Details
Food-Grade Diatomaceous earth comes in the form of a chalky powder, and is the natural fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. These diatom particles are very small and sharp – but only harmful to the small exoskeletons of insects. Insects cannot become immune to its action, as it is a mechanical killer – not a chemical one. Because it is like a light dust, it easily clings to the bodies of insects as they walk and crawl over it. The tiny diatom particles then cut the waxy coating of insects and they eventually dry out and die of dehydration within 48 hours. It is an all-natural product that is so safe, it can be sprinkled around your vegetable patch, or rubbed right into your dog’s fur. Non-food-grade diatomaceous earth is dangerous and should be avoided.
A 4.4 lb will treat 1,800 square feet.
To purchase a dispenser tube, click here.
What insects does it control?
Insect Dust kills these insects:
- ants,
- ticks,
- fleas,
- aphids,
- silverfish,
- cockroaches,
- bed bugs,
- spiders,
- carpet beetles,
- slugs,
- snails,
- tomato hornworm,
- house flies,
- fruit flies,
- red spider mites,
- and earwigs.
Keep in mind that it may kill beneficial insects as well.
For indoor use:
For indoor use lightly coat a thin layer in areas where insects are found or may hide. Can be used in cupboards, behind and beneath refrigerators, cabinets, stoves, garbage cans, and in or around sewer and drain pipes.
You can leave the dust where you place it until you no longer see any signs of insects in that area, at which point you can clean it up. For carpets, lightly sprinkle the insect dust over the carpet, and leave for two to three days before vacuuming. Reapply the insect dust only if you continue to see signs of insect pests.
Thoroughly apply to areas of infestation. For example:
Bedbugs:
Take apart bed and dust joints and channels. Dust any hollow tubing and the interior framework as well as the mattress and all cracks in the room. Use a turkey baster or duster to apply clouds of the dust over the affected area. Leave the dust to do its job for a few days. It is still safe to sleep in your bed even while the dust is present.
Silverfish:
Lightly dust under the sink, inside drawers, or along the baseboards, and wherever else silverfish are found.
Fleas:
Thoroughly dust carpets and pet's bedding and sleeping areas, as well as cracks and baseboards. It also can be rubbed into your pet's fur.
Carpet Beetles:
Thoroughly dust along baseboards, carpet edges, under furniture, carpet, and rugs, and in closets and shelving.
For outdoor use:
Lightly coat a thin layer where other insects are found. Areas such as patios, windows, door frames, foundations, along ant trails and outdoor pipes and drains. Reapply the insect dust after any medium to heavy rains.
Flies:
Thoroughly dust areas where flies frequent (walls, straw bedding, livestock pens). It also can be applied to livestock coat as an insect repellent/contact insecticide. DE can also be added to the food of pets and livestock. The DE helps as a de-worming agent for livestock, and it ends up in their poop. Flies lay eggs on the poop which hatch into maggots, which are then killed by the DE. This is an effective method for fly control, especially on farms and homesteads, and in outdoor areas where animals are present.Fire Ants:
Sprinkle diatomaceous earth directly on the ant mound, or mix with water and saturate the mound. The ants will track the DE back to their nests where the colony will be exposed to its abrasive action.Slugs, earwigs, and other garden pests:
Sprinkle DE over plants and around edges of garden beds. For best results, reapply after rain. DE which is washed into the soil will continue to benefit your garden, since it acts like vermiculite in retaining water for future slow release into the soil.Lice control for chickens
Lice are a common scourge around chickens and can lower their vitality resulting in fewer eggs and low disease resistance. Set a "dusting box" of DE n the corner of the coop (or in a dry area of their run) and the chickens will continually apply themselves with DE. This will reduce or eliminate lice problems within a few days.Safety
This product is Food Grade, and safe for your pets and your family. Insect Dust is registered as an Insecticide with the government, so it is required to have a generic health warning on the bag, despite its safety.
The Environmental Health Coalition refers to Diatomaceous Earth as one of the least toxic insect controls on their "Home Safe Home" fact sheet about safe household cleaners and indoor pest control.
