Fleas are tough to handle – both for us and our pets. One option for flea prevention and treatment is Diatomaceous Earth (DE). Despite being hard to pronounce, it’s a really easy product to use. Also, since DE works through mechanical, rather than chemical, action, fleas can not be resistant to it and your pet’s liver and other organs do not have to process the product. It’s also safe to use on very young pets or on pet’s with a weakened immune system

What is Diatomaceous Earth?

Diatomaceous earth is a naturally-occurring porous rock composed of the shells of diatoms, which are one-celled algae with cell walls of silica. This light-colored, porous rock forms a fine white powder when crushed. The powder kills fleas by piercing the flea’s exoskeleton then dehydrating them from the outside in.

How safe is DE?

Diatomaceous earth is mildly abrasive, so it’s important to avoid eye and lung exposure. Also, there are different grades of DE. Since our pets ingest whatever is on their coat during grooming, be sure to use human food grade product, not pool or poultry grade.

How do I use it?

Rub DE into your pet’s coat avoiding the eyes. Try to get the product to skin-level since that’s where the fleas will be feeding. You can re-apply daily if you’re in the middle of a flea hatch-out, but weekly is usually adequate during flea season.

Can I use it around the house?

Yes! Focus your efforts on the areas that are hard to clean (sofas, carpets, beds,etc.) or that your furry family spends  most of their time. Sprinkle the DE over these areas. You can even pour some  DE into a tube sock or pantyhose and use that to sprinkle it around the house and yard.