The Complete Guide To Diatomaceous Earth

1
2
2020 Edition
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This book is for reference purposes only, based on reviews from diatomaceous
earth users. It is not intended to substitute advice given by a physician,
pharmacist, or other licensed health care professional. Statements regarding
this dietary supplement have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug
Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any
disease or health condition. Those with health problems and those who are
pregnant or breastfeeding are specifically advised to consult their physician before
taking any nutritional supplement.
The Complete Guide to Diatomaceous Earth

Copyright © 2020 DiatomaceousEarth.com
All Rights Reserved
This book may not be reproduced or transmitted in whole or in part without

the express written permission of DiatomaceousEarth.com.
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1: What Is Diatomaceous Earth? 7
The History of Diatomaceous Earth 8
Diatomaceous Earth Deposits 9
Food Grade DE 10
Feed Grade DE 10
Pest Control Grade DE 10
How Is Diatomaceous Earth Graded? 10
Pool Grade DE 11
How to Tell if Diatomaceous Earth Is Food Grade? 11
Diatomaceous Earth’s Effects on the Environment 12
Other Uses for Diatomaceous Earth 12
Animal Health 13
Natural Hygiene 13
Cleaner and Deodorizer 13
Where to Buy Diatomaceous Earth 13
Chapter 2: Health Uses and Benefits 15

Supplement 15
Detox 15
How to Take DE 16
Benefits 18
Precautions 20
Chapter 3: Diatomaceous Earth for Pest Control 21

How DE Works as a Pesticide 21
Methods of Applying DE 22
How to Apply DE for Common Pest Problems 23
Ants 24
Aphids 26
Bed Bugs 27
Cockroaches 29
Fleas 30
Flies 31
Slugs 32
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Spiders 33
Termites 34
Ticks 35
Wasps 37
Other Insects 38
Precautions 39
Clean-up Tips 39
Chapter 4: Animal Uses 43

Supplement and Detox for Animals 43
Pest Control for Animals 43
Dogs and Cats 44
Horses, Cattle, and Other Livestock 47
Chickens 49
Chapter 5: Do-It-Yourself Projects 51

Do-it-yourself Hygiene 51
Bath Bombs 51
Body Butter Bars 53
Deodorant 54
Scented Exfoliant for Homemade Soaps 56
Face Mask 57
Toothpaste Enhancer 58
Homemade Cleaners 58
All-purpose Cleaner 58
Stain Remover 59
Natural Deodorizer 60
Carpet 60
Cupboards, Drawers, and Closets 61
Garbage Cans 61
Shoes 62
Vacuum Cleaner 63
Miscellaneous 63
Grain Storage Protectant 63
Essential Oil Diffuser 64
Rodent Repellent 65
Afterward 67
Bibliography 68
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Chapter 1
What Is Diatomaceous Earth?

Introduction
Perhaps you found this book because a friend told you diatomaceous earth
is a natural insecticide. Maybe you’re looking for a natural supplement that
can improve your health. Or maybe you’re a seasoned diatomaceous earth
user wanting to expand your knowledge. Whatever your purpose, this book
is the perfect guide to help you learn how to do many amazing things with
diatomaceous earth. You will learn how to ward off pesky insects without toxic
chemicals, how to detox your body and improve your digestive health, how to
deodorize your kitchen, and much, much more.
In this chapter, we will explore what diatomaceous earth is, where it comes
from, and what grade—or quality—of diatomaceous earth you will need. We will
also touch on the uses and benefits that we cover at length in later chapters. We
will conclude this chapter by sharing tips for buying quality diatomaceous earth.
What Is Diatomaceous Earth?

