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Herbal Wisdom:  Need advice on using diatomaceous earth for fleas  |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 21 2014 : 6:50:24 PM
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I'm trying DE to control fleas on my three cats. I know that I have to be careful about breathing it in, or letting kitties breathe it in, while applying it and I've got that covered. But I put some DE in a diner-style salt shaker to apply it, but quickly discovered that it doesn't shift out so easily. It kind of clogs.
Any farmgirls out there with experience on how to apply the DE? What's a good delivery system? Thanks! |
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lovinRchickens
True Blue Farmgirl
3522 Posts
Kelly
Pipe Creek
Texas
USA
3522 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2014 : 7:39:16 PM
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I give my chickens a bath in it to help with mites. I find it easier in an old Parmesan or spice bottle with bigger holes. But it does work once applied. Good luck.
Farmgirl #5111
Blessings
~Kelly~ |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2014 : 7:57:57 PM
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Oh, that's a good idea. I have just the thing. I'll give it a try. So, you just puff it all over and fluff it in with your fingers, or...?
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Edited by - Rosemary on Aug 21 2014 7:58:34 PM |
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2966 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2966 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2014 : 8:05:19 PM
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Kind of off topic, sort of, but I have been taking DE internally for about a week. Google Food Grade DE, and you will be amazed. Hoping to see some results, as I have high BP.
"We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.” – R.R. |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2014 : 8:22:39 PM
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| Lisa, I've read about this use for DE, too, and it interests me. I need to be careful of supplements (herbs and.or minerals) because of some medications I take. I'll discuss it with my doctor next time I see him. I'll be interested in your experiences! |
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lovinRchickens
True Blue Farmgirl
3522 Posts
Kelly
Pipe Creek
Texas
USA
3522 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2014 : 8:34:02 PM
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Yes I just rub in with fingers. It's pretty easy, be careful when letting cat go it might shake excess off and can be messy for you, just don't inhale.
Farmgirl #5111
Blessings
~Kelly~ |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2014 : 8:38:28 PM
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| Sorry for all the questions: So you just put some in your hand and start rubbing it around down in their fur (or feathers, in your case)? How much to use? |
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prariehawk
True Blue Farmgirl
2914 Posts
Cindy
2914 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2014 : 9:02:23 PM
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If you have any carpeting,be sure to rub some into the carpets. Leave in for about twenty minutes, then vacuum. This will kill fleas in the carpet and their eggs.
Cindy
"Come by the hills to the land where fancy is free; And stand where the peaks meet the sky and the rocks reach the sea.Where the rivers run clear and the bracken is gold in the sun. and cares of tomorrow must wait till this day is done"--Loreena McKennit
"In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
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lovinRchickens
True Blue Farmgirl
3522 Posts
Kelly
Pipe Creek
Texas
USA
3522 Posts |
Posted - Aug 22 2014 : 04:56:56 AM
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Yes I use handful on my chickens to get through all the feathers. For cats you are not going to need as much. I pour DE in a cat litter box and just put in the birds upside down and give them a good dusting. For cats I would sprinkle where you could and rub it in well. Maybe handfuls for the belly and undersides, probably depends on how docile the cat is. Also it's best not to have your pet breathe in the dust so be really careful around the nose and eyes.
Farmgirl #5111
Blessings
~Kelly~ |
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lovinRchickens
True Blue Farmgirl
3522 Posts
Kelly
Pipe Creek
Texas
USA
3522 Posts |
Posted - Aug 22 2014 : 05:11:00 AM
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Lisa
I am anxious to hear your take on taking DE internally. I just started taking it as well. I am hoping for a much more calm gut.
Farmgirl #5111
Blessings
~Kelly~ |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Aug 22 2014 : 05:59:17 AM
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Thanks, Kelly. Yes, I realize it's important to prevent the kitties from breathing in the dust, and ourselves, too. Might be a two-person job.
And Prairiehawk, thanks to you, too. I know that vacuuming is vital, and they say you should put DE in the vacuum's bag or canister, but your method sounds more effective to me. I'll try it. I also have to do the house-wide 2% bleach solution, too, and doubling down on the laundry. Oh boy. Why is it we love our cats again? ;) |
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Katlady93
True Blue Farmgirl
361 Posts
Charlotte
Denmark
SC
USA
361 Posts |
Posted - Dec 20 2014 : 07:17:35 AM
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| Thanks for the info, I am still battling fleas here. I am going to try the DEon the cats. |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Dec 20 2014 : 08:03:14 AM
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| I put DE on my cats. It disn't help at all and later, my vet said to never do that. |
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Terralea
True Blue Farmgirl
138 Posts
Terra
Midland
Michigan
USA
138 Posts |
Posted - Dec 22 2014 : 12:02:54 PM
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I've used DE on my cows to ward off flies. You can sprinkle it on their droppings. You can put it in their grain and the flies won't gather at the pop station so to speak. You could do the same with all of your animals as long as you don't pile it on...for the breathing reasons mentioned above. I've used it on my plants to keep tomato worm's, cabbage worms, Japanese beetles etc, at bay. They eat some along with the leaf and since it is kinda like shards of glass to them and has a drying effect also, they dry up and die... You could lay a blanket across your entire garden if you wanted to and keep those crawly buggies on the ground as they would have to come through it to get to the plant. I think I need to see how it works for worms since we want those and lady bugs around. Hummm? Now I've got to check.
We, on the other hand, can injest it without the same ill effects...I buy a 100# bag at a time at the Amish store near us in Clare, Michigan.
Terralea |
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Katlady93
True Blue Farmgirl
361 Posts
Charlotte
Denmark
SC
USA
361 Posts |
Posted - Dec 24 2014 : 2:46:03 PM
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So is it ok to uise DE on the dogs?
Some dreams are worth the risk it takes to make them real.
Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footsteps on the moon. |
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Herbal Wisdom: Need advice on using diatomaceous earth for fleas |
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Need advice on using diatomaceous earth for fleas
