Does diatomaceous earth kill fleas? Yes. Here is how to use this product for flea control.

Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring rock consisting of fossilized remains of tiny diatoms. In its powder form, diatomaceous earth is used for a wide range of things.

These include scrubbing, paint & plastic manufacture, preventing lumps in food, medicine, and application on pet litter.

Now, let’s talk about diatomaceous earth flea control.

How to Use Diatomaceous Earth for Fleas on Cats and Dogs

Can you use diatomaceous earth as flea powder? Yes.

One of the most popular uses for diatomaceous earth is its use on pests. There’s a long list of problems that can be controlled using this product.

These include crickets, lice, fleas, ants, mites, bed bugs, centipedes, gnat larvae, some grubs, silverfish, sow bugs, most beetles, roaches, earwigs, etc.

However, we will narrow our focus to its (diatomaceous earth) use on fleas. How well does this product perform against flea infestations?

Does it require a solid application strategy? Is diatomaceous earth safe for use on pets? We will thoroughly answer all these questions and more as you read.

  • Call for Professional Flea Control Services

Although diatomaceous earth will do a great job of pest elimination, not everyone might want to try this out.

If you belong to this category of persons, it’s best to seek professional help. There are lots of benefits attached to this approach. Here, a more comprehensive treatment is offered.

Pest technicians are well trained and experienced in handling various pest issues, including flea infestations.

They’re in a better place to offer far-reaching treatment than DIY techniques, which are fraught with mistakes in the application, among other things.

How Does Diatomaceous Earth Kill Fleas?

To be more confident using diatomaceous earth for your flea problem, you need to know how it works. First off, this powder or substance is abrasive.

Such isn’t evident when looking at its powder form. When sprinkled on fleas, it disrupts the normal functioning of their outer bodies or exoskeletons.

The powder fastens to or sticks to the waxy protective coating on exoskeletons leading to wounds and interrupting their ability to breathe easily.

Also, the ability to stay hydrated by absorbing fluids and moisture is affected. These are why fleas don’t stand a chance with diatomaceous earth treatments.

Will Diatomaceous Earth Kill Fleas Instantly?

How long does it take diatomaceous earth to kill fleas?

With diatomaceous earth, you shouldn’t expect instant results. It takes time to degrade flea exoskeletons steadily.

The wait time for visible results will last from hours to a few days. What is most important is that this substance eventually kills fleas.

  • Fleas and Pets: Is it Safe to Use Diatomaceous Earth on Pets?

Fleas are most common on animals like dogs and cats, among others. Their fur provides ample cover for fleas to feed quickly as suitable hosts.

Unlike other animal pests like ticks, fleas only hop on their hosts for a quick blood meal, after which they get off until they need replenishment.

With this behavior, it’s common to find people assuming that diatomaceous earth is safe for use on flea-infested pets. While this may sound logical to an extent, it’s never a good idea to have diatomaceous earth used on your pets.

Veterinarians have always advised against using certain products like diatomaceous earth on pets like cats and dogs. Why is that so?

According to the experts, the chances of your pets developing lung-related infections & diseases due to diatomaceous earth use become higher.

Respiratory risks are only a part of the problem. Other health conditions are also likely to develop. Cats are the most at-risk pets when diatomaceous earth is used.

That is because they tend to groom themselves much more frequently than dogs. This results in the ingestion of the product.

DO NOT use diatomaceous earth on your pets, as they will likely be exposed to all risks. Plus, diatomaceous earth achieves little in flea control when used on pets.

In other words, it isn’t as effective as when applied on flea-infested surfaces or areas outside the body.

  • What Kind of Diatomaceous Earth should be used on Fleas?

When using diatomaceous earth for flea control, you’ll need to understand that there are two main types; food-grade and pool-grade.

While both will act the same way to kill fleas, the risks posed to humans tend to be higher with pool-grade types.

Pool-grade diatomaceous earth isn’t only hazardous to breathe and poses the same risks when touched.

Here, it’s obvious why food-grade diatomaceous earth is often promoted over the pool-grade type for all kinds of pest control use.

What more? The food-grade diatomaceous earth tends to be less treated, thus making it more natural. Plus, it’s the cheaper option of the two.

This product can be easily bought in stores and put to your desired use.

How to Spread Diatomaceous Earth for Fleas

Knowing the effects of diatomaceous earth on fleas isn’t enough.

You also need to figure out to put it to good use. You’ll need to find infested areas with pet applications ruled out in your yard or home.

These pests are opportunists and strategically position themselves in ambush, waiting for a suitable host to hop on. Whether you want to treat outdoor or indoor areas, you need your diatomaceous earth dry to have the desired impact.

Evenly sprinkle the powder over target areas to ensure fleas have no way of escaping. How you apply depends on the surface. For example, carpets require ruffling to work the powder deep into the fibers.

Now allow the powder to sit for a day or two. If you’re traveling, sprinkle and allow to sit until you get back. After the minimum wait time has passed, fleas should be dead.

Get your carpet vacuumed to remove diatomaceous earth residue with flea carcasses and eggs.

You can repeat the treatment once every week for 3 to 4 weeks. This helps ensure that any flea eggs remaining have hatched and are killed.

Diatomaceous earth for flea control is quite effective when used or applied correctly. We’ve answered crucial questions and provided tips on how to carry out the treatment.

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