Even if this is the first time you have heard of diatomaceous earth (DE),
chances are you have been around it for a long time. It’s used in paint to give it a
matte finish1. It’s used in the manufacturing process of paper and plastics. It’s also
used to filter liquids like water, fruit juice, and medicine2. In addition to being
a part of products we use every day, DE is a powerful tool that can benefit your
health, pets, and home in simple, natural ways.
When you break down the word “diatomaceous,” the root word is “diatom.”
1 “Beyond Silver and Gold, Nevada’s Mining Future - EP Minerals, LLC,” YouTube video.
2 Dasch, “Mineral Resources from Fresh Water,” 85–88.
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Diatoms are a kind of single-celled algae, tiny plants that have a shell made
primarily of silicon dioxide, also known as silica.
Each diatom is a lattice
structure of perforated shapes
like disks, balls, ladders,
cylinders, feathers, and
needles. The variety of shapes
is the result of more than
10,000 species of diatoms, both
ancient and modern. They are
found abundantly in sunlit
water with plenty of nutrients
and dissolved silica1. Diatoms
are plentiful in salt water,
SEM Photo of Diatomaceous Earth. Image courtesy of Dawid Siodłak
but they can also be found
in freshwater environments, especially those with a volcanic past. Josiah Dwight
Whitney, a prominent geologist, explained that diatoms need soluble silica,
something commonly found in lake basins of volcanic regions2.
When diatoms die, they accumulate by the millions at the bottoms of bodies
of water, leaving behind their silica shells, which are compressed over time into
huge deposits of chalky rock. These deposits, which are often millions of years old,
range in size from a few inches to hundreds of feet3. Many ancient lakes that were
once teeming with diatoms have dried up, leaving behind diatom shell deposits
for mining. Most sources of diatomaceous earth in the United States are open pit
mines, since DE deposits rest on or near the earth’s surface. In other parts of the
world, however, other methods are sometimes used4.
When DE is mined, it contains up to 65 percent water. After it dries, the
remainder of the content is usually 80–90 percent silica—sometimes higher—
with the rest comprising of alumina and alkalis from clay. Mining entails
quarrying, drying, and milling, and the result is the fine, flour-like powder we call
diatomaceous earth5.
The History of Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth has been used by many cultures, ancient and modern.
1 Antonides, “Diatomite,” 24.1–24.4.
2 Mustoe, “Diatomaceous Origin of Siliceous Shale in Eocene Lake Beds of Central British
Columbia,” 231–241.
3 Korunic, “Diatomaceous Earths, a Group of Natural Insecticides,” 87–97.
4 See note 3 in the Bibliography.
5 Ibid.
8
Almost 4,000 years ago, the Chinese used diatomaceous earth for pest control.
Native Americans mixed it with stored grain to repel insects.1 It was also used
by the ancient Greeks to make brick. In 535 C.E., diatomite (another name for
diatomaceous earth) blocks were used in the construction of the dome of the
Church of St. Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey. In the mid-1800s, DE was an important
part of making insulating brick in Europe. Around 1860, Alfred Noble used it as
an absorbent and stabilizer for nitroglycerine in dynamite.2
DE was first mined in the United States in Maryland in 1884. Then, in the
late 1880s, a purer, bigger deposit in Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, California,
became the primary source of the world’s DE at the time.3 Since then, many
mines have opened all over the world.
DE was first used as a pesticide ingredient in 1960. It’s still found in many
pesticide products, mostly dusts, as well as some wettable powders and
pressurized liquids.4
DE as a pesticide ingredient is one of its most common uses, but it’s also used
in other products, such as toothpaste5, skin care products, foods, beverages,
medicine, paint, cleaners, and kitty litter. As of 2014, there were 150 registered
products that used DE.6
Diatomaceous Earth Deposits

