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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. Diatomaceous earth was discovered back in the 1830s when an old farmer found a hard substance that he initially mistaken it for limestone. Use a quality diatomaceous earth for best results, and avoid using DE that is labeled for pool and aquarium use, as it has been chemically treated and can be dangerous if inhaled or ingested. Otherwise, sprinkle the powder from an old spice shaker or make your own shaker. On average, it may take up to two days to eradicate the pests entirely. If you inhale large amounts of this substance, it can cause coughing and irritate nasal passages, especially if you are sensitive to dust particles. Always use food grade DE powder for organic flea control. It has the ability and power to kill all bugs, but it is primarily known to be most effective in eradicating pests, such as ants, bed bugs, and fleas. When you vacuum, you will suck up some flea eggs, larvae, and even adult fleas – but not all of them. It’s a fine powder made up of microscopic organisms that physically damage an insect’s exoskeleton. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. For better flea prevention, wash pet bedding in hot water once a week. The light misting will help the powder to stick into your grass. Use a sieve or similar object to lightly dust the area with food grade diatomaceous earth. If you have to spread it in light wind, opt for using a wet application to help keep the diatomaceous earth in place. It can cause irritation if it gets into your eyes or nose. Find products specifically for spreading diatomaceous earth powder at your local garden store or online. How To Apply Diatomaceous Earth For Dogs. Some believe that only pesticides and flea collars will chase away fleas, while others advocate for a natural approach because the chemicals in the former can harm your family and pets. Whether you're applying it as a dry powder or mixing it with water to spray it on your yard, avoid breathing it in and only apply it to spots that need protecting. When you are shopping in-store or online, read the label carefully or verify the grade with the vendor. While it is not a harmful substance, try covering your mouth and nose when using diatomaceous earth. If you're treating a larger area, such as your entire flower bed or garden, you'd want to use a garden pump sprayer. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. When you sprinkle diatomaceous earth over lawns, the powder will repel and control fleas and other similar pests. Do not wet it down or mix it with water to make a spray. Use only garden-grade earth, because pool-grade earth is dangerous. If your plants are dry, you can help the diatomaceous earth stick to them by mixing it with water in a spray bottle. It’s an all-natural material made from the fossils of extremely small, aquatic organisms known as diatoms. It is a fine powder that comprises of microscopic remains of fossilized algae called diatoms. Diatomaceous earth also tends to be helpful for killing fleas outdoors, although the chances of killing all the fleas in your yard with this method are slim. Once you have pinpointed all the infested areas in your yard, you can apply diatomaceous earth. I show how I apply the powder to two of my cats. For example, if you need to use diatomaceous earth on your entire lawn, using a large spray bottle will allow you to easily spread it. After 2-3 days, vacuum the area again to remove any dead fleas, eggs, or larvae. Make sure you're using food-grade diatomaceous earth. Dampen the lawn where you wish to apply the diatomaceous earth powder. Generally, diatomaceous earth is harmless for pets. How to apply, and inexpensively spread and treat areas of your house using Diatomaceous Earth. Veterinarians generally advise against the use of diatomaceous earth for fleas on cats and dogs. It can cause irritation if it's inhaled, so always wear a face mask and gloves when you apply it. Use the following instructions to treat your flea infested home with DE. Because of silica skeletons in DE, fleas and insects get tiny cuts when they crawl over soil treated with DE. Diatomaceous earth (DE) can be applied to the affected areas by applying it with any type of dust spreader, normally available at garden centers. Applying the powder around the base of your garden or right at the soil level will help prevent crawling insects from eating away at your plants. For more natural alternatives, try using diatomaceous earth or nematodes to kill the fleas in your yard. This is a very useful & detailed article on how to use this product. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. If you decide to use diatomaceous earth in accordance with a flea treatment plan set up with your veterinarian, there are a few things you should know. This natural pesticide kills fleas while being completely safe to mammals. Yes, that is fine. “Do not apply diatomaceous earth directly to your pet. Diatomaceous earth is effective but must be used carefully. Diatomaceous earth is available over the counter, and can be found in a variety of stores, including pharmacies, farm and garden centers, and hardware stores. It’s easiest to pour the 4 tablespoons (59 ml) into a jug of water, seal the lid on tightly, and then shake the container to get the powder to dissolve. Whether you have used the wet or dry method of spreading your diatomaceous earth outdoors, it is susceptible to moisture and reapplication is necessary after each rainfall or sprinkler system. So, you need to also thoroughly clean your yard. 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