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.
August 25th, 2007 - 17:15
Is it possible that maybe the flea in the jar suffocated? I just bought some of this “DE” in hopes that it will kill all of the ticks on my Dog……………
August 28th, 2007 - 13:16
Unlikely. A flea doesn’t consume enough air to be killed that quickly in a jar that size.
The stuff didn’t work very well on our dogs, in the end. It created more of a dust storm in the house than anything else.
It may work for some people, but we decided not to continue using it.
One of the flea treatments like advantage works a ton better and is quicker/easier.
November 20th, 2007 - 19:39
Diatomaceous Earth worked perfectly for us and we have 2 large dogs. Advantage did nothing and the chemicals in it are outrageous – unsafe for children. I used a baby powder container to sprinkle the DE and let it sat overnight on the carpets. Finally found something to get rid of the fleas.
December 11th, 2007 - 10:24
umm this website doesnt tell me how to like kill the fleas or how they infect the like enviorment.
and i like love my mommyy katyy!!.
and my sister miranda and all my husbands and wifes!! :]].
March 13th, 2008 - 10:02
The DE needs to be where the fleas are. People with chickens hold the chicken upside down and dust the chicken to get it on the skin. The DE needs to be on the skin because that is where the fleas go. It also needs to be spread around where the dog sleeps. We put it under on our mattress pad just in case there is ever a creepy crawler.
We feed DE to our dog everyday. It takes 90 days to kill the toughest worms and I see my dog eat bunny berries every day so I know he is constantly reintroducing the worms to his system. I also eat DE just in case. People get worms to you know.
April 18th, 2008 - 14:51
DE can be mixed with water and sprayed on the dog, when the water dries the DE is still just as effective as it is when it’s dry, and making a “spray” eliminates the possibility of inhaling the dust, and gets the DE closer to the skin. You can also use the spray to treat your bedding carpet and furniture, which does all have to be treated to effectively treat fleas for good. Treatments like Advantage, Frontline and so on contain chemicals that can be absorbed by the skin and over time can cause liver damage, so what’s worth it, you pet’s health or convenience to you?
You should however be careful to buy Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth. Non food grade contains an additive called pyrethium? (i think that’s the name) as an extra dehydrating element, and is not good for you dog’s skin. And some Diatomaceous earth is for you swimming pool and that can actually be poison for your pets due to a heat and pressure treatment that changes the chemical make up. This stuff works when you use it correctly, and is better for your pet, the environment and you.
July 15th, 2008 - 10:41
You can also feed DE to the animals. If it is food grade it is will not hurt any mammal if eaten. The DE will get in the dogs blood stream and when fleas or ticks bite them they will ingest it as well. It also works to get rid of worms.
August 12th, 2008 - 09:19
I have used DE for about 20+ years. I put the DE in a white sock and lob it onto the dogs gently. In Texas, I was the only house on the block not plagued by webworms (the webs in trees full of catepillars). I would take the sock full of DE and beat it around the base of the tree, maybe a foot wide area. The catepillars that climb up the tree to make the webs would be pierced and die. I have not used it internally for my dogs, but since I do purchase organic DE, I will definately give this a try.
August 12th, 2008 - 09:19
I have used DE for about 20+ years. I put the DE in a white sock and lob it onto the dogs gently. In Texas, I was the only house on the block not plagued by webworms (the webs in trees full of catepillars). I would take the sock full of DE and beat it around the base of the tree, maybe a foot wide area. The catepillars that climb up the tree to make the webs would be pierced and die. I have not used it internally for my dogs, but since I do purchase organic DE, I will definately give this a try.
Anyone know the ratio of food/DE to use?
August 13th, 2008 - 14:45
Just a comment, but DE does not get in the blood stream of anything, it goes through the digestive tract of animals and the sharp edges of the diatoms cut the parasites. On the skin it does that and also dessicates the exoskeleton.
March 26th, 2009 - 22:08
I have read numerous articles and the comments here re: diatomaceous earth as flea control for pets. NOWHERE has it been specified HOW MUCH DE to use topically or added to pet’s food! Can anyone offer a clue as to amount and frequency of topical and dietary use??? Thank you.
July 5th, 2009 - 18:48
From another site, How much DE should I feed my animals?
Some of the feeding rations suggested by suppliers and users include: 1-2% by weight of DE in ground, dry feed. 5% by weight in stored grain. 5 ounces ( one cup) daily ration for horses. one tablespoon per day for large dogs (over 55 lb.). One teaspoon per day for small dogs, cats and puppies
July 10th, 2009 - 14:08
I’m trying to find some locally.I found some that said it kills crawling insects but it did not state on the pkg “Food Grade” .Does it have to state that it’s Food Grade on the package?
Paul
July 26th, 2009 - 12:55
Yes…make sure all u buy is food grade. The kind for pools is toxic and has chemicals added.
August 3rd, 2009 - 10:12
If you go to your local feed store the should have DE there. What they carry in the feed store is food grade not pool chemicals. Shop around a bit to get the best price. DE tastes like dirt and last time I checked no one or thing enjoys the taste of dirt. I mix 2 parts peanut butter and 1 part DE. The animals love it and the added protein helps to flush out any parasites. My horse gets about 1 cup per day and my dogs (labs) get about a half a cup. The smaller the animal the smaller the dose. You can’t give them too much. Its is safe for any mammal to eat. I also dust them and the yard with it when I notice there is a problem with fleas or flies. It is a very fine powder and is best to avoid getting it in your eyes or inhaling it. You wont die or anything but it will irritate them both.
August 29th, 2009 - 15:17
So after reading all of the comments shown above, I have gathered an overall knowledge that what people are doing is feeding it to their pet. I have a small kitten that is 9 weeks (as of Saturday, August 30th 2009) and just a few minutes ago I ordered DE from a website called DirtWorks. I was planning to us a baby powder like container to put it on her–do you recommend feeding it to her instead? Please, I need advice. She has fleas and they’re quickly multiplying. Thanks.
August 30th, 2009 - 21:30
Carol I believe that feeding it to them is for deworming and powdering is for fleas and ticks. My dad uses DE and thats what he does.
September 27th, 2009 - 16:55
Check out Wolf Creek Ranch’s website. They give lots of great information on holistic animal care. My 4 cats are infested w fleas. One is young but the other 3 are elderly and it has really affected them in a bad way. Loss of weight and hair loss. I am starting to rub them with it but will also be giving it to them internally (as well as myself!) It will treat internal parasites which the cats probably have from biting at the flea larvae on their skin. Most of us humans all have them and they create a whole host of health problems.I will be giving 1 Tbls p/day to my cats.
October 1st, 2009 - 10:37
I just got 40 lbs. of FOOD GRADE DE for less about 36.00. I’m going to try this on my cats and in the carpets.
October 28th, 2009 - 14:03
I purchased 5 lbs. of FOOD GRADE DE about a year ago. All is well!
Since the economy tanked we have been struggling with bills and to purchase monthly doses of Advantix or Frontline has been a no go.
My vet knows NOTHING of FGDE! He’s all bent out of shape that I don’t have them on a parasite medication. Sorry, but so far so good. They’ve had their fecal tests, and all have been negative.
FYI- Listen to the advice of using ONLY FOOD GRADE, and by that be very careful of buying any from a garden supply, pool supply, or big box store like Walmart, etc. I have not found one of those places that carries the FOOD GRADE DE. If you buy ANY, ensure it is labeled as food grade AND that it doesn’t advise against feeding to animals/humans.
If it’s not food grade, and is the stuff for pools, the dust particles are too large to be effective in killing any bug or parasite.
Definitely use a paif of gloves if you’re applying to the coat of your pets.
Apply outside since it’s messy.
I will DEFINITELY give the water spray a try. Even the sock application sounds intriguing.
I have 2 miniature pinschers, in Southern California. This last summer has been ridiculous with fleas. My dogs have 24 hour access to the yard, and there are 3 dogs total in the yards on either side of us, whom have suffered flea and tick infestations. FORTUNATELY, my two dogs, without the use of any chemical flea/pest control, and a lazy lawn mowing “mom” (me), have not suffered any infestations of fleas or ticks.
