Thinking of using special powders to kill bed bugs in your home?
Well, there are a number of options for bed bug powders, as they’re one of the most helpful DIY treatments for bed bug control.
And that’s what you need, right?
But with so many options available, which bed bug powder should you use?
We’ve done the heavy lifting and have researched, tested and narrowed down the options to find the top bed bug powders on the planet!
Read more to buy the right bed bug powder so you can go on living your life without bed bug bites…
Top 3 Best Bed Bug Powders
Short on time? Take a look at the list below for the top 3 bed bug powders.
Otherwise, check out our full buying guide to learn more:
- Harris Diatomaceous Earth Powder
- Drione Dust
- HotShot Bed Bug Killer Powder
1. Harris Diatomaceous Earth Powder
Harris Bed Bug Powder
Contains diatomaceous earth, this powder kills bed bugs within 48 hours and continues to work where applied when kept dry.
With it’s free applicator and value size option, this product is a good value overall, although some claim to have gotten a rash from it after application.
The Good:
- Comes with a free powder applicator
- Bugs die within 48 hours of contact
- Continues to kill bed bugs for up to 4 weeks
- Registered with the environmental protection agency
The Bad:
- Must be kept dry, even after applied to remain effective (not great for more humid environments)
- Some users complained of a distinct smell where they’ve applied the product.
Features:
- Comes with a free powder applicator
- Bugs die within 48 hours of contact
- Continues to kill bed bugs for up to 4 weeks
2. Drione Dust
Drione Insecticide Dust contains a combination of powerful active ingredients to knock out even the worst bed bug infestations. It also works on these common pests:
- Ants
- Cockroaches
- Silverfish
- Firebrats
- Boxelder bugs
- Drywood termites
- Fleas
- Scorpions
Use Drione Insecticide Dust in cracks, crevices, and furniture joints to eliminate bed bugs. Its residual action works for up to nine months. And it’s EPA-registered for mattresses, especially around the tufts, folds, and edges.
The Good:
- Powerful active ingredients
- Professional’s choice for bed bug treatments
- EPA-approved to spot-treat mattresses
- Comes with an enclosed bellows duster
The Bad:
- Not to be used in food areas
- Professional grade, use caution around children and pets
Features:
- Powerful active ingredients
- Professional’s choice for bed bug treatments
- EPA-approved to spot-treat mattresses
3. HotShot Bed Bug Killer Powder
Contains silicone dioxide, but also contains 15% “other ingredients” that are not safe for pets and children.
While its uncertain what these other ingredients are, HotShot is shown to help prevent and kill bed bugs similar to other combination silicon dioxide powders.
The Good:
- Value bottle saves you money
- Has similar ingredients to other bed bug powders
- Bottle applicator isn’t bad if you don’t want to invest in a powder applicator
- Claims to kill bed bugs on contact
The Bad:
- Indoor use only
- Is not food grade and you should be cautious to avoid inhaling the product during application
- Not safe around pets and children
Features:
- Value bottle saves you money
- Has similar ingredients to other bed bug powders
- Bottle applicator isn’t bad if you don’t want to invest in a powder applicator
Does Bed Bug Powder Really Work?
Most off the shelf bed bug powders contain diatomaceous earth, a talc-like powder that is the fossilized remains of phytoplankton.
(We have an in-depth safety and use guide on diatomaceous earth here)
This stuff also kills most crawling insects, and is famed for helping folks control their bed bug problem.
It’s also non-toxic (you can eat it and live to tell the tale, but we don’t really recommend you do that).
When diatomaceous earth is sprinkled on creepy crawlers with an exoskeleton, a.k.a. their waxy outsides, they dehydrate, shrivel up and meet an untimely death.
The thing is, that people often overuse or misuse diatomaceous earth and other bed bug powders.
Bed bugs will even walk around powders when they see them (they are smart little buggers).
Interested In More Ways To Kill Bed Bugs? Click here for our top bed bug killer picks!
Bug bug powders generally have a few more ingredients to help control bed bugs that aren’t “natural” and non-toxic too, in order to compensate for the shortcomings of diatomaceous earth and add an extra punch to bed bug killing efforts.
These additional ingredients are typically insecticides and repellents in powder form. Of course, these active ingredients are typically toxic to humans and pets.
The key to having any success with bed bug powders is in the application of them. You need to know how to use bed bug powders properly in order to kill and control beg bugs in your home, and misuse is the generally the reason people don’t see any success with bed bug powders.
Watch this video below showing you our top bed bug powder pick, Cimexa, actually killing bed bugs in a small test.
Is Bed Bug Powder Safe For Humans?
While diatomaceous earth (food grade) is safe and non-toxic for humans and pets, ingredients in diatomaceous earth meant for killing bed bugs (pest control grade) include various insecticides and additives, which are toxic to humans and pets!
A total of 111 illnesses associated with bed bug-related insecticides were reported in seven states between 2003 and 2010 according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The most common factors contributing to illness were excessive insecticide application, failure to wash or change pesticide-treated bedding, and inadequate notification of pesticide application.
(This means people were reckless with how they applied the powders around their home resulting in health issues)
The most common symptoms for those who were poisoned by a bed bug insecticide were: Nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness and breathing issues.
If you have used a treatment for bed bugs containing an insecticide and experience any symptoms, contact poison control and seek medical attention immediately!
Warning
As with all bed bug treatments you attempt to do yourself, you should ALWAYS consult a certified professional beforehand. You run the risk of hurting yourself, your family, or making your bed bug problem worse.
How To Use Bed Bug Powder
We really should start by saying how NOT to use a bed bug powder because most people use bed bug powders incorrectly…
Do NOT:
- Scatter a bed bug powder everywhere: Despite what many online resources claim, spreading a bed bug powder everywhere will not control your bed bug problem. You’ll just make a mess, ruin your furniture and potentially spread poison all over your home without getting to the bottom of your bed bug problem. Powders are less effective on bed bugs in open areas, and are shown to be more effective when applied to tight cracks and crevices.
- Skip reading the product label for the powder you choose to buy: Each powder is different, and may have different active ingredients that have unique things to consider when using them. Be mindful of the differences between bed bug powders and always read the product label first!
Here’s the correct way to use most bed bug powders:
- Crack and crevice treatment: As mentioned, your application of most bed bug powders should focus on cracks and crevices in the room or rooms that bed bugs are most likely hiding or traveling through. Floorboards, where the carpet meets the floor and baseboards are examples of great places to start. Powders are great for these spaces because they’re able to settle into them in a way that sprays and other bed bug treatments can’t!
- Powder applicator: While most powders come with their own applicators, we recommend purchasing a professional powder applicator (like this one) to get deep into cracks, crevices, and wall voids, and get more out of your powder amount. The applicator helps emit smaller, more even amounts of powder so you save a little bit of money in the long run.
- Wall voids and other unsuspecting places: Apply carefully along door frames, under appliances, and the joints and interior areas of wooden furniture.
