A flea that ingests diatomaceous earth will be torn apart, explains Dr. Its sharp edges are abrasive, speeding up the process. Diatomaceous earth can irritate the nose and nasal passages if breathed in, says Glen Ramsey , board-certified entomologist and technical services manager with Atlanta-based Orkin.
On skin, it can cause irritation and dryness. Diatomaceous earth may also irritate the eyes, due to its abrasive nature. Any dust, including silica, can be irritating to the eyes as well. In addition, people who handle diatomaceous earth on a regular basis can develop an incurable, chronic inflammatory lung disease called silicosis, says Dr.
Jennifer Coates, a veterinary writer, editor and consultant based in Fort Collins, Colorado. Diatomaceous earth can and will kill fleas in your home, says Ramsey. The problem, he says, is that homeowners will often misapply or over-apply it. Another thing to keep in mind is that DE only kills adult fleas. It contains fossils of small bio-organisms that previously inhabited water sources. These organisms are known as diatoms. Their skeletons consisted of silica, which with time, turned into silicon dioxide, the compound that works as an insecticide.
It is extremely powerful, and its overuse can be dangerous. Silicon dioxide gets into the exoskeletons of fleas, dehydrates them, and kills.
Basically, Diatomaceous Earth dries the fleas up from inside. Diatomaceous Earth or DE is safe for both humans and pets. It is not toxic and does not cause any serious health problems unless a cat or a human is allergic to some of its ingredients. The main component of Diatomaceous Earth is the fossilized silica that with the time has turned into silicon dioxide.
Basically, you can spread Diatomaceous Earth as powder across your house, even if there are children or young kittens.
Now to the important part, namely how to apply diatomaceous earth for fleas. Follow this simple guide on how to use DE effectively to rid your felines of parasites:. This is how to apply diatomaceous earth to cats.
Nonetheless, be sure to talk to a certified veterinarian to get information on how to use diatomaceous earth for fleas in house. By learning how to use diatomaceous earth for flea control from an expert, you can ensure the safety and well-being of your feline companion. In its use as a pesticide, DE has proven to be effective in preventing and controlling fleas on pets. Apart from pets, you can also use diatomaceous earth on carpets for fleas.
However, applying this product to deal with an infestation in your home will be different from how you use it on your cat.
So, how do you use diatomaceous earth for fleas that have infested your home? Start by applying the substance daily everywhere the fleas are present until you begin to see changes. Once the infestation has died down a bit, you can space out your applications to once every week for prevention against another infestation.
Ensure you pay extra attention to areas where your pet likes to sleep bed, kennel, rug, pillow, etc. If you have noticed an infestation, you should also treat the outside of your home. Apart from controlling fleas and other insects, DE also has other uses. I have, for example, used it on cat litter.
This type of application is not new. People have used DE this way for many years. It is excellent for this use because of its highly absorbent properties. It works much like a Silica product. DE may also be used in controlling internal parasites in livestock and home animals. It has often been hailed as a safe alternative to chemical de-wormers. However, more studies are still being conducted to determine the efficiency levels of DE for this purpose.
DE is a naturally occurred and non-toxic substance. That means it is safe to use on your pet. However, I recommend looking for a food grade diatomaceous earth for flea control product. There are two ways to give your cat Diatomaceous Earth.
Based on the method, you have to choose the proper dosage. For example:. Until they are on solid food, the DE must be avoided. I recommend you to always wear the dust mask while you are applying Diatomaceous Earth.
It will protect your nose and eyes. After that, you have to wash the skin carefully. Use a special vacuum, if you have one, to remove all the bugs that can remain on your cat. You can repeat the procedure by applying the Diatomaceous Earth after several days if you notice that the fleas are still there. It is important to follow the recommendations on the pack of Diatomaceous Earth that you have. It may have its own specifics.
The active phase of the Diatomaceous Earth is 24 hours. If you applied it to your cat, you have to wash him after that. However, if you applied it to the furniture, you can easily postpone the removal of the DE for up to weeks. Make sure it does not cause allergy.
Due to the lack of harmful chemicals and toxic ingredients in Diatomaceous Earth, it is considered as one of the safest ways to get rid of fleas on kittens. It dehydrates small insects, by attacking their exoskeletons. The flea is killed after 4 hours of interaction with this substance. I recommend you to use Diatomaceous Earth:.
It will ease up the process of applying. You can use the duster to apply the substance to specific small areas. I recommend you to use food grade DE for your kitten internally. Diatomaceous Earth as a food-grade is also safer for your kitten as it will not choke on it. While Diatomaceous Earth does not cause problems with lungs and is not toxic, your kitten may have respiratory problems sniffing it in. Do not use the same Diatomaceous Earth powder as you use for the pool filters.
It can be harmful to pets. Use only products that were specially created for animals. Diatomaceous Earth is a preferable choice for many pet owners, mainly because of its non-toxic components. Diatomaceous earth or DE comes from the fossilized remains of diatoms which are tiny, aquatic organisms. The skeletons of diatoms are made of silica, a natural substance, and these skeletons fossilize in the sediment of rivers, oceans, and lakes over the years.
The resulting sedimentary deposits are mined to create what is now known as diatomaceous earth. Always be cautious when applying it to your cat and keep it away from her eyes, mouth, and nose. Your cat should be shampooed within 12 hours and once your cat is dry, comb her coat well to get rid of dead bugs and eggs. Do the process for at least 2 weeks for a complete flea treatment.
DE food-grade version may also be used to treat internal parasites like tapeworms, pinworms, hookworms, and roundworms. If your cat likes dry food, mix and shake the DE until it is evenly coated. You may also sprinkle DE liberally on beddings, carpet, furniture, and other items that may have fleas. Leave it on for three days and vacuum the areas. Repeat the process weekly for one month to make sure that the adult fleas are destroyed along with the eggs and larvae.
It absorbs the oils and fats, thus, drying and killing the insects or pests. According to Dr. Michelle Yassom, a holistic veterinarian, the diatom fossils are attracted to the wet and slippery lipid layer of the parasites, scratches them with their sharp edges and dries them out.
Treatment should be for a minimum of two weeks to make sure that the eggs are eliminated as well. DE may also be used as an all-natural cat litter.
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