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.
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72 comments
add your comment »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!!!
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what can I use for fleas on hardwood flooring to not damage the finish and will get in all the wood seams.
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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.
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Can the DE be brushed into the pets bedding w/o it harming their lungs?
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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!
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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.
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DE contains silica dust. I am VERY concerned that if it's not good for my lungs, then it's also not good for my dogs and cats' lungs. What are your thoughts about the following article and information please? http://www.dirtdoctor.com/organic/garden/view_question/id/2536/
I know that the Dirt Doctor is referring to DE with PBO in it, but his information and claims about "natural" treatments do concern me. Thank You
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Shame! Poor little fleas...they can't help doing what is in their nature...which is to irritate us! I can't bring myself to be part of their demise...bad karma and all that. I spray my dog with an infusion of lavender and rosemary sprigs to which I add green tea, hibiscus tea and finely grated lemon and orange peel as well as 2 drops each lemon and chamomile essential oils. This serves to confuse the ticks who think they're in a Japanese teagarden and they qiuckly depart for more flea-friendly climes. In the worst of the flea season I use an infusion of "Khakibos" also known as "Black Jacks" which grows profusely on our African soil.Coupled with this; a brush everyday, wash the doggie blankies 2x a week, and vacuum scrupulously. This way we don't angst about our next reincarnation. Please don't kill the fleas!
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thanks for all this info. We had almost no winter to kill off the hibernating ones. my poor dogs are tormented now. i have been using the topical solutions, but i know they are poison. where do you buy the DE?
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Is the DE safe for cats that lick and clean so much? I mean you say to put on a mask to keep from breathing the particles - what keeps the cat (or dog) from breathing the particles when they clean or move about?
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