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DIATOMACEOUS EARTH: A Non Toxic Pesticide

We have been having a major problem with cockroaches and with a new baby girl I am very apprehensive in using toxic pesticide.  So I had a “bright Idea” to do some cockroach research to find either another pet that eats roaches or something affective and safe.

I came across; The house centipede and wasps known as probably the most effective control agent of cockroaches.  Well these house centipedes evidently have a desire to conceal itself beneath women’s dresses, and thus not an option or the wasps.  LOL

Well, I came across this Diatomaceous Earth – Jackpot!  I was so excited on my founding, I had to share.

Probably the most affective naturally occurring protective powder is Diatomaceous Earth.  This is a geological deposit made up of the fossilized skeletons and tests of siliceous marine and fresh water organisms, particularly diatoms and other algae. These skeletons are made of hydrated amorphous silica or opal. When crushed, they break up into tiny pieces of glass” (so tiny that the material feels like talcum powder). This is easily picked up by the hairy bodies of most Insects. whereupon it scratches through their protective wax layers; and they also absorb some of this material. the result being that the insects lose water rapidly, dry up and die.

Further protection is provided by the powder’s property of repelling many insects.  A similar principle probably accounts for the fact that birds frequently take dust baths, presumably to rid themselves of parasites.

In homes it can be used effectively to prevent the entry of certain insects such as earwigs, ants, fleas, bed bugs, cockroaches and more.

cockroach

To control these and others that are present in cupboards containing food, carpets, basements, attics, window ledges, pet areas (for fleas), etc.  In all of these examples it is important to place a small amount of the powder in corners, cracks, crevices and other areas where insects might hide, keep all food away and everything moisture free.

Whereas with a contact pesticide the insect dies quite quickly, with Diatomaceous Earth control may take several days. The more important difference is that the effect of the protection provided by the chemical is short-lived. whereas Diatomaceous Earth will control the pests as long as the powder remains.

In this respect Diatomaceous Earth is an ideal pesticide; it is residual but nontoxic.

The only health precautions that need to be taken are that if large areas are being treated with a power duster, the applicator should wear a mask to prevent inhalation. Because Diatomaceous Earth is made of silica, people sometimes mistakenly think that Diatomaceous Earth causes silicosis.  However, pesticide quality Diatomaceous Earth is usually over 97 per cent amorphous silica, which does not cause silicosis, which is associated only with crystalline silica.  Indeed, inhalation of road dust and grain dust IS likely to be more harmful than Diatomaceous Earth, but always use precaution by wearing a mask and limit air circulation when dusting to avoid any access to your lungs, common sense applies.

Another use is in animal control of external parasites and flies. This is achieved by dusting the animals and the litter or bedding area.

It has also been included in the diet (two per cent in the grain ration) to control certain internal parasites, and this practice is said to result in lower fly populations in the resulting manure.

I bought some from Amazon at Diatomaceous Earth on Amazon

Thanks for reading,

1LuckyPenny

cited:

http://eap.mcgill.ca/publications/eap4.htm

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