Diatomaceous earth deposits of varying purity exist around the world. As of
1998, the estimated worldwide reserve of DE was 800 million metric tons, with
about 250 million in the United States alone, which is about 400 times more than
is produced annually. Other calculations estimate the reserves are even higher
than that. In 1985, the US Bureau of Mines estimated the world reserve to be
almost two billion tons. And a resource estimate of the deposit near Lompoc
suggests that this single deposit could supply the world with DE for hundreds of
years.7 Regardless of what the numbers actually are, it’s safe to assume that there
is enough DE to meet the world’s needs for a very long time.
Freshwater DE deposits are usually smaller than marine deposits, but
freshwater deposits are more common,8 and it’s generally thought that freshwater
DE is more effective as a pesticide.9 Freshwater DE is also used as a supplement.
1 “[Technology Spotlight] Diatomaceous Earth,” PCT Magazine.
3 Ibid.
4 Bunch, et al., “Diatomaceous Earth General Fact Sheet.”
5 Considine, ed., “Diatomite,” 1:1,499–1,501.
8 Ibid.
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How Is Diatomaceous Earth Graded?
The chemical composition of diatomaceous earth varies based on the mine
it comes from, what components are added, and what modifications are made
before it’s packaged. Because of this, DE is separated into different grades, and
each grade has been approved for specific uses.
The Grades of Diatomaceous Earth
All DE falls under one of four main grades:
Food Grade Feed Grade Pest Grade Pool Grade
More information is given on each of the grades below.
Food Grade
Food grade diatomaceous earth is made of amorphous silica and natural
trace minerals. This is DE in its most natural form. If it comes from approved
freshwater mines and meets the standards set by the Food Chemicals Codex, it’s
labeled as “food grade.” This kind of DE has not been altered or added to in any
way. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has labelled food grade DE as
a GRAS product, which stands for “Generally Recognized as Safe.” Food grade
DE is used in healthcare products, as an anticaking agent in food, as a filter for
different kinds of beverages, and as a natural detox and silica supplement.
Feed Grade
Feed Grade DE is also a natural product mined the same way as food grade,
however it is not held to the same standards in mineral composition as food grade
DE. Diatomaceous earth that is labelled as feed grade is typically cheaper to buy
and works well for farm or animal use, but is not recommended to be ingested by
people.
Pest Control Grade

Pest control grade diatomaceous earth, sometimes also labelled as “crawling
insect control” has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
to be sold as an insecticide. Often, this is simply food grade DE that has been
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labelled to meet EPA regulations, however this isn’t always the case. Pest grade DE
is not subject to the same cleanliness requirements as food grade DE, and some
companies add chemicals to their pest control grade DE to make it more effective.
Make sure to do some research to know what you’re getting. Just to be safe, never
ingest pest control grade DE.
Food grade DE has the same properties that enable pest control grade DE to
kill insects; however, because the food grade DE label isn’t registered as a pesticide
with the EPA, it isn’t approved to be marketed as a pesticide. For the safety of the
general public, the EPA is strict about labeling standards because most pesticides
are poisonous.
You might be wondering how DE can be healthy for humans yet deadly to
insects and other pests. This is because DE uses a mechanical action, not poison,
which is abrasive to insects’ exoskeletons. Since we don’t have exoskeletons, it
doesn’t have the same effect on us. For more information about this, see chapter 3.
Pool Grade
Pool grade diatomaceous earth is made of calcined DE, which has a high
crystalline silica content. Calcined DE is manufactured with a superheating
process that makes it more effective for filtration. Simple calcined DE is heated up
to 1,000°C (1,832°F) and flux-calcined is heated up to 1,200°C (2,192°F), and up
to 10 percent of sodium compounds are added.1 This process completely changes
the structure of DE, making it effective for filtering swimming pools, but this kind
of DE is carcinogenic and can be very harmful if inhaled or swallowed.2 It’s safe
when used correctly in swimming pools, but pool grade DE or any other form of
crystalline silica is unfit for any of the uses covered in this book. So, if you need DE
for your swimming pool, this is great stuff, but keep it away from your kids and
pets, and do not ingest it.
How to Tell if Diatomaceous Earth Is Food Grade?

