Need to get rid of fleas and ticks naturally without the use of harmful chemicals around your family and pets. Food grade diatomaceous earth is a great natural alternative to chemical pesticides, especially when trying to get rid of fleas and ticks. While DE products such as Last CrawlTM Insecticide Powder and DE-cide are not currently registered for use on animals, many people do use diatomaceous earth products for this purpose and see great results!
Diatomaceous earth is composed of tiny organisms known as diatoms which have the ability to lacerate the exoskeletons of various types of insects and kill them through dehydration.
In the event of an infestation of fleas, mites or ticks it is important to get proper treatment for your animal, as well as to treat the environment that habitat. For information on applying diatomaceous earth for pest control in your home, please see: Diatomaceous Earth: Is This a Super-Product?
Below is a collection of consumer tested application methods in which consumers have used diatomaceous earth to help control fleas, ticks, and mites.
Please be advised that this information has been provided by consumers and has not been scientifically tested. Diatomaceous earth products such as Last CrawlTM Insecticide Powder and DE-cide are not currently registered for use on animals but can be used to treat infested areas in your home and yard. Before choosing to use diatomaceous earth for an unregistered purpose, please carefully conduct your own research in order to make an informed decision.
Regular Method:
Using your hands, sprinkle a thin layer of food-grade diatomaceous earth throughout your animal’s fur. Dust the powder into their coat and on to their skin underneath. As well, sprinkle the diatomaceous earth along their backbone while working the powder in with your fingers.
Salt Shaker Method:
Fill an empty salt shaker with diatomaceous earth and shake the powder on to your animal. Dust the fine layer of DE into your animal’s fur or feathers with your hands.
Cosmetic Powder Puff Method:
Fill a cup, bowl or another container with food-grade diatomaceous earth. Dip a powder puff into the DE and use it to spread the product over the infected area. (Note: Do not powder the DE on like makeup, as this will create a lot of dust.) Dust the layer of DE into the animal’s fur or feathers with your hands.
Wet Mixture Method:
In a dishpan or washtub/bathtub, add 1 cup of DE to 1 gallon of water. Dip your pet in the mixture or, for an all-over application (recommended after bathing the animal), place your pet in the washtub/bathtub and cover them in the mixture.
For spot treatments, put the mixture of DE and water in a spray bottle and apply to hotspots. Shake well before use and be sure to have spray set to stream (or that the spray is wide open).
Be sure to leave the DE mixture on your pet to dry. Re-apply if the animal becomes wet or is bathed, as the DE is easily washed off.
This method courtesy of Imminent Danger German Shepherd Rescue, Greenville, Tennessee.
**A few things to note:
It is important that you keep the DE powder out of your pets’ eyes and ears.
For use with fleas, pay close attention to the animal’s backbone, thoroughly dusting the DE into this area of the fur.
Be sure to buy food grade diatomaceous earth that is in a powdered granulation.
Diatomaceous earth is not effective when wet however it can be applied wet and left to dry. Once dry, the product will return to its original form and continue to be effective.
Due to the fact that diatomaceous earth is a light powder, it is easily washed away by water, therefore, it is important to re-apply the product if your animal becomes wet after the DE has been applied.
The amount of time it takes before you see results will depend on the extent of the infestation.
The information above is based on customer experiences and recommendations. For Absorbent Product’s suggestions on eliminating fleas and bed bugs check out – Pet Care: How to Get Rid of Fleas and Bed Bugs.
For safe and natural flea control in your home and yard, check out Last Crawl Diatomaceous Earth Insecticide Powder
Please note: Last CrawlTM Insecticide Powder is currently available only in Canada. Information regarding this product is therefore applicable only in Canada.
Image by katleneniven