diatomaceous earth vs nematodes for fleas
Speaking as a former vet assistant, I would recommend not bathing with a repellent. Do not apply diatomaceous earth directly to your pet. I sprinkle it on the dog. Secondly, when using the broom, it is all about small, mainly downwards movements. Let me know if you come right, if not, I will help you further. I set up a trap in every room in my home. Hi Bob! If you want to kill the fleas on them, a bath in soapy water (be careful of claws hehe) will kill them all. Glad I found this site. You can do it whenever you want to treat the area, there isnt really a limit per say. One question on DE U said to keep smaller animals away and mentioned puppies. Ive left it down for a week at a time before vacuuming and Ive used it on the couches and chairs both under the cushions and on the surface of the cushions. The DE is a pain to vacuum up because it will clog your vacuum cleaner filters quickly. However, since we dont know its exact compound makeup, I recommend going online and just getting it delivered to your door, thats what I do Just make sure that you get the pure stuff that doesnt contain insecticides. We use flea applications monthly on both cats and dog. If there are cracks between the wood, DE can help a bit there. I assume the fact that I am being bitten is a sign of infestation? So although you may need to clean up that filter a couple times during the process, it should be fine. I wouldnt dump it on them, but 1/4 tsp or so per cat one time, plus whatever they do to themselves (which isnt too muchits not like its sitting in piles anywhere) seems to have helped a lot. I bought a new vacuum, cylinder (no bag type), and had to be very careful as there were still traces of powder on my bedroom carpet (I had tried to take up as much as possible with dust pan and brush after previous experience) This new vacuum has a washable filter. It is an amazing dust cloud! How often should I repeat the treatments since I seem to be getting newly hatched ones so soon after the treatment? Hi Natasha Your article was so very informative. My girlfriend is allergic to seafood and shellfish. Ive searched around and found this site about using DE. Its a pleasure, glad you found it useful. I recommend giving it a try and reporting back your results, looking forward to hearing from you . Just specify that you are looking for the kind for pest control, and NOT for pools and theyll show you to the food grade package. A flea that ingests diatomaceous earth will be torn apart, explains Dr. Costantino. Thanks for sharing your experiences with borax and DE, its much appreciated. This is a valuable cultural control. That sounds perfect, let me know how it goes and make sure that you apply it slowly otherwise it can make a bit of a mess , How do I know if its the food grade DE? Glad I ran across this guide. As long as you make sure its quality stuff, it doesnt really matter where you get it, as long as its going to do the job without risking anyones health. Do that for a few days and let me know the results! the majority of those do not have a filter -so they will not get clogged. Can it be used on chickens and chicken pens? Yes that is fine, you can do that. This year, were infested. My question is about humidity I know moisture diminishes the effects, but will it work if my house is a bit humid? Hi Peter, leave the DE down for at least a week before vacuuming it up (provided it remains dry). Its a pleasure, glad that you have found it beneficial! Hi Shelby! As long as it is not inhaled by people or pets, this substance is a safe way to manage fleas and other insects. Its so great to have a light at the end of the tunnel now. Lisa's Landscape & Design They love it. I put down DE last night and after reading your article I went around and used a broom on the carpets. Please share my blog with your friends on Facebook . I found DE at the local farmers store but it says it is for killing bugs and spiders (yuk). Are they dead fleas? It may not be as effective, for example, in areas with higher humidity. We put a pretty thick layer on the carpet, beds, basement, animal areas and animal then went camping for three days. Does giving DE to the cats in their food help? ( Also onions are very bad as well). It cannot be used as a preventative measure unfortunately. I came home to a house with an entire bag of DE layering the carpets, beds, couch, couch cushions chair cushions, dog begs, etc. It is called food grade, as in it talks about using it as an anti caking agent in animal foods, It also says Food Chemical Codex Grade, it has Diatomaceous Earth and Calcium Bentonite, guaranteed analysis says moisture maximum 8%, ash (mineral matter) maximum 95%. and saw one lady used a turkey baster to get into cracks in baseboards. Hi Linda! I dont have carpet, but I have dusted the house quite well. Hello Natasha. All are bad at bathingwhen I try, I get scratched, bit, crying, and its exhausting. However, they were to loose. HELP PLEASE!!! Based on my research, I have found that diatomaceous earth is a very commonly used with grain storage as it keeps pests away. Glad you have