6 Best Bed Bug Powders to Ensure Peaceful Sleep

Updated on by Jared Belson | Please note that there may be affiliate links on this page.

Sleeping with bed bugs can be a nightmare. Whether you’re in a sketchy hotel or you haven’t been paying much attention at home, chances are you’ll have to deal with them at some point.

The first step in any bed bug treatment is using the best bed bug powders you can afford. Sometimes, this may be enough while other times it may just be the first step in a very long process.

Until you figure that out, check out the following bed bug killer powders to see what suits you the best.

6 Best Bed Bug Powders - Effective Killer Dusts

The Rockwell Labs CXID032 Cimexa is a powder insecticide that comes in a 4oz can. A single can of powder should be sufficient for a few rooms if you don’t have too much carpeting.

This formula is effective against bed bugs, fleas, and even lice and ticks. It may even get rid of dry wood termites, even though it’s a bit hard to apply the powder for a termite infestation. That being said, it can be used on any surface.

The rate of water absorption is minimal which will also prevent clumping. Unless used in a high humidity area, the CXID032 Cimexa Dust should also provide a long-lasting residual control effect.

Another tick in the pro column is for the odorless formula. This and the low-toxicity make it an ideal bed bug-targeted insecticide to use inside the house.

  • Powerful desiccant
  • Non-staining
  • Long-lasting residual control
  • Odorless
  • Low-toxicity
  • Not as efficient when combined with water

This powder has been formulated to kill even the most resistant strains such as the Pyrethroid-Resistant bed bugs. It can be a very efficient pest control tool in your arsenal if you live in an area prone to bed bug infestations.

The Harris Bed Bug Killer Powder is probably not the best solution if you’re traveling, as it’s a slow acting formula. But, what’s really convenient is the puffer tip design on the can. This will allow you to spray the powder deeper into crevices and cracks to stop bed bugs before they get into the room.

For hard surfaces, you can use the included brush. Dust wide areas and then use the brush to spread the insecticide evenly around the walls, bed, furniture, and so on. If left undisturbed, the powder should maintain its active toxicity to bed bugs and continue dealing with the pests for a long time.

  • Kills in up to 48 hours
  • Residual control
  • Multiple application methods
  • Dusting brush included
  • Higher level of toxicity

This Harris formula comes in three sizes - 0.5lbs, 2lbs, and 4lbs. The latter two sizes also come with an included duster.

Although the diatomaceous earth does most of the heavy lifting, I have nothing but praise for the Harris dusters. Each duster comes with a fine tip nozzle and an applicator extension. This configuration will allow you to not only dust your rooms but also any cracks and crevices in your house.

A thorough dusting in potential ingress and egress points will form a much more reliable barrier against future infestations. As is the case with most diatomaceous earth-based bed bug killers, this formula is non-staining and odorless.

It’s also safe to use if you have kids or pets while the price is reasonable too. Speaking of potency of this formula, combining it with a heat treatment will drastically improve its odds of success.

  • Natural insecticide
  • Non-staining
  • Odorless
  • Affordable
  • Versatile duster included
  • May need a heat treatment for severe infestations

This insecticide comes in 8oz cans. Its main active ingredient is silicon dioxide which is just a fancy way of saying that it’s made from diatomaceous earth. It’s not an all-natural product mind you, but the main active ingredient is completely natural.

This powder formula should work on a wide range of insects, such as fleas, ants, and centipedes. It’s quite potent, so you shouldn’t need more than a light coating in affected areas.

It’s important that you keep this particular powder dry at all times. It doesn’t take too much humidity for the powder to lose its efficiency. Dust it under the bed, around the bed frame, on mattresses, as well as any cracks or crevices in furniture, floors, or walls.

If your home is facing a severe infestation, a heat treatment may also be necessary. But, if your home is in the clear, then using this dust can create a reliable barrier.

