http://www.care2.com/greenliving/all-around-non-toxic-flea-control.html
All-Around Non-Toxic Flea Control
The Care2 Staff
Let’s face it. Fleas are the WORST, but applying pesticides to our pampered pooches doesn’t make us howl with excitement either. In an attempt to find non-toxic flea control remedies, Care2 staff stumbled upon this amazing technique that kills fleas fast without toxic chemicals. While citrus peel extract (d-limonene) works well for dogs, cats can’t tolerate it, so this is an especially great choice.
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. As a foster care provider for hundreds of dogs, this stuff has been a miracle. 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) Wear a mask and put one on your pet. Even though it’s nontoxic, you don’t want to get it in your lungs.
2) Sprinkle the DE along your dry pet’s spine. Massage it along the body, working your way carefully to the extremities, avoiding the eyes.
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.
4) Repeat the application frequently during an infestation. You should notice a decrease in fleas within a couple days.
NOTE: Make sure not to use the kind of DE used in swimming pools. Use natural diatomaceous earth; it is available in gardens supply centers, some health food stores, and from natural-pet catalogs.
related stories
-
(7 comments)
-
(46 comments)
-
(33 comments)
Robyn
Melissa
Deepak
Eric
Dave
Dr. Brent
Isha
Susan
Delia
Michelle
Wendy
Megan
Hilary
Ann
Judi
Ronnie
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Andrew
Jana
Annie B.
Veronica
76 comments
add your comment »hmmmm
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
i would not use this on my animals, cats or dogs, my cats like to be groomed, and from the start, i used a flea comb, and gently went through their fur, and if i found one of these pesky critters, then if got squashed, the comb also gets the eggs that attach onto the fur, i comb my cats just once a week, and they are free from flees, i dont use any chemicals, or flee control, just an ordinary flea comb, the one that is used for when children get nits, they are very cheap to buy, and non harmful to your animals, be gently when combing your animals, if your cat or dog have long hair, first give their coats a good brush to get out any tangles that might be there, then gently go through their fur with the Nit comb, you will get all of the fleas and their eggs out of your animals fur, and your animals with thank you for this.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Can I use it in my house with my 6 month old baby?
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
To all who are concerned with the danger of the DE - The natural form of this remedy causes No Harm to anything larger than insects. The powder its self is irritating to mammals because it is a powder. This "razor blade cutting effect" only acts on microscopic exoskeletons. Applying too thickly to plants will cause some ill effect. Too much of anything is still too much. Do your research and enjoy the wonders of DE.
P.S.
For an added lasting effect, try mixing in some finally ground Neem leaves to the carpet application.
Peace
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
I read this artical a couple of weeks ago and it sounded wonderful to me so i went to my local hardware store and purchased a bag of Diatomaceous Earth and put it on my carpet and out in the yard where my dog lay. I have used it twice now and I STILL HAVE FLEAS!!!
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
what can I use for fleas on hardwood flooring to not damage the finish and will get in all the wood seams.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Dr. Michael Fox suggests using DE as a flea preventative, and he does not even suggest wearing a mask. Is he perhaps assuming "we" will use masks or does he not believe there is a danger. I highly respect Dr. Fox, who is a vegan, and his advice. He does get a bit extreme at times however.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Can the DE be brushed into the pets bedding w/o it harming their lungs?
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Benny - Thank you for validating my concerns. I read so much about how "natural," "safe," and thus wonderful DE is for flea control; but the actual description of how exactly it works did NOT meet the safe and healthy factor for me. Thanks again!
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
I bought this stuff at an herbal gardening center which advertised it as non-toxic. They told me to dust my yard. Like the described action on the fleas it sucked all the moisture out of every growing thing killing everything in my yard. Then a potter friend of mine told me that in the world of clay mediums DE is considered extremely dangerous. She described the action as tiny razor blades cutting your lungs. it doesn't take too much thinking to realize that if this slices up the lungs and organs of fleas that it will do the same to you and your pets. I would never use this terrible stuff again.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Facebook account: