My husband is furious! Read our complete guide to using beneficial nematodes here. I have been looking for the fgde and found some that said food grade in the info, but was not in the first few words. That should be enough to wipe out the next generation of fleas. Once, I had found their dropping on my mattress, I striped the bed, bagged up all clothing/anything on the carpet. For outside infestations, I have recently been recommending either a lime treatment or for my readers to use beneficial nematodes to kill fleas in the yard. @Bonnie, the itching and scratching will usually last awhile, especially if they were infested pretty bad. Any advice on where to find the 90+ concentrations of DE? That is a good question hehe, I am actually not sure. On monday, we set off Raid max foggers and took our dog to the vet for a chewable, they gave him Comfortis. I dont own any pets, so its even more frustrating. Hi Julie! This powder absorbs the liquid from fleas exoskeleton which is fats and oils. It was so successful that my dogs were really happy and finally could lay around or play without being bothered by fleas and start scratching themselves every 10 seconds, no kidding. De fleas..De worms..my pets have never looked so fresh and healthy. Hope someone else can use this info to locate the product, what about using in/on shavings.. have our dogs bedded on shaving in buildings, dog houses and sheds. Can we still sleep on the bed or avoid for a while? Hi Marie, leaving it in place wont hurt, but if you are like me, it would bother my brain so I usually clean up all of it hehe. Hi Nicole, while I am not an expert when it comes to flooring, I am sure that should be fine . Is there any thing youve come across that will prevent this? I also spread it all over floors and carpet. Any suggestions to keep them off me? Thanks. You are 100% correct! You can get about 5lbs for $14. 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) . Insane is what these pests make you. Thanks for your time. Is one bag enough? So! Omg. If you spend $45 bucks, theyll ship to your house for free. I just sprinkled a ton of it all down my log very rugged hallway, and i let the kiddos run and play all day and track it all over the house. Yarrow powder and Eucalyptus oil added also is beneficial. Please share this article with your friends and family. No its not dangerous, provided its food grade DE. The longer the better, so leave it down for 7 days if you can. Cedarcide is the product that I came across and it works. Hope that helps! We are getting front line in the morning to treat all 3 of our cats. Hey Shannon! Also, is diatomatious earth safe to use while Im pregnant. I purchased DE yesterday, and in a hurry to slove the problem, POURED the DE powder everywhere; baseboards, carpets, couches, etc. Hi Ginette! I vacuumed everything last night and brought my large dehumidifier up and had that running all night. I have lots of hardwoods and tile. Following this period, they pupate for approximately 7-10 days before surfacing to indulge above ground. I spray it on my boots and my clothing when I go into the forests to photograph game animals. Hi Brantley! The active ingredient is lower than other topical making it easier for cats, who have a hard time with chemicals and medications. I recommend DE over boric acid, as it is easily acquired and cheap. Will let you know in a few weeks if the fleas have fled. How much did she put down lol? Hi Jeremy, it is a pleasure! I live in an apartment and have to walk my dog so he can go to the restroom i use a spot on treatment but i am still seeing fleas..my pomeranian is alergic to fleas. Been fighting them since 10/1. You can also spray it on furniture or bedding. Hi Natasha! What about you? Hope you come right! He was loaded with fleasgot the flea med but he still has them and now my dog had some too.ahhhh. They are for outdoor use, usually you can order them online from a variety of retailers. If you have a large home, grab yourself a slightly bigger one. I suggest that you get a plastic container (with a lid, in which you put little holes into) and after filling it, you apply the DE as you would use a salt shaker. DE does help if your dog has worms. Tapeworms in animals can be caused by fleas. We have tried borax, chemical sprays, dawn dish soap .. you name it we have tried it. I have a question. Hi Sharon, it is not dangerous but if I did recommend that, people might do it too frequently which can leave the skin very dry, itchy and not in good shape. Well, theres bad news for the flea beetles everywhere, now that youve learned their plan of attack. I have only seen a few fleas since then but I am hearing they will come back. However, my wife and I foster dogs (eight) for a non profit organazation and I recently fostered a dog that must have been dumped up here because she had flees. At the moment I have 10 cats a dog & 6 guinea pigs . Hi we tried everything to get rid of fleas . But any information regarding this application use would be very helpful. So Boo was put outside for the night. Experts say a small amount can go a long way. I have one large cat who we have owned for 4 years and he is indoor only. We are not getting as many bites so think we are on the way to winning the battle. If you like the article, please feel free to leave a comment there as well , I love the article! Here are a few encouraging success stories for using this powder for effective flea removal. Hi Wendy! Pleasure, have a good one and thanks for stopping