Silica Gel is a material made in the form of beads, granules or dust. Silica Gel is often added to products as a desiccant to absorb any harmful moisture or musty odors that may accumulate during storage. And they are very effective: Silica Gel can absorb up to 40% of its weight in moisture. In this article we will see how to use Silica Gel Dust to kill Bed bugs.
What is Silica Gel Dust?
Silica Gel Dust is silicon dioxide, commonly called “silica gel dust”. Silica gel or silica gel dust is a desiccant for the protection against humidity of goods. The silica ball is silicon dioxide in granular and translucent form. It has a high porosity that allows it to absorb excess moisture in confined spaces. You can find silica gel in the form of beads, granules, powder or small pebbles. Each grain of silica is made up of silicon atoms linked together by oxygen atoms.
This desiccant is familiar to many of us. Take a good look and you will see that you probably already have some at home. It is found, for example, in shoe boxes or in the packaging of electrical appliances, in the form of small white paper sachets. It is also used to make cat litter and to dehydrate plants in flower arrangements.
The use of this desiccant allows goods to be protected during transport and storage thanks to its high porosity which absorbs excess humidity in the packaging, thus ensuring the quality and durability of the products.
Because it is non-toxic and non-corrosive, many industries use silica gel, such as the food industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the horticulture industry and the pest control industry.
Does Silica gel kill bed bugs?
Silica gel dust is effective in dehydrating and killing pests. Bed bugs are no exception. If bed bugs come into contact with the powder, they will die after a day or two. The particles that make up this desiccant attach themselves to the body of bed bugs, the particles clings to their exoskeleton and absorbs the waxy coating, causing them to die shortly thereafter from dehydration.
Besides being extremely effective against those bloodsuckers, Silica gel dust is one of the least toxic insecticides available in the market and is an excellent choice for homes with pets or young children.
Unlike other insecticides like Pyrethrins and Pyrethroids, Bed bugs will not develop resistance to Silica gel dust. Because the action of this desiccant is mechanical and not chemical. You just need to correctly learn how to use Silica Gel Dust to kill Bed bugs to win your DIY battle against those bloodsuckers!
Silica gel dust vs Diatomaceous Earth against Bed Bugs
Most bed bug Powders come in the form of Silica gel dust and Diatomaceous Earth. Let’s compare both:
Diatomaceous Earth is also often used against bed bugs. If you choose this option, you should select Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth to ensure its non-toxicity. Diatomaceous Earth will kill them by piercing their shells which will result in dehydrating the bugs.
Silica Gel Dust has a better Bed bug killing rate in lab tests. Indeed 100% of bugs were dead after 48h when having been exposed to Silica Gel Dust.
Silica Gel Dust killing action will not deteriorate as much as Diatomaceous Earth with humidity.
Silica gel does not cling to bed bugs like diatomaceous earth. Instead, It absorbs their protective oils like a sponge, leaving them to dry to death. You should apply Silica gel the same way as diatomaceous earth, but it will kill those pests faster and fewer of them will manage to escape.
However, both are very good tools when dealing with a bed bug infestation. If you want to learn more this topic, you could have a look at our article on Diatomaceous Earth and bed bugs.
How to use Silica gel dust to kill bed bugs
Before using Silica gel dust itself to fight against those critters, you must start by cleaning your house. To do this, vacuum absolutely everywhere: floors, baseboards, furniture, carpets, mattresses, clothes, etc.
Keep in mind that bed bugs like heat and darkness, so do not overlook those kinds of areas.
When the vacuuming is finished, empty the vacuum bag into an airtight container and throw it away outside of your home. Then proceed to a thorough cleaning of your vacuum so that no bed bug finds the opportunity to escape and relaunch an infestation.
Bed bugs in the mattress
Bed Bugs like heat but not high temperatures. You can therefore put all your textiles that support them in the washing machine and/or in the dryer. In the same logic, very hot steam will also be your ally, mainly for the couch or mattresses or any item that is too bulky to fit into your washing machine.
Another anti-bed to prevent them from invading your mattress, equip yourself with a new Bed bug mattress cover. As simple as that. If they are residing inside your mattress they will be locked in the encased mattress.
The cold is also a mortal enemy for those bloodsuckers. Thus, we recommend that you place your shoes or other objects that can withstand very low temperatures in the freezer for 72 hours. Bed bugs will go into hibernation around 14 °F (-10°C) and die at 0 °F (-18°C ).
