Diatomaceous earth has been shown to be an effective flea control method if not exposed to moisture.
Diatomaceous Earth is a type of flea control for both animals and yards that is made up of the powdered and ground-up sea shells. It is touted as a natural way of killing fleas without the harmful chemicals of flea shampoos and other flea control methods. Unlike many other types of flea control methods, it purports to kill fleas in the yard before they can get on your cat.
Theory Behind Diatomaceous Earth Flea Control
Diatomaceous earth can be used in two distinct ways: as a powdered form to be used on cats directly and in the soil in your yard. The shells are ground up into a find powder and then rubbed into the cat's fur or placed into the soil--in a way very similar to other types of powder flea control products. The shells act as microscopic razors on the fleas slicing into their shell and their eggs causing them to die or dry out.
It is important to mention that it is only safe to use food-grade Diatomaceous Earth and not industrial-or pool-grade in your home or on your pets. The nonfood grade version can be inhaled and cause microscopic cuts on the lungs and has been linked to an increase in lung cancer. The food-grade is safe to be used around humans and animals. Diatomaceous earth is available in pet stores and veterinary offices and is therefore safe to be used. You should be carful buying it online or other places on specifically associated with animal health.
Effectiveness of Diatomaceous Earth
A study by the Texas Department of Agriculture examined the effectiveness of diatomaceous earth on cats in both wet and dry conditions against other flea medications and a control group. The study found that the dry compound of diatomaceous earth was almost 100 percent effective in eliminating adult fleas in both animals and in dry potted plants. It was only 33 percent effective in killing the eggs and larval form of the flea.
On the other hand, when the powder was introduced to moisture its effectiveness dropped to only 33 percent of adults and almost no change in the larval form on both the animals and in the soil. It showed that when the powder is dissolved in water it is not effective in treating the fleas. It is an excellent tool in treating the animals as long as they are not wet before or for about two weeks after the treatment, and it is not effective in a residential yard setting because of the accumulation of dew on yards in the morning and because of rainfall.
Tags: both animals, Diatomaceous Earth, flea control, control methods, Diatomaceous earth, Diatomaceous Earth Flea, Earth Flea