Diatomaceous earth is a type of abrasive material made of the fossilized remains of unicellular algae-like organisms called diatoms. It is used inside houses to kill fleas and other pests. Surprisingly, although diatomaceous earth might look like a powder, it is actually a hard, fine dirt that cuts into the hard outer layer (exoskeleton) of many kinds of insects and kills them. A while back I was having an issue with fleas on my cat. I spent a lot of money on a flea fogger, but it didn’t do anything to get rid of the little buggers. I researched it online, and people said that Diatomaceous Earth killed them, so I got some and put it down on the carpet and ruffled up my cats fur to let them get it through their skin. It worked great! Not only did it kill all the adult fleas, but it also seemed to work as a preventative measure as well. If you have a problem with fleas in your house or on pets, you might want to check this out. Diatomaceous earth is still a relatively new product in the more natural flea control options. I know of people who have used it successfully and saw positive results. This article will take you through some ways to use diatomaceous earth for fleas. Diatoms are among the oldest known fossils in the world and are still being used today. These unicellular organisms are extremely important in the study of geology and paleontology. They’re also great for ridding your house of pests as different types of diatoms can be used to kill beetles, fleas, ticks, ants, wood lice and many more pests that annoy us on a daily basis. Everybody wants to keep their home free from the annoying pests but not everyone knows the best way to do it.
Diatomaceous Earth To Kill Fleas
Introduction
If you have fleas, you’re probably looking for a way to kill them. Maybe you don’t want to go the chemical route. Maybe you heard about DE from a friend who used it on their cat or dog to get rid of fleas. Maybe you read about it online and found some really positive reviews. Whatever your reason for using diatomaceous earth for fleas, this guide will give you all the information you need in order to do so safely and effectively!
An Easy Flea Killer
You may be thinking that diatomaceous earth is just a fancy name for sand, but it’s actually an insecticide. DE is a natural pesticide and can be used to kill fleas.
Here’s how it works: The fine powder of the DE gets on the fleas when you sprinkle it around your home. They crawl through the dust and get covered with it, which dries them out and eventually kills them.
This method works well because DE kills fleas by desiccating them—drying them out—so they don’t have time to lay eggs or reproduce before they die off completely. This means there will be no more larvae for you to worry about later on down the line! It also means you won’t have to worry about chemical pesticides harming your family members or pets either because there are no chemicals involved in using this method at all!
If you want an easy way of controlling those pesky parasites without having to deal with harsh chemicals then this is definitely worth trying out today!
How to Use Diatomaceous Earth to Kill Fleas
- If your pets are going to be inside while you apply DE, they will need to wear their flea collars and be bathed in flea-killing shampoo.
- To kill fleas on carpet, furniture and floors: Cover the area with a tarp or sheeting to protect it from getting dusty. Sprinkle DE generously over the entire surface of the infested area (but not upholstery). Leave it undisturbed for at least 24 hours. Vacuum thoroughly before removing tarp/sheeting; then dispose of vacuum contents outdoors so as not to expose other animals or people to DE dust.
- To kill fleas on pets: Mix 3 parts water with 1 part DE. Apply liberally by hand or sprayer according to package directions onto pet’s fur from head down its body including paws, tail and underbelly; let dry naturally; repeat every week until no more signs of fleas are present—usually 2-3 applications is sufficient but may take longer if there are large numbers of larvae present too!
DE Is Not a Chemical?
Diatomaceous earth is not a chemical, it’s a naturally occurring substance made up of the fossilized remains of diatoms. Diatoms are tiny aquatic organisms that live in water and have hard shells made from silica. Silica is the same compound used to make glass and concrete. These diatoms can be found all over the world in places like soil, lakes and oceans. The most common form of DE you’ll come across on the market today will probably be mined from deposits located along streams or rivers where there has been some sort of natural catastrophe that exposed these deposits to air for long periods at time (think volcanic activity or erosion caused by water).