For most diatomaceous earth uses, you want to make sure you have a good
quality food grade product. Read the product label to check for additives and
impurities. Also, when shopping for food grade DE, look for labels like “food
grade,” “Food Chemicals Codex grade,” and “anticaking agent.” If you have more
questions regarding the product, you can go to the manufacturer’s website and
check the label online. A manufacturer’s website should have a Safety Data Sheet
that can help you verify the safety of a product.
Don’t get food grade DE mixed up with feed grade DE. Both are made of
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amorphous silica, but feed grade DE doesn’t necessarily meet all the same
standards as food grade. Feed grade DE is fine for animals but not for people. If
you are buying DE for you or other people, make sure it says “Food Chemicals
Codex” on it.
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Diatomaceous Earth’s Effects on the Environment

The impact of diatomaceous earth on the environment is low. DE is chemically
stable and doesn’t react with other substances in the environment; consequently, it
doesn’t produce any toxic residues.1
The largest environmental impact DE has is how it affects insects. Because it’s
a natural pesticide, it will kill insects and other pests like slugs and spiders. This
means you must use DE carefully so you don’t hurt beneficial insects, like bees.
We will talk more about this in chapter 3. It has been said that DE is not harmful
to earthworms, and they generally stay underground anyway. But it’s still a good
idea to be cautious when applying DE, keeping your application on the topsoil
and away from worms.
Food grade DE is not harmful to mammals, birds, or reptiles. In fact, it can
be used as a feed additive to benefit their health. DE also has great potential to
impact the environment in positive ways. Each time you use DE to fight pests or
clean your home, you’re replacing harmful chemicals with a natural alternative.
This promotes a cleaner, safer, and healthier planet.
Other Uses for Diatomaceous Earth

It’s rare to find a natural product that can do so much. In coming chapters, we
will delve further into the many ways you can use diatomaceous earth, but here’s a
quick overview of a few other things DE can do:

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Animal Health
Diatomaceous earth’s effectiveness as a pesticide and a dietary supplement
makes it great for pets and livestock. You can apply pest control grade DE to
combat fleas, ticks, and other external parasites. You can also mix food grade DE
in animals’ food as a dietary supplement.
Some DE enthusiasts claim that DE helps rid animals of internal parasites;
however, the EPA has not approved using DE to eliminate any internal parasites.
Because of this, there aren’t any official recommendations for using DE as a
deworming or parasite-cleansing aid. We will discuss how to use DE to benefit
your pets’ health, including pest control for pets, in chapter 4.
Natural Hygiene
Because diatomaceous earth is abrasive, you can add it to water or coconut oil
for a great exfoliating facial scrub. You can also add it to your toothpaste for extra
cleaning power. People also put DE in homemade soap, bath bombs, and other
do-it-yourself projects. You can find step-by-step instructions for these and more
in chapter 5.
Cleaner and Deodorizer

Both the abrasive and absorptive properties of diatomaceous earth make it a
useful cleaner for your home. Dry DE dust can suck up stains and odors like a
sponge. It’s also coarse enough to cut through grease. You’ll learn how to do these
and more in chapter 5.
Where to Buy Diatomaceous Earth

With several grades of diatomaceous earth and multiple brands, purchasing
the right grade from a reliable source can be a confusing challenge. Unless you
need DE for your swimming pool, do not buy DE from a pool supply store. You
can buy food grade and pest control grade DE in select health stores, farm supply
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stores, and gardening stores. There are also many brands on the internet. You can
buy directly from a DE company’s website, as well as on Amazon and eBay.
A note on pricing: Diatomaceous earth is generally an inexpensive product, so
if someone is charging you $20 or $30 for a tiny bottle of it, look elsewhere. For
that price range, you should be able to get a 10 pound bag of food grade DE. If
you buy online, you will also want to compare shipping costs. Shipping costs vary
depending on where you live, so shop around and compare rates.
Our Recommendations
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quality or lower price than here.
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That’s diatomaceous earth in a nutshell. Now that you have a good idea of
what it is and what it can do, you’re ready to learn how to use DE to reap its many
benefits. Each chapter from here on out will go into greater detail about how to
use DE for different things, as well as the potential benefits. So, are you ready?
Let’s get started!
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Chapter 2
Health Uses and Benefits

