Diatomaceous earth to treat fleas?

[shais_mom]

I tried looking into that but couldn't find it around here. You can try the laundry additive - BORAX. I used that this summer and it was excellent!

[ChrisH]

I use it for ant control. Googled and found this about use for fleas (scroll down a little). http://wolfcreekranch1.tripod.com/no_flea.html
One thing to remember when using, for oneself or animal, is to avoid breathing in the dust or getting it in the eyes. Ingesting is safe so if your dog or car licks it there isn't a problem (some people put it in food for worm control)

[binka_nugget]

Thanks for your responses guys.

I went out and bought it anyways since it was really cheap ($6.50 for enough to do the entire basement). I'll let you guys know how it goes.

Catlady711: The Frontline Plus sounds great.. but it isn't sold in Canada.

[shais_mom]

Borax might not be sold in Canada either but if you do use it you just have to remove the pets first- let it sit- then sweep it up.

Here is what I found googling borax for fleas......

Boric acid, which is in Borax , kills fleas and the larvae by dehydrating them--drying them out is how I understand it. You can go to a hardware and buy boric acid or pick up a box of Borax at the grocery store. If your area doesn't have it, ask around for a laundry aid that contains boric acid. Sprinkle it on the dry carpet, allow it to sit overnight if possible, then vacuum in the morning. Vacuum twice if you have to, then throw away the bag. If you aren't sure and your carpet is newer --I'd test a spot first to make sure it doesn't fade. You will have to repeat this every two weeks--to make sure you get them all. Keep up the steady vacuuming. It also might be easier to put the borax in an empty oatmeal or cornmeal container-then poke holes in the lid-then take the top to make sure it's secure, and sprinkle on that way. An extra option is to add 20-25 drops of an essential oil to the borax first---working it in with your hands (wear rubber gloves). Let it sit a couple of hours, then put in the container and sprinkle. You can use cedar, citronella, pennyroyal, lemongrass, rosemary, eucalyptus, and lavender. This is optional though...

[Catlady711]

Catlady711: The Frontline Plus sounds great.. but it isn't sold in Canada.

WOW, I did not know it wasn't sold worldwide! Learn something new every day I guess. It's so common around here it never occured to me that everyone couldn't get it, and it seems to be on every pet supplies website I see, just never paid any attention to where it was allowed to ship to.

[RICHARD]

Borat?






IT works great but you do have to look for it..

It dehydrates insects by slicing them open, apparently the stuff is microscopically sharp and cuts them to shreds and it's cheap!

[binka_nugget]

I treated the three with one dose of advantage and spread diatomaceous earth on the carpet all over.. seems to have worked!

[So-Crafty]

I had gone through flea shampoos, topical gels like Frontline and Advantage, flea collars, flea combs. I had such an infestation in my house that nothing. worked. But they are gone now.

My secret? I treated the source before I treated the animals. I used a Borax/Salt combo on the carpets and vacuumed up about 12 hours later. Then, I religiously killed any fleas on the animals with natural sprays. I retreated the carpet 2 times a week for 14 days, 1 time a week for 21 days and then now I'm up to every 6 months as a precaution. I haven't had a flea since.