Diatomaceous Earth: A Flea Control Experiment
We have 3 dogs and 2 cats in our house. We've lived here for about 2 years now and the past 2-3 months are the first time we've ever noticed fleas. I think it's because of the new lawn chemical company we use. They hadn't been insect spraying during the winter, and since January was warm, I think the fleas came out a little early.
Anyways, our animals have some fleas now - well short of an infestation, but one flea is too many in my book. We use Frontline (or whatever it's called), but it has been awful at controlling them, the fleas kept coming back. So I purchased some Diatomaceous Earth to try and kill them.
From what I read online, it works by dehydrating insects with a soft, waxy bodies. I guess it's made of dead sea animals of some kind, and they absorb the water in the insect, killing them. Since it's not a chemical, they cannot become immune to it - which makes me happy. And it's environmentally friendly. You can use it on ant mounds as well - God knows nothing else gets rid of them, so I'll be trying that during the summer.
So I buy this bag. Maybe 3-4 pounds or so (a $20 investment, maybe a little less).
First; what they don't tell you. Diatomaceous Earth is a very fine powder. Think flour. You blow on it and it goes everywhere like a fine dust. So spreading it is very difficult. If you buy the stuff, buy a powder applicator so you can spray Diatomaceous Earth onto the target. Otherwise, you'll just end up with a clumpy distribution. Also buy a mask for your face. The powder isn't harmful, but it does irritate the eyes a little and I don't think you wanna be breathing large quantities of it - better safe than sorry, right?
I had put some on the carpets last week, but tonight we tried it on the dogs. The dogs shook almost immediately afterwards and dust went everywhere! The cats went mental - but they do that no matter what. There is a nice haze in the house now. But, if we let the dogs out and they get wet, it defeats the whole purpose of dehydrating the insects.
But; not sure if it'd work or not, we decided to become mad scientists. I found a random flea on a dog and put it in a jar with the dust and shook it around for a bit. The flea immediately became coated with the Diatomaceous Earth and was jumping around like mad. The results? 15 minutes later, still jumping and walking around the jar. 30 minutes later, it was dead. No movement was noticed at all.
Pretty impressive; but we will see if it works on a wide scale experiment on the animals. I have hopes for total flea extermination within the next few days.
October 3rd, 2010 - 17:29
My closest Home Depot did not carry the Safer Brand DE in store. I found a smaller box of “Concern” at a garden center, used that, and have now ordered for store delivery from Ace Hardware. Yes, Lisa what you bought at Ace is FOOD GRADE, if you bought Safer Brand DE. The company just does not market it as a “consumable”. I called customer service and asked!
October 11th, 2010 - 23:34
I have been fighting these nasty creatures for months now. Adams plus with IGR and Adams shampoo, boric acid, vacuuming, natural sprays for the cats when I can hold down the beasts to do it, and of course one of my cats poor thing has sores from these blasted creatures. Then they have been on frontline plus for 3 months now but that stuff is a waste of money! I have nowhere to take the cats for a day or 2 so I cam bomb this place so, short of lighting a matching and burning the fleas and all I own to the ground, I have ordered today the DE Food Grade. Im going to update my progress after I get this. Im so sick of these crazy bugs. My cats are 5 and 7 years old and have never had fleas before we moved into this stupid apartment. I guess the lady before me took in strays all the time. So, we had little waiting flea eggs and pulpae for my furry kids and me. Im sick of feeling like bugs are crawling on me when they aren’t. Hard to sleep at night too. So, lets see if the magic of DE can do it’s thing. I pray it does because I cannot stand it anymore. I heard that you vacuum really good then while being masked, cover all carpeting, under sofa cushions, on the box springs, on top of the mattress, then flip and a slight dusting before the mattress pad and move all the furniture and sprinkle under them too. rub it into the carpet with gloves or use a broom to work it down in the fibers. Wait for a few days, 7 days I am told due to the cycle and start to vacuum. I bought 6 pounds of it online so I hope that is enough. I don’t care if I have a white dusted home for a week until the beasts are gone. Im also going to sprinkle it outside around my windows since I live in a lower floor and the windows are land level with grass almost up to them from the outside. I also read that you have to wash every thing, bedding, pillows, all your clothes and the ones you cannot wash, sprinkle with DE and put in a sealed garbage bag until you can get to them to wash. Does this sound too extreme?
