You can use an plastic container with a lid. Give you dog a wash using dawn soap, use a flea comb, put DE on the floor and try my flea traps for a more effective solution. Many thanks! To answer your question, yes, its completely safe and I actually recommend it. I have DE but is says insect control. Very helpful, and Im anxious to try this out and see how this helps with some of the fleas in our carpet. So I know we are making progress just want them gone completely. Let us know how it goes, would love to hear another success story . I just want to make sure it is in fact the same as the DE you use. I washed floors with apple cider vinegar deleted ,flea traps with dawn dish soap and water.vacumed floors ,even salt ,and borax, in areas where they hide.we have 3 cats.2 female 1 male .we keep 2 upstairs the male on main floor.we also have tried the boiled lemons.and put in spray bottle .so now I have just purchased a bag of diatomaceous earth food grade and going to try it soon ,by the way the best place to find it is a hydroponic store.the guy said to wear a mask when you use it .i will keep you updated on my results. Additionally, Pet parents should make sure they are purchasing a product that is approved by the EPA and that is coming from a reputable distributor, says Falk. Can I mop it up after sweeping? I do not want the fleas re infesting my bedroom and was wondering if you had any suggestions to get rid of these last few. It can also be added to areas inside the home, like carpets, cat scratchers, and pet kennels, Falk says. You can do it whenever you want to treat the area, there isnt really a limit per say. Hopefully this will give you the confidence to start using it if you are not convinced already. Im obviously on the right track, because the fleas we had, were the biggest I have ever seen, and havent seen any that size since doing all this, any advice would be great. Hi Terrie, not sure if Helen will reply so here goes. I recently moved into an apartment and found out that the patio is infested with fleas. What I have learn is that you need to wash all your bedding on a hot cycle as well put it in the dryer, repeat more then once. I plan spreading the food grade DE on the carpeting in the rest of the house, let it sit for 24 hours then vacuum, then re apply. Why not? How long should I leave it on them before I bath them or just leave it on them. All my rooms carpet and wood will have to be cleaned with DE, but putting DE down in every room at the same time is not a possibility. Good luck! Its an old remedy touted by June Lockhart of Lassie fame, and not only does it help with fleas but also invigorates the health of my cats. Please note, as an introduction to this section, let me just make one thing crystal clear. i called 311 inspector came after couple of weeks of spray and could not find anything , but my kids still gets bite here n there! Thanks for the great tips and website this whole experience is nerve wracking and it helps to have others offering suggestions and sharing. Hi Denise! Additionally, you are killing the good bugs with the bad when you are broadcast spraying. I think the precautions with dogs are similar to those in cats, but since dogsdon'tgroom themselves asoftenas cats, there may not be as high ariskof adversegastrointestinaleffects, says Dr. Jeffrey. Im so glad I came across your site, Ive read several articles, all very helpful! We recently rescued a choc lab that was going to be dumped at the shelter or the pound ! I am battling a second flea infestation problem, I used boric acid, salt and baking soda mixture, and DE when if finally arrived.I used those products around the house and carpets the first time leaving the last treatment on the floor and carpets for 72 hours. Fleas are fairly resilient and although they are less active during colder weather, it wont kill them in most situations. Its wonderful to use with chickens. DE is also completely safe for the family so you can use it without worrying, just give it a dust off after about 24 hours. I suspect my problem is coming from residual pupae waiting to hatch. Apparently they can get through the tiny cracks in our hardwood floors! Would it be better to do one level at a time to try to chase them all to the basement or just do both at once? I take notes and pictures of what I see, so I will have a record. I dont want to say to the world its 100% safe but realistically, it is very unlikely that it will cause issues. I have Safer Brand DE and it says 100% on the bag. Its particularly effective for allergy/asthma sufferers and is so simple its almost criminal. I dusted their room with Borax, including under the bed, washed their sheets, vacuumed daily, now every other day, but I still catch