Professor Stuart B. Hill at McGill University in Canada describes Diatomaceous Earth as non-toxic and feeling like talc when you touch it. He mentions that inhaling common road dust is probably more harmful than inhaling Diatomaceous Earth.
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) used in pool (or any water) filtration contains DE that has been chemically treated and heated making the silica crystalline which is a dangerous respiratory hazard and lethal if ingested. The fresh water naturally occurring DE deposits that are designated FOOD Grade by the FDA have less than 3% crystalline silica. These deposits are primarily Amorphous Silica which is harmless when ingested and is commonly used in feed and food industries.
Sustainability
Provides a non-toxic, safe way to control insect pests.
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
We want you to be completely satisfied with every purchase you make. If you are in any way dissatisfied with a product you ordered, we'll exchange it, replace it or refund your money within 30 days of purchase. Simply email us the problem, and we'll take care of you. Certain products have extended warranties (up to 50 years!) that are listed on the particular product page. Please call us at 1-888-451-6752 if you need further clarification.
Additional Information
| Weight | 4.4 |
|---|---|
| Key Feature | All natural, non-toxic, insect pest control |
| Manufacturer | St. Gabriel Organics |
Shipping Information
- Shipping Details:
- Insured against damage or loss while in transit
- This Product Ships To:
- US Lower 48
- Ships Via:
- Fedex or UPS
Questions about the Insect Dust (Diatomaceous Earth) - 4.4 lbs
Prev
- From Carol at 8/14/12 9:52 AM
- I am interested in using this outdoors to prevent fleas and ticks from getting on my older dog who is currently suffering from dermatitis and wwho cannot be treated with the usual medications. I am also trying to prevent her from bringing fleas into the house.
How effective is this product for outdoor use-and how often does it have to be re-applied? - The insect dust is very effective for outdoor use in the yard and garden. However, it is a dust, so it will have to be reapplied if there are strong winds or rain. You can also rub the product right into your dog's fur.
- Do you find this question helpful? Yes No
- I am interested in using this outdoors to prevent fleas and ticks from getting on my older dog who is currently suffering from dermatitis and wwho cannot be treated with the usual medications. I am also trying to prevent her from bringing fleas into the house.
- From lacey at 8/10/12 3:03 PM
- Hi i was reading this and it seems to sound like it works and im interested in trying it but is it safe for kids? I have a 14month old child and my two boxers are infested with fleas and so is the house and we hav tried everything nothing is working!! Can you clarify if its safe for kids thank you
- Yes, the insect dust is food grade and so it is entirely safe to use around children.
- Do you find this question helpful? Yes No
- From dan at 8/4/12 8:18 AM
- will de help with pine bettles? if so how to i apply? thank you
- Yes, DE will kill pine beetles. The key to application is to leave DE in areas where the insects will walk across it or come into physical contact. In mature trees this is difficult., especially if infestation has already begun. For seedlings, DE can be sprinkled around the base and dusted over the seedling for protection.
- Do you find this question helpful? Yes No
- From natalie at 8/1/12 4:32 AM
- From Ruth at 7/26/12 11:39 PM
- We live in a very old building above a boiler room and are infested with brown recluse spiders. The main difficulty with killing theses spiders is that their bodies are high up off the ground so even the most potent insecticides are ineffective. Will DE work on these frightening pests?
- Yes, the diatomaceous earth will effectively kill the spiders in your home. For best results, apply the diatomaceous earth anywhere that they regularly frequent. It can even be applied to walls using a large brush. As long as the spiders come into contact with the insect dust, it will succeed in killing them after a few days.
- Do you find this question helpful? Yes No
- From Kelli at 7/21/12 1:16 PM
- Was wondering when I put this on my cats and they clean themselves, is this safe?? Also, my one cat is 13 years old and has sensitive skin, is this safe for him??
- Yes. DE is safe to apply to the fur of your cat and harmless to the cat if he/she licks it.
