I had been moving from one spot-on product to another.Frontline Plus worked for a few years; however, the fleas have developed an immunity to this product. I began using food grade diatomaceous earth(DE) this spring, and it is well tolerated by my cat, and best of all, no fleas or ticks. Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring fossilized remains of ancient sea beds which kills fleas, and other pests with exoskeletons, by drying them out. Only the food grade certified organic should be used.
There is another DE product for pools which is not the same, and is not safe for pets, or humans. Apparently Food grade DE is used on farm animals for pests and de-worming. DE has some beneficial trace minerals such as"
calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, sodium, titanium, boron, manganese, copper, and zirconium". I've used DE in my garden for years, and now I use it inside my house for ants, fleas, and other pests; and directly on the cat.
If you are not careful, it can be quite dusty to apply. If you have asthma, it will probably aggravate it, so a mask is recommended. I've found that I don't get any dust cloud if I gently rub(gentle petting) in about a tablespoon at a time into my cat's fur. It helps to do it outside or near an open window, just in case your pet decides to shake. I'm careful about not getting it into my cat's eyes or near his nose.
If you want to get a nice concentrated line of DE on the floor, or puff into small spaces for pests, try using a bottle with a small squeeze type applicator, like a refillable condiment bottle. They sell DE in these bottles, but it is less expensive to purchase the bags and add your own to a bottle.
Diatomaceous Earth
in bottles and bags at Amazon.
3 comments:
how often do you have to apply it? and how and where do you use it in your home for ants?
Hello,
"how often do you have to apply it?"
About once a week or more on the cat. I watch for scratching and use a flea comb to determine whether I need to reapply.
"and how and where do you use it in your home for ants?"
I use it when I see the ants. It's pretty predictable in the spring. They have their favorite entry points in our home. If I see them, I put down a line of DE along the area they come in, which is along a kitchen wall and the front door.
Thank you :) We always get tiny little ants in the kitchen when the warm weather comes, from one point as well. I will have to try this.
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