about 5 per night. I just treated the whole main floor of the house and plan to do the upstairs. Obviously you wouldnt want to breath that. Diatomaceous Earth- Is made from fossil materials of marine creatures. This is usually made up of about 30% Bentonite and 70% DE and while it should still work for pest control, I recommend that you try and get a pure DE (as high as possible) for maximum results. We have ticks and fleas in the yard and I dont want to use chemicals that will harm our pets or our herbs and vegetables. It is a pleasure, thanks for your kind words. Using broom made huge difference working it over floors. We live in Florida and this is the first time wrve encountered a flea issue. It seems that you used way to much of the stuff, just a fine coat (almost as you would salt your food) on the carpets, etc. Or should I say they are finding me since I am the only blood in the house that isnt treated. 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. As for fleas sticking to me I have found that if I use a body lotion that has lavender in it (not just lavender scent but the actual oil ) the fleas avoid me.Thank you again for the advice ..I was thrilled to hopefully get these little buggers under control while not breaking the bank..Keep up the good work !! I sit and pull these specks out one by one. Hi Dan. Do I have to order my FOOD GRADE DE from AMAZON or online? Diatomaceous Earth can also be fed to dogs for the purpose of eliminating intestinal parasites. I had a quick question: I have a house w/ a basement and have noticed fleas in both levels. You may see one or two now and then but do not panicthey missed the powder somehow but they wont avoid it for long. Hi Jean, super glad to hear that it worked for you, and thanks for taking the time to share your experience . The Revolution did not work on Boo. I will be giving him the info on the de & borax. You are great for replying to every single comment on here for so long, keep up the good work! Hang in there people it does get better. My Kitties veterinarian says Frontline has not been effective in recent years so she recommends Advantage now. My pups (7 & 4 lbs) run around through the DE snow. Ive also been mixing 1 teaspoon with their wet food twice a week and its cleared all the worms out bc they are gaining weight and their fur has never looked or felt better!!!!!!! Should the food grade DE b white, or is it more of an off white-tannish color with speckles? I have sprinkled it on them into their furs, I have sprinkled it in all areas where they lay, I have sprinkled it wherever we get bitten while standing or sitting..and EVERY horizontal place in my home is now covered with the dust from it. Im weak and ripe for the eating!. I cant remember how long it took me last year to take care of the situation but hopefully it will be soon. They are brother & sister, but while she is tiny (and oh, so lively and affectionate) he is about 16lbs, and very nervous. Simple answer, when purchasing diatomaceous earth online or in a brick and mortar store, make sure you get the food grade product. I removed her from the room and placed her in a smaller room that had already been treated. Im hoping that getting her dusted isnt going to be a big fight. Hope that helps! Hi Teri! My question is after all of the cleaning, washing, vacuuming, treating my dog, why am I still seeing flea dirt on my floors when I sweep? Havent seen any in rooms where linoleum & hardwood floors are, so just did the furniture that the cat likes to sit on. Both ideas will work, best of luck! Hi Izzy! Hope that helps! My goal for this blog is to create evidence-based guides that are easy to understand, provide sufficient depth and can be trusted to be very accurate. Cheers! Have a good one! But should I try DE instead or move onto something stronger? Maybe I should do some articles on mites, its actually a common issue. Hi Natasha, lot of really great tips on here. Dont use any essential oils on your cat, it is dangerous for them. Also, is it better to use the DE mixed with Borax or just on its own? However, it seems pretty common here. Do you have any experience with this product and birds? If it says food grade then yes, it is safe. Yeah while the DE is not poisoneous or anything (presuming its food grade), I recommend using it on pet beds, etc as you mentioned. Im ready to give this a try, do I have to leave with my pups (they are 15 and 18 lbs) or can I put the DE down and we stay home???? Its definitely less toxic than that flea spray . We noticed our cats had fleas a few weeks ago and since then Ive tried everything. Who would have guessed that these tiny little beetles could cause such a fuss? Yes, DE will work. I am glad that DE has helped you and