Another important thing to note about DE is that it has been around for generations! The Egyptians used DE as an insecticide back around 2500 BC when they first discovered its amazing pest control powers by sifting through sediment layers at Lake Menzalah on the Nile River basin
Where Can I Buy It?
You can buy DE in the following places:
- Online. You can find a number of retailers online that sell it, including Amazon and eBay. In fact, you may even have seen DE for sale at your local gardening store! The downside is that buying from a retailer means paying more than if you purchase directly from the source (the mine). But if you don’t want to wait for shipping or don’t want to pay for shipping costs, this option might be ideal for you.
- At the Store. If time isn’t an issue, then consider going directly to where DE is mined and purchasing some there—you’ll save money by avoiding shipping fees and get fresher product! Many mining companies have retail stores near their mines where they sell bags of DE as well as other products like fertilizer that they make themselves using diatomite. These stores tend not to be very big because they don’t need much real estate space since all their goods are shipped out via truck rather than being stored on site until someone buys them off-site (like most grocery stores do). If this sounds like something worth checking out while traveling through California’s Central Valley region during its summer months when temperatures soar over 100°F (38°C), then consider stopping by one such spot while touring Death Valley National Park during your next road trip adventure!
Why Do People Use the Food Grade Kind?
There are two main types of DE: food grade and non-food grade. Food grade is the kind you should be using if you’re concerned about safety for your pet or children, as it’s completely safe for use around both. That’s because it’s made from a specific type of diatom that has a very low concentration of silica particles, whereas non-food grade contains much higher amounts of those same particles and therefore cannot be safely used around humans.
What makes this difference even more important is that food-grade DE doesn’t just stay in your house—its tiny particles can travel through the air and linger outside too! So if one person uses it in their home while they aren’t there, they could end up being exposed to these harmful chemicals when they come back later on (or if someone else comes over). If that person happens to have asthma or other respiratory issues? That could spell trouble right away without any time needed for symptoms such as coughing or wheezing
In addition to ensuring better health outcomes overall by using only safe alternatives, choosing an appropriate product can also help reduce costs down the road since most homeowners experience some sort of pest infestation at least once every year (according to HomeAdvisor). In fact according , mice alone cause $19 billion worth each year! This includes direct costs incurred due to damage caused by infestation ($12 billion), treatment expenses ($4 billion), cleanup fees ($1 billion), plus indirect losses like loss productivity due to absenteeism/sick days taken by employees who’ve gotten sick from exposure from an office setting; families missing out on vacations because their homes were invaded by pests; businesses losing money due . . . You get
Does It Work on Any Other Pests?
Diatomaceous earth is most effective against pests that have a hard exoskeleton. This includes insects like fleas, ticks, and mites. DE is not as effective against pests with soft exoskeletons or hard shells, such as ants and termites.
Also keep in mind that it takes time for insects to die from exposure to diatomaceous earth—they do not begin to show signs of being affected until several hours after they come into contact with the powder.
Precautions for Using Diatomaceous Earth to Kill Fleas
There are several precautions you should keep in mind when using DE to kill fleas. First, wear a mask and use rubber gloves while applying diatomaceous earth. The particles of the substance can irritate your lungs and eyes if inhaled, so it’s smart to protect yourself from breathing any dust that may be kicked up during application. Additionally, DE is not edible and should only be used on pets as an insecticide or against other insects like roaches; ingestion of this substance could cause serious health issues for humans.
Furthermore, diatomaceous earth should not be used around pets or children: the insecticides contained within DE are toxic to these animals too! You also shouldn’t apply DE around pregnant women or people with asthma or allergies: some individuals may experience allergic reactions after coming into contact with this material (and certain types of food).
If you want an easy way to end flea problems, diatomaceous earth is the way to go.
Diatomaceous earth is not a chemical, but it kills fleas just as well as many pesticides. It’s safe to use around your pets and cheap, too!