Diatomaceous earth can be used in many ways to benefit your health. You can
take it internally as a supplement that detoxes your digestive system and adds
silica and trace minerals to your body. You can also use it externally to exfoliate
your skin and brush your teeth. In this chapter, we will take a closer look at how
to use DE internally. We will teach you how to take it, what the benefits are, and a
few precautions to keep in mind. We will cover the external health uses for DE in
chapter 5.
Supplement
Many people have experienced a variety of benefits from ingesting
diatomaceous earth. Silica is a mineral that is required for every type of life on
earth, and DE is loaded with it. DE also contains other trace minerals such as
calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, sodium, titanium, boron, manganese,
copper, and zirconium. Even though DE gives your body these minerals in small
amounts, it can still offer big health benefits.
Detox
Every day, we are exposed to potentially harmful substances that come from
hygiene products, cleaning products, air pollution, food additives, and more. Our
bodies are generally good at flushing this stuff out on their own, but sometimes
they need a little extra help. Making different lifestyle choices can reduce our
exposure to these harmful substances, and taking diatomaceous earth can help
clean out the garbage that is already inside us.
In chapter 1, we mentioned that DE is abrasive and absorbent. These properties
make it a great way to detox. When you take DE internally, its coarse edges gently
15
scrub your digestive system, dislodging objects that shouldn’t be there. DE then
absorbs the loose junk and helps it pass out of your system. This can help remove
heavy metals and other toxins. Your body only absorbs a small amount of the
DE you ingest, with most of it passing straight through the digestive system,1
removing garbage as it goes.
Many people claim that DE will also remove internal parasites from humans
and animals; however, there isn’t a lot of formal research to back this up, and
the EPA does not authorize claims involving the use of diatomaceous earth for
removal of internal parasites or worms. Could DE be a natural dewormer? It’s
possible, but to say that it is for certain would be premature.
How to Take DE
It’s generally thought best to take diatomaceous earth with water on an empty
stomach. This allows the DE to absorb toxins instead of nutrients from food.
However, the slight chalkiness of DE is hard for some people to get down, so
many people mix DE in food, and they still seem to have the same benefits. And
even if DE does absorb some nutrients from food, it’s a negligible amount and
nothing to worry about. If you decide to take DE with food, you’ll want to take
it with something light, like applesauce, yogurt, smoothies, oatmeal, etc. You can
also take it with a beverage to mask the flavor and texture of DE. Fruit juices, tea,
coffee, milk, and just about anything else will work. We will show you how to take
DE with the assumption that taking it in water is best, but you can modify your
method of taking it however you think will best suit you.
What You’ll Need:
Food Grade DE Glass of Water Stirring Spoon

(1 teaspoon) (8 oz)
Step 1:
Stir 1 teaspoon of DE into a glass of water. A teaspoon is generally a good
starting dose, though some people start with less. If you experience any side
effects (explained below), reduce your dose.

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Step 2:
Drink it down. It’s best
to drink it all at once, soon
after you mix the DE in water,
instead of sipping it throughout
the day.
Step 3:
Drink plenty of water
throughout the day. You
don’t have to drink excessive
amounts; just stay well
hydrated. This is important
because DE can be a little
drying to your system.
Step 4:
Be sure to take DE consistently every day. After about a week, you can begin
to gradually increase your dose. Slowly, over two or three weeks, raise your dose
from 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon per day. It won’t hurt you to take more than this,
and some people do, but taking large amounts can make you constipated, possibly
without yielding additional benefits.
Step 5:
Continue to take DE daily. Some people prefer to take a break from DE after
they have been taking it for a while, but we know people who have been taking
DE each day for years and experience its benefits the entire time. How you take
DE long-term is up to you and what you feel your body needs.
There is no specific time of day that is best for taking DE, but here is something
to consider: Some people feel an increase in energy when taking DE, while others,
especially for the first few days or weeks, feel tired after taking it. So, if DE gives
you energy, it’s probably best to take it in the morning so you can use that energy
throughout the day. If DE makes you tired, it’s probably best to take it at night so
you can sleep it off. Whatever time you decide to take it, stay consistent to that
time, rather than taking it at different times each day.
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Benefits
There is a very long list of potential benefits of taking diatomaceous earth.
People may experience these benefits as soon as a few days after beginning to take
DE, but if that isn’t your experience, don’t worry. It can take up to six weeks for
benefits to be noticeable.
It’s also important to keep in mind that not everyone experiences the same
benefits from taking DE. Below is a list of the benefits commonly reported by
DE users. While it’s possible for you to experience all the benefits in this list, it’s
more likely that you will experience a handful of them. And someone else using
the same DE could experience completely different benefits. We are not sure why
it happens this way, but we do know that our bodies are all different, and the
varying benefits of DE reflect that.
For the most part, these benefits are purely based on people’s testimonials,
but the number of people who report consistent benefits from taking DE is truly
amazing.
Better Digestive Health

