Diatomaceous Earth 85% - Questions & Answers

No, Diatomaceous Earth 85% is not recommended to treat gypsy moth caterpillars. Using a BT insecticide such as Dipel Pro is a very common treatment for Gypsy Moth Caterpillars. Talstar P has also been effective on most stages of the caterpillar and can be used on ornamentals. 

 

Yes, Diatomaceous Earth can be used indoors to treat for bed bugs, and it is safe when used as directed.  Mainly, you want to focus on cracks, crevices and wall voids.  It will kill any bed bugs that come into contact with a treated area, but it may be necessary to use other types of products as well in order to completely eradicate a bed bug infestation.  It would be a good idea to take a look at our article on How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs for more information and tips on how to do a complete treatment. 

Diatomaceous Earth 85% is not labeled for fleas in the yard.  We would not recommend using dust outdoors for fleas. When the dust gets wet, it will be ineffective. We would recommend using any type of dust indoors, inside the wall voids. For Outdoors, we would recommend using our Outdoor/Indoor Flea Kit.  It should not harm lizards.

No, Diatomaceous Earth 85% is not labeled to treat for head lice. You may find a list of products labeled to treat for lice here. 

Lice treatment in your home isn’t as stressful as you might think. Since lice die so quickly away from their host, there is virtually no chance an infestation will grow in your home. However, when people in your home are experiencing an active lice infestation, it’s a smart idea to treat vulnerable areas and items with a mix of cultural and insecticidal control. Here are some tips on using products and techniques:

• Clean your environment: This will help to eliminate any further infestation. Vacuum all carpets and rugs, launder (or dry on hottest setting) bed linens and clothing worn on days live lice have been seen. Stuffed animals can be washed or dried as well.
• Furniture, carpets, mattresses, and other items that can’t be laundered or vacuumed can be sprayed with a lice spray like Sterifab or Microcare, which will kill any live lice on contact.
• Greenway Formula 7 Head Lice Eliminator, a natural product, can be sprayed onto backpacks, coats, and even hair, which makes it a perfect product to use on kids before and after school to prevent and kill any lice that have been brought home or contracted during the day.
• Treating pest can also be useful in ridding your home of lice, especially if people infested with lice have come in close contact with the pets. Lice don’t generally feed on pets, but many flea and tick products also control lice, like Petcor.
• Other products, including dusts and insecticide concentrates, will not only control lice, but other insects as well, helping to prevent and control a wide variety of insect pests all at once. 

Diatomaceous Earth 85%  should be applied to areas where these insects are found such as patios, outdoor sills, window and door frames. Dust around foundations, along ant trails and around sewer pipes and drains. You will need to reapply when the ground is dry again if the product has been washed away from these areas.

When using Diatomaceous Earth 85% - 4 lbs. on mattresses you are only applying to areas that do not make contact with humans, folds and edges as directed on the label.  It would not be applied on other furniture, only under it.  As the product is a desiccant, it can cause skin to dry out, so contact should be avoided. Hence, why you should wash clothing if the product gets on your person during treatment.

Diatomaceous Earth 85% - 4 lbs. alone will not get rid of ants. It may kill ants that cross it, but it will not stop them from invading. You will need something they will carry back to the colony like the Indoor Ant Kit. 

Diatomaceous Earth 85% - 4 lbs. is not labeled to eradicate snakes only the listed insects. We do carry snake repellents such as Snake Out and Snake Away.

Diatomaceous Earth is not labeled for flies. 

Are you able to hang a fly trap in the area? If so, we would recommend using the Flies Be Gone Trap. It does need to be placed at least 30 feet away from the area you are wanting to treat. It does have a strong odor when there are flies inside of it. It will protect the area between 50 to 100 yards away. 

Diatomaceous Earth 85% should be applied dry with a hand duster or a power duster per the product label instructions.

Diatomaceous Earth 85% - 4 lb. bag  is not labeled to treat for scorpions. We recommend our Scorpion Control kit. 

Diatomaceous Earth 85%  should be lightly dusted and then raked or swept into carpets. Other areas of application will be in areas dogs cannot get to. Be sure to keep them out of the area until the dust settles. 

Diatomaceous Earth is not labled to be used in chicken coops.

If anything edible was treated with Diatomaceous Earth 85%, we recommend that you discard the food as it is not labeled for edible vegetation. We carry do Sevin Dust which is labeled to be used in vegetable gardens.

Yes, Diatomaceous Earth is labeled to kill spiders. Lightly coat a thin layer of product where insects are found, such as patios, outdoor sills, and around windows and door frames. This product should be applied with a hand duster.

Yes, Diatomaceous Earth is labeled to kill roaches. Lightly coat a thin layer of product in areas where pests are found and 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 treatments regularly or whenever reinfestation occurs.

Yes, Diatomaceous Earth 85% 4 lb bag is labeled to kill fleas. Thoroughly treat the floor and bedding in and around pets' sleeping quarters. Treat surrounding cracks and crevices, baseboards, carpeting and wherever fleas are suspected. It is also recommended to treat your pets with a product registered for flea control, such as Petcor Flea Spray.

Yes, Diamtomaceous Earth can be used indoors. It can be used on the floors, carpets, along baseboards and in cracks and crevices where crawling insects may be found and can hide.

Yes, Diatomaceous Earth is labeled for ants. You will lightly coat a thin layer where the pests are found and 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.

Yes, Diatomaceous Earth is labeled to be used on bedding. Dust the mattresses especially the folds and edges.