All-Around Non-Toxic Flea Control

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.

Read more: Pests, Pets

The Care2 Staff

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

George R.

5:42PM PDT on May 23, 2012

I love this Idea for getting rid of fleas, naturally wonderful. I like natural remedies, and so do my dogs&cat. thank you from all of us;)

send a green star

Angela N.

12:43PM PDT on May 23, 2012

thank you :)

Kenneth D.

7:54AM PDT on May 21, 2012

Thank you

Tamy V.

8:20AM PDT on May 17, 2012

I got turned onto DE via an Amish guy who *used to* have a kennel. My feral rescue cat had seizures after I treated her and the house with a commercial "safe" product. I even sprinkle it on the firewood when I bring it into the house. Knock wood, we have had no infestations now since I stared using it. I cleaned out a Parmesan Cheese shaker and transfered some into it using a funnel. Much less dusty mess that way (still use a mask, and I would suggest gloves, too)

Danuta W.

1:06AM PDT on May 17, 2012

Thank you for the information.

Jaime T.

4:59AM PDT on Apr 18, 2012

After a very warm Florida winter the fleas are bad to say the least. It is safe to say that our home is infested. The fleas are also becoming resistant to the topical flea treatments and chemicals that we wish to avoid in the home and on the animals. After much research I purchased 20 Mule Team Borax from Target and a bag of "Food Grade" DE from the local farm feed store. I put a little DE in one jar and a little Borax / Salt in another jar. After two days of observation the fleas in the DE jar were dead within less than 8 hours and seemed very uncomfortable within a few minutes of contact. In the Borax jar the fleas appeared to love the stuff and lay in it. They are also still very much still alive and well.

Noting that the DE was the effective and much safer method of treatment I went with that. We treated all the carpets by sprinkling the DE on and brushing the DE in with a broom. Definately wear the mask, it is very dusty. I applied the DE to our cat and dog by wearing gloves and sprinkling the DE in my rubber gloved hand and rubbing into their fur. I started around the head and neck first (being careful of their eyes, ears & nose) if you start with the body first the fleas make a bee line for the animal's ears. While applying the DE to the animals the fleas were much easier to pick off and kill by rolling them in my dusty palm and disposing of in alchohol to be sure. We started with the animal's backs and worked our way to the extremities. We definately started t

J B.

6:59PM PDT on Mar 16, 2012

Make sure you only use FOOD GRADE DE. Do Not use the kind used in swimming pool filters or the bags found in garden centers. These are NOT the same product! It must say Codex &/or FOOD GRADE.

Paul N.

5:38PM PST on Jan 1, 2012

Last tidbit: Unlike Diatomaceous Earth, Fuller's Earth is also subject to decomposition and potential toxicty due to decomp. If you've had that product for a long time, you are likely wise to get rid of it. By its nature, Diatomaceous Earth does not decompose or change in nature over time. (I personally take a heaping teaspoon a day in a little ginger ale for my own health. Since it also does not disolve in liquid, I just stir it up again after a little time or generally chug it right down.) There's no unpleasant taste to it. Just a bit "gritty". Some use 2 heaping tablespoons.

5:17PM PST on Jan 1, 2012

PS.. You may also see food grade diatomaceous earth in health food stores referred to as "Fossil Shell Flour". It is an accurate descriptive and does refer to food grade diatomaceous earth.

5:13PM PST on Jan 1, 2012

Hi, Marsha. The package you purchased was grossly mislabeled, and I would not trust the product. This is an excerpt found at: http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-diatomaceous-earth-and-vs-fullers-earth/ : “While fuller’s earth is a clay containing silicates, diatomaceous earth is a sedimentary rock that is made up of fossils of diatoms that are nothing but aquatic plants.....” All Diatomaceous Earth, however, is not alike. Diatoms live in both salt and fresh water. The salt water DE is full of impurities while the freshwater deposits are concentrated and have been undisturbed for hundreds of thousands of years.. no mixing with other deposits and impurities. This is “food grade”. DE is also used for swimming pool filters. This DE is heat treated and chemically altered, is toxic and not to be used by people and pets. Use only “food grade” diatomaceous earth. The original producer and world’s largest supplier of food grade DE is a company called Perma-Guard. They employ the purest freshwater deposits from undisturbed ancient dried up lake beds. There are only a select few of these sites. Perma-Guard Food Grade DE is repackaged and usually identified as being Perma-Guard and “food grade” or “freshwater” by numerous online stores and is available through organic pest control retailers with local stores also. Some health food stores may also handle it, but may not be the easiest way to find it. It is als