For the cat with sensitive skin, it is prudent to apply DE to a small spot on the cat to see if it irritates the skin in any way. If there is no irritation then gradually enlarge the application area and observe the cat for any possible reaction. - Do you find this question helpful? Yes No
- From August at 7/20/12 7:56 PM
- Can I put DE on myself?
- You can put DE on yourself in terms of safety, but it would not be particularly effective in deterring insect pests. The DE takes time to be effective, since it kills the insect by scoring the carapace which dehydrates the insect. For personal protection, you would do better with Herbal Armor or similar insect repellents.
DE is not a repellent. It is a nontoxic form of insecticide which is most effective over time. We leave DE in small piles about the house in areas where it is not visible. This keeps the insect population down and in some cases eliminates the insect population entirely. - Do you find this question helpful? Yes No
- From Cathy at 7/20/12 1:27 PM
- Part 1-Will this product hurt my carpets?
Part 2- It is hard to keep completly away from vents in most rooms as they do blow across the area. I have tried to work it in and under rugs as best as I can but will it still be blown in to the air? - Diatomaceous Earth is a dust, and should not harm your carpets any more than other dust that could be brought into your house from outside. As for the vents, you mainly want to avoid placing the dust directly around the vents so that a large amount of the dust is blown into the air. You should still be able to operate air conditioning or run fans in your house while the dust is spread out, especially if you have worked it into your rugs or placed it underneath them.
- Do you find this question helpful? Yes No
- Part 1-Will this product hurt my carpets?
- From Diane at 7/12/12 3:04 PM
- From Karen in Ocala, FL at 7/5/12 6:45 AM
- Does DE have any effect on flea eggs or larvae or any other stage flea? (I imagine it would have to be applied directly to an inanimate egg if so?) Also, my cat has lost his fur & has wounds from biting at the fleas... a lot of them, poor kitty! Could the DE aggrevate those wounds or burn if I accidentally got it in one? Thanks!
- DE will not kill flea eggs, it works by scoring into the live flea. Once the eggs hatch the DE becomes effective/ This is why it's a good practice to keep DE in discreet areas ofd the home where fleas may occur, since the eggs can live many months even if the adult population is eradicated.
It is not likely the DE will aggravate the cat's wounds, but you should try to keep the cat away from the DE so the wounds can heal unimpeded. - Do you find this question helpful? Yes No
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Customer Reviews
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Worked well for me.
By on 7/21/10
My cats are outdoor cats, and they bring in fleas from time to time. If I see any evidence of fleas, I'll take a teaspoon of the DE and sprinkle it over their back, then rub it through their fur. I'll also sprinkle some around where they sleep, to kill any lingering fleas. I don't like Frontline or any chemical flea killers as they can be hard on my cats.
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Definitely yes
I admit this product is easy , but my animals keep biting and scratching themselves. It Is only effective on them for about 15 minutes. i sprinkle some on the area that is itching and rub it into their fur but it doesn't seem do anything. Also, after vacuuming, there are fleas still jumping. I used on carpets, upholstery, cracks on baseboards, tile floor, bedding and linoleum. The flea catcher, with the adhsive seems to work better than the dust.
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Not sure
I have used this product to treat fleas on my cats by rubbing the dust into their fur, and I've also used it to help treat parasites by mixing it in with their food. It's really easy to apply, and safe to use with bare hands. The only caution on the bag seems to be with inhaling the dust, but when I spoke with the manufacturer they said that it's no more dangerous than road dust, and that the caution is more for people with allergies.
I'll be buying more!
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Definitely yes
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the best, period!
By on 11/15/10
We have a cabin that has all sorts of insects, and we come back after being away there is insect debris all over but especially in a couple spots near my chair and near the phone. ( I think this is the pillbug capital of the world!) Since we started using DE a couple years ago, there is virtually no insect matter anywhere. This is a breakthrough for us cause we've been dealing with insects in the cabin forever. The bag lasted a really long time. We use it in both our homes, and I'm now happy to buy more.
Oh, one bit of advice. Put the DE in little teaspoon size piles in spots where bugs go but where the vacuum won't get it.
