How to Get Rid of Fleas in the Yard Naturally

An easy way to rid your yard of fleas. You will learn a natural and organic method of flea control, safe for family and pets. It's inexpensive and safe for the environment.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Diatomaceous Earth
• Disposable breathing mask

1. Purchase diatomaceous earth, available at any organic gardening store and some home improvement stores. It is important to make sure the bag is not labeled for swimming pools. Agricultural or food grade is necessary. A bag should cost around ten dollars. Diatomaceous earth is made from fossilized microscopic shells and occurs naturally.

2. A breathing/dust mask is also necessary; you can find these in the paint department of a home improvement store. Diatomaceous earth is safe if ingested, but should not be inhaled. It is used in animal feed for parasite control, in gardens, lawns and on pets. This product is made from

3. If you have a spreader, you can spread the diatomaceous earth in the same way you would any powdered product. Or, it's easy to sprinkle by hand. Simply sprinkle it around your yard so that the entire yard is covered with a light coating. The dust will not harm humans or pets, but to insects, the tiny particles act as razor blades and are lethal. However, recent studies have shown diatomaceous earth is NOT harmful to earthworms.

4. This will easily and naturally kill fleas and ticks that live in your lawn. If needed, the dust can be re-applied after each mowing.

5. If pets have fleas, you should also rub some diatomaceous earth into their fur to combat fleas and ticks.

Tips & Warnings

• Can be used around the home to kill a variety of pests
• If fleas have come indoors, sprinkle the dust on the carpet, wait a few days and vacuum
• Always wear a dust mask when handling diatomaceous earth. It is a safe product, but should not be inhaled as it can cause breathing problems.

[triciagoss]

on 10/19/2008 Awesome, thank you so much!

[Vanillatte]

on 8/11/2008 Great advice. I'm glad to see you added the note about not buying the DE that is made for swimming pools.

[LadyRose]

on 4/29/2008 THERE ARE QUITE A FEW DIFFERENT USES FOR "DE" AND THE FOLLOWING IS SOMETHING I PULLED FROM RESEARCHING THIS SUBJECT....

Millions of years ago, in all the waters of the earth, microscopic one-celled plants called diatoms took the minerals from the waters and created protective shells for themselves. Diatoms once lived in quantities far beyond the minds ability to conceive, and as they died their shells drifted to the bottom of the sea beds. In this manner, vast deposits of diatom shells were laid down. Through the history of man's existence, a wide variety of valuable uses have been found for what has come to be called "diatomaceous earth." There are now more than 1,500 ways in which man benefits from this incredible material left by diatoms, Silicon Dioxide, along with a smattering of trace minerals. According to Perma-Guard's Wally Thorpe, there are many varieties of diatoms, and th

[fearlessfox]

on 3/14/2008 Seems like Step 2 is unfinished, leaving off at "This product is made from.......", even though it is stated in Step 1 what it is made from.
Just an observation of "the winner for the "Top Written Requested How to Article!" "

[revisitingnixon]

on 8/29/2007 Congrats on having this article be picked as the winner for the "Top Written Requested How to Article!" Check out the forums and see which other winners we have this week. Check it out at:

http://www.ehow.com/community/forums/forum_1728_ehow-winners:-article-requests.aspx

-Rich