- Diatomaceous earth is organic. This means you can use this flea killer in the house without worrying about it leaving harmful chemicals behind that could harm your family or pets.
- DE is effective against all stages of the flea life cycle—from eggs to adult insects. By eliminating fleas at all stages of development, you’ll get rid of them more quickly than if you were just dealing with adults alone.
- Use diatomaceous earth indoors and outdoors on lawns, gardens and around trees to prevent infestation by other pests such as ants and spiders that feed off members of the same species (and sometimes even kill each other).
Conclusion
Diatomaceous earth is a simple and effective way to kill fleas, ticks, and other pests. You can purchase it in garden stores or online. It is an organic substance that is safe for you, your plants, and the environment. It comes in two grades: food and industrial. When using it to kill insects, use the industrial grade only as the food grade is not as effective.
- Kills a Variety of Insects – Kills roaches, fleas, ants, bed bugs, and more
- Powder Duster Included – Includes powder duster for easy surface application or deep into cracks and crevices
- No Fillers or Additives – Composed of 100% freshwater diatomaceous earth mined in Nevada and packaged in Georgia
- Long Lasting – Diatomaceous Earth remains effective indefinitely as long as it’s kept dry
- Satisfaction Guarantee – If you are unhappy with your purchase for any reason, simply contact us and we will issue a refund
Additional Info :
- Natural Product – Composed of 4lbs of 100% ground freshwater diatomaceous earth with absolutely no additives or fillers.
- OMRI Listed – Listed with the Organic Minerals Research Institute, a non-profit organization that reviews products against organic standards.
- Powder Duster Included – Powder duster in the bag for easy and efficient application of diatomaceous earth on animal feed
- Supports a Great Cause – Harris donates 10% of profits to support the local Etowah Valley Humane Society.
- Made in the USA – Mined in Nevada and packaged in Georgia
Additional Info :
Color | Orinal Vesion |
Item Dimensions | |
Height | 13.8 Inches |
Width | 5.5 Inches |
Length | 7 Inches |
Weight | 4.2 Pounds |
- Natural Product – Composed of 5lbs of 100% ground freshwater diatomaceous earth with absolutely no additives or fillers.
- OMRI Listed – Listed with the Organic Minerals Research Institute, a non-profit organization that reviews products against organic standards.
- Powder Duster Included – Powder duster in the bag for easy and efficient application of diatomaceous earth on animal feed
- Supports a Great Cause – Harris donates 10% of profits to support the local Etowah Valley Humane Society.
- Made in the USA – Mined in Nevada and packaged in Georgia. Does not contain an expiration date.
Additional Info :
Item Dimensions | |
Weight | 5 Pounds |
- Say Goodbye to Bugs – Kills a variety crawling insects including roaches, ants, fleas, silverfish, earwigs, bedbugs, and more
- Attracts and Kills – Made from diatomaceous earth and selected baits, this powder causes insects to dehydrate and die within 48 hours after contact
- Mechanical Killer – Unlike many traditional chemical insecticides, insects cannot build an immunity to diatomaceous earth
- Use Where Insects Hide – DE can be used indoors or outdoors. Apply in cracks and crevices, along baseboards, or create a barrier around entry points
- Peace of Mind – This powder is OMRI Listed and compliant for use in organic gardening so you can use it without worry
Additional Info :
Item Dimensions | |
Height | 4.2 Inches |
Width | 10.8 Inches |
Length | 15.6 Inches |
Weight | 4.2 Pounds |
- Kills a Variety of Insects – Kills roaches, fleas, ants, bed bugs, and more
- Comes In Puffer Bottle – For easy surface application or deep into cracks and crevices
- No Fillers or Additives – Composed of 100% freshwater diatomaceous earth mined in Nevada and packaged in Georgia
- Long Lasting – Diatomaceous Earth remains effective indefinitely as long as it’s kept dry
- EPA Registered – Registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (No. 3-18)
Additional Info :