How to Use Diatomaceous Earth for Roaches : A Step by Step Guide
Roaches are the most primitive winged-insects. They have a flattened, oval body with long antennae and black or brown exoskeleton.
They are not known to bite humans but can wound you through their heavy leg spikes, and further infect it by scratching the wounded area.
Roaches are considered to be very harmful; they carry certain bacteria that may cause severe health issues to human beings. More importantly, they are very dangerous for people who are suffering from any allergy related health issues.
There are several repellents available in the market to get rid of roaches, but most them are chemical solutions. If you are looking for a safer method, then, Diatomaceous Earth solution is for you. Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a natural, non-toxic way to get rid of roaches.
Does Diatomaceous Earth Kill Roaches?
Diatomaceous Earth is effective against a variety of insects such as roaches, ticks, fleas, bed bugs, and more.
It acts like a precautionary measure as well as an insecticide, making it a perfect home remedy to get rid of roaches with ease.
How Does Diatomaceous Earth Work for Roaches?
Diatomaceous Earth powder is abrasive and sharp and works by breaking down the exoskeleton of the roach which results in dehydration that further leads to the roaches’ death.
Additionally, when roaches stride through diatomaceous earth, they carry away some of it with themselves as it adheres to the tiny hairs on their legs. This results in the DE spreading all across their colony and killing several roaches.
How long does it take for Diatomaceous Earth to kill Roaches?
Diatomaceous Earth is not an immediate solution to get rid of roaches as it starts to show effective results within two weeks of application.
This is because DE does not kill roaches on contact but instead, gives them time to reach their nests and spread it across other roaches on contact. Moreover, if the infestation is severe, you might need to re-apply it.
How easy and safe is it to use Diatomaceous Earth for Roaches?
One of the benefits of Diatomaceous Earth is that is very easy to use as you just need to spray or sprinkle it behind the appliances, inside the cupboards, under the furniture, and outdoors.
You can use it safely in the kitchen, on countertops, and inside the cabinets. It is suggested that you should use a duster while applying Diatomaceous Earth for more effective results.
You don’t need a specialized pest control duster for this as you can make your own duster by drilling some holes at the top of a two-liter bottle.
After making the holes, fill the bottle halfway with Diatomaceous Earth powder and use it by rotating the cap and squeezing the dust through it. Or, you can put the Diatomaceous Earth powder in a sugar or salt shaker and sprinkle it whenever required.
Make sure that you change the label on the shaker when you add DE powder to it.
How to use Diatomaceous Earth for Roaches : A Step by Step Guide
You can use Diatomaceous Earth by following the steps mentioned below:
1. Clean and Dry
Diatomaceous Earth should be used in dry form if you want to get rid of roaches effectively. Therefore, if you decide to clean the pace before applying DE, you should first let it dry completely.
Moreover, if you plan to use Diatomaceous Earth in places with high humidity such as the basement, attic, or bathroom, you can use fans to reduce the moisture and then apply DE.
2. Spread a Thin Coating
Apply a thin coating of the Diatomaceous Earth dust on the surface and crevice of the places where you’ve seen roaches frequently.
These places include the behind the stoves, refrigerators, and other appliances which serve as a source of food for the roaches. You can also use it in bathrooms and cupboards if they’re not too humid.
3. Cover the tiny spaces
Dust the Diatomaceous Earth powder inside tiny spaces like outlets, cracks, and gaps around wiring as roaches enter your place through the following points.
4. Treat inside wall voids
If you notice any holes or cracks steering into the walls, there’s a high probability that roaches might be hiding in there.
With the help of your duster, sprinkle or blow some Diatomaceous Earth powder directly over the hole to get rid of roaches. If there’s no opening, drill a small hole around the ground or behind the furniture.
5. Spread it outdoors
Spread a thin layer of Diatomaceous Earth on the grass and garden soil present around the boundaries of your house during sunny days to prevent roaches from entering your place.
If there is a crawl space or similar area beneath your house, there are high chances of a roach nest being present there.
Therefore, you should pour a pile of Diatomaceous Earth right at its entrance and spread it in to the whole interior of the space with the help of a leaf blower or large fan.
While using this large amount of DE, you should wear protective gear like a mask, goggles, and gloves to avoid any problems.
6. Repeat the steps mentioned above
You should keep a regular check on the treated areas as you might need to re-apply Diatomaceous Earth multiple times (twice a week) in case of a severe infestation and high humidity level.
How to clean Diatomaceous Earth (DE)?
Diatomaceous Earth can be easily cleaned as you just need to wipe, sweep, or vacuum it.
You can use a broom and dustpan to sweep off the powder and then wipe off the surface with a damp towel.
If you need to clean the powder from the carpet, it is suggested that you should use a vacuum cleaner as it does not leave any of it behind.
Conclusion
Diatomaceous Earth is a natural and easy-to-use method to get rid of roaches and various other pests within a few days of application. You can apply it easily with the help of a duster and clean it with a vacuum cleaner after use.