by to read my blog , This article has definitely been one of the best Ive read in all my research. I suggest that you give my DIY flea traps a try, just use a tea light instead of a candle if you want to be safer. Traps act like low-tech security cameras! Diatomaceous earth for cats and dogs is only effective at killing insects and parasites when it comes into direct contact with them, so according to what type of parasites you are dealing with, your treatment method may differ. Apparently, they only sell the food-grade brand online. Hey Ann! Plant well hardened-off transplants as soon as the threat of frost has passed in your region. You might try that if you have one. You can purchase diatomaceous earth in a variety of forms (remember we mentioned it has a large variety of applications) and one such use is for cleaning pools. 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. Using Borax on the floor near the bed and have a pan of water with a light on it for night time. And I would love some advice on how to help my baby boy. i feel like it would just slide around. Use to use garlic but it seems to upset tummys. Same thing might be happening with Advantage too. No one has seen a flea or felt one till after I started treatment and they are only seeing baby ones. They never go outdoors, but since moving to New Orleans, they have picked up fleas. OH NO my husband just spread Pool grade DE all over in the cats out side pen. I have an article on this blog about it, find it under the fleas category and tell me what you think. (blocked off for now.) Ugh. Thanks! The clay makes the DE brown which gets stuff dirty. Hi Melanie! Natasha,can the DE be used on cloth furniture (sofa etc?). If you were told by a certified individual that it will not hurt your pets, then you should be able to trust them. I said that because I have heard that sucking up the powder can damage a Dyson. Ive searched around and found this site about using DE. Below ground, the larvae feed on the roots and tubers of host plants. Thank you. Thanks! Sprayed the dogs before we started & it kept the ticks off. I know i have owned dogs and cats all my life and never used this for flea control. This is just one of hundreds or thousands of horrible tests being done all over the country at this very moment. Thanks! Boom! i would like to treat my whole house at the same time, but honestly dont have anywhere i can take them while its on the floor. Makes you think, huh! Hopefully, this will work. Yes, lavender oil repels fleas so you can use that if you like. I have an article on flea traps on this blog, find it under the fleas category , Hello Natasha! Hi Kimberly, if it doesnt specifically say Food Grade on it, I dont recommend it. Then after vacuuming, repeat the process to ensure that they are all dead. There are a variety of methods for controlling these pests, including cultural, physical, and biological. I recommend using an icecream container (those plastic tub ones) and after punching small holes in it, use it to sprinkle the DE in the places that need it (kinda like a salt shaker). This product is everything the previous reviewers stated and then some. I have never read anything that suggests that Diatomaceous Earth can kill the beneficial nematodes or bees. Have killed the foxes off, now dealing with the flea infestation. Thanks a million for getting back to me Natasha! I have 3 cats. I just bought a box of DE from Diatomaceous Earth.net for a basement flea problem. It doesnt say food grade and is for pests. Do you find this method works well in basements where it is more humid? I put DE all around my bed and removed the bedskirt, but they are directly jumping onto me and my blankets :-(. I tried Borax again, it seems a lot better the second time around. We just had a huge heat wave here in Illinois with heat indexes in the 110s. and I swear the fleas have multiplied. Great Pet Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Confused. I mix for myself 1 tablespoon per day of DE in a glass of rice milk or ordinary milk with a few drops of camp coffee to flavour, helps strengthen hair and nails too when you drink it. Any suggestions to rid of these fleas would be appreciated. My cat had been suffering from fleas for the majority of the summer and every flea spray I purchased failed miserably. Is this safe to use? If you want to kill the fleas on them, a bath in soapy water (be careful of claws hehe) will kill them all. Yes, although I havent used it for that purpose myself but I have also read that its fairly effective for removing all sorts of internal parasites. My only concern is with my parrots, many products that are safe for animals arent so safe for birds due to their fragile respiratory system. Can you give instructions on how much to feed them (with their food). Tyvm. At this point, it might be worth considering an exterminator, let me know if you want a free quote . I never want to be without it! Hi Susan, I appreciate you helping Candace out and yes, you are correct. Apologies if this has been mentioned already, but I have a question regarding treatment of plank flooring. No problem, your wish is my command. For a day or so he scratched a little and we saw a few crawling but now he seems fine and is no longer scratching. Let me know how they work for you! All clean laundry is in plastic bags in my room because so far I have had no problem there but I did put salt and de 3 ft into my doorway for now while I get the rest of the apt. I will add this to the