration.
NOTE:
Application Instructions for our D-20 Insecticide
Products
Application:
When applying D-20, it is important to apply as a light
dust or a "cloud". Do not shoot a stream of the powder. A very light
dust cloud that is allowed to "settle" on the area of treatment is most
effective.
Even an inexpensive turkey baster could work. To
use a turkey baster, pull off the bulbous top and fill partially with
D-20. Then, replace the bulb, point at the area to treat, making sure
that the bulb is lower than the tube. Give several light taps or squeeze
bulb quickly until the desired "dust cloud" is achieved. Treat the
mattress, box spring, under the bed, around the floor boards, closet
floors, and curtains that touch the floor. For extra protection, be sure
to apply around all the legs or headboard and footboard where they meet
the floor. Since bedbugs can not jump or fly, this will serve as a
border to prevent any bugs from gaining access to the bed. Pay particular
attention to the edges above and below the piping or seams or under
mattress tufts, buttons or handles.
Separate the mattress and box spring and dust areas in between as
necessary. Pillow-top mattresses require special attention. Be sure to
treat the bunched, stapled areas on the corners of the box spring mesh
since there may be gaps where the bedbugs may hide.
Bed linens, once laundered, may also be dusted. Also
launder draperies hanging near the bed, if necessary. Laundered items
should be stored away from the bedbug infested area and/or sealed in
securely tied heavy duty plastic bags to keeps insects out. It is
probably wise to keep the laundered items stored in another area for at
least a few days.
Once the D-20 dust settles, you can work it into the carpet. You should allow the dust to remain a few days. The residual
insecticide will continue to kill bugs and provide a barrier against
bugs entering the bed areas out of direct sunlight will remain effective for months. For
wallpaper or molding, you may wish to first moisten the area with a damp
sponge before dusting with D-20.
Treat night tables and dressers by emptying them and then removing the
drawers. Treat in the corners of each drawer both inside and then on the
bottom corners of each drawer. Then, tip furniture on its side to check
along the bottom and around casters since bedbugs may hide here as well.
Don't forget to spray the back of the furniture as well.
Check behind any objects hanging on the wall such as behind picture
frames or clocks. You may wish to open up wall outlet covers and switch
covers and inspect to be sure that bedbugs have not taken up residence
in those areas.
All moldings in the room including those that are mounted high and low
must be treated. Wall to wall carpeting should be pulled away to expose
the wooden mounting strip. Spray on both sides of the mounting strips
and check the carpet backing. Treat as needed. Don't overlook openings
on the ceiling where lighting fixtures are attached since bedbugs may
come down from other infested rooms in apartment buildings
In severe cases where the population of bedbugs is high, treatment of
adjacent rooms may be necessary. Closets in the bedroom may require
treatment and the contents will need to be washed and dried as needed.
In apartment buildings, it may be helpful to seal any cracks or crevices
around floorboards and moldings to prevent insects from migrating to or
coming in from other apartments.
We have found that most people want fast delivery, and an applicator
that will broadcast the correct amount of formula.
Once the "cloud" settles, you are protected.
We also offer the Pest
Pistol and other applicators.
We are not shipping to Internationally at this time.
Article:
Bedbug fears put bite on the hotel industry / The Boston Globe
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/09/02/bedbug_fears_putting_the_bite_on_hotel_industry/?comments=all#readerComm
This is
a comment posted after the article:
There appears to be a little bit of bad information in these comments.
First, simply having a Tempurpedic mattress does not get rid of or prevent
bedbugs. They can live in a number of places, such as along the seams of
mattresses, under the mattress tags, in the carpet, between cracks in a hardwood
floor, in alarm clocks, behind light switch and electrical plates, inside the
bed frame, pretty much anywhere. Wrapping a mattress in protective covers helps,
as long as there is not a single rip or tear, and you wrap the box spring as
well.
I had to deal with these buggers in my apartment. I had been waking up with
bites for several months before I finally saw one and did some research online.
I declared war, and I won, but it took some time and effort.
First, I had the mattress replaced, since I found two “nests” within the
mattress. I then had an exterminator come in twice. This knocked the infestation
down, but didn’t end it. After doing tons of research online, I armed myself
with Diatomaceous earth (DE) and a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol. DE is
natural an non-toxic to me and my cat, but deadly to bugs.
I spread the DE along every point where the carpet meets the wall, in each room.
This way, any bedbug trying to come in to the apartment would have to go through
it, ensuring an eventual death. I pulled my bed away from the wall and outlined
it with DE as well, after having coated the frame. I then put some DE in between
the box spring and mattress and between the mattress and the sheet. I then
dissolved some in water in a spray bottle and coated the sides of the mattress
and box spring, so that when the water evaporates it would leave the DE on the
surface.
DE works because it sticks to bugs and cuts into their exoskeleton, and draws
fluids out into the air, so they eventually dry out and die. Once a bug touches
DE, it will eventually die unless it can get to water and wash it off. Since
bedbugs cannot jump or fly, the only way to get to me is to climb through the DE
around the bed, and up the sides of the box spring, which is also coated. When
not sleeping, I had the rubbing alcohol always nearby, in case I saw one. One
shot with rubbing alcohol kills them almost instantly.
I’d say it took about 2-3 weeks for them to finally die off, as you have to get
though several cycles of eggs hatching and adults dying. It’s been 5 months now,
and I’ve never had another bite or seen any evidence that they are still here. I
still leave the DE in place, since I am in an apartment building and I don’t
want to risk the bedbugs coming in from other apartments.
It was a nasty experience, but you can beat them within a little time and
effort.
Posted by commenter havana_joe after the above
article.
