Diatomaceous earth how does it work

Dodson Pest Control. Links Commercial Services. Residential Services. Contact Us. Customer Service. Commercial Web Portal. Links About Us. Pest Guide. Detoxification detox diets and cleanses are more popular then ever before.

They are claimed to improve health by removing toxins from the body. Drinking enough water can help you burn fat and increase your energy levels.

This page explains exactly how much water you should drink in a day. In recent years, weight loss cleanses have taken center stage as one of the most popular methods for dropping weight rapidly. This article tells you…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. It has been mined for decades and has numerous industrial applications. This article takes a detailed look at diatomaceous earth and its health effects.

Share on Pinterest. What Is Diatomaceous Earth? Food-Grade and Filter-Grade Varieties. Diatomaceous Earth as an Insecticide.

Effects on Bone Health. Effects on Toxins. Safety of Diatomaceous Earth. The Bottom Line. Avoid putting DE directly on flower heads because bees are especially susceptible to the effects of the dust. Diatomaceous earth is probably the most overlooked insect pest control available for residential and garden use. Most people have never heard of it, yet it has a longstanding track record for safety and effectiveness.

DE is abundant, natural, effective, long-lasting and very inexpensive, with little to no toxicity to the surrounding environment when applied properly. In many homes, DE may be the only insect pest control measure you may ever need.

Pin for later:. Jessica Dawe Jessica Dawe owns a garden center and has been practicing integrated pest management and permaculture since graduating in with a degree in horticulture. Read Article. Mined from ancient riverbeds and lakes, diatomaceous earth DE is the fossilized remains of prehistoric, freshwater phytoplankton or algae. Many years ago these single celled creatures, called diatoms, formed exoskeletons made up entirely of silica. Color and types The different colors of diatomaceous earth reflect the regional differences of diatomite deposits from all over the world.

How diatomaceous earth works Though diatomaceous earth is considered a pesticide under the Pest Control Act, its effectiveness is actually mechanical. Type of Insect Apparent Results Bed bugs 24 hours to 5 days Darkling beetles days Silverfish days Black or red ants 24 hours DE is effective on many more insect types than on the chart above.

If applied correctly, diatomaceous earth is: Non toxic to pets or humans A versatile pest management tool Easy to find in most communities Inexpensive. For the best results: Identify the pest and their habitat. Be sure to check behind furniture, fridges, crevices where floors meet walls, at the back of cupboards, and along windowsills. Using a teaspoon, set out the DE in lines that insects will be likely to cross.

Leave these lines in place. Do not sweep, vacuum or get wet. Apply DE strategically behind or beneath furniture and appliances, with an eye toward places the vacuum does not reach. Insects like ants may change routes if they sense a dangerous substance. Too thin of an application will result in not enough contact with the insect. Ensure you are making thick lines crossing their routes of passage.

However, there are currently no data to conclude that children have an increased sensitivity specifically to diatomaceous earth. Silicon is a major component of diatomaceous earth. It is the second most abundant element in soils.

It's a common component of rocks, sands, and clays. It is also abundant in plants and plays a role in their growth and development. Due to its chemical makeup, diatomaceous earth is not degraded by microbes or by sunlight. Also, it does not emit vapors or dissolve well in water. The ocean contains vast amounts of diatomaceous earth. Many marine organisms use it to build their skeletons. Diatomaceous earth is practically non-toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates.

It is commonly encountered by birds and other wildlife , and it's not known to be harmful. However, no toxicity evaluations for wildlife were found. Agencies have stated that diatomaceous earth is unlikely to affect birds, fish, or other wildlife in a harmful way. Diatomaceous earth is made of silicon dioxide. When chickens were fed a diet that contained less silicon dioxide than normal, their bone formation was harmed. This suggests that silicon dioxide plays an important role in bone formation.

NPIC provides objective, science-based answers to questions about pesticides. Please cite as: Bunch, T. NPIC fact sheets are designed to answer questions that are commonly asked by the general public about pesticides that are regulated by the U.

Environmental Protection Agency U. This document is intended to be educational in nature and helpful to consumers for making decisions about pesticide use. NPIC provides objective, science-based information about pesticides and pesticide-related topics to enable people to make informed decisions.

Environmental Protection Agency cooperative agreement X The information in this publication does not in any way replace or supersede the restrictions, precautions, directions, or other information on the pesticide label or any other regulatory requirements, nor does it necessarily reflect the position of the U.