Free Standing Shelving

Am I using diatomaceous earth incorrectly to kill bed bugs?

In the building that i live in at the moment has a huge bed bug problem. Now I have bed bugs in my apartment. The exterminator came 5 days ago and sprayed. The following evening I was still getting bites. I read somewhere online about DE. I bought a bag and last night put it in a salt shaker and went crazy pouring it all over the edge of my apartment. All around my bed and under the mattress.. Just the whole outline of the apartment. Around the furniture etc. My nose is dry, i have a headache. My cat is very small and I can tell she doesn't like it. (She climbed all the way to the top of this closet shelve and i just don't know how she did it! after pouring this stuff all over. Is this stuff bad to inhale? Is it just as bad as breathing asbestos? My neighbor says i have to leave it for 10 days and then vacuum it. And how I should just bag everything with BLACK industrial size plastic bags and lay them out in the sun so the bugs can heat up and die...I used whtie plastic bags.. and bought some plastic storage containers to store my clean laundry and she was like it's not good cuz they probably will crawl in anyways.. I am just going crazy! I just read so many different things I don't know what to do. and I am worried about my cat. And am not too crazy about the exterminator coming back again in two weeks to spray cuz then we will have to leave again for 6 hours .. and i have no money to take her to the vet to hang out. And i have also read horrible things about pets getting sick because of the bug spray.. HELP PLEASE I AM DESPERATE! Hello thanks for your prompt response. It is NOT the kind for swimming pools. http://www.pcsoutdoors.com/saferbrandantandcrawlingdiatomaceousearthinsectkiller4lbpowder5170b.aspx This is a link that shows which one I bought. So tomorrow I will get a mask and vacuum it. Should I put more of it down again? did i just used it excessively? There is this whole ordeal (legally) going on in the building already. The cheap ass landlord is just stretching it. I just wanted to do something extra between now and the next time the pest control guy comes back. Anybody have any other suggestions on how to properly store linens and clothes? Do i have to consider saran wrapping the containers shut?

Public Comments

1. Did you get DE that is intended for swimming pools? It's not for treating bedbugs. You need garden grade DE. The variety used for pools is more dangerous/toxic than they garden grade. I would suggest getting a face mask for use while vacuuming. Change the bag in your vacuum and clean up whatever you have sprinkled down. Throw out the vacuum bag. Personally, I would put the cat in the bathroom while cleaning up both to keep it from breathing anything and so it won't be so upset by the vacuum ( may cat hates the vacuum ). It shouldn't harm you or the cat at this point but if both of you are having a reaction there is no reason to leave it there irritating you. The reason I suggest a face mask is that swimming pool DE isn't supposed to be breathed directly. It has a higher silica content and is more of a lung irritant that garden grade DE. Do you have a steam iron or can you rent a steam machine? Bed bugs can't survive steam heat. At the very least, I know it's alot of work but it will help, vacuum your bed and the surrounding area daily. Throw out the vac bag everyday.
2. I dont know, I've never had bed bugs. I always thought that was something made up in that children s story, goodnight, sleep tight, and dont let the bed bugs bite! Than a couple years ago I started reading about people talking about getting bite up by bed bugs? All i can say is in 50 years of living, I have NEVER had bed bugs or been bite by a bed bug. WHAT THE HELL IS A FRIGGIN BED BUG?
3. The local health department can help you with advice.This is a serious problem in apartments across the Country,It is the responsibility of the apartment building to send in the professionals.Please call your health department it is not your fault.best of luck!
4. Are you sure they're not fleas or dust mites? Just sayin'