When I first received my FGDE, I had just brought our girl Min Pin into the home, and one night while watching tv with her sleeping in my lap, I looked down just in time to see a flea scurry from the top of her head into the longer fur of the top of her neck. I flipped out! Immediately ran her over to the cupboard and powdered her from head to toe in the kitchen sink, then proceeded to do the same with my boy min pin.
The kitchen looked like dust storm, and my two dogs looked like I just fished them out of the vacuum cleaner, but I never did see another flea since then- and like I said, that was a year ago.
Periodically I will dust them down, but I haven’t had any real reason to do so.
Their feeding schedule has been this:
Each are 12 lbs.
They eat between 2/3 and 3/4 of a cup twice a day.
I have been putting one 1 tsp. of water in the bottom of their dish, followed by a barely full tsp. of FGDE, then adding the food and swirling to ensure that they aren’t inhaling the dust.
November 25th, 2009 - 06:18
For those of you using diatomaceous earth for intestinal worms, I would recommend taking a faecal sample to your local vet and getting it checked for worm eggs. My experience is that it is not effective for intestinal worms. Feeding DE will definitely not achieve anything for fleas.
Diatomaceous earth is a great environmental treatment, but personally I wouldn’t use it on my pet.
There are several proven flea control products that are far less messy and probably more effective.
Also, if you do use DE I would definitely recommend mixing with water and spraying it on or similar, as there is potentially an association with breathing this dust and cancer.
December 16th, 2009 - 23:20
I am scared to death!!! I just applied DE that is NOT food grade to the carpet to help in our battle against the fleas. What should I do to get rid of the DE now that I understand I was supposed to used food grade DE???
December 19th, 2009 - 02:25
Evelyn – don’t worry it’s not that big a problem. Since you are not eating the DE, the other concern is breathing the dust. I have heard that pool filter DE is more of a hazard than food grade DE, but neither is likely to harm you unless there is repeated contact – like working in a DE processing facility without a dust mask. Just vacuum it up wearing a dust mask and don’t worry.
December 21st, 2009 - 16:46
when we got our kitten he was flea free. and now he is 8 mths old, and somehow he managed to get them. i dnt know how, he is an inside cat. bt i we noticed the fleas abt 3 weeks ago and i have done the light with the water thing, the sprinkling of salt to dry eggs out. the frontline did wrk some, bt i want this things gone, like now. so i read an article on DE about a week ago and i bought some at the health food store and I am fixing to try it. I do not know what else to do, i vacuum every day and sometimes 3 times a day. I still gt fleas. I will try the jar thing an i will let ya’ll know
December 29th, 2009 - 08:48
Hi. I’m reading the comments and I would call my farm bureau if you live in farm country. They’re in your phone book.
May 20th, 2010 - 10:07
I just finished reading the above about the food grade DE. I was overjoyed with the information because I have a cat enclosure outside that is completely flea infested. When I walk into the enclosure these things cover my legs in seconds, and are out of control. The poor old cats are covered in them, and are showing signs of flea alergy. I can’t wait until I can get to our local feed store and try to find the food grade DE. I think, from what I’ve just read that this information is a GODSEND!
Thanks so very much for the info.
May 26th, 2010 - 08:53
OK.. after reading the comments above I think I messed up… I didn’t realize when I bought it yesterday that DE from the pool supply store wasn’t the same thing… I just put it in every crack and crevice and swept it into the floor in my house last night… Have I poisoned us? I have pet snakes, but I kept it away from their cages and did my best to keep the dust cloud down while I was applying it… Anybody know how bad the stuff used in pool filters is? I have asthma and wasn’t having problems when i applied it, but still… Now I’m worried. At least my kitty is outside right now.
May 26th, 2010 - 08:57
Didn’t see your comment to Evelyn earlier… I have laminate floors, so vacuuming may not work, but I’m getting as much of it back out this evening as I can!… Hopefully my steam mop will get it.
May 29th, 2010 - 02:17
DE can cause you and your pets problems if inhaled!
