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Bothered By Bugs In Your Home? Diatomaceous Earth May Help

If you're looking for a non-toxic way to keep bugs out of your home, then you should look into buying some diatomaceous earth. You can buy this product at stores that stock pest control supplies, such as a pest control, home improvement, or feed store. Be sure to buy food grade diatomaceous earth, and that way you can be confident the product is so non-toxic, it is even safe to eat. While it won't harm people or animals, it is lethal to bugs like fleas, bed bugs, roaches, and ants.

What It Is

Diatomaceous earth is a powder that resembles baby powder. It is composed of various minerals, but it is mostly silica. It is actually fossilized algae, and it is an abrasive substance that has a wide range of uses in industry. One of the most notable is as a pesticide. Food manufacturers and farmers use it to keep bugs out of grains. It's even fed to livestock and other animals to clean parasites out of their systems.

How To Use It

To use this powder in your home, you need to spread a thin layer of it around various hard surfaces where bugs are likely to roam. Bugs don't need to eat it. They just have to get it on their bodies. You don't want to put down a thick pile, or bugs may avoid it. For that reason, it's a good idea to buy a duster. This is a small, inexpensive device you fill with diatomaceous earth and then squeeze, so it emits a dust cloud of powder. This allows you to coat the floor behind your refrigerator and your cabinets with a fine layer of diatomaceous earth powder.

In addition to putting down a very fine layer of powder, the dust needs to be dry to be effective. If it gets wet, you'll need to reapply it. This may not be a problem if you use it indoors, but if you use it outside, remember that morning dew is enough to make the dust ineffective.

Safety Concerns

You can apply diatomaceous earth powder on your garden, in your kitchen, and in your pet's sleeping area. As long as you buy food grade quality, it is completely safe, and you don't have to worry if you or your pets ingest some accidentally. When you shop for the product, be sure it says it is food grade right on the label.

Diatomaceous earth is sold for other purposes too, such as for use in swimming pool filters. That type is made differently, and may irritate your lungs or skin. Even if you buy the food grade product, you may still want to wear a breathing mask when you apply the dust, especially if you have asthma.

Diatomaceous earth works well to control bugs before they can multiply and take over your home. However, it isn't bait that bugs carry back to the nest, or poison that floats through the air. Therefore, if you have an established infestation, you may need to buy other pest control supplies such as baits and traps to help get rid of the bugs you already have. For more information, contact ASE Pest & Weed Supplies or a similar company.


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