Diatomite – Does Diatomaceous Earth Kill Ticks?

Diatomaceous Earth is used in organic agriculture for pest control. Also called Diatomite, Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring mineral that can be sprinkled in yards and gardens for non-toxic, sustainable pest control.

Avoiding synthetic chemicals, and using less destructive methods to get rid of unwanted pests is becoming increasingly popular. Fleas, mites, bed bugs, lice, and ticks have it thanks to the warming and changing environment easier to spread, and pose an increasing health threat.

Diatomaceous earth is an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic chemicals, for a more conscious approach to gardening without synthetic chemicals that cause irreparable damage to the environment and our health in the long term.

Does Diatomaceous Earth Kill Ticks And Other Pests

Diatomaceous earth is effective against all sorts of critters and skin parasites. It kills ticks, fleas, lice, mites, roaches, silverfish, weevils, bed bugs, roaches, thrips, woodlice, ants, snails, and many more. As effective as diatomaceous earth is against most types of insects, it is harmless to mammals as well as pets and humans.

How To Use Diatomaceous Earth In Yard And House

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a chemical-free alternative for the control of numerous insect pests in your yard. It is applied in its powdered form or sometimes dissolved in water, for use in the garden, at home, in living rooms, or in basements, storage rooms, and stables.

Diatomaceous earth is spread as a thin layer on the ground, for example along the preferred paths of ants, or can be dusted directly on vermin nests.

Garden plants, balcony plants, potted plants, and plants in the garden that are affected by mites, thrips, or aphids can be treated. Simply dust the affected area with DE.

Sleeping places of pets, small animal cages, and carpets can also be dusted with diatomaceous earth to keep them free of vermin.

Veterinarians also recommend dusting the fur of pets infested with fleas or ticks to kill the parasites quickly and efficiently.

In order to ensure that all pests and also subsequent generations that have not yet hatched are eliminated, it is recommended that the process be repeated after a while, if necessary.

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  • Natural Product - Composed of 4lbs of 100% ground freshwater diatomaceous earth with absolutely no additives or fillers.
  • OMRI Listed - Listed with the Organic Minerals Research Institute, a non-profit organization that reviews products against organic standards.
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  • Made in the USA – Mined in Nevada and packaged in Georgia
Bestseller No. 2
Safer Home SH51703 OMRI Listed Diatomaceous Earth - Ant, Roach, Bedbug, Flea, Silverfish, Earwig, & Crawling Insect Killer
  • Say Goodbye to Bugs – Kills a variety crawling insects including roaches, ants, fleas, silverfish, earwigs, bedbugs, and more
  • Attracts and Kills – Made from diatomaceous earth and selected baits, this powder causes insects to dehydrate and die within 48 hours after contact
  • Mechanical Killer – Unlike many traditional chemical insecticides, insects cannot build an immunity to diatomaceous earth
  • Use Where Insects Hide – DE can be used indoors or outdoors. Apply in cracks and crevices, along baseboards, or create a barrier around entry points
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Harris Diatomaceous Earth Crawling Insect Killer, 8oz for Roaches, Fleas, Ants, Bed Bugs, and More…
  • Kills a Variety of Insects - Kills roaches, fleas, ants, bed bugs, and more
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Last update on 2024-03-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

What is Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth (DE) also called Diatomite, is a sedimentary rock deposit formed from the fossilized shells of Diatoms. Diatoms are microalgae that have been around for the last 200 Million years. The cell wall of diatoms is made of Biogenic silica (a non-crystalline Silicon dioxide – a kind of glass-like stuff). These microalgae are still very common today and are found in the oceans, waterways, and soils of the world where they make up an estimated 50 percent of the living biomass on earth.

diatomes
Diatoms under the Microscope, by Prof. Gordon T. Taylor, Stony Brook University / Public domain

What is Diatomaceous Earth made of?

When diatoms die, they sink to the bottom of the ocean or lakes. Over millennia their shells which are made of silicon dioxide form thick layers of sediment. It appears as a fine white or greyish powder called diatomaceous earth. One milligram of this sand-like powder contains shells of about one billion diatoms.

The difference between Food Grade DE and Filter Grade DE

There are two common forms of Diatomite: Food Grade and Filter Grade (also called Pool Grade).