November 4th, 2010 - 18:45
My little pug brought some fleas home and spread them to the two indoor cats. Neither Frontline nor Advantage seemed to do much.
I bought the diatomaceous powder at the pet store at the recommendation of the store clerk. I spread it on the carpets, under the beds and in the closets where the cats often hide out, and on the dog’s bed. I also worked it into the dog’s coat. The dust went everywhere — I mean everywhere — when I spread it. I had a haze in the house for about an hour afterwards and had to dust all the furniture several times over the week.
I also re-applied the Advantage on the animals in two week increments – which is okay per the instructions.
After about a week, it seemed the fleas were not as big a deal. Those I found on the dog’s bed were dead.
Now, a month later, I haven’t seen a flea anywhere. I attribute it to the powder, but perhaps it was a combination of both. I have not had to give any of the animals flea drops this month.
November 4th, 2010 - 22:00
So James,
Did you dust your cats and what was the time increment after you had it all applied to the carpet before you vacuumed? I am finally ready to do mine this weekend. I have 6 lbs of that stuff just waiting and my poor cats seem miserable or, maybe I do because they have them at all
My one is allergic to them and has sores on his poor body. I am just getting over bronchitis and so I have had to wait to use this stuff.
November 6th, 2010 - 21:16
So, Day 1. I did my kitchen and living room today and my cats when I could pin them down. no signs of fleas at all but now it is almost 6 hrs later, still a lingering powder in the air. Not good for my lungs as still on the tailend of bronchitis, cough cough cough and I wore a mask. So, its going to be 36 degrees tonight but my windows will be open in here. So far so good
November 6th, 2010 - 21:19
Oh one more thing. Had gloves on, picked up the DE and rubbed it in their skin to make them think they were being overly petted. Then when I had them all relaxed, turned them over and did the same thing to their underside, neck and legs, tail. Poor black kitties are all gray! LOL
November 7th, 2010 - 10:30
Day 2- Got up this morning and my kitchen and living room still have the powder in the air even after opening windows. I believe I put too much DE all over. So, I have to deal with these 2 rooms today as the air is messing with my lungs still and it is very irritating and I can’t quit coughing. (I also have asthma) So, I have to clean up the 2 rooms and get rid of the dust, there is a light coating on everything. (gonna do a light vacuum) No fleas though. I have seen only one of my cats scratch once but it was my cat that has sores so they might be bothering him. more update this afternoon as I have to get the rest finished.
November 7th, 2010 - 22:38
Didn’t get more done today other than vacuum. Still coughing a lot. Might have to forget the rest of this.
November 11th, 2010 - 23:14
Crazy with fleas in IOWA I just read all your comments… if you have Asthma and had bronchitis you are really putting yourself at risk with The DE… it can damage your lungs if you inhale it too much… the nature of it is that it is highly abrasive… in fact that is how it kills the fleas… it scratches their hard shell and they dehydrate and die from the inability to hold any water in their bodies. Go see a doctor! Good luck…
November 15th, 2010 - 22:54
CrazyWithFleasInIowa
How did it go? I’m considering buying DE. I’ve been trying to get rid of these fleas since I moved into a new apt. I never had a problem, I always had my dogs on advantage or frontline. But as soon as me and my pups moved to a new apt I’ve been under attack by fleas! It’s so frustrating I’ve tried millions of things and have spent so much money!
December 5th, 2010 - 12:27
CrazyWithFleasInIowa, does the dust bother your pets? Just wondering if they should be removed from the areas being treated to keep them from breathing it into their lungs…thanks!
