4 Common Uses for Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is the fossilized remains of marine plants; when we use it, it’s in the form of a fine powder.  Many people are familiar with the use of diatomaceous earth (DE) as a natural flea and tick control method.  When it is sprinkled on bugs with an exoskeleton, like fleas and bedbugs, DE dries out the moisture the bugs need to survive, and they die shortly later. Despite this “killer” reputation, DE is safe for humans and our pets.

I. DIY Flea Powder for Pets

To control fleas naturally instead of chemically, try this DIY flea powder recipe, which is safe for pets and humans. You will need:

• Food grade diatomaceous earth powder (see where to buy below)

• Neem powder – an effective herbal insect repellant that is effective against fleas, ticks, lice, mosquitoes, ants, and mites; this will keep your pet’s skin from drying out from the DE.

• Yarrow powder – a natural anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial that soothes skin that is irritated by bug bites

• Eucalyptus oil (optional) – a natural anti-inflammatory and antiseptic that heals bug bites

• Shaker container – or a mason jar with small to medium holes (depending on your needs) punctured into the lid

Add the DE powder, neem powder, and yarrow powder in equal parts into a shaker jar. First, make sure you or your dog doesn’t have an intolerance to essential oils. If not, add 20 drops of eucalyptus oil to your mix, making the diatomaceous earth for fleas more effective.

Your powder can be used on your pet as well as on carpet, area rugs, and your pet’s bedding.

II. Diatomaceous Earth in the Garden

Do you garden? Use DE to eliminate fleas, carpet beetles, and other pests from your yard or garden. Fill a shaker container with DE and shake the powder onto your plants and shaded areas of your yard (where fleas are more likely to hang out). Do this at dawn or dusk, when a dew coats your plants and yard; this will help the DE’s active ingredients adhere to everything. When it dries, it’ll be effective against pests.

DE is non-toxic, so when harvesting your vegetables, simply rinse off the powder before eating.

Food grade diatomaceous earth has several uses other than being a flea and pest killer. Let’s start with how much DE to add to your pet’s raw meals.

III. Diatomaceous Earth for Internal Parasites

DE has also been found to be effective against internal parasites such as whipworms, roundworms, hookworms, and pinworms. Add DE to your pet’s diet for 30 days; this will allow the DE to work on the full life cycle of parasites, including flea eggs waiting to hatch.

How Much Diatomaceous Earth for Dogs and Cats

Dogs

• For very small dogs, ½ tsp
• Small Dogs < 50 pounds, 1tsp
• Medium Dogs 50-100 pounds, 1 tbsp
• Large Dogs > 100 pounds, 2 tbsp

Cats

• For small cats, ½ tsp
• Medium Cats 7-13 pounds, 1 tsp
• Large Cats > 13 pounds, 1-½ tsp

IV. Diatomaceous Earth for Detox

DE can be used to detox a pet’s system after a round of antibiotics, vaccinations, or exposure to chemicals (household cleaning and gardening products) in the environment.

Where to Buy Diatomaceous Earth

When shopping for diatomaceous earth for fleas and all other uses, what’s important is to look for food-grade DE, which is safe for use internally and externally. DE can be ordered online or at your natural health food and supplement store or home depot. Unlike industrial-grade DE, which is unsuitable for consumption, food-grade DE is often used as a dietary supplement for detoxification and digestive health, as well as for natural pest control and household cleaning. Always follow proper dosage and usage guidelines to ensure safety and effectiveness, and consult a veterinarian to know what is the right amount of DE in combination with how much to feed a cat or how much to feed a dog or other pet uses.

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