What Is Diatomaceous Earth And How Does It Kill Bugs?
Got roaches? Fleas? Grab the diatomaceous earth! This white powder has no odor, is all-natural, and a must-have because bugs hate it! Find out why.
Diatomaceous earth (sometimes to referred to simply as DE) is one of those handy substances that has all kinds of uses around the home and garden. It is mainly used for pest control, it’s effective at killing everything from fleas and roaches indoors to aphids and slugs outdoors.
What is Diatomaceous Earth?
It’s useful, but what the heck is it, exactly? The short answer is fossils! Diatomaceous earth (pronounced “dia-toMAY-shus” earth) is ground fossilized remains of a type of phytoplankton called diatoms, which have existed on earth for millions of years. Of course, to look at diatomaceous earth, it doesn’t look like fossils — it is more of an off-white powder that looks similar to talc and has no odor. In order to see the fossilized diatoms, one must put DE under a microscope. If you are wondering what the fossilized diatoms look like, they generally come in two shapes. The long stick-shaped diatoms are called pennates, and the round, cylindrical diatoms are centric diatoms.
Important: Be sure to use diatomaceous earth marked “food grade.”
How Does Diatomaceous Earth Work?
The reason why DE is recommended for killing bugs is pretty simple. The dust is scratchy, so when critters with exoskeletons (hard shells on the outside) are exposed to diatomaceous earth, it cuts through that protective layer, and the bugs eventually dehydrate and die. That scratchiness, caused by the microscopic edges of the fossilized diatoms, is also why DE irritates the skin and eyes. It is recommended that you wear a mask if you are applying it in large amounts.
How To Use Diatomaceous Earth To Treat Roaches
Courtesy of DiatomaceousEarth.com
Step 1: Give your home a thorough cleaning. Sweep, mop, put away food, and vacuum thoroughly. Maintaining cleanliness is usually the best defense against cockroaches.
Step 2: Dry up any damp areas to prepare for your diatomaceous earth application. Any kind of entrance for a cockroach should be sealed up with caulk.
Step 3: Apply DE anywhere you have seen cockroaches, including around the house along the foundation. Dust lightly, since cockroaches won’t step on diatomaceous earth if the dusting is too heavy. Apply DE anywhere cockroaches can hide, enter your home, and where food is commonly dropped. Don’t apply DE to any area that is consistently damp or wet, since wet diatomaceous earth will not kill insects.
Step 4: Leave DE applied as long as the cockroach infestation continues. Reapply if the DE gets washed away. Once the cockroaches are gone, you can vacuum up the diatomaceous earth but you can also leave it down as a preventative measure against future infestations.
How To Use Diatomaceous Earth To Treat Fleas
Diatomaceous earth has been used for years as an insecticide to control fleas.
Step 1: Be sure the areas you are treating are completely dry, and that the room is well ventilated and free of family or pets during the treatment process.
Step 2: Dust the affected areas (pet beds, blankets, surfaces of cat condos, etc.) with the diatomaceous earth using an applicator, or sock filled with the product.
Step 3: Let the DE penetrate the areas for an hour or more (if possible) then vacuum it up. Vacuum daily for maximum flea control. Treat small areas at a time as you will be vacuuming up the DE and you don’t want to burn out your vacuum’s motor. Shop vacuums work well.
While DE is considered non-toxic to humans and animals; it can be drying to skin, as well as irritate eyes and nasal passages. Please talk to your veterinarian about whether DE is right for treating your pet’s skin and fur.
Using It In the Garden
DE is also an effective organic pest control method in the garden for a wide range of garden pests, even those that don’t have hard exoskeletons, like slugs and tomato hornworms. Sprinkle it at the base of plants, or use it to create a barrier they won’t cross.
To protect against beetles you can dust the leaves of any plants that have visible signs of damage.
If it rains, you’ll have to reapply.
Unfortunately, DE will kill all insects with exoskeletons, even the beneficial ones, so be extra cautious when applying and really focus on single plants that show signs of pest damage.
Is DE Safe?
Even though diatomaceous earth is a chemical-free alternative to bug sprays, it is a fine powder and can be irritating for those with asthma or any sort of lung issues. Use caution when applying.
We don’t normally think of fossils as being useful to have around the house, even if they are interesting. In the case of diatomaceous earth, however, a small bag can work wonders on pest problems around the home and in your garden!
Amber Kanuckel
Amber Kanuckel is a freelance writer from rural Ohio who loves all things outdoors. She specializes in home, garden, environmental, and green living topics.
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Is this a danger for bees? We are afraid to use it because it will kill bees?
Please, check with your vet before feeding DE to your pet and check with your doctor before taking DE internally. What is good for one pet/person might be bad for another pet/person!
DE has also been used on farms for years to keep animals worm-free. It’s put on their food. I used it to treat one of my cats for worms and it works well. But it isn’t always white. The feed stores carry it in bulk and it’s all a light gray. I believe they process it to make it white and it’s for aesthetic purposes. When used correctly, it is fantastic stuff!
Just wondering if it would be good to use on Asian beetles, shake it on them and hope for the best?
Will DE work on spiders and ants?
Yes, for ants. I do not have experience with spiders.
Will the diat
lI have a nat infestation suddenly. What will get rid of nats?
I do not know about diazinon Earth for gnats. But I often have a nap problem and I control them with homemade gnat traps. Cut a water bottle or 2 liter bottle just below the curvature of the top. Then invert it with the lid off. Put banana peels rotten fruit whatever the gnats seem to be attracted to inside the bottle. If the bottle has no openings where the two pieces meet the gnats should be trapped inside. Then simply throw it away.
I make the same trap, but I find Apple Cider vinegar, a spoon full of sugar and a drop of soap
i have a yardfull of small dogs and a mini pig would this be safe to use in the yard around the pig? for fleas?
Will it kill bed bugs
yes. u can apply it everywhere, light dusting. i was infested 5 years ago and within 2 days i never got bit again and i keep a light dusting in my apt. all the time.
Heat
Can I put this in wet cat food and freeze to use later without ruining it?
Why in the world would you put it in cat food of any kind? What are you trying to accomplish by putting it in cat food? At a loss.
Please read all the uses of DE…. It is safe ingested! There is a reason it is called “food grade”.
You can use it as a dewormer too.for animals and even people never add to hot foods only cold cool room tempature
Are you referring to the food grade diatomaceous earth, perhaps?