How To Control Bed Bugs With The Isolation Method for Instant, Long-Term, Chemical-Free Protection

• The Isolation Method turns your bed into a safe “island” and a kill zone. Bed bugs must cross Diatomaceous Earth (DE) to reach you, and that’s what kills them.
• Non-toxic, eco-friendly, safe for families and pets. No harsh chemical odours. No repeat sprays — one of the biggest advantages when learning how to control bed bugs with the Isolation Method.
• One clear setup. Sleep in the bed the same night. Keep killing for years with a single application of DE on the frame and barriers under the legs.
• Saves serious money versus repeat pest control visits. It’s DIY, but not difficult — just follow the steps to see exactly how to control bed bugs with the Isolation Method.
• Prevention is built-in: once the system’s in place, new hitchhikers don’t stand a chance, proving why this method is the most effective way to control bed bugs long-term.

Quick links:
Mattress Cover |
Floor Bed Bug Barrier Trap |
Bed Bug Killer Powder (DE) |
Handheld Steamer |

How To Control Bed Bugs With The Isolation Method

Control Bed Bugs with the Isolation Method

Think of your bed as an island. Bed bugs can’t fly. They can’t jump. They have to walk. The Isolation Method uses that simple truth.

1. Seal the mattress and base with a bed bug proof cover. This traps any bugs or eggs already in the mattress and stops new ones from getting in.
2. Instant kill and hygiene: use a handheld steamer on seams, tufts, and cracks of the bed frame and ensemble base to kill exposed bugs and loosen grime.
3. Long-term kill: lightly dust Diatomaceous Earth (DE) on the bed frame, slats, and inside screw holes and joints. This sits there quietly for years; any bug that walks through it dehydrates and dies.
4. Isolate the bed: place each bed leg into a Floor Bed Bug Barrier Trap and dust inside the well. Move the bed ~30 cm from walls and furniture, and keep bedding off the floor.
5. Make the bed the only food source. With barriers in place, every bug in the room must cross the powder to reach you. That’s the trap.

You can sleep in the room the same night. The system keeps working while you rest. No fogging. No moving out. No drama.

What Are Bed Bugs?

Why The Isolation Method Works So Well

• Behaviour: bed bugs are driven to feed. If the bed is the only route, they eventually take it — right through your kill zone.
• Physics, not poison: DE is a mechanical killer. Bugs can’t develop resistance to a sharp mineral that abrades their waxy coat.
• Coverage where it matters: Dusting the bed frame and joints targets the paths bugs actually use.
• Continuous protection: Unlike sprays that fade, DE keeps working for as long as it stays dry and in place.

Read our DIY instructions or watch our video for ensembles and bed frames.

How The Isolation Method Saves You Time and Money

The Isolation Method saves time and money

To be blunt, repeat sprays are a merry-go-round. You pay, everything smells like chemicals, bites ease for a bit, then… hello again.

• One setup, not three revisits.
• DIY costs are a fraction of pest control programs that commonly run $700+ and often need multiple visits.
• No rewash roulette: you don’t have to bag every item in the house or live out of tubs. Your bed becomes the kill zone, so you can skip the laundry marathon.
• Sleep tonight: no hotel costs, no moving furniture to storage, no re-entry rules.

How To Prevent Bed Bugs

• Travel smart: keep luggage on racks, not floors; inspect mattress seams and headboards; on return, hot-wash and hot-dry travel clothes, and vacuum suitcases.
• Second-hand caution: thoroughly inspect beds, couches, drawers, and fabric seams before bringing items inside.
• Keep your island: leave barriers and a light DE dusting on the frame permanently. If hitchhikers arrive, they’re dealt with automatically.
• Room layout: bed 30 cm from walls and furniture; don’t let bedding drape onto the floor

Read our extensive blog on bed bug prevention

Why You Should Avoid Untested Traps

Avoid these untested bed leg traps for bed bugs from China

Some products look the part — glossy, complicated, even “high-tech.” But if a trap doesn’t reliably force bed bugs to cross a killing agent (like DE) on the way to you, it’s just a pit stop, not a solution.

• No proof, no peace of mind: without credible testing, “interceptors” can give a false sense of security while bites continue.
• Behaviour beats marketing: bugs will seek the easiest route to a meal. Your setup must make every route lethal.
• Simple wins: a dusted frame plus proper barrier traps under each leg is boring — and brutally effective.

More infomation about avoiding traps

Real-World Results

• Homeowner:
  “We had tried every supermarket spray we could find, but the bites kept coming back within days. It felt like we were fighting a losing battle. After discovering the Isolation Method, we followed the steps — steamed the bed, applied Diatomaceous Earth on the frame, fitted the mattress cover, and set up the traps. That very night we slept bite-free for the first time in months. Weeks later, still no bites. What we loved most is that we didn’t need to clear the whole room or bag every piece of clothing — just treated the bed and let the system do the work.”
• Airbnb Host:
  “As an Airbnb operator, cancellations mean bad reviews and lost income. When a guest reported bites, I panicked. Pest control quoted hundreds of dollars and wanted the room empty for days — not an option with bookings lined up. I ordered the DIY kit, watched the step-by-step video, and set up the Isolation Method in under an hour. By the next day, guests were checking in again with no complaints, no chemical smell, and no disruption to my calendar. The system not only saved me money, but also protected my reputation.”
• Aged Care Facility:
  “Our priority is safety and comfort for residents, and harsh chemicals are out of the question. When bed bugs appeared in several rooms, we needed a solution that staff could implement quickly without exposing residents to toxic sprays. The Isolation Method worked perfectly — mattress and pillow covers sealed off existing bugs, while steam and DE gave instant and long-term protection. Carers could maintain the setup easily during routine cleaning. We’ve now adopted the system across multiple rooms, and it’s given us consistent, chemical-free control that families trust.”

Bed Bug Bites in Australia: How to Find, Treat and Prevent Bed Bugs Fast

FAQs: Control Bed Bugs With The Isolation Method

Can I do this if the infestation is heavy?
Yes. The heavier it is, the more crucial it is to isolate the bed and force every bug to cross DE to feed. That’s the point.

How long until bites stop?
Often immediately. Any surviving bugs in the room will be killed off as they attempt to feed over the following nights.

Do I have to reapply DE?
Not routinely. Keep it dry and undisturbed on the frame and in the barriers. Top up only if you’ve vacuumed or moved the bed significantly.

Is it safe for kids and pets?
Yes, when used as directed. DE is non-toxic, but avoid creating airborne dust and follow the label.

Watch Our DIY Videos: Control Bed Bugs With The Isolation Method

Are you looking for an organic DIY treatment? These step-by-step videos show you exactly how to use the Isolation Method on different types of beds.

For an Ensemble Bed

For a Bed with Slats

Ready to take action? Order your DIY Bed Bug Kit here and remove bed bugs the safe, organic way.

If you have enjoyed our blog, Control Bed Bugs with the Isolation Method, then you might like to read about the Bed Bug Life Cycle.

Sources: Control Bed Bugs with the Isolation Method

Bed Bug Barrier Pty Ltd (Invented The Isolation Method)

National Library of Medicine (Clinical Relevance and Control Options)