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Morning...my one dog has bladder cancer already and I am very concerned to continue to give her the toxic Spot On Flea treatments including Front Line that might of contributed to her problem. She is my second dog to get cancer. Reading a holistic dog book and non toxic alternatives I came across Diatomaceous Earth as an excellent pest eradicator. Has anyone had any experience with this stuff...I understand it is rather messy and requires wearing a mask as it is a dust. Also if you applied it to your yard...how did you do that.... I see some folks using a sprayer but that means mixing with water. Any info appreciated.
Yes, good for controlling fleas, ticks, and other pests. I know someone will come up with a link for you, but I'm at work and can't do a proper search.
It MUST BE food grade DE. DO NOT USE the kind for swimming pools! You can apply it directly on your dog and his bedding, any other place your dog occupies. If your dog gets wet, you'll need to reapply.
i found it at a local pet store. You can also order on-line. Remember, it MUST BE FOOD GRADE.
I'm sure someone will reply with better info for you.
Yes, good for controlling fleas, ticks, and other pests. I know someone will come up with a link for you, but I'm at work and can't do a proper search.
It MUST BE food grade DE. DO NOT USE the kind for swimming pools! You can apply it directly on your dog and his bedding, any other place your dog occupies. If your dog gets wet, you'll need to reapply.
i found it at a local pet store. You can also order on-line. Remember, it MUST BE FOOD GRADE.
I'm sure someone will reply with better info for you.
I've heard it's good for fleas, but never seen evidence that it protects from ticks at all.
We are putting it in our dog's food to prevent parasites. We have been told to just sprinkle a little bit around the neck and the bum to prevent fleas. Thankfully we have very few ticks around here. I really hate ticks big time. When my wife and I were on the road in the USA I experienced just how bad ticks can be. Like 30 to 40 freakin ticks on your dog after a 5 minute run on grass at a rest area. I got so paranoid that in the tick states I would not take the dogs off the pavement. My miniture schnauzer may he RIP got lyme twice in one year.
I have it, lots of uses for it, so I bought several pounds. As for using it on the dogs, I don't like it, it creates clouds of dust that I don't think is wise for us or the dogs to breathe. I would suggest looking into essential oils instead. Get some eucalyptus, lemongrass, lavender, or a synergy like Bug Off, which actually smells wonderful. It doesn't take much to repel, and make the bugs look elsewhere. You have to reapply it often. Do some research.
I use no chemicals. If they get a tick, we pull it, squash it with a rock, and put some neosporin on the spot. It's not that big a deal.
Another thing about DE is that it can kill the good bugs too, keep that in mind, if you choose to spread it in your yard.
I just ordered 10lbs of DE to use on my rug. I had a really bad flea infestation last year, and I've already had a few jumping on me. The cats are going to the groomers next week for flea baths, and I'm taking all bedding to the laundromat, The carpet will be treated with DE in advance.
If they get a tick, we pull it, squash it with a rock, and put some neosporin on the spot. It's not that big a deal.
Yes, you are correct, it isn't a big deal for you in Northern California. But for those of us on the East Coast or Great Lakes area, where Lyme Disease and tick infestations are rampant, that isn't a safe option. It would be cruel to our dogs to not provide some form of protection. In these areas, your dog may not get one tick, but come back inside with 30.
DE is great, however, it has a jagged crystaline structure and should not be inhaled into lungs. Reminds me of asbestos.
I pretty much stopped using it because of this. If I have to use it on insects in the garden, I wear a very secure breathing mask.
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