People who take diatomaceous earth generally experience an improvement
in digestion. They report more regular bowel movements, less bloating, and a
decrease in unexplained stomach pain. It’s also thought that DE’s ability to cleanse
the digestive system can lead to better absorption of food.
Reduced Cholesterol
While further studies are needed to confirm this claim, one study suggests that
diatomaceous earth may help reduce blood cholesterol levels.1
Increased Energy
As diatomaceous earth detoxifies the body, the body can begin to function
more efficiently. For some people, this causes an increase in energy. They have less
mental fog and find physical activity easier and more enjoyable.
Weight Loss
Some people claim diatomaceous earth helps them lose weight. And while
it’s possible that DE may help with weight loss, it’s probably not a weight loss
superfood. As we have stated, DE sometimes gives people more energy, helping
them live a more active lifestyle, which may lead to weight loss. Taking DE can
lead to other healthy practices, such as drinking more water, which can help with
weight loss as well. Some people have also reported that DE has helped curb their
1 Wachter et al., “Diatomaceous Earth Lowers Blood Cholesterol Concentrations,” 211-215.
18
food cravings.
Less Joint and Ligament Pain

People often report reduced joint pain after taking diatomaceous earth.
Clearer Skin
People who take diatomaceous earth internally often find that their skin is
clearer. Some people with skin conditions report that DE diminishes their rashes,
blemishes, and other symptoms. You can also use DE externally as an exfoliating
scrub to clear pores and remove dead skin. We will teach you how to do this in
chapter 5.
Healthier Hair and Nails

Silica, the main component of diatomaceous earth, is an essential component
for keeping your hair and nails healthy and happy. People who take DE often
notice that their hair is thicker and healthier and that their nails are stronger.
Side Effects
Diatomaceous earth can be a bit drying to your system, which can sometimes
cause constipation. Though unpleasant, this is usually avoidable. If you experience
constipation, it’s probably because you’re taking too much DE or are not drinking
enough water. To remedy this, simply drink more water and lower your DE
dosage. Even starting with a teaspoon of DE can sometimes cause constipation, so
do not get discouraged if you need to lower your dose to a ½ or ¼ of a teaspoon
for a week or so while your body adjusts.
Headaches, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms are also common, but usually only
within the first few days of taking DE. These symptoms are caused by toxins
leaving your body, not by the DE itself. This is commonly referred to as “die off.” If
these symptoms persist, lower your DE intake. This will slow the release of toxins
and reduce the side effects.
While some people experience an increase in energy while taking DE, some
people feel less energy, especially at first. This is probably caused by die off,
rather than by the DE directly, and should eventually go away. Whatever die off
symptoms you may encounter should pass completely in a few weeks.
19
Precautions
Medications
We have never heard of diatomaceous earth interfering with anyone’s
prescription medications, but all the same, you should be cautious about taking
DE if you’re on medications. DE might be able to absorb a small amount of them.
It’s best to talk to your doctor before taking DE if you’re on medications. If you
decide to take DE, take it at least one hour before or two hours after you take your
medication. This should space them out enough that there will be no interference.
Pregnant or Nursing Mothers