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Definitely yes
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very pleased
By on 11/30/10
After several months of applying this insect dust in my home, I can say the insect population is definately reduced, and in fact I hardly see any bugs anymore. The non-toxic nature of this product is what appeals to me. I'm glad I discovered this and have been telling friends about it.
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Definitely yes
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works
By on 12/16/10
I first tried this stuff when finding out that we had bed bugs in the house, and been using it since. It works great. A little slower in getting rid of things, but it works. I have seen dead roaches and spiders, too, from them walking through it, and not a roach in a few months now. I suggest it to anyone with a roach problem or bed bugs, too.
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effective, not toxic, but can be blown around
By on 1/19/11
I'm buying a bag for each of my rental properties based on the successful use in my home and one rental. The product is definately effective and I can assure my renters there are no toxicity issues and won't affect people with allergies. My only criticism is that it needs to be placed where a breeze will not blow it away. You can't just put diatom earth anywhere. I recommend putting it on top of the cupboards and on the inside ledge under beds (for bedbugs).
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effective
By on 2/22/11
cheap, safe, effective. i'm buying my second sack. my sister took the rest of my supply when i told her how effective this is!
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This product is a nice safe, natural, longlasting product for pest control.
By on 7/29/11
I've used this product for control of water bugs. A little goes a long way. You know the product is natural and is not harming the earth.
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Definitely yes
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The silverfish love to crawl over this and then reproduce!
By on 8/3/11
Does absolutely nothing! The bugs walk all over the powder, then reproduce so it does nothing. I NEVER saw a dead silverfish after.
(Editor's Note: Diatomaceous earth does not kill instantly on contact. Once the insect comes into contact with DE, its exoskeleton becomes scored, which leads to dehydration and death. It takes a few days to begin to see results of using DE.)
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Never!
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Fantastic for Cats!
By on 1/4/12
I was a bit skeptical at first, and had to call Eartheasy for confirmation that I could use this on my cats, but I'm so glad I bought it now!
After rubbing the dust into my cats fur, the fleas started dropping off after a couple days. This dries them up and kills them real quick, and it's totally safe to use. I'm a very happy customer, and will be buying more!
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Definitely yes
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Very good explanation but.....
By on 3/30/12
I would not down play the risk of breathing the dust nor compare it to "road dust". Although I have used this product for many years here on the farm to dust stalls, farm animals, dogs and cats, etc, one must take care to NOT breathe this DE dust. I have always purchased from livestock supply stores in larger quantities. Those packages note that you should wear a mask when using this product as well!!
DE DOES work! Otherwise, I wouldnt be using it for so many years, wasting my $ or time!! Gets rid of flies, knats, fleas, ticks and many other pesty insects! Just dont get in your animal's lungs or yours!! And, remember, if it rains, it's gone! So, you will need to re-apply (common sense here)
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Definitely yes
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Excellent natural pest killer
By on 4/3/12
Have tried this product to target green house insects , tomato worm , found it killed many other insects like weevils , beetles , moth aphids , white fly etc. also tried it on Cockroaches , RED PALM Weavil , it tool 8 days to kill it as the cuticle is hard to scratch. however the results were excellent
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Definitely yes
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bedbugs and then some
By on 8/8/12
I discovered bedbugs in my home, never knew what they were until my 8 yes old daughter started waking up with red lumps I thought maybe spiders was I wrong they started biting me tried everything nothing worked well after 2 or 3 hours of sleep for months did alot of reasearch yes, DE Diatomaceous Earth LOVE IT havnt seen any its great for humans read about it on the internet youll love it I GUARANTEE IT 100%
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Definitely yes
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Doesn't seem to be working
By on 11/4/12
I have a bad flea infestation. I have been fighting fleas for almost 7 months. I have used everything from foggers to frontline. A friend recommended DE and I have covered the house and the animals with it. It has been over six weeks and there is no change, we are still infested. I vacuum and re-apply every 2 days . It looks like it snowed in my house but we are still full of fleas. I dumped some on a spider in the corner...I am waiting to see if he dies.
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Not sure
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