thanks for sharing those tips. It took me 4 months to get rid of the infestation, July-October and since then I only had to bathe the dogs every once in a while and stopped using frontline for the next 7 months, I stick to DE to treat the house every now and then and no fleas were present. Apparently it will pass through digestive system and can destroy parasites (like worms). And thank you for the article!!!! And I have yet to find out how pure it is. Use to use garlic but it seems to upset tummys. Hey Judith! I do have a shop-vac, but Ive also read that they become clogged too. Hi Bobby, if its food grade, its safe, promise. Hi Gail, sorry for the late response. But any information regarding this application use would be very helpful. We have never had a problem with fleas in our home or biting us in the two years since we rescued him. That is why a wet diatomaceous earth powder will absorb nothing. If there are limited brick and mortar shops that sell it or if they are selling a mix of DE and other substances, buying from Home Depot or Amazon is my preferred way of obtaining diatomaceous earth as its very affordable and you are safe from scams or dodgy products. Cheers! We had tried everything besides this and I hated using the harsh chemicals to no avail. Would it be safe to say that applying it on a regular basis would help maintain a flea free home? You may also consider planting your brassica crops later in the summer, when the adults are getting sleepy from all of their summertime feasting and going dormant. for about 12 hours before vacuuming it up. 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. Combine all these and I am positive you will win the battle. Thank you! Neil is the problem in your house or outside? Just one suggestion though, if you are going to use it on your bed, place it under the sheet as it can make some people cough a bit if it puffs into the air. Thank You!! Other stuff I have used with success -our dogs we give them whole lemons to play with & the acid kills the fleas. Ive flea-sprayed the carpets and furniture. I have read this but yet to find the answer i need to know can you use this in your yard i have a dirt floor kennel ??? Thanks for the tip, I am sure that many will benefit from it! I have washed furnishings and vacuum chairs as well as floors. This is a valuable cultural control. wherever she lays. Hey Eileen! Oh, neem is green so your animals will have a green tint to them!! Also, I recommend using DE around the entire house (wherever there may be fleas) at the same time (that you use the spot on treatment) to make sure that all those fleas die. Have a good one! While the cats are doing much better (only 1 a day), and I think the house is doing better, I continue to catch fleas in my boys room. Im moving out soon so Im just making sure that the cat is flea free for our new house! I live in Mexico on the border with San Diego so I went up there to get it and started treating the house and continued with frontline for another 3 months. 4) For the poster who has bees in her wall: If you can locate a beekeeper or beekeeping club in your area, you may be able to enlist their help to capture and relocate your bees. This is not due to toxicity or anything like that, it is just because they have small noses and it can get clogged up. This is often referred to as pool grade diatomaceous earth and its important that you dont use this! Is it okay to leave for a few weeks and come back later and vacuum? . Dig day arrived, and to our great annoyance, our spuds appeared to have been poked by a ballpoint pen, with dark holes spotting the otherwise beautiful tubers. Some things i have just thrown out because I cant deal with it all. Which is questionable. Anyway, I am wondering how much I ought to do to make sure I dont have anymore fleas in my own house? Thanks for the information! However, after further investigation of its chemical makeup, this soft, often crumbly deposit was actually diatomaceous earth in its natural form. Hi Renee, yeah that sounds good, let me know if you dont come right! Filter grade DE is added to pool filter systems, where it captures small particleslike dirt and bacteriathat other filters might miss. Hi, I have read your article closely and am going to be doing a treatment very soon. There is a lot of brush and natural ferns that outline the perimeter of our yard and also on outside of our fence. These are living creatures who eat the harmful bugs in your soil. I have three cats and one dog with fleas, have used DE (food grade) all over the house and on them. Hi Susan, I appreciate you helping Candace out and yes, you are correct. I have a small apartment with no doors inside besides the bathroom so it is difficult to put