There isn’t a lot of information about how diatomaceous earth affects
pregnancy and breastfeeding. We know pregnant and breastfeeding women who
have used DE without problems, but we recommend that mothers at either of
these stages talk to a doctor before taking DE.
Children
There also isn’t much information about giving diatomaceous earth to
children. There are websites that say you can give DE to your children in smaller
doses, but the information is often vague. While we haven’t heard anything
negative about giving DE to children, there aren’t any formal studies about how
it affects children, nor are there any specific guidelines for how to give DE to
children. For these reasons, we recommend speaking to a doctor before giving DE
to your children.
20
Chapter 3
Diatomaceous Earth for Pest

Control
Whether you’re dealing with bed bugs, ants, termites, or cockroaches, pest
infestations are a daunting challenge, especially because most—if not all—
pesticides on the market are toxic and harmful to the environment. Luckily,
diatomaceous earth provides a natural alternative you can use in your home, yard,
and garden without harming you, your kids, or your pets. And it’s cheap!
In this chapter, we will explain how DE works as a pesticide, and then we will
show you, step by step, how to use it to prevent and curb bug infestations.
How DE Works as a Pesticide

Diatomaceous earth uses a mechanical action, not poisons, to kill insects.
DE is very coarse and absorbent, which means that when insects walk through
it, the DE scratches through and absorbs the waxy, oily coating that protects
their exoskeletons. With that layer compromised, insects are not able to retain
the moisture they need, and they dehydrate and die. Even if insects do not walk
through enough DE for it to be fatal, they will likely avoid the DE next time they
are confronted with it.
Because DE is not poisonous, it can take longer than mainstream pesticides to
kill insects. DE can kill some insects within a few hours, though it may take up
to a couple days, depending on the size and resiliency of the insect, how long it is
exposed to the DE, and what the environmental conditions are.
While DE may take longer to kill pests than poisonous pesticides, DE has the
advantage of being free of toxic chemicals, and as long as your DE application
remains in place, it will continue to kill bugs long after toxic pesticides fade away.
21
In places with high humidity, DE may take longer to react with insects because
it’s absorbing water in the air, which lessens DE’s ability to absorb oils from
insects. The opposite is true in extremely dry and hot areas, which maximizes
DE’s effectiveness. Also, DE won’t break down in the sun or heat like some
synthetic pesticides will.
Before purchasing DE for pest control, you should look at the ingredients
listed on the label. Effective DE contains high amorphous silica content and no
impurities such as clay. Some companies add chemicals to their DE to make it
kill bugs faster. We do not recommend this kind of DE, especially for indoor use.
We believe it adds needless risk to using DE. What you want is 100 percent pure
diatomaceous earth.
Methods of Applying DE
The best method of applying diatomaceous earth largely depends on the
location. Sometimes you will be applying DE in little nooks and crannies, and
other times you will be spreading it over large areas like your garden. Most of the
time it’s best to apply DE as a dry dust, but sometimes it can be better to apply DE
mixed with water in a spray bottle.
Dry Application
Applying diatomaceous earth dry is generally the easiest and most effective
way to apply DE. What you’re going for is a light coating of DE dust on your
countertops, carpets, or wherever else you might be applying it. Just think of what
a bookshelf looks like when it gets dusty, and try to re-create that with DE.
While you could simply scoop out some DE with your hand or a measuring
cup and sprinkle it around, there are some techniques you can use to help you
apply DE evenly while minimizing the potential for a big mess. If you’re applying
to a large area, such as your living room carpet, a flour sifter works very well.
You can also use an empty seasoning shaker bottle or make a shaker by punching
holes in the top of a mason jar. You can even pour DE into an old sock and smack
it or squeeze it to apply puffs of DE. There are also sifting scoops you can buy that
are made to help spread DE evenly.
If you’re applying to small spaces, a sifter or shaker might not be your best
option, especially if it’s a tight space that is hard to access. What you want for this
kind of situation is some kind of squeezer that can shoot puffs of DE into cracks
and crevices. You can use an old ketchup or mustard bottle for this or buy an
applicator designed for this purpose.
You may want to wear eye and breathing protection while applying DE dry
22
because, like any dust, it can irritate the eyes and the lungs if it gets in them. This
generally is not a serious matter. DE will not usually cause damage to your lungs
unless you inhale large amounts of it over several years. This is not the case with
pool grade DE however, which can be harmful in small doses when inhaled.
If you or anyone in your home has a respiratory condition, such as asthma, we
recommend using a mask, or alternatively you can try the wet application method
to help keep the dust down.
Wet Application
Diatomaceous earth does not work well when wet; however, once it dries
out it again becomes effective. In most situations it’s more effective to apply DE
dry, but there are two use cases in which the wet application method is superior.
First, a wet application is usually the better option if you or anyone in your home
(including pets) has a respiratory condition. When DE is wet, it will not cause
dust clouds that can be inhaled.
The other reason you might want to use a wet application instead of a dry one
is if you’re applying DE to your plants. Sprinkling dry DE on your plants can be
tricky because it can slide off vertical stems and angled leaves. And forget about
trying to get dry DE to stick on the undersides of leaves. Spraying DE on with
water makes it easier to distribute DE over your plants. And once the water dries,
it will stick better to challenging spots.
DE mixed in water is commonly known as a “slurry.” To make a DE slurry,
simply mix DE in water at a ratio of about 4 tablespoons per gallon of water.1 You
can apply the slurry with a spray bottle or a pressure sprayer. Once you mix DE in
water, the DE will soon settle to the bottom, so you need to shake it up frequently
as you spray.
How to Apply DE for Common Pest Problems