June 3rd, 2010 - 11:42
hi, we’re flea infested from a neighbors house that has 11 cats. They’re inside our house now too. Tried everything to get rid of them, even an exterminator. If i use DE inside on our laminate flooring & carpet, which do I use? Which do I use for the lawn? Btw, they have 11 cats!!! Desperate for anyone’s help.
June 11th, 2010 - 19:03
if u put DE on ur lawn and ur kids play in the grass will this get in their blood stream or will it affect them. will they be able to play in yrd with no shoes on. does anyone have an answer
June 16th, 2010 - 22:58
The H2O Steam Mop achieves a high degree of hygienic and increasing cleansing power by converting water into steam using a microfiber floor cloth enhancing absorbency.
When contact is made with floor surfaces, dirt and grime can be eliminated in a matter of seconds.
Since the H2O Steam Mop uses the active power of steam without the use of detergents or soap, it is environmentally friendly.
June 17th, 2010 - 17:28
I tried it, carpets and cat. These must be super-fleas. I will give it one more try before going to sprays again. Stuff that normally works on fleas, like Adams, isn’t working. They are becoming resilient. This sucks.
June 22nd, 2010 - 16:46
A dry mix of Diatomaceous and pure borax powder mized equally. Sprinkle lightly in carpet with a fine strainer and brush in with a broom. No fleas in about a week and a half. I haven’t seen one flea in the house in over five years, and there are plenty of cats on the property. I do use Frontline on the cat in the house.
June 23rd, 2010 - 21:52
I have put Perma Guard DE that I got a the Feed Mill. Its been 2 days in my sons room. Worried about him breathing it in he has been sleeping with us. But after 2 days I cant see any big ones but are seeing some small ones. How long should I leave it on the carpet? These fleas are evil! All the Frontline the vet insist I use does not work on them. All the pesticides I use out back do nothing except piss them off! I put DE in the yard and later the same day the dogs were back there and usually they scratch the whole time out there but not after that. Going to re-apply Saturday to make sure it stays that way!
June 29th, 2010 - 13:44
FOR ANYONE THAT WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT HOW MUCH DE TO GIVE
DOGS/CATS———–GO TO WOLFCREEK RANCH.COM.
GOOD SITE THAT EXPLAINS THINGS AND SELLS AS CHEAP AS ANY I HAVE
FOUND.
HAPPY FLEA HUNTING!!!! I HATE THE SUCKERS.
July 3rd, 2010 - 20:26
I used bombs twice. Gave all the animals baths. The cat is the only one indoors and nothing has worked. I bought food grade DE today at the feed store and coated my entire house, yard and pets. I’ll update in a few days. The sock idea was wonderful for the pets by the way. Thank you
July 6th, 2010 - 20:38
I recently bought Diatomaceous Earth, Food Grade at Agway. I put it on all carpets and rubbed it in with my hands. I also put it on the tiled floors, and rubbed it in. If you are going to rub the Diatomaceous Earth in carpets with your hands, make sure to use gloves. Its very drying on the hands. Next time I will use disposable gloves. I have noticed a decrease in fleas. It starts taking affect in 72 hours. Its only been in the carpet 3 days. I use Frontline Plus on the dogs. I don’t know if Frontline did something to their formula or if the fleas are just becoming immune to it. Just Frontline Plus just doen’t seem to be working. DE goes a long way. I paid $2.50 a lb. for it Agway is a Feed store. Good Luck everyone. DE does WORK!!! Just takes time and patience.
July 12th, 2010 - 12:07
We have 1 dog and 2 cats. The fleas are driving my dog crazy, and one of my cats has a flea allergy – loss of hair, sores and scabs on her skin. The other cat has them all over her and she just seems to collect flea dirt! (she’s too fat to clean herself everywhere.) Have used Advantage, Frontline, and Promeris – all of which do NOTHING anymore. I do believe the fleas are immune. Capstar (a pill taken internally) works for 1 day – I’ve had to use when we were going out of town and were leaving the dog with my parents – didn’t want to send her there with fleas. Unsure of safety of Capstar, and long-term use would be VERY expensive. Am definitely going to try FGDE – I’m so glad I happened upon this site. Am hoping Tractor Supply has it in stock. Cindy (posted July 3rd) – would love to hear how it worked for you. Thanks to everyone who has posted – GREAT information.
