Diatomaceous Earth for Natural Flea and Insect Control

Diatomaceous Earth For Natural Flea Control

Diatomaceous earth is sometimes called fossil shell flour or diatomite. It is soft siliceous solid composed of skeletons of small single-celled prehistoric aquatic plants known as diatoms. It has many uses, including natural pest control for pets, pest control for home, garden and farming. In its natural form it is organic, non-toxic and safe to use.

Diatomaceous earth can help kill fleas, ticks, lice and other pests on dogs, cats and other animals. It is known as a mechanical insecticide. All natural, it kills by physical action, not chemical, by puncturing the insect's exoskeleton and absorbing the moisture in their bodies. It causes the bugs to dehydrate and die and can be very effective. Safe forms of diatomaceous earth, such as the food grade diatomaceous earth that we sell, can be used on pet's coat, in their bedding, in rugs and other surfaces where fleas and ticks may come in contact. Once they do, the powder will begin to kill the insects.

Diatomaceous earth is also used in gardens to help control aphids, white fly, beetles, loopers, mites, leaf hoppers, and other pests. In these types of uses the powder is best applied with a duster or flour sifter when the leaves are moist. After a rain the powder may need to re-applied.

In addition to killing fleas and ticks on your pets and in your home, diatomaceous earth can also help kill other pests and is a natural form of chemical-free pest control to kill roaches, silverfish, ants, bedbugs, flies, fleas, box elder bugs, scorpions, crickets, and many other insects.

If you have diatomaceous earth for use with your swimming pool, avoid breathing it and do not use it on your pets and in your home. That form of DE or diatomite is chemically treated with flux and heated and contains large amounts of crystalline silica which is hazardous to breathe. Diatomaceous earth that you use in your home should contain less than 1% crystalline silica.

The quality of diatomaceous earth that we sell is food grade but not all forms of diatomaceous earth are safe to use. The flux-calcined form of diatomite contains a highly crystalline form of silica which results in sharp edges. The sharpness of this version of the material makes it dangerous to breathe. You will not want your pets to breathe this form of diatomite, A dust mask is recommended when working with it in other uses.

The type of hazard posed by inhalation depends on the form of the silica. Crystalline silica poses a serious inhalation hazard because it can cause silicosis. Amorphous silica can cause dusty lungs, but does not carry the same degree of risk as crystalline silica. Natural or dried diatomite, such as the type we sell, generally contains very low percentages of crystalline silica. You should never use diatomaceous earth or diatomite that you may have around your home for use in your pool filter for any other purpose, including flea control. Diatomaceous earth or diatomite that is produced for pool filters is treated with high heat (calcining) and a fluxing agent, causing the formerly amorphous silicon dioxide to assume its crystalline form, which should not be breathed.

Diatomaceous earth can be an affordable, safe and effective tool for combating fleas and ticks on your pet and in your home. Other safe and natural tools for a holistic and chemical-free battle against these pests can include: organic Neem spray, safe neem soaps, herbal sprays, garlic tablets to repel insects, fish oil to help promote good health and homeopathic remedies.