What a lovely word – “diatomaceous”. It’s one of those words that roll off the tongue once you know how to pronounce it. But what the heck is it?
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a naturally-occurring silica compound made from the fossilized, skeletal remains of diatoms – minuscule aquatic organisms.
It’s found in the sediment of rivers, streams, lakes, and the sea.
OK. So, it’s completely natural, then?
What does it do?
DE has many practical applications in the home. It will kill insects and mites in the home, in the garden, and on your pets.
Sounds good.
Let’s learn a bit more and take a look at how to apply diatomaceous earth.
Article Contents
What Is Diatomaceous Earth?
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These products can kill bed bugs, fleas, crickets, cockroaches, ticks, and spiders, as well as many other household pests.
Additionally, diatomaceous earth can be found in skin care products; toothpastes and foodstuffs; medicines; rubber products; paints; and water filters.
Diatomaceous earth is non-toxic to humans or pets. When pests eat it, they dehydrate and die – the DE absorbs the fats and oils from the insect’s exoskeleton.
Are there any side-effects to using diatomaceous earth?
Although the powder is non-toxic, it might be accidentally inhaled when laying it out for pests. This isn’t hazardous but could irritate the nasal passages.
If you inhale large amounts, it is likely to make you cough, and you may experience shortness of breath. It can irritate sensitive skin. The powder is abrasive and can irritate the eyes.
Luckily, there are no harmful effects on wildlife when laying DE for pests. It is recommended, however, to keep it away from chickens.
Safety When Using Diatomaceous Earth
- DE can be dehydrating, so it’s worth wearing gloves when handling – it can dry out the skin.
- Although DE is non-toxic, it’s best to avoid inhaling it. Wear a mask when sprinkling.
- Food-grade DE is recommended for home use.
It should also be noted that DE is a challenge for a domestic vacuum cleaner and will block the filter quickly. Make sure that you clean the filter regularly when cleaning up to avoid damaging the motor.
How To Apply Diatomaceous Earth For Bed Bugs
Luckily, DE is the chemical-free, effective method of eradicating bed bugs from the home. It’s safe to apply all around the house, and safe around pets and children.
DE only affects adult bed bugs, so this is no immediate fix – you’ll need to leave it for a couple of weeks to break the life-cycle.
For more natural ways to get rid of bed bugs see this article.
Step 1: Steam Clean
Temperatures in excess of 130ºF will kill bed bugs after a few hours.
Steam cleaning your bed linen and furniture with a steam cleaner is an excellent, chemical-free starting point.
Step 2: Wash Your Fabrics
Wash fabrics in very hot, or very cold water.
If you can tumble-dry on high heat (without damaging the linen), then all the better.
Store the washed fabrics in sealed containers or plastic bags.
Step 3: Vacuum Everything
Thoroughly vacuum your carpets, using a carpet cleaner if possible.
If you can dismantle your furniture, then pay attention to seams and frames.
Use the hose attachment to get into tight spots.
Step 4: Apply Diatomaceous Earth
Using an applicator, apply DE to areas where you suspect the nasty critters are hanging out.
Focus along moldings; in drawers, cracks and crevices; behind appliances; windowsills and around door frames.
It’s worth unscrewing electrical faceplates and puffing DE behind electrical switches and outlets.
Cover furniture and mattresses with a fine layer, and work in with your hands.
Step 5: The Big Clean Up
Leave the DE for as long as you can.
It might make your house look like it’s been taken over by The Addams Family, but it’s worth it. Hey….It could be great for a Halloween party?
DE can kill a bug in 3 hours; it will take some time for the whole population to become exposed.
After a couple of weeks, wipe up and vacuum.
If Required - Repeat!
If your bed bugs have managed to survive the shock and awe, try it again. It will work – but you have to break the cycle of infestation.
How To Apply Diatomaceous Earth For Fleas
Use the same process for eradicating the home of fleas.
If you have pets, the likely source of those fleas is their furry coats. Fleas are a real nuisance for cats and dogs and can quickly infest a home, so preventative treatment is imperative.
Choose food-grade DE powder for pet protection.
How To Apply Diatomaceous Earth For Dogs
- Vacuum your pet’s favorite hang-outs.
- Dust the area with DE
- After a couple of days of lying around in DE, give your dog a thorough shampooing; which they’re likely to hate, of course, but DE can dry out the skin if left for too long.
- Once they’re all sweet and dry and fragrant, give them a once-over with a flea comb. Comb them every few days to check for signs of a return.
- After a couple of weeks, it’s time to vacuum up the DE.
The process is the same for cats, but you can miss out the shampooing stage. Have you ever tried keeping a cat still for that long?!
How To Apply Diatomaceous Earth Outdoors
Of course, fleas, bugs, and pests start out life in the outdoors and find their way into the home; usually on our furry friends.
Bearing in mind that DE is also effective on cockroaches and larger pests, application outside of the house can prevent infestation on the inside.
Although DE works only when the powder is dry, it can be applied in a wet form; it will only take effect once the powder has dried out. Diatomaceous earth spray is particularly useful outside, especially when applying to areas where a fine layer of dust is likely to blow away.
The wet application method makes the DE stick, so remains effective on the outside of the home, as well as on the inside
Where To Buy Diatomaceous Earth
DE is available from Amazon and from most hardware and garden suppliers.
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- Food grade de - meets U.S. Food chemicals codex standards
- Omri listed - for organic use
- Natural product - safe for human or animal consumption
- No additives - 100% pure freshwater diatomaceous earth
- No contaminants - professionally packaged using stainless steel machinery
References:
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