Sleep tight Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite

[F, Calla & Luca]

I'm not sure I agree with feeding the Diatomaceous Earth (DE), although I've read about it on breeder sites, but some of it's other uses may be of interest. Preventing fleas and bedbugs sounds like a good thing. The information below is from an email I received from Big Dipper Farm, which for the gardeners amongst us, is a good site for browsing and buying. they sell DE
http://www.bigdipperfarm.com/



Diatomaceous Earth (DE) A 100% Organic solution
for Bedbugs, Fleas, Cockroaches, Beetles, Ants and many
other crawling insects.
Diatomaceous Earth is a naturally occurring made from
the finely ground prehistoric fossils. On any
beetle-type insect like fleas, bedbugs and cockroaches,
the DE works under the shell and punctures the body,
which then dehydrates and the insect dies. DE is totally
nontoxic. There is no buildup of tolerance like there is
to poisons because the method of killing is PHYSICAL,
not chemical. Works great indoors or out and insects die
within 48 hours of contact.

FOOD GRADE
For pets and humans, use of diatomaceous earth can help
eliminate worms and reduce toxins in the digestive
tract. The daily recommended feeding amounts for
Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth are generally listed in
amounts similar to the below quantities

Kittens – 1/2 teaspoon
Cats – 1 teaspoon
Puppies – 1/2 to 1 tsp.
Dogs under 35 lbs. – 1 teaspoon
Dogs over 35 lbs. – 1 tablespoon
Dogs over 100 lbs. – 2 tablespoons
Cattle, Dairy Cows and Hogs – 2% of dry feed ration
Chickens – 5% in feed
Goats, Sheep, Alpacas, and Llamas – 2% in grain
Horses – 1/2 to 1 cup in daily ration
Humans – 1 heaping tablespoon daily

INDOOR USE
Bedbugs, Silverfish, Cockroaches, Ants, Millipedes,
Centipedes:
Lightly coat a thin layer in areas where these pests are
found or may hide, such as cracks and crevices, behind
and beneath refrigerators, cabinets, stoves, garbage
cans and in and around sewer pipes and drains, window
frames and in attics and basements. Dust insects
directly if possible. Repeat treatment regularly.
For fleas, thoroughly treat floor and bedding in and
around pets' sleeping quarters. Treat surrounding cracks
and crevices, baseboards, carpeting and wherever fleas
are suspected. Dust your dogs and cats and watch the
scratching come to a halt within a few days. No more
toxic chemicals on your animals. I dust my chickens for
mites also.

OUTDOOR USE
Ants, Cockroaches, Earwigs and Other Crawling Insects:
Lightly coat a thin layer in areas where these insect
pests are found such as patios, window and doorframes,
outdoor sills. Dust around foundations, along ant
trails, and around sewer pipes and drains. Repeat
treatment as necessary.

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

My great friend that is the sheltie breeder SWEARS by this stuff - although I am not sure exactly what she does with it - honestly it kinda sounded gross to me so I didn't ask her to elaborate. She also swears by keefer (sp?) some kind of thing that looks like yogurt maybe? I am going to have to break down and ask her - it could be a very interesting discussion - thank you for bringing it up! I have found myself to be braver in the more holistic alternatives with Hunter for some reason. LOL

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think it's kefir, which is another cultured milk product. I've never used it though. I haven't used the DE either but I am interested in feedback.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Oh I would try this in a minute. I personally don't do well with insecticides and am always looking for natural products. I use black pepper in doorways, cement cracks in patio, and around the exterior of the house foundation for ants and spiders, however this sounds like it has a broader range of uses and may work much better

[Martha & Cooper]

Does the black pepper work well on ants? We had Pharoah ants for the first time last winter and had a hard time getting rid of the buggers!

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Wow, does the black pepper work? I am having problems with spiders but I don't want to bug bomb the house because of our indoor cat. It would traumatize her to take from the house for the lenght of time needed for bug bomb to work.

[Linda and Murphy]

Interesting. I have used it in filters.

Diatomaceaous Earth is made up of fossil diatoms, found in both fresh and saltwater. The primary component is silica...essentially ground glass. Its a little unnerving to me to actually feed it to an animal.

[Deirdre]

D.E. for pool filters is different then human grade D.E. so they say. Years ago I bought a house that was full of fleas I called in Flea Buster's, cute guy all dressed in white sprinkled a white powder all over my carpet and brushed it deep into the carpet. I kept questioning him about the safety of the powder out of complete frustration he turned to me and said "It's Diatomaceaous Earth." I've been useing it on my own ever since. It's really dusty when you first apply it. I use a used parmesan cheese jar and sprinkle it all over my carpet and push broom it in. Let it sit 48 hrs before vacuuming it will kill fleas and other critters for 6-12 months. If you have a huge flea infestation like I did 48 hrs. after applying you can see the fleas popping out of the carpet and dying. I use Concern brand. I've never fed it or put it on a pet. I don't have spiders or ants.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Lots of sites recommend feeding, only human grade, DE to pets and people but I continue to have strong reservations about that.

[Jenny and Chester]

What!! I'm supposed to eat the dirt??? That would be no problem for my dogs, but I might have a bit of a problem choking it down.