the cats somewhere specific. The benefit of the food grade one is that it is completely safe, hence the recommendation. So I have my dog take a summer vacation to my daughter while I take care of the unwanted guest that is residing on my carpet. It is so horrible, iI don;t know how much longer i can live with these things on me.I bought some Diatomaceous Earth. Trying to locate the right one. Organic gardening is the responsible choice for many reasons. Im going to make some DIY traps tonight (thanks for that tip). He seems fine not bitin or scratching, he sits about 5 feet off the ground mostly. We dont really want to hurt the snakes as they are harmless black snakes and are doing a good job of keeping rodents from entering our home (we live in a huge hay field so we are a target). As replant is my new cologne and linen spray. I just need to be reassured that it will not do any harm to either us or our furry guys! The next day, tiny fleas are biting the heck out of my feet/ankles. But, I did vacuum with another smaller vacuum I have. I would choose DE . Hello Natasha, i think that I understand the concepts, but I have 2 cats that wander everywhere in house, including on counters, tables, our beds, couches, every room! Thank you. I have never used that type of DE but it should be safe, just do some research please. I put DE all around my bed and removed the bedskirt, but they are directly jumping onto me and my blankets :-(. Remember, if you have any questions, you can always leave a comment and I will get back to you! Thank you for your article! Just mix some water and dish soap, and try give your cat a bath, kills fleas instantly. It looses effectiveness when it gets damp, maybe that happened. In fact, although they do bite and can make you very itchy, fleas have to find an animal host eventually otherwise they will die. They work for up to 8 months. Thanks for all your suggestions, I feel relieved. Natasha, thanks for the great info. Thanks! You can definitely put it in the kennel though, will work well. Ive been spraying clean clothes with Sentry that does kill eggs and larvae while throwing out a lot of clothes. I think it dried out the motor and made grind to a halt. just wondering where should i apply it ? My dogs have brought fleas into the house and nothing that I have tried seems to work the first two times that I applied it to all of them I put it on with my hands and rubbed it in real good that was the first day that I actually got it. I have lived here for 5 years and this is the second time I have seen them in this apartment. Glad that you have had success with DE and thank you for sharing! You can vacuum it up with a regular bag based vacuum cleaner or just brush and pan it up. Great product! I bough the Safer Brand from Home Depot. 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? 2 questions: 1. is there any value in adding DE to my dogs food? Tried vacuuming everday and flea combing the animals but i just puffed the powder on all of them to see what happens. Tyvm. Using Borax on the floor near the bed and have a pan of water with a light on it for night time. Hi Natasha. Please feel free to edit this as you might see fit. Hi Brantley! One place on the island I found. I found a 40 lb bag of DE food grade at the tractor supply store for under 30 dollars and will be trying it today. in the article it says that it shouldnt be around kittens, puppiesbout how old should the puppies be before they can be around it. If it is not available locally then yes, Amazon is probably the way to go. Good luck! I also wanted to ask.the DE my husband got is food grade mixed with bentonite clay (Red Lakes brand).is that sufficient? About 10. Advice? Hi Matthew, not if you dont have pets/kids/etc. All of our floors are tile except for a few area rugs. There are numerous species, and their colors vary widely depending on the region where they are found. I also wanted to ask of any product that will do to get rid of flea in my head and my daughters. The are biting my legs at night and I can take my smaller kitty, turn her over and pop fleas, so I tried a Zodiac house flea bombs (we had to stay out of the house for 4 hours and do massive clean up afterwards) . Getting Kids Started with Vegetable Gardening, Getting Kids Started with Vegetable Gardening. Looking for a permanent solution, tired of being aggravated by the little pests! I am still finding fleas. later. Please share it with your friends! They cannot survive in high heat but will die off once they have eaten the pests anyway. Hi Aileen! Experts say a small amount can go a long way. I am sure that Jon appreciates your help and I think the community will benefit as well. 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