July 12th, 2010 - 14:33
try beneficial nematodes for the outside they’ll eat thel flea eggs and DE for the inside to kill the adults. Google it and follow the directions for positive results.
July 21st, 2010 - 15:52
Can someone suggest a solution ratio for making the DE/water spray?
July 22nd, 2010 - 05:15
BSD
Any Vets out there I cannot reach mine and live where they are uninformed about D/E….
1) How often do we put it on our pets and how fast does it work (it seemed to dry my dogs skin out and then she started scratching and biting, but i dont know if it was the D/E or fleas/mites?
Yes please someone who uses
1)the DE/water spray please ASAP put the ratio..I am beside myself! Also, please 2) how often do we use it on the dog and furniture, floors, linens..I live where there is alot of wind and dust accumulates daily.
Every time I sweep I feel I am just moving around these darn nasty “mites”.
3) Last year i used REvolution and D/E it seemed to work . HELP PLEASE!
July 23rd, 2010 - 01:20
I rescue dogs and cats… and of course, after 2.5 years on this property with no problems… We are ambushed my the darn fleas. I’ve got 3 long hair cats and I’ve tried Frontline for 3 months and nothing worked! The dogs are scratching here and there… the cats are the problem. The room with just the dogs, doesn’t seem to be as bad as where the cats are roaming. I’ve Frontlined the cats and dogs, cleaned the carpets twice, and sprayed with Knock Out (no pets were in the house) and…. they lessened for awhile, but … now I’m noticing how horrible they have gotten. One cat has no hair on her tush! I gave the cats a bath in Adam’s Flea Shampoo. I took a bucket and put the shampoo in there and filled with water so it was sudsy. I slowly lowered each cat into the bucket. They would stand with arms on the rim and used my hand to soak them in the soapy water. I made them go almost completely under water THERE HEAD WAS OUT OF COURSE and stay for 3 to 5 minutes. It worked somewhat, but any advice for the long hair issue? I think this is why the Frontline failed is because the lack of it actually making contact with their skin.
I bought a 50lb bag of DE and sprinkled it everywhere my house and then applied it to all the dogs/cats. It’s been 36hours… and I feel I am noticing the more now then before… I put on white socks and walked around and could see the actual number on my socks. YIKES! Part of me thinks it’s their last ditch effort to get out of the DE. It does take about 30 minutes for them to die. I put one in a cup with DE in it.
I’m planning an full blown attack this weekend. I’m moving the pets to the detached garage. First, I’m going to bathe the cats and give them a capstar, then take them outside to the garage. Move all the dogs out there… Spray the house. The spray takes about an hour to dry. Come back in and set off a bomb. While we’re all stuck outside, spread the flea killer in the yard (Any suggestions?) and bathe all the dogs out there in Adam’s Flea Shampoo and reapply the DE once dry. Once, I can enter… bleach the counters and wipe everything down that was exposed. Vacuum, then put Borax on the carpets (its safe for the dogs/cats) then bring the fur kids back in. The yard will be treated, the fur kids treated, and the house attacked 4 times. The house is almost entirely carpet and I think this is the problem.
Any suggestions on brands for the bomb or yard product?
I really hope this works… if this doesn’t I’m calling an exterminator to take them on.
July 30th, 2010 - 10:58
Okay well it’s 5 days later… for the first 3 days I was still seeing some fleas though in a huge decreased number like 3… Now yesterday, I didn’t see any! I’m going to bathe the dogs again this weekend and the cats as well. Diatomaceous Earth is spread under all the furniture and we are vacuuming at least once a day. Like my prediction… there was a significant number of fleas more on the cats then the dogs. Our next plan of action is to spray the house with a premise spray purchased at the vets and rebathe…. then in 2 weeks we will spray again.
July 31st, 2010 - 10:24
Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade. Also can be called diatomite or kieselgur. Do not get the one for pools – very bad and toxic!
