Does Baby Powder Kill Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are a source of concern to anyone whose home has been subject to these creepy insects. A lot of us will go to any length to eliminate this constant source of worry in our homes. Such example is the information buzzing in the cyberspace on how using baby powder can eradicate bedbugs rapidly from our homes. Does it really work? Does baby powder kill bed bugs?

Baby Powder

Baby powder is one of those products available in most homes. It is cheap and can be easily available from nearby shops. So, people are always ready to adopt it as a quick-fix home remedy option. While we wished they did kill bed bugs, there is no evidence to support this idea of baby powder eliminating bedbugs from our homes.

Proponents of this DIY method proffer this solution under two approaches. One of such ways is sprinkling the baby powder on flashpoints where these bed bug’s activities hold sway; such as hidden crevices of mattresses, cracks in walls, wooden frames of couches and wardrobes, and other such furniture. This is done under the premise that once the bed bugs come in contact with the baby powder, their exoskeletons will dry out, leading to dehydration.

Does Baby Powder Kill Bed Bugs?

The second method is more trap-like. A bowl containing baby powder is put under your bed or any other place of rest. The interior of the container is made so slippery that any bed bug that climbs in can’t get out. They’re trapped to their death. While this method has recorded some successes, it is not a long-term solution to a bed bug infestation. I want to see these notorious insects gone too. But common on, you’ve got to try something more proven.

What Really Works

“Does baby powder kill bed bugs?”, is one frequent question that keeps appearing on home remedy for bed bug elimination. You may find it tempting to ask, “what then really works?”. I recommend Diatomaceous Earth and Cimexa. They’re powdered dust. Applying baby powder around your home means you’re open to using powdery dust which works and is safe and non-toxic.

Diatomaceous Earth

It is a popular home remedy for bed bugs. It is powdery dust made from fossilized remains of diatoms. Diatoms are tiny, aquatic organisms found in oceans and water bodies of the world. DE will kill the bed bugs quite alright, but you’ve got to be patient, as their potency is not right away. Its action can take weeks to come to light. As a desiccant, DE works by destroying the protective outer coating of bed bugs. Destroy this coating, and the bed bug will dehydrate and die.

Cimexa

This is in most ways similar to Diatomaceous Earth. It is just that added tweaks here, and there has made it more lethal and potent. It works by attaching itself to the protective coating of bed bugs, causing severe dehydration which kills the bed bug eventually. One advantage Cimexa has over DE is the quicker rate of action. Again, its long period of action is just mind-blowing. Apply and leave it undisturbed, and you’ve got your home secured from bed bugs for freaking 10 years.

Finally, the question does baby powder kill bed bugs? will depend on the method of application you decide to opt for and your level of patience to see it through. I’ve shown you what works. I think you should stick with that or better still engage the services of bed bug exterminators.

Written by 

Hi, I'm Nicholas. My mission is to create and promote natural substitutes for toxic pesticides. I hope to prevent people, pets, and the environment from being negatively affected by potentially harmful pesticides. Here at Bed Bug Bite, I share my research and understanding of bed bugs with you. So that you can use safe solutions to defeat bed bugs!