found this information useful I havent used it for that purpose myself but I have read that it is good for parasite removal and things like that but rather contact a medical practitioner for confirmation. Being diligent about keeping your garden clean and free of too much debris may help to keep pest pressure at bay. I sprayed the whole house with a pesticide and have been frantically vacuuming. We have bathed him with dawn, rubbed him down with Natural Care + and dusted his bedding area with this powder. Here are some of the most common. many thanks for reading this G, Hi G! DE isnt really for direct application on your pets. Might be time to call in a pro, let me know if you need a couple free quotes . The DE particles stick to the lipids on the epicuticle (protective layer), which disrupt the lipid barrier, allowing water to exit the insect., But most pet experts are not optimistic about the use of diatomaceous earth for flea control. Yeah while the DE is not poisoneous or anything (presuming its food grade), I recommend using it on pet beds, etc as you mentioned. Ive been spraying a Peppermint oil & Clover product on all the fabric furniture (its suppose to kill fleas and fleas eggs). So, it takes me several hours to cover one room. .and scratches all the time. I will be purchasing the food grade for the rest of the house. As weve never needed a hoover (vacuum) until now I presume its going to become my best friend! Hi Allison! Been fighting them since 10/1. Hang in there people it does get better. Hi Donna, you can put it anywhere you think fleas might be hiding, dont hold back hehe. Hey Joan! Took it to the laundromat, washed and dried everything on high heat. Fleas have to come into contact with the DE to die so a repeat application will just ensure that it works 100%. I am lucky to find your so helpful information! I also recommend that you try making one of my flea traps (guide is on this blog) as it will help you figure out if you have a flea problem or not. We all have computers, and Im a bit worried about the fridge as well. (She was sleeping on my bedroom floor at the start of the outbreak. Thank you for being so thorough! Very itchy buggers on people and pets driving us all nuts, so I tried DE on my itchy self and it worked immediately! I have twice rubbed DE into the scruff and tail area of the cats. Thanks-. Now, Im interested in using Borax. Went to local tractor supply store and they recommended red lake earth diatomaceous with calcium bentonite. Its pretty bad to say the least. Where can I get these? Was told it was safe to use on my 13 house cats, yes 13 cos they r so ate up with fleas. Just a very small amount! Thank for taking the time to share these fantastic tips with the community. Lastly, dont use it on your pets. Older transplants may resist pest pressure and recover more quickly if they suffer damage. It is even pretty to look at and I only need it on while there is a risk if inhaling the DE . The floors are concrete, so how much should I put down? is going to be your best option. Thank you. But also remember that allergies bother pets just as humans. You can use a water based one, its just that the DE can make it get a bit clogged on a low-grade model and I dont want to inconvenience my readers in any way hehe. It is a pleasure, thanks for your kind words. Great article. When do you suggest I use this! Hi and thanks for all your helpful information. ;o), Thank you in advance for any light that you or your readers can share on these questions. There is no carpet just hard wood flooring and tile. Nematodes - Beneficial nematodes are a microscopic, worm-like organism that live in soil. After reading your blog I ordered food grade D-Earth from Amazon and put it down today. So I bought 1.5 lbs of LUMINO Diatomaceous Earth at Kahoots Pet Store in Southern California. Hi Michelle! Again, thank you. He wont even come into the bedroom now! I followed your tip, sprinkled three levels all together including the mud room where my cats whole station is, and left the powder for three days as of today. But we are implementing DE on the floors, bedding, doorways and such. Product photos via Arbico Organics, BotaniGard, and Bug Sales. Hi Natasha I wanted to thank you for your information, I recently moved to an apartment with a patio where pigeons and gulls come to sit and within a week was noticing I was being bitten on my feet when they were bare and when I would sit or lay on my sofa. : ). The Revolution did not work on Boo. My suggestion is that you do that, then give your doggy a bath in warm water and dawn soap (I have an article on this, check it out under the fleas category). I would like to know if it is safe to dust her cat tree that she sits in with safer brand d earth from home depot. The last time Honey, the dog, was here laying on my couch, she was getting bit by fleas. Thanks, Wm. THANK YOU! To be honest, if you can afford the exterminator and they can confirm their treatment will not affect your family, go for it. Within 24 hours her biting and scratching had minimized to almost nothing my home is officially flea free. BlackDiamond from Home