Diatomaceous Earth for Flea Control

Diatomaceous Earth for flea control by Lumino

Using Diatomaceous Earth for flea control, is a safe & non chemical alternative to the dangerous topical's on the market today. Diatomaceous Earth (DE) are the remains of microscopic one-celled plants (phytoplankton) called diatoms that lived in the oceans and lakes that once covered parts of the world thousands of years ago. The Diatomaceous Earth is processed many different ways for different industries. NEVER USE POOL GRADE DE, which is heated and chemically treated and will poison animals and people.

We offer Organic Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth, which is EPA approved against indoor and outdoor crawling insects; FDA approved for internal and external use; EPA approved for mixing with grain to control pests; exempted from tolerance requirements as an inert, inactive ingredient in chemical pesticides; USDA approved as an anti-caking agent for animal feed.

This remarkable substance is a desiccant - it actually dries out the waxy outer layer of fleas and ticks so they dehydrate. No chemical toxicity, just a simple, naturally effective solution to problems associated with parasites, worms and fleas.

Food grade diatomaceous earth contains 15 trace minerals including calcium, potassium, copper, zinc, iron, phosphorous and selenium. Safe and effective when used as an organic wormer and treatment for internal parasites. EPA approved as a food additive.

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a powder comprised of microskeletons of deceased diatoms, which are a type of algae (both fresh water and sea water varieties occur). You sprinkle the powder on your pets and your carpets, and the fleas die from dehydration. You can use it on dogs, puppies, kittens, and cats.

How it works:

When applied to the animal’s fur, DE scrubs on the hard exoskeletons of fleas. The tiny granules of silicon (think finely ground sand) work in the tiny holes of the flea’s respiratory system and in the joints of the fleas. Every time the flea moves or breathes, the silicon grinds away at the exoskeleton, eventually killing the flea through blocking/maiming the respiratory holes or by water loss, as the exoskeleton helps keep in the flea’s body water. It works the same way when applied to carpets instead of fur.

How to use it:

1) Move your hand against your pets fur, along the spine, pushing it away from his/her body. Sprinkle the DE along your dry pet’s spine. Massage it along the body, working your way carefully to the extremities, avoiding the nose & eyes.

2) Be careful not to create too much dust and avoid you & your pet breathing in large amounts.

3) Spread some diatomaceous earth on the carpets, brush it in and leave for about four days. Then vacuum it up to remove most of the fleas in the carpet. If sprinkling on bedding, apply liberally and then cover with a sheet to avoid your pet breathing in large amounts of DE.

4) Repeat the application frequently during an infestation. You should notice a decrease in fleas within a couple days.

NOTE: Make sure to NEVER USE DE MADE FOR SWIMMING POOLS!

Diatomaceous Earth for Natural Parasite Control

NOTE: ONLY USE FOOD GRADE DE, NEVER EVER USE POOL GRADE DE!!!!

The governments of the United States and Canada recognize that Diatomaceous Earth is safe to use in animal foods. Diatomaceous Earth prevents "clumping" of feed particles by keeping them separate, so the surface area of feed exposed to the digestive processes - both bacterial and enzymatic - is increased and therefore more feed is actually digested and utilized. Diatomaceous Earth contains a small amount of 15 trace minerals. Thousands of animal owners and livestock breeders have discovered that adding Diatomaceous Earth to their animals' rations has produced a number of incredible benefits.

Under magnification, Diatomaceous Earth looks like sharp honeycombs that destroys all parasites that they come in contact with without harming people, animals, or anything with less than 6 legs. To the naked eye, it looks like a harmless flour.

Diatomaceous earth can be spread on barn floors, chicken coops, horse stalls, pet bedding, carpets, lawn and patio to remove the insects. As the diatomaceous earth comes in contact with the insects, the sharp edges of the honeycomb shape lacerate the bugs waxy exoskeleton and then the powdery diatomaceous earth absorbs the body fluids causing death from dehydration. . Some scientists believe that diatomaceous earth is a de-ionizer or de-energizer of worms or parasites.

Food grade diatomaceous earth must be fed long enough to catch all newly hatching eggs or cycling of the worms through the lungs and back to the stomach. A minimum of 60 days is suggested by many, 90 days is advised for lungworms.

Food grade diatomaceous earth works in a purely physical/mechanical manner, not "chemical" and thus has no chemical toxicity. Best yet, parasites don’t build up a tolerance/immunity to its chemical reaction, so rotation of wormers is unnecessary. Also, Diatomaceous Earth has an unlimited shelf life provided you keep it dry.

For Internal Use (Natural Parasite Control):

Directions for use: Mix with food once a day:

Kittens: 1/2 teaspoon
Puppies: 1/2 -1 teaspoon
Dogs under 35lbs: 1 teaspoon
Dogs 35-50lbs: 2 teaspoons
Dogs over 50lbs: 1 tablespoon
Dogs over 100lbs: 2 tablespoons

Note: Food grade diatomaceous earth eliminates hookworms, whipworms, pinworms and roundworms within one week of being fed daily. Safe to double the daily recommended dose if your pet has fleas, or when worming.

Remember, for the DE to be effective, it has to come into contact with the worm/parasite/pest to kill it. Make the addition of DE to your pet's food a daily habit and try not to miss days during the worming treatment period. For best results, it is better to feed a little more than the recommended dose rather than less.

For puppies and kittens who are eating on their own, add the DE into a small amount of milk or yogurt to make it palatable.

Safe to use 365 days per year to strengthen your pets immune system.

External Application (Flea Control):

Lightly rub the Diatomaceous earth into pets coat or fur to dehydrate fleas, lice and ticks. Dust lightly, but thoroughly, avoiding eyes and nose. In order to eliminate the parasites, they must come into contact with the DE.

Note, allow up to 72 hours for dehydration to occur. For flea problems, sprinkle around pet bedding and areas where your pets live as a further deterrent. Repeat the application once a week for at least 3 weeks. Remember, to make flea and tick treatment successful, it is important that everything is treated at the same time, the pets, the bedding, and the household.

Ingredients: Fossil Shell Flour. Pure Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth.

Warnings:
Do not inhale. DE is a drying agent and dust may cause eye and respiratory irritation, especially to persons with asthma or other lung conditions. Do not use heavily in carpet as DE can cause vacuum problems.

Never use pool filter grade DE around animals, it is toxic and harmful.