  • Low-toxicity powder
  • Contains diatomaceous earth
  • Very reliable barrier
  • Can manage mild bed bug infestations
  • No nozzle extension

The JT Eaton 203 powder has diatomaceous earth as its main ingredient, but it also uses other potent oxides and minerals. On top of that, this formula has a higher moisture content which makes it more reliable to use in humid areas.

The moisture wicking capabilities of this powder are impressive, hence the reason why it’s so efficient in absorbing fluids from bed bugs that wander on its path. You can use this stainless and odorless formula anywhere.

However, this dust has a slightly higher toxicity which doesn’t exactly make it the safest powder to use in living quarters. If you opt for the JT Eaton 203, you may want to clear the room for about 24 to 48 hours.

But, due to its higher toxicity the JT Eaton 203 powder is not among the best bed bug powders for residual control. It’s also tough to apply in crevices and cracks in the walls.

  • Quick diatomaceous earth-based insecticide
  • Affordable
  • Targets resistant bed bug strains
  • Great moisture wicking properties
  • More toxic than others

The Safer 51703 is another diatomaceous-earth based powder that’s also affordable. Each bag contains 4lbs of diatomaceous earth dust and it probably has the best price per ounce ratio on the market.

In the long run, the Safer 51703 is among the best barriers you can use. It can also manage small to medium infestations in an environment that’s not too humid. It shouldn’t take more than 48 hours for it to work once applied in all the right places.

Although credited as a killer of strain resistant bugs and insects, this statement is hard to verify. The Safer 51703 is billed as a 100% diatomaceous earth formula, yet upon closer inspection it’s easy to see that up to 15% of the formula is made of other ingredients.

To be safe, you should treat it as any other insecticide, even though its main ingredient is not harmful to humans or animals. That being said, this is not a bad thing. Whatever was added clearly boosted the efficiency and improved the residual control. However, applicators are not included in the package.

  • Very affordable
  • Diatomaceous earth-based formula
  • Effective against many insects
  • Works in up to 48 hours
  • Good residual control
  • No duster or brush included

Diatomaceous Earth – What It Is and Why It’s Useful

Diatomaceous earth is made from diatoms, or fossilized sea creatures that had a high content of silicon dioxide as part of their makeup. This makes it a non-toxic substance with a wide range of applications.

It can be used to deworm pets and also as an insect deterrent or insect killer. One of its most important properties is that it’s a desiccant. This means that it’s capable of absorbing moisture from insects to make them shed the waxy protective shells they often have.

This makes insects such as bed bugs to die of dehydration very quickly. Although often used as the main ingredient in bed bug powders, it’s not always the sole ingredient. Sometimes, it may be combined with chemicals to improve its potency.

Where and How to Dust Your Home

There are a few key areas where you should always dust for bed bugs. Start with the edges of your walls and create a barrier along the entire room. You should also apply powder around the bed, under the bed, and around or on your mattress.

You can also try carpet dusting, in fact this is recommended if you have at least a mild infestation. Then you’ll want to dust any cracks and crevices inside walls, floors, and even furniture. Because most powders are non-reactive to wood, they’re safe to use inside cabinets, closets, bed frames, and so on.

How to Treat Severe Infestations

When it comes to severe infestations, you may need drastic solutions. While most natural powders are great, a severe infestation won’t go away just because you sprinkled desiccant in a room.

Often times a heat treatment is the only way to truly get rid of bed bugs. When combined with a reliable powder, the mix will be deadly to bed bugs and other annoying insects.

You’re One Dusting Away from a Good Night’s Sleep

You can save a lot of money with bed bug powders. The products in this article are fairly affordable and, unless you have a serious infestation on hands, they should work on their own.

2 thoughts on “6 Best Bed Bug Powders to Ensure Peaceful Sleep”

  1. Someone brought bed bugs into our home were being bitten bad. Do these powders dusts really work? And can I buy them at walmart diamond or home depot?

    Reply
    • Hi Renee, yes they really do work. I’m not sure whether you’d find them at Walmart or Home Depot, I personally prefer to order online.

      Reply

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