Depot, When I got this package, I immediately sprinkled the 3 inside dogs. The area Im treating is vacant and has no carpet. Good luck! Hey Judith! It also has calcium bentonite. Im trying to get a handle on a flea problem that we are having and want to come up with the best plan of attack. Unless its because we have had a very warm year, then it suddenly got cold. Hi Barbara! Sacrificial, but usually effective! Hi Pete, thanks for helping Sharon with that great suggestion! My parents dont. Whats the minimum amount of time to leave it down for and is it generally safe for my cat to walk around on straight after application? Secondly, Im up on a mountain an my back yard is ALL DIRT and very large!!! How long does it usually take for it to start working? Even though you may have read that DE can cut your lungs if inhaled, this is completely false and if you find anyone who thinks otherwise, ask them to contact me and I will set the record straight for them. since I completed putting the DE around the basement with a shaker bottle. Thanks everyone. Thanks for all your suggestions, I feel relieved. Its peppermint oil and clove extract. So Id immediately shove them in the washing machine, then take a good shower and fortunately never infested the whole house. When this flea-war is over then I will just put new filters in. If all goes as planned, Ill wait a few days and treat again. On 7/16/2013 you commented to someone that they could use the nematodes and DE at the same time and then in this comment you say not to use them together so which is correct? I wear contacts and after applying the DE dust my eyes got irritated. Didnt think anymore about it. If it doesnt kill the fleas we already have why bother with it? Hi Renee, yeah that sounds good, let me know if you dont come right! Search for further help with dose. Electlady Hi just wanted to comment and say that I have 2 Boston Terriers . Hi Denise! Excited to update you with the results. Hi, love this article, very informative, and Im heading out today to get some DE. This morning the fleas were jumping up on both my daughter and my legs at regular intervals, all over the house. Hi Bobby, if its food grade, its safe, promise. Read our complete guide to using DE for more info. It is not dangerous but it is not super effective for direct application to pets. Thanks to everyone! I read in a couple of your comments saying fleas on humans are not that common (or something along that line). I wouldnt bother about the spoon in the food though. I am glad that I could be of assistance and hope to see you back soon. It has long been used in the control of fleas, bed bugs, ants, and other household pests. Can I dust my skin with DE? We have 9 children who love on this dog so its untelling where eggs have ended up! How would you recommend for me to clean the DE up?? I needed a quick reminder on the application process and your site was perfect. Powder can get everywhere. For the fastidious gardener, this little beetle can cause a lot of frustration! Do I have to order my FOOD GRADE DE from AMAZON or online? Couple of questions. You can use this on plants and the ground and it is suggested that it be applied in the morning hours. I continued to vacuum and spray the carpets with hot shot spray, this unfortunately doesnt contain an igr. Stands to reason, if you think of all the other gunk we breathe in, even microscopic parasites that ride the dust in our houses and air we breathe every day. Keep out of their eyes though. I used DE on them tonight only to read one of your points which was not to use them on kittens!! The whitewash is cracking off & falling to the ground of the basement in a few areas. Can I be sure this is good for her? Mind you, I have NEVER had bed bugs, so this was incredible scary and unexpected. Hi Deborah! Leave it down for a day or two and then after vacuuming it up, repeat a couple times over a few weeks. Hey Jessica! I am unsure about the moisture and the calcium bentonite. Reading through your article and comment feeds, I find I do have a question. DE can harm the Nematodes. 3. Quick, easy, inexpensive and non-toxic. Using Borax on the floor near the bed and have a pan of water with a light on it for night time. I do have a shop-vac, but Ive also read that they become clogged too. Literally field tested it during hunting season with great results! Natasha, I am so thankful to this site. Kelly, you should not use them at the same time. Hey Christy! Thanks for your comment, please consider sharing this article with your friends . Hi Wendy! Hey Susie! Before I read this I had the house sprayed and bombed yesterday by an exterminator. To be honest, I use it primarily for inside the house and get a insect spray for the yard. Is it safe to apply directly on my dog? Any thoughts or better ideas? My problem recently has actually been with ticks. I decided to do Amazon and purchased Thomas Labs Organic DE. Here are a few more implementations for flea control where diatomaceous earth is very useful. Have to come into contact with the DE to the cats in their food?. 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