Both forms of DE consist of silica. In its pure form, as it is mined, DE  has an amorph (non-crystalline) structure and is considered safe for humans. Filter grade DE has been heated to turn the non-crystalline silica into crystalline silica. The crystalline form is great for industrial uses like catalysts, filters, and a number of other applications but not for home use.

Food-grade diatomaceous earth is considered safe to use around the house and in the garden. Filter/Pool grade DE  must not be used around the home and garden.

Only use Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth!

Properties of Diatomite

The tiny exoskeletons of the diatoms are extremely porous. They absorb fats and liquids like a sponge. Diatomaceous earth has excellent filter properties and is inert. These properties and the sharp edges of the microscopic glass-like granules make diatomaceous earth a natural biocide that is valued as an environmentally friendly and non-toxic means of pest control.

How does diatomaceous earth kill ticks and bugs?

In comparison to conventional insecticides, diatomaceous earth does not act chemically, but physically. This means without toxic chemical compounds that interfere with the metabolism but through a purely mechanical effect. Examples of mechanical effects are crushing, flattening, freezing, and trapping, …

When seen under the microscope, Diatomite resembles microscopic broken glass shards, these tiny granules destroy the exoskeleton of certain insects and spider species. Razor-sharp edges that are invisible to our eyes tear open the protective chitinous exoskeleton of creeping insects and arachnids so that the liquid and fat-absorbing properties of diatomaceous earth absorb the protective waxy layer that protects the critter. Without the protective lipid layer, the insect pest loses water, dries out, and dies within a short time.

On top of that, the microscopic particles penetrate the joint spaces of the small crawlers and damage the locomotion mechanism and immobilize the vermin.

As a naturally occurring mineral, DE can be used again and again, insects do not develop a resistance to it.

What are the advantages of diatomaceous earth?

Since diatomite acts purely mechanically, it has several advantages:

  • As a naturally occurring product in the environment, it is also environmentally friendly in that it does not release any new chemicals into the environment.
  • No side effects: Thanks to its mechanical, non-chemical effect, diatomaceous earth has no side effects for humans or animals.
  • Long-term use: For the same reason, diatomaceous earth can be used again and again, because, unlike chemical products, insects and vermin do not develop resistance to it.
  • Broadly applicable: farm animals and bees are also not affected. Diatomaceous earth can be safely used in apartments, houses, stables, and gardens.

Although DE is considered harmless to your health, it is an extremely fine-grained powder and can be very dusty when used. Any kind of dust particles, if inhaled can irritate the respiratory tract and cause long-term lung damage. Take care to avoid inhalation and wear respiratory protection when using.

diatomite quarry

Is diatomaceous earth environmentally friendly?

DE is a naturally occurring sedimentary rock found in large deposits worldwide. It can be used around the house, in the yard, and in the garden without any problems. It has no toxic effects on the environment.

Is Diatomaceous earth toxic?

Diatomaceous earth is classified as a natural biocide. In principle, all chemicals, substances, and microorganisms that can be used to control pests are referred to as biocides. This classification is still controversial because DE only works mechanically and not chemically.

Natural diatomite consisting of amorphous silicon dioxide is inert, it does not react chemically with other substances and does not form any chemical compounds. It is non-toxic.

More applications

DE is incredibly versatile in applications and is one of the world’s most used minerals. Its properties make it an indispensable substance for hundreds of uses from industrial, medicinal, agricultural, construction, road works, etc.

Examples are

  • In toothpaste as an abrasive
  • Additive in cleaning agents and stain removers
  • Carriers for fertilizers, biocides, insecticides, and catalysts
  • Additives to increase weather resistance of road tar seal
  • Prevents colors pigments in paints from falling out
  • Cement additive makes concrete processing easier
  • Anti cacking agent
  • As oil binders
  • A filter medium for water and beverages
  • Filler in thermal insulation

Safety

Diatomaceous earth is completely harmless to humans and pets when used as instructed. Skin contact is not dangerous, it can easily be washed off with water. Avoid contact with the eyes or mucous membranes. Do not inhale the powder and always keep it out of the reach of children. Always read instructions and use only as recommended!

Using DE is just one of many precautions you can take around your home to reduce the number of ticks and protect your family from the risk of tick-transmitted diseases. It is essential not to neglect other measures, such as the use of personal tick repellents and defensive methods to keep parasites away from your pets.

Sources and more to read:

https://www.ima-na.org/page/what_is_diatomite

https://geology.com/rocks/diatomite.shtml

EP Minerals, a U.S. Silica Company