Where should I apply silica gel dust to get rid of bed bugs ?
Here are examples of possible bed bugs hiding places:
- The box spring, the seams and the underside of the mattress, and the hems of the articles of bedding
- The headboard, bedroom furniture and drawers
- Clothing, backpacks or handbags and suitcases
- Chairs, wheelchairs, sofas and slipcovers
- Carpets and curtains
- Moldings and window or door frames;
- Behind baseboard heaters and electrical outlets
- Unstuck tapestry, frames and posters
- Cracks in plaster, wood or flooring
- Papers, books, telephones, radios and clocks or other electronic devices
These are the areas where you should inspect for those pesky insects and where you should apply Silica Gel Dust.
Application instructions of Silica gel dust to get rid of bed bugs
Although Silica gel dust is not harmful to humans, it is irritating when inhaled in large doses. Protect your face with a mask and goggles during application.
- Sprinkle it all over the infested room without forgetting the nooks and crannies.
- Place the desiccant dust over any areas that may harbor bed bugs;
- Sprinkle the areas of the box spring and your mattress just as much, as they also harbor those critters;
- We recommend to use 10g to 20g of diatomaceous Silica gel dust per square meter of carpet or wooden floor, close to the bedding area.
Pay special attention to cracks and crevices, because this is one of bed bugs’ favorite spots to hide. They may want to exit the room to move to another room. That is why you should also apply in empty spots wall voids. Spread powder thinly and evenly and avoid applying it in lump or heaps as in this case the bugs may want to avoid it. Do not spread powder all over the room. Because this will waste product and will make the room difficult to clean and live in.
Unlike a conventional insecticide where the insect dies very quickly, an insect in contact with Silica gel dust can die after several days.
Leave the desiccant act for at least 48 hours and then vacuum. This first treatment should kill a very large number of bugs, but the larvae and eggs may survive. You will therefore have to repeat the operation within 10 to 15 days to eliminate the eggs that have just hatched. Treatment usually lasts five weeks. You should reapply it if you suspect signs of ongoing infestation (Bed bugs feces, bites, blood stains in sheets, molted shells, presence of the bugs or their eggs).
For the best application you can use a powder applicator. In order to ensure an even and good distribution of the powder in crack and crevices, as well as wall voids and electrical outlets and in other areas such as underneath carpets, inside of the furniture or holes behind paintings. With a powder applicator you will use less amount of product. Because you will spread the powder more evenly and you could thus be cost-effective ultimately.
Silica gel is relatively safe for human health, and it is however you should avoid contact with skin and eyes as well as ingestion and inhalation. Regardless, always read and follow the instructions from the manufacturer for better safety during the application.
Isolate your Bed from bed bugs using Silica Gel Dust
Bed bugs may come up to you through bed legs. Bed bugs Powders can also help you keep infestations from spreading or help create a zone free of bed bugs. Indeed, powders will also create a barrier which bed bugs cannot cross. So surround each foot of the bed with the dust. Bedbugs will be killed before they can even reach your bed. Do not stick the bed to the wall so they don’t climb over it to get to your bed. You can also use Boric Acid to isolate your bed from those pests. To learn more have a look at our Boric Acid and Bed bugs Article
Can you use silica gel from your cat litter to get rid of bed bugs ?
Cat litter often contains silica gel. However it needs to be fine as dust to kill bed bugs. If you use a grinder to ground your cat litter into silica gel dust you might have a substance that could dehydrate and kill the bugs. However the powder you would obtain would not be as pure as one you could get commercially. So this method could work in some situations but it is not totally reliable.
Conclusion
Silica gel dust is incredibly effective. This insecticide guarantees the extermination of these harmful insects, without toxicity. It helps prevent the appearance of bed bugs and acts in case of infestations.
It Is Ecological: no need to throw away because you can reuse it at will. This desiccant is also Economical: suitable for multiple housework and effective against other pests such as ants, dust mites or cockroaches. If you suffer from attacks from those bloodsuckers or other pests, do not hesitate to try this treatment even on your wooden furniture. It won’t disappoint you!
Now that you know How to use Silica Gel dust to kill bed bugs. Next step is to find the right powder for you on the market, which can be challenging due to the large number of products available. Check our in-depth Bed bugs Powders Buying Guide to find the best Powder on the market to kill bed bugs.