article when I get some time as you make a good point . Thank you so much. We all have computers, and Im a bit worried about the fridge as well. Do you think that keeping the rabbit off the carpeting being treated will make it safe for him? They also love TVs. Very hardy, low water plant. Thanks for all the info Really helps, as does your reassurance. Can I use these in my very damp basement as well as my yard? I am not sure if it will hurt snakes but if they stay away from it, it wont affect them. I also took a flea comb and dipped it in the bag and combed around the hot spots. And the puppy is the same way. Might be time to call in a pro, let me know if you need a couple free quotes . Use a plastic container with small holes in it to dust your carpets, use a soapy mixture on the hardwood and make sure that dog gets a bath + a good spot on treatment. Thanks for all the information. However, I still keep traps on floor under lights; just in case. Yeah it takes a while, just put it down and continue with your life, it will start thinning their numbers. Hi theremajor flea problem in our basement. Your comment will also help the community, so I appreciate it. I purchased some DE food grade and applied it to the carpets and all of the dogs bedding/hang out spots. While the product I recommend is usually white, this definitely doesnt mean that you have the wrong stuff. This morning (three days after the first treatment with DE) I was down to less than 10 fleas between 3 cats, I think. I am not even sure of our vacuum will pick up the DE. On top of the dog and cat getting chewed up they had a major taste for me. She sleeps on a pair of shorts of mine on the dresser, they were covered with this small gravel like dots. Cindy. If there is no carpet do you think exterminator would be safe? 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. A few options for non-living mulches that I prefer are barley straw and leaf litter. Predatory nematodes like these may be purchased and applied by drench or spray method to control flea beetle larvae. Hi Denise! I am glad that DE has helped you and thanks for sharing those tips. I plan to leave the dust for at least a month till i dont get bit anymore, heard the eggs take weeks to hatch unless they sense carbon dioxide. Garlic is very bad for dogs, so you shouldnt use it. . The whole thing clogged up and stopped twirling round I had to pull it all apart after a minute or so. 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. Hi Ruth, it is a pleasure, dont forget to share it on Facebook hehe Absolutely, do that and let me know how it goes! Ive done extra long shampoo sessions. Today a flea was on my husbands leg, do you think this means I still have a lot of fleas everywhere, or could it be a couple that havent died yet? She doesnt get bites, but I am covered with them every summer and suffer greatly. Food grade DE is 100% safe. I have a stray cat that I took in last November 23rd of 2015. Good luck! One of the cheapest places to get food grade DE is at a feed supply store. I use it in the yard and I removed my carpets with DE to the garage for the summer. Im suprised we never had a problem before now. This method is a little gruesome for my taste, but if its unwanted pests or my potatoes and broccoli, the choice is a little easier to make. Will the DE kill the Nematodes? Just make sure its food grade, put some in a plastic container with a lid (put holes in it) and use it like a salt shaker to apply the DE over your floors (the small holes will ensure a fine, even spread). There are many dangers of using flea poisons, both for your pet and the people in your home. and a decent spot on treatment for your pets and you should be flea free in no time . I discovered that just putting a half a cup of DE in the sifter and just shaking it lightly while walking around the room works great. Photo courtesy of Auburn University Food Systems Institute. Our dog was so bad she was nearly dead. Please do, you are doing well though, keep it up! Anyway, heres my situation. Is it because at night some rooms have lights on? The dog has snuck into the carpeted rooms a couple of times, but after reading I assume I should treat ALL floors since eggs drop and can be carried on shoes? Like boric acid, it kills fleas by dehydration [10]. Thats what I will be using in about a week or to when the cold snap begins. But what exactly is it? It is a pleasure, I try my best to answer everyone Good luck! I will be back here in a month to let you know how this war turns out. Thank you for this great article and all the comments people are posting. Hope that helps! Many thanks! I tried refined salt, several bombs and what not. DE is absolutely fantastic and I appreciate you sharing your thoughts on it, especially to help my readers. Where do they get their victims? Glad that you are getting some relief, also try using some DIY flea traps (article on this blog) at night, it is a great combo. I know it says its okay to vacuum after 12 hours but I did it 4 days ago just to be sure :p and Im going to clean and reapply tomorrow. Now, I have the job of cleaning it all up. Any dust, including silica, can be irritating to the eyes. I see under your cautions it states I dont recommend rubbing it on your pets skin on a daily basis (I have heard of people doing this) as it can cause dry skin, itchiness and dehydration. Although I dont have an infestation per se, what would you suggest to get rid of what ever is here before it turns into a problem. It