December 28th, 2010 - 19:55
the dust did not bother either cat but when I have the vacuum out and am doing things they seem to disappear because I think they think I will put them to work. I even dusted one of them but they did come back because I didn’t get the whole apartment done. It just bothered me because I was getting over severe bronchitis and tried using it too soon. So now I have waited long enough and man the rotten fleas are back. however, I do notice that in the area I started using the DE I don’t see any at all so that is a plus. Please everyone, USE FACE MASK and GLOVES!! This is SO very Important! I tasted this stuff for weeks and coughing and oh my how miserable I was. Anyway, I am going to start on this again this weekend and blast them miserable things out of my cats and my home. I will be updating this with my progress as I go. One other thing to keep in mind is washing all your clothes. Yes, I feel this is something that needs to be done. Once in awhile, I will be working and one of the miserable beasts will be seen walking across my desk. Obviously from my clothes and they were hanging in my closet! So, what you cannot get done, put them in a garbage bag with some DE and seal it shut until you can get to it. Be back soon
January 10th, 2011 - 02:47
We bought Safer Brand DE at Home Depot today, I’m not sure if I bought the correct one seeing as it does not say “Food Grade” anywhere on it. I’m almost positive it won’t hurt the animals, but I want to dust them with it. I have a 6 pound chihuahua, he’s the one I’m worried about the most. I’m attached to him as if he were my own child. Do you think it’s safe enough for me to put it in his fur? I’m going to dust my whole apartment, open the windows, doors, and put the dogs in the patio while I dust until it settles, then I’ll attack them with it while they’re outside, that way when they shake I don’t have an evil cloud of abrasive sand chasing me. I feel bad for you, Leah. I have asthma too and I’m worried about what’s going to happen during the next week, we bought masks and gloves so we can “Pet the dogs” a lot tomorrow. XD I’ll comment again and tell you how it goes.
January 25th, 2011 - 10:48
I have been using Food Grade DE for my rescued domestic pet skunk. He had the begining signs of metabolic bone disease. He has been eating DE for over a year. The vet told me to put him on calcium supplements but I feared the high dose would cause calcium deposits/bone fuseing. I spoke with a wonderful skunk lady and she directed me to DE and to supplement with vitamin D. It has worked wonderfully. And, since skunks are “known” to have internal parasites de’worming with strongid is a must, but since starting him on DE I have been able to avoid the chemical de’wormers all together. I have not had a problem with fleas in my home, but if it happens then I will use DE. I have had a problem with ants, and I spread DE on the counters where I seen the ants and the ants have disappeared.
February 13th, 2011 - 13:14
“First; what they don’t tell you. Diatomaceous Earth is a very fine powder.” Pretty much EVERY resource I found tells you that. Did you even research this before buying?
I liked your flea in a jar experiment. Very sadistic. I am the type to put all bugs in a jar and take them immediately outside when I find them in my house, but fleas… I hate them with a passion and want to see them all perish.
June 18th, 2011 - 06:40
I put the Diatomaceous Earth in a sock (at the recommendation of someone else that applied it that way). I still wore a mask, but it really cuts down on the dust in the air. Just roll the sock over the carpet.
July 8th, 2011 - 06:35
Landlords are crazy about this crap. Rub it on their dogs(Who are still covered in fleas and ticks, but they insist MONTHS LATER that they’ll just rub more DE on them and that will magically make them dissapear).
Just so ya’ll know, the FDA has not approved DE for use and no studies have proven it does ANYTHING.
It’s just dirt.
Dirt that can give you silicosis(Google that up and then, go back to your flea powder).
July 10th, 2011 - 19:04
@Youreallidiots if you had done some research of your own you’d see that the food grade DE is perfectly safe and will not give you silicosis. Why would the FDA bother with something like this when it won’t make any companies money? In fact major corporations are probably totally against DE and will do anything to make sure people DON’T find out about its benefits just because it’s such a cheap and easy way to get rid of all your bug problems and then some.
July 12th, 2011 - 18:19
Well, I used it once several years back and it was great… I finally had someone remind me of DE so bought some tonight. Will do whole house Friday as I work 11 hr days but off then… Has anyone (human) taken it??? On a site there were human doses and reasons for taking it…Will update later. Di
July 21st, 2011 - 15:07
This stuuff worked WONDERS for me! I spread it all over my basement and rubbed it into my two cats, 3 days later, no fleas at all. Very dusty but worth the trouble. Just make sure its the food grade, not pool grade. I spent 22 dollars for 40 lbs of magic dust
July 23rd, 2011 - 19:34
I have put it in water and drank it. Kinda taste icky but didnt hurt me!
