How to Apply Diatomaceous Earth for Cockroaches

Article at a glance:

• Does Diatomaceous Earth work for killing roaches?

• How long does it take for Diatomaceous Earth to kill roaches?

• How should I apply Diatomaceous Earth for roaches?

• What type of applicator should I use?

• Can Diatomaceous Earth be used outside to kill roaches?

Yes, DE works incredibly well for killing roaches and it takes significantly less work, it’s less invasive, cheaper, and achieves results quicker. We’ve compiled thousands of customer stories that swear by the results of Diatomaceous Earth, by simply following these simple steps, you may have a roach free home as well.

Give your home a thorough cleaning. Sweep, mop, put away food, and vacuum thoroughly, including behind appliances and furniture. Maintaining excellent sanitation practices is usually the best defense against cockroaches.

Dry up any damp areas to prepare for your diatomaceous earth application. To prevent more cockroaches, seal up any cracks that could be under sinks, in the bathroom, near baseboards, or around poorly sealed doors. Any kind of entrance for a cockroach should be sealed up. If there are any leaks they need to be taken care of; you can do this with caulk or sealant.

Apply anywhere you have seen cockroaches. Dust lightly, since cockroaches won't step on diatomaceous earth if the dusting is too heavy. Apply DE anywhere cockroaches can hide, enter your home, and where food is commonly dropped. Don't apply the DE to any area that is consistently damp or wet, since wet diatomaceous earth will not kill insects. Use an applicator such as the  JT Eaton Duster to spray behind switch and outlet faceplates.

Apply diatomaceous earth around your house along the foundation. If you live in a dry climate you can use one of our wet application methods for your home's exterior. If you live in a damp climate try using one of our dry applicators. Apply DE near any cracks or entrances and along door and window sills.

If you have a crawl space that is not used for storage, treat this area as well. Take 3 lbs of diatomaceous earth and pile it near the entrance to your crawlspace. Using a leaf blower, aim at the pile of DE and turn it on. This should create a large cloud of DE beneath your house. If the crawlspace was not completely covered, repeat the process.

Leave diatomaceous earth applied as long as the cockroach infestation continues. Reapply if the DE gets washed away. Once the cockroaches are gone, you can clean up the diatomaceous earth (click here for cleaning tips), but you can also leave it down as a preventative measure against future infestations.

The length of time it takes for DE to eradicate a cockroach problem varies case by case, we make our estimates based on conservative averages and user stories, your experience may vary but patience and thoroughness are key. Assuming that you have followed the above steps, you should start to see results within 2-3 weeks of continuous DE application. Keep in mind, DE is only deadly to bugs when they come into direct contact with the powder, this can cause delays if the roaches are trafficking alternative areas. Feel free to reach out to us on Facebook if any questions arise, or simply leave us a comment below.

The best way to apply Diatomaceous Earth is always a good old-fashioned dusting in areas where bugs frequently walkthrough, this can be accomplished with a variety of methods like a scoop, duster, electric applicator, or simply using your hands. Repeat the steps above for best results, or if you need to apply Diatomaceous Earth in hard to reach places, use a wet application method.

There are dozens of types of applicators that can be used for applying Diatomaceous Earth, many of which we sell here at DiatomaceousEarth.com.

• Scoop – a scoop is a versatile applicator that you don’t necessarily need to purchase just for DE, you may even have one laying around the tool bin at home or in your kitchen. If you’d like to apply using a scoop, simply take a scoop and slowly drop it in the areas where you see bugs, or you know they frequent. These high traffic areas are typically doorways, food storage places, around trash cans. We like to recommend a scooper when spreading around large areas or next to large appliances or trash units. It is just a good all-around method that is versatile and affordable. You can find a scoop here on our web store.
• Duster – This accessory is incredibly useful and offers a more precise way of getting DE where you need it to be. The DE powder is stored inside of an airtight pump reservoir which disperses the powder through a long tube when the spring-loaded pump is engaged. Think of this applicator like a caulking gun, it comes out in a clean line. The duster is perfect for applying Diatomaceous Earth inside the home, and more specifically the kitchen. Because food is typically stored in the kitchen or trash cans that can be held under the sink, bugs are most likely going to frequent this area. Use the duster in small cracks, corners, under the sink, around the trash. With the duster, you will have a great companion that will limit the mess and keep your home and kitchen pest-free in no time!
• Sifter – a sifter is a great tool for spreading DE evenly, around a large area, it houses the DE in a suspended grate and will disperse as you move it back forth. Ever put powdered frosting on French toast with a small sifter? Same concept.

There are many different methods of applying DE, we’ve covered just a few in this article but we encourage you to try new methods and always keep in touch with us on your experience. Have a look at the video below for some examples of how to apply Diatomaceous Earth for killing roaches.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to send us a message on Facebook, or post the question for other users on our Facebook Group.