Bedbugs. Ants. Fleas. Cockroaches. Is your skin crawling yet? There are many solutions to rid oneself of pests, but few of them are harmless to our families and pets. 100% organic and non-toxic, save for some possible skin or respiratory irritation if applied sloppily, diatomaceous earth is the product of…
...prehistoric fossilized fresh water diatoms which have been finely ground. It's been used for over 4,000 years in China as a dewormer and colon cleanser. Bonsai plant enthusiasts will sometimes use 100% diatomaceous earth as their potting soil because of its ability to retain moisture and nutrients while promoting excellent drainage.
How it works for bug control is the powder absorbs lipids from their waxy exoskeletons and can take up to 48 hours to exterminate the icky critters. In my own experience, watching ants walk through a very fine line of diatamaceous earth, the desired effect is nearly instantaneous.
Planet Natural has it available in handy 4oz applicator bottles, which makes it easy to snip off the end and apply to the perimeter of your home or along cracks and sidewalks to keep ants at bay. A little really goes a long way. Out of the 5 pounds I purchased 10 months ago, I have nearly a pound left. If I use my finger to smudge a line of the powder across the threshold or window sill, it will stop ants from crossing. But I wash my hands immediately after touching the diatomaceous earth so I don't forget and accidentally rub my eye. I don't know what it would do, but I don't want to find out!
Having a small feral cat colony (all spayed and neutered), as well as rogue raccoons, squirrels and opossums means that I'm going to have fleas in my garden. The friendlier cats, I can apply flea treatment to. The others, I lightly dust diatomaceous earth in their sleeping areas and favorite hiding spots. Considering that I'm terribly allergic to fleas and received fewer than 10 bites all summer, I considered things well under control.
Please keep in mind that you should only buy organic, non-toxic diatomaceous earth. There is a version that is made for cleaning pools and you don't want that product anywhere near you or your pets. If you have a sensitive respiratory system, you may want to use a dust mask. Careful application should prevent any problems though.
Read more
• Household Pest Control: 5 Natural Bug Repellents
• A Super Easy Insect Killer That Cleans As You Use It
• NO MORE ANTS!
(Image: Canada-Bedbugs.com. Originally published 09.14.10)
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I woke up at 2:00 this morning after brushing a roach off my face (a big, gross palmetto roach that comes with living in south Louisiana in a 75yo house - however, one ending up in bed with me is more than I can handle), so I'm looking for any and all solutions. Just got off the phone with my bug guys, so they're my first line of defense, but if I continue to have problems, this is definitely on my list to try....
Thanks for the DE primer. I have a box for "emergencies" and prevention but I have yet to use it.
Also, kudos on your fixed feral cat colony! That's awesome and warms my heart!
LSUgrad03, I lived in the south for a year and would be happy to not be able to picture a palmetto bug, but I can and I'm sorry one got too friendly with you. Eeeeeek!
jesse.anne.o, thanks for the props on the feral pals. My old house was overrun with kitties when I moved-in and I just couldn't bear to see any of them get sick or harmed. I started volunteering with Best Friend's Animal Society's LA programs doing TNR (trap/neuter/return). Now they have a fulltime clinic nearby (fixnation.org).
On a geeky note: I just found this additional link from the University of Colorado. Diatomaceous Earth was their "Object of the Month" in February: http://cumuseum.colorado.edu/Research/Objects/feb10_diatom_earth-a.html
When I lived in Philadelphia last year, we used DE to get rid of bedbugs. It worked, but I had over zealous roommates. The house looked like it had snowed inside. Now I can't stand the smell of the stuff. But I think I could use it in small doses like you suggest.
Oh, I actually saw some folks from FixNation speak at a conference I went to last year so I vaguely know about their TNR program. Neat-o!
That U of Colorado link is slightly scary: However, it is so good an abrasive that it will take the enamel off of your teeth—and therefore it is not found in today's toothpastes.
PLEASE be careful when deciding to use DE. While it is a very effective pesticide that is more natural than chemical-based bug killers, it is sometimes a bit TOO effective.
It WILL kill bees that happen to get into it, so please use caution if applying DE to plants in your garden--especially flowering ones. It will also kill ladybugs--another beneficial garden insect.
Also, you should take caution to wear a facial mask and eye protection when applying DE to anything, since if you inhale it, it WILL cause lung irritation and if it gets into your eyes ... well, let's just say you won't be having a good day after that.
And be sure to be careful when vacuuming it up, as it can break your vac. And ALWAYS clear pets and children and asthmatics out of the house, as it is really, really irritating to all mucous membranes (eyes, nose, lungs...). It is fine once it is in the desired place, but be careful about windowsills or areas where it will be stirred up by air (heating vents), as when in the air, it is hard to get it out. Wear a mask (preferably an actual ventilation mask... the scary looking thing) and eye protection when applying and vacuuming.
As for gardens, use only in spot application to avoid killing beneficials, as philaja said, including earthworms!
It is effective for pests! Flea be gone!
This stuff is quite effective. Although it's dusty, it will keep the critters away!
I wouldn't use this in my garden, because there are more effective ways to naturally rid the garden of pests (beneficial insects and biodynamic gardening combined do the trick for me), but I use DE as a perimeter defense for the house to keep ants out and it works wonders.
I wouldn't put this in my bed, or my pet's bed. You're really supposed to avoid aspirating it, or having it come in contact with your skin or eyes.
It's basically ground glass (crystalline silica), so by all means, use DE frequently, anyplace you would like ground glass sprinkled around.