August 7th, 2011 - 21:02
I had a few fleas on my dog and 2 cats. Then I went on vacation for 3 1/2 weeks. I came home exhausted. All seemed fine in my house for about 1 hour, until I went into the bathroom. Suddenly my legs were covered. I used an old trick I invented years ago. I stayed calm and exposed my bare legs and slowly walked around my house. I catherd up small rugs and put them in the washing machine. I got a large pan and filled it with water and dish soap. I went back to the bathroom, sat down and scraped the fleas into the soap water. I did that for 2 hours and had so many fleas in that pan that the bottom was black. Finally I scraped only one flea and I went to bed and slepped. I only had one bite that was a bother. I still have fleas, but I keep them down with bowls of soap water and grap them off my legs and release in water and using a flea comb on my cats and butting the fleas in soap water.. I am going to try DE. I have some DE and had good luck with sprinkling the hen house and yard to get rid of mites. Today I rubbed my dog with DE on my hands. She actually calmed down and relaxed. I am trying to figure out how to hang a sock filled with DE so my cats have to rub by it to get into the house through the cat doors. I used that for my chicken, it was easy to hang a sock in the door of the hen house. Cat doors are harder but I will figure it out. I am on the attack!
August 9th, 2011 - 15:36
Diatomaceous Earth has to be one of the best all natural remedies for parasites. My boyfriend and I purchased a mattress set, a few weeks later we started getting bit. We couldn’t figure out if it was from fleas (our cats had a major flea problem) or from bed bugs. We tried a chemical spray that failed to do anything. Finally we purchased a 15 lb bag of Diatomaceous Earth for less than $15. We sprinkled it EVERYWHERE (even on the cats), as long as you do it gently it isn’t a problem. Yes the clean up will suck, but it’s so cheap and does the job ten times better than chemicals. The bites continued for 3 days, but on the 4th they completely stopped. While I was wiping up the floors I noticed dead fleas. I would suggest that while you are spreading this around you were a mask as it will be uncomfortable otherwise. I would also suggest using this in combination with a flea treatment in order to effectively kill ALL fleas and larvae.
August 11th, 2011 - 01:35
Is DE safe to use on or around a 9 week old puppy?
August 23rd, 2011 - 12:40
Because of the dust flying all over the place I bought a large eye dropper, actually one made to give liquid medicines to kids, so it has a larger hole than a small eye dropper. The dust is so fine that it sucks up very easily into the tube. Then I can target areas of my dog and get to the skin and “puff” it on without it going every where. I target behind the ears and around the throat. Across the base of the tail and around the anus. under the front armpits. Those seem to be the spots that they hide on my Dachshound.
Then I can apply it more often between baths if necessary. It’s also hard to get rid of fleas because my dogs love the outdoors! We have to spray the lawn as well.
August 23rd, 2011 - 19:41
how often did you coat your cats? I coated both of mine two days ago, and they still have fleas. I reapplied the DE tonight and we shall see. But these fleas have to go!
August 23rd, 2011 - 20:02
I have been thinking about dusting our cats, but wonder about the drying effect on their skin. No one here has commented on it, so maybe it’s very minimal. I have been eating a 1/2 tsp. twice daily since Sunday. Supposed to be good for many reasons. Also good for pets and parasite control. Proper dosage can be found at numerous websites.
Death to the fleas ! I’ve been dusting the carpets off and on since last Fall. Does help.
Marty
September 5th, 2011 - 02:49
DE is great stuff. I feed it and dust all my farm animals with it. (chickens, ducks, guinea, goats dogs, cats etc)
I feed it to myself and my kids, makes me feel safe about not catching any parasites from the animals…
For my dogs (large dogs) I feed one half teaspoon once a week in there food. I also add a teaspoon of dried powered garlic, also known to help with worm prevention.
(DE helps prevent any kind of parasitic worms, fleas, ticks, MITES – had a fowl mite infestation in my bedroom they seemed to like my blood though I’m quite sure I’m not a bird of any kind
I have not had any side effects or negative effects to date.
