HELP! Diatomaceous Earth doesn't seem to be working on fleas
jplee3
11 years ago
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rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
11 years agojplee3
11 years agoRelated Discussions
Diatomaceous earth, pets and cucumber beetles
Comments (18)I know this post was a while ago, but I've used diatomaceous earth quite often and I want to put in my two cents. Many people are worried about breathing in diatomaceous earth, but this is a big misconception in the gardening world. If you're sensitive to dusts, then of course take care when applying DE. It's still a dust, but keep in mind you would be just as sensitive if you were throwing flour up in the air as well. Most people know to use FOOD GRADE diatomaceous earth. It's mostly--about 80 to 90 percent-- of amorphous silica or silicon dioxide. When DE is mined out of the earth, the natural and unaltered state is food grade. Pool grade is made of crystalline silica. It's super-heated (or calcined) to make it a more efficient filter. This is what "crystallizes" or alters the silica. Crystalline silica has been linked to carcinogenicity. To be labelled food grade diatomaceous earth, it must contain less than one percent crystalline silica. Now we're back to the beginning. If you're using food grade, than it should be fine. One of the big pulls for using DE is it's safe to use around children and pets. Even if they breathe it in, it should cause anything worse than minor irritation. To use it for pests in the garden, it's best to water first and then dust with DE. This way it sticks better to the plants and gets on all sides of it as well. Make sure you purposely dust underneath some plants as well....See MoreDiatomaceous Earth (DE)
Comments (4)FWIW, DE has limited effects outside because it has to be dry to work. You can dust it on plants, but that will create hazardous breathing conditions (apply it from upwind & hold your breath &/or wear a mask). I use it all around my house against fleas, roaches & silverfish - no dust probs if you sprinkle it, rather than puffing. I also rub it (carefully!) into my cat's fur to control fleas, but I don't feed it to her. So far no ill effects. For snails & slugs, I prefer the iron phosphate bait pellets - they make them water resistant & the only thing they kill are the slugs & snails. You have to keep @ it & sprinkle them around generously, but they eradicated the white snail population explosion I had year before last.... HTH...See MoreDiatomaceous Earth source?
Comments (6)I used DE from the pool supply store this summer. Someone on Gardenweb warned me afterwards that the pool grade DE has something in it that should not be inhaled. Honestly, I would avoid inhaling any fine powder! It does work to deter Japanese beetles. I dusted my raspberry plants and green beans with it, either in the morning, while the plants were still wet with dew, or after a misting with the hose. I made something like a big salt shaker by drilling holes in the lid of a peanut butter jar, filling the jar with DE, and shaking over the plants. There's almost always some light breeze, and I stand so the DE drifts away from me. I doubt DE will scratch the beetles deeply enough to bother them. Rather, I think it gets into their joints or their mouthparts to cause trouble or discomfort. I haven't found a bunch of dead beetles under the treated plants, just not nearly as many on the plants as usual. However, it may be that the DE kills the first few beetles which heads off the orgy swarm later. Alex...See MoreDiatomaceous Earth & Organic Bug Control...Some precautions...
Comments (21)Ada, Thanks for the vet info. I found my Natural Remedies for Dogs book and wante to list a few options. They also tlk about garlic as a supplement, but I would be careful with the garlic, because I have read many times that garlic as well as onions are not good for dogs. Anyone who reads this PLEASE do not ever give your dogs raisins or grapes, thats the worst thing for them, far more poisonous for them than chocolate. I found that out the hard way, gave my little Boston Terrier some grapes, I almost lost her. This vet also recommends the beneifical nematodes outside, and DE. Here are some of the products and phone numbers, I searched and found that you can order them on the net. Cloud Nine herbal dip by Halo (800)-426-4256, this one I found on bizrate.com and a few other sites, it was more affordable. Quantum Herbal Products by Earth Animal, they have a website, (800)-348-0398. Flee Free, a liquid flower essence remedy byGreen Hope Farms (603)469-3662. www.greenhopeessences.com cost $9. One of those had the cedar oil it, don't remember which one. I'll have to check out that other health food store if I ever go to Norman again. My DH and kids hate when I go into the Health Food Center, they usually end up just following me in for some reason. lol. It's like a health food mall compared to any other store. Dawn, I am addicted to the laptop too. Both of our laptops are fairly new, I don't know what I did to mine, DH blames me everytime one of them stops working. By the way what does D stand for in DH? I just started typing it, and assume it could be a good word or a bad word, depending on the issue? hehe. Do you know of a natural remedy for keeping flies and mosquitos off of horses. I found a citronella spray but it also had pyrethrins in it, and I think I remember you saying that the pyrethrins and permrethrins were both toxic?...See Morejplee3
11 years agorhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
11 years agojplee3
11 years agoKimmsr
11 years agojplee3
11 years ago
John DesJardins
5 years ago
Kaillean (zone 8, Vancouver)
5 years ago
Bonnie Peyser
4 years ago
Anne Tilmont
2 years ago
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