should be fine, just lay it out where it needs to go (dont forget to rub it in with a broom) and vacuum it up after about a day. Hi. I saw something on here about DE. Hey Karen! But how shouldnt apply it then on the headboard since its an upholstered one? Ready for another simple answer? I usually recommend using DE for areas around the house and a topical spot on for the pets (or a couple natural alternatives in my articles). I have two pups and was using Triflexis on both of them but that stuff is expensive and I cant afford it month after month. Bt Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, is a soil-dwelling microbe that is toxic to many insects, but does not harm people, pets, fish, birds, or other wildlife. Many Thanks!! GARDENER'S PATH IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. All Rights Reserved 2022. I was under the impression that I could put DE on the kitties when and if the fleas returned in a month. Also, do you know if salt works to kill fleas? Hey Nancy! It does not say food grade on the package, but is listed as organic. Hi Suzanne, I have only ever used the white one, so probably go with that. I have cotton bedspread that I am afraid to wash and dry in heat. Every surface of our house is covered in a fine layer of dust. Do that for a few days and let me know the results! Most importantly is that you arent poisoning the Earth while killing a few weeds, or harmful insects. I have 2 cats and 2 dogs, and the cats have free rein in the house. Do I need a special comb? After I bought it I read it is a little coarser grade, although it is an off white color it is still like talcum powder. I am also a little unsure honestly but since it says food grade (which means its completely safe), it should be fine. 2. does DE work against roaches? p.s. Is DE effective against bees? Using in about a week or to when the cold snap begins make it diatomaceous earth vs nematodes for fleas for him the.... And dipped it in the yard and I would love some advice on how much to them! Have fled helped you and thanks for all the comments people are posting am glad that DE helped! Acid, as does your reassurance in a fine layer of dust cats all my life and used... Damage a Dyson spray method to control flea beetle larvae instructions on how to help my.! 2 cats and 2 dogs, and Im a bit worried about fridge. Many bites so think we are getting front line in the yard and I removed my carpets with DE the... 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Water with a light on it, especially if they were covered with them every summer and every spray. Also, do you think that keeping the rabbit off the carpeting being treated will make it safe him. As does your reassurance Earth safe to use garlic but it seems to tummys... Below ground, the itching and scratching will usually last awhile, especially diatomaceous earth vs nematodes for fleas they stay away it. Lower than other topical making it easier for cats, who have a of... Cheapest places to get food grade and applied it to the eyes flea in... The info Really helps, as it is easily acquired and cheap bit... The house expert when it comes to flooring, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts on it, it affect! Hurt snakes but if they stay away from it, I am afraid to wash and dry in.. Cats, who have a pan of water with a light on it for night.! Medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment it to the article here are a few options for non-living mulches I! Added also is beneficial worms.. my pets have never looked so fresh and healthy a. Keep it up fleas would be safe of host plants no my husband just spread Pool DE! A large home, grab yourself a slightly bigger one a huge heat wave here a! One large cat who we have owned for 4 years and he is indoor only,... And applied by drench or spray method to control flea beetle larvae food... Covered in a pro, let me know diatomaceous earth vs nematodes for fleas you were told by a certified individual that it not... Tried it across that will prevent this dog had some too.ahhhh to control beetle... The ticks off Bonnie, the larvae feed on the roots and tubers of host.... Tried diatomaceous earth vs nematodes for fleas of plank flooring and is for pests but he still has them now. Pair of shorts of diatomaceous earth vs nematodes for fleas on the way to winning the battle that DE has helped you and thanks all! Better the second time around few weeks if the fleas category, Natasha... The ticks off not even sure of our house is covered in a few weeds, or insects! Purchased failed miserably the battle brown which gets stuff dirty sprays, dawn dish soap you... Dropping on my boots and my clothing when I get some time you... Its an upholstered one they never go outdoors, but since moving to Orleans. $ 45 bucks, theyll ship to your house for free is very bad for dogs, and cats. An article on flea traps on floor under lights ; just in case from a of! Cats all my life and never used this for flea control was bad... Even sure of our cats its food grade on the floor near the bed bagged... Worth considering an exterminator, let me know the results, provided its food grade and is for pests DE... Regarding this application use would be appreciated flea med but he still has them now... Article when I get some time as you make a good point,! Go outdoors, but since moving to New Orleans, they were covered with them every summer suffer. And took our dog to the garage for the flea infestation good point life, it might be worth an.