Diatomaceous earth to treat fleas?

[binka_nugget]

Has anyone used diatomaceous earth to get rid of fleas? Was it effective?

I fostered a cat recently but had to find another foster because I thought I was allergic to her.. now I think she just had fleas as I'm still getting bitten and Keeva's starting to itch (the Shelties don't seem to have any because the cat liked staying in my room.. and the Shelties prefer to stay out). I'm going to pick up Advantage for the dogs but I need something for the carpets and mattress. :\

[borzoimom]

Havent heard of that but I use frontline and it works great.

[Ginger's Mom]

Ashley, you may want to post this in the General Section. I have a very vague recollection of this being discussed in the past, and for some reason I think it was Richard who had some knowledge or experience with it. I did a search but couldn't find anything. Maybe someone else will remember.

[Freckles]

Try a search for that word. It looks like it's good for killing some things, but not fleas.

[Giselle]

Isn't that used for killing slugs? I remember this topic being discussed as well, and I believe the consensus was that it isn't effective as fleas will merely jump over the substance. The best way to get rid of a flea infestation, in my experience, is just to find a day for major cleaning. Get a steam-carpet cleaner, throw all the dog beds in the wash, and you should be two steps ahead of the game

[Catlady711]

I'm not familiar with that substance. And I'm not as familiar with Advantage, however Frontline Plus has an extra ingredient that when the animal sheds hair/dandruf it takes that ingredient into your carpets/furniture to help stop the larva stage of fleas, as well as the main ingredient in Frontline Plus also kills adult fleas on the pet. The ingredient Fipronil in Frontline Plus is the same ingredient used in fruit orchards in the US since the 1980's it's very safe. Frontline Plus is pricey, but actually less expensive than using a myrad of other more chemical methods that only partially solve the problem or just plain don't work.

Either way, if fleas are biting people it's a BAD flea problem and could take up to a year or more of regularly treating the pets to get it back under control. Vacuuming alot (throwing away the sweeper bag), washing pet bedding will all help also, but that alone will never stop it. A single female flea lays 2,000 egss in her short lifetime, and fleas can live for months as larva stages in your carpets.

[crow_noir]

As far as pet pests go I've only used it for de-worming. The not breathing DE in or getting it in the eyes worried me. That and King was so severely allergic to fleas. (We used Frontline Plus on him.)

I DO use it though around the perimeter of the house. about two inch spread near the foundation.

If you use the DE in their fur (for major infestations) do beware of it drying out the skin. I'd say leave it in for a day then throughly wash it out.

Oh... and DE works GREAT on fire ants!

Also, buy a flea collar and cut it up and put it in the vacuum (In the bag if it's a bag vacuum.) Make sure to vacuum two or three times a day.

You can also put a light on the floor and a small dish of soapy water. The fleas will go right to it. There's details online for making successful versions. (make sure the pets can't get to it of course.) (Or you replace the soapy water with a pan of DE. just an idea.)

Oh and if you use the DE inside i suggest just putting it around the baseboards. Vacuuming it up can spread it into the air.

Has anyone used diatomaceous earth to get rid of fleas? Was it effective?

I fostered a cat recently but had to find another foster because I thought I was allergic to her.. now I think she just had fleas as I'm still getting bitten and Keeva's starting to itch (the Shelties don't seem to have any because the cat liked staying in my room.. and the Shelties prefer to stay out). I'm going to pick up Advantage for the dogs but I need something for the carpets and mattress.