How you apply diatomaceous earth will depend on the situation and the pest
you’re dealing with, but the basic idea is to strategically place DE where bugs will
crawl through it. The way in which you must deal with many of the following
pests is the same, but there are also differences, so we will go into detail about
each pest, though there will be some repeated information.
1 Rose, Going Green Using Diatomaceous Earth How-to Tips, 77.

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Ants
Ants are one of the most common insects that invade the home. Depending on
the climate, they can be anything from an occasional nuisance to a persistent pest.
They can invade your home, driveway, or yard, and you may need to adjust your
diatomaceous earth application depending on the location.
Indoor Application
What You’ll Need:
Pest Grade DE Small Applicator 20 - 30 Mins

(1/2 to 1 lb) (Optional)
Step 1:
If your home is infested with ants, it’s probably because they are looking for
food, so the first step is to get rid of their food source. Sweep the floors, clean off
your kitchen counters, and make sure all food is neatly stowed away.
Step 2:
Seal up cracks, holes, and any other areas where ants might be sneaking into
your house.
Step 3:
Apply DE wherever you see ants. You can use a squeeze applicator to target
edges along baseboards, inside cupboards, under the stove, and any other places
that are hard to reach. Alternatively, you can use a flour sifter to lightly dust larger
areas, such as carpets and rugs.
Step 4:
For the next few days, keep an eye on the treated areas. Ants may begin taking
alternate routes through your house to avoid the DE. Apply DE to any new places
24
the ants are going. If DE from your original application is removed by foot traffic
or a draft, reapply. Keep DE applied as long as ants remain a problem.
Outdoor Application
What You’ll Need:
Pest Grade DE Large Applicator 20 - 30 Mins

(1 to 2 lbs) (Optional)
If there is an overabundance of ants in your yard, you can use the same steps
listed above to take care of the problem, but you will probably have to reapply DE
more often because wind, rain, and sprinklers can wash away the DE. As with
indoor application, apply DE dry unless there are some vertical areas you’re trying
to get the DE to stick to.
Targeting Anthills
While spreading DE around your home and yard will go a long way toward
diminishing an ant infestation, it probably won’t be enough on its own. To
completely eradicate the problem, you need to target the anthills themselves.
Step 1:
If you’re dealing with a large anthill, you will need to break it open and target
the queen. Use a shovel to remove the top of the ant hill. Then, using a stick or
broom handle, stir the inside of the mound to destroy the networks of tunnels