Diatomaceous Earth?

[Guest greytsox]

I know some people that use this for Flea and Tick prevention instead of using pesticides (Frontline Plus).. Anyone else use it or have input on it?

 

http://www.dirtworks.net/Diatomaceous-Earth.html

 

 

[2fawngreys]

I've used it to get rid of grubs in my yard.....this is interesting.

[Guest snaphappy]

I used it for ticks with no luck, but I was likely not as diligent with vaccuuming and replacing as you should be. I have read that it works very well if you stay on top of the problem.

 

 

[jenners]

I tried to use it with cockroaches in SC but they seemed to just hop over the lines of it that I laid down. Scientifically and theoretically, it should work, because it degrades the cuticle (outer skin covering) of the insects and that makes them dry up and die

 

Jennifer

[Guest Taras]

I have and it worked for a while . But make sure to use FOOD GRADE DE, not the kind for the Pool .

[Batmom]

Umm .... Diatomaceous earth is not something that you or your pets should be inhaling in any quantity. Use the Frontline. It works.

[Guest greytsox]

Umm .... Diatomaceous earth is not something that you or your pets should be inhaling in any quantity. Use the Frontline. It works.

 

I would prefer not to put a pesticide on my dog.. DE does not harm humans or dogs if ingested. In fact I know of some people who eat it. Your right it should not be inhaled since that can cause harm.

 

Thanks for the input.

[Batmom]

Umm .... Diatomaceous earth is not something that you or your pets should be inhaling in any quantity. Use the Frontline. It works.

 

I would prefer not to put a pesticide on my dog.. DE does not harm humans or dogs if ingested. In fact I know of some people who eat it. Your right it should not be inhaled since that can cause harm.

 

Thanks for the input.

 

If you sprinkle it around, it's going to be inhaled. That can cause severe respiratory problems.

 

The amount of pesticide in Frontline and Advantage is miniscule, and it's pesticide that basically doesn't affect mammals; rather, it's designed for invertebrates -- bugs. The quantity one uses in keeping an infestation from developing is nothing compared to the pesticides and other meds you have to give if the dog does get tapeworms, tick disease, or flea allergy dermatitis, and nothing compared to what you have to use if you get a true house/yard infestation.

 

I personally think it's mean to risk a dog's health and comfort in the name of going "all natural."

[Guest BlackandBrindle]

We try to go natural for many things but we use frontline and heartguard for the pups.

 

We use DE outside to deter ants and bugs from getting in the house, but there is a warning about ingesting/inhaling it. Your dog is going to inhale and ingest if he walks thru it so frontline seems the better option.

 

 

[Guest greytsox]

Umm .... Diatomaceous earth is not something that you or your pets should be inhaling in any quantity. Use the Frontline. It works.

 

I would prefer not to put a pesticide on my dog.. DE does not harm humans or dogs if ingested. In fact I know of some people who eat it. Your right it should not be inhaled since that can cause harm.

 

Thanks for the input.

 

If you sprinkle it around, it's going to be inhaled. That can cause severe respiratory problems.

 

The amount of pesticide in Frontline and Advantage is miniscule, and it's pesticide that basically doesn't affect mammals; rather, it's designed for invertebrates -- bugs. The quantity one uses in keeping an infestation from developing is nothing compared to the pesticides and other meds you have to give if the dog does get tapeworms, tick disease, or flea allergy dermatitis, and nothing compared to what you have to use if you get a true house/yard infestation.

 

I personally think it's mean to risk a dog's health and comfort in the name of going "all natural."

 

 

Here's an article you might want to read. Miniscule or not pesticides are pesticides...

 

http://www.apnm.org/publications/resources/fleachemfin.pdf

[Guest gretzky]

Do you have any info to support your theory that is more current? The link you posted is to a 2002 article.

[Guest ss556]

Last year I used the DE (not for pool filters) in my house and around my yard and it did not help the flea situation I had. Unfortunately, I had to use chemicals.

[Guest greytsox]

We try to go natural for many things but we use frontline and heartguard for the pups.

 

We use DE outside to deter ants and bugs from getting in the house, but there is a warning about ingesting/inhaling it. Your dog is going to inhale and ingest if he walks thru it so frontline seems the better option.

 

DE is used in grain storage all the time as well fed to cattle. Not sure why there would be a warning about ingesting unless it not Food Grade. Again it's perfectly safe for the dog to eat the DE, for example licking it off his paw. Once it's applied to the dog there shouldn't be risk of "stiring it up" and making dust. When applying you use gloves and a face mask. Cover the dogs head and don't apply near the face. Once its settled there shouldn't be dust due to apply such a thin layer, the layer should not even be seen on the pet.

 

It's a common misconsumption that you need to apply a large amount to get the full effect. The amount used should not be visible.

 

There is the same risk of inhalation of using baby powder and after shower talc.

 

[Batmom]

You might get more useful information by reading something like this, even though it's older: http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/tx980157t .

[Guest JarBear]

We use it on the yard and it seems to work pretty well. We use the food grade. It has to be re-applied after a rain so it can be a lot of work. My husband wears a mask when he puts it on to reduce the amount he breathes in. I've never noticed a dust kicking up after it has settled on the grass and plants so I don't worry about the dogs. I've had two dogs have reactions to Frontline and Advantage. I always keep Capstar on hand just in case and also because I foster and never know when one might come in with "creepy crawlies" but it usually expires and has to be thrown out.

[Xan]

I've considered DE, but gone with Borax instead, which worked for our fairly light problem.

[Guest greytsox]

Do you have any info to support your theory that is more current? The link you posted is to a 2002 article.

 

Here is a 2007 article. I guess everyone has their own opinion on what works and what they think is the right thing. Thanks for everyones input on the topic.

 

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Safe-is-Your...?&id=723387