Recommend this as a GREAT flea solution
You can buy diacious earth in bulk bins at some Feed Stores
September 9th, 2011 - 13:48
I had rinsed and dried one of those plastic hair dye applicators that come in hair dye boxes. They have a fine pointy nozzle so you can work it into the fur and squeeze DE near the skin where the fleas are hiding. Just tried this today for the first time. I hope it works. But I wanted to share the applicator idea because it really coated the cats nicely. Also I did it outside. And used a fine tooth nit-comb to help distribute it. I was surprised at how well the cats tolerated it and co-operated. They both just sat on my lap and let me coat them with powder.
September 9th, 2011 - 20:42
I just bought some of this. I discovered fleas about a week ago, and put Advantage 2 on my 2 cats. I used the Zodiac pump spray on my whole apt, scrubbing every nook and cranny, and vacuuming like I’ve got OCD. The fleas went away for a day, but then I got baby fleas. My cats are rescue, and one can’t be groomed without sedation. The vet said I should try CapStar,but I need to wait a bit since I just gave them the Advantage. I got the DE from the hardware store, and the owner recommend that I use a mix of DE and Boric Acid. The BA will weaken the exoskeleton, and the DE will dry them up. I’ve put the cats out on the (clean) patio while I do this. I brushed it into the carpets and on the linoleum, and left it on while I went to work. The DE I got was for pool filters, not feed grade, so I’ll have to do a thorough vacuum and dust before the cats can come back in. I washed every bit of fabric in the house once already, but I’ll have to do it again since the Advantage/Zodiac combo was about as useful as a parasol in a hurricane.
September 10th, 2011 - 16:45
As an update, I vacuumed up the boric acid/ diatomaceous earth mix last night, scrubbed everything, then vacuumed again. The fleas I cleaned out of the vacuum amidst the DE were definitely alive and hopping. It had been on the carpet for about 9 hours.
September 23rd, 2011 - 13:33
Hey Kimberly, the pool grade DE is put through some chemical process so its not the same as the food grade DE. I think thats the reason for the fleas being alive after 9 hours.
October 20th, 2011 - 14:23
I did the same flea experiment in a high plastic container with 10 fleas picked off our two loved dogs, within 15-30 minutes the fleas seemed dead….wrong! The next day I woke and checked and all 10 fleas were jumping around mad deep in food grade diatamaceous powder. I highly doubt this substance works as hailed in the misinformation highway.
December 21st, 2011 - 23:05
where did you buy the bed bug powder?
December 21st, 2011 - 23:09
@Jenibenni
where did you buy the bed bug powder?
January 13th, 2012 - 01:49
Me and my girlfriend picked some of this stuff up from a local garden store for $7. It’s a nice sized bag that seems like it will last a lifetime. We’ve been fighting fleas for the last month and spent hundreds on products and at the laundromat. Today after reading and learning about this magic dust we finally got some DE and put it everywhere in our apartment. First I washed my 8 month old cat with Dawn dish detergent(Oloe kind) since they said it’s good for killing fleas and is good for my cats skin. Dried him with a hair dryer and yes the wash was the worst part of my day but he was a good lil soldier. Cleaned and vaccumed the house washed everything and I mean everything. Then I rubbed some all over him near a window that was open and lead him to water after. We called the company before hand and they told us to leave it down for 3 days then vacuum it up after, they also said to put a teaspoon in his food for the next few days because it will kill any tape worms caused by accidentally eating fleas. My cat seems fine he was playin and having fun and went to sleep in his regular spot peacefully. I do recommend you wear face masks because the stuff is everywhere and although we were, my GF decided she would be fine and ended having a nosebleed so take precautions.
I believe we got fleas when we brought him to the vet so now in the future I will give him a capstar pill before I bring him to the vet and wash him after.
January 20th, 2012 - 19:04
I was told to use DE for my kitten who has a protozoa in her intestine. The vets recommended strong drugs that had bad side effects. I am using this despite the warning from my vet. Vet said that if inhaled, would cause major lung complications. Let’s see how it works when used carefully.