Flea Pest Control for Dogs and Other Pets – FOOD GRADE ONLY
Dietary supplement – For pets under 55 lbs mix 1 tsp and for pets over 55 lbs mix 1 T daily in food to treat worms, fleas, mites, tics ect… (best overall application for pets). To avoid the pet from inhaling the powder mix with a little water and evenly coat food.
Flea bath – add 1 Cup of diatomaceous earth with 1/4 C of soap (joy lemon, dawn or johnson baby shampoo) to bath water. Bathe as usual avoiding eyes and nose area. Do not bathe more then once a month
Flea powder – place diatomaceous earth in a powder bottle container and sprinkle on fur. Be careful to not let the powder get in their eyes. Can be very drying to skin. Not to be used more then twice a month
Flea Spray – mix 1/4 C of diatomaceous earth with a gallon of water spray down fur avoiding the eye area. Not to be used more then once a week
Flea Pest Control Outdoors
mix 1/4 C of diatomaceous earth with a gallon of water. spray on ground, plants, tree trunks, buildings ect…
Flea Pest Control Indoors
mix 1/4 cup of diatomaceous earth with a gallon of water and spray furniture, carpet, floors ect…
Dry Method for Indoor Use
1 C diatomaceous earth and 1 C boric acid (can use borax)
or
diatomaceous earth
Using a powder bottle container or flour shifter – sprinkle the mixture on carpets, floors, furniture, and mattresses. Allow to sit a minimum of 2 hours ( the longer the better) and vacuum. Can permanently leave powder under cushions and carpets.
Note when using the dry method wear a mask to prevent breathing in the powder. The dry method is very very dusty and will easily cover the entire house.
Dry Method for Outdoor Use
1 C diatomaceous earth and 1 C boric acid
or
diatomaceous earth
Using a powder bottle container or a flour shifter spread all over the ground and in flower beds paying special attention to shady areas.
Wear a mask to prevent breathing in the powder.
Apply weekly to control heavy flea infestation. Once fleas are under control can apply on a monthly basis.
August 7th, 2010 - 01:10
I feel sorry for some of you that try De but, are having no success.
I have alot of experience dealing with these parasites living on the side
of a huge forrest in the midwest and we have every form of bug you could imagine. You have to treat this as a military operation. I have heard no one
talk about growth inhibitors such as methoprene. It is a must with fleas
99 percent of the fleas are worms that change into the critters that annoy
us all. You must stop their growth pattern. Methoprene does this. We have a dog
that lives outside, so I understand the whole problem. First get rid of all creatures that could be coming into your yard. You can do this with a animal
repellant. Second spray your yard, house and plants. Permethrin is the way
to go and it works well. Use IGR (growth inhibitor) with it. Third clean up your
pets sleeping area. Neem oil is natural and quite good also as safe insecticide.
Now you can buy bio spot at your local pet store and wash you pets with this
that at least two times a week for the first month. ( cats may not need as much)
Now I know some people say I want to do it naturally, well for those of you
that are having a nightmare of problems I suggest its time to bring out the nuclear option and you’ll have to forgive yourself later. Malathion is a powerful
insecticide that destroys the fleas and ticks in all stages of life. You are not gonna win this battle unless you fight these blood suckers on all fronts. My puppy
in the spring got out of the fence and brought home three different forms of
ticks, fleas and worms, oh not to mention mange ( like chiggers). Today she is
free of all of these but, it was a fight for two months. This will cost some money.
However I am glad the only problems we have now are a few mosquitos. You must be vigilant because these bugs will be. Good luck
August 16th, 2010 - 16:03
Ok..i’m way new to this stuff..just bought a bag of DE ant/crawling insect killer 4lb bag from ace hardware..so it’s safe to powder up the cat right? i have never used anything like this..i read the whole bag,except spanish ya got me on that one..lol on the bag it says D-E Plus..what i bought is safe to use as a cat powder for fleas and carpets or No…thanks lisa
August 20th, 2010 - 10:39
Lisa, What you bought is not food grade, but has added “bait”. Don’t put it on your pets because they might lick and ingest it. I bought the Safer brand out of desperation, which you probably have, because I haven’t found food grade yet. I put it on the carpets, but not right on the dog. When I find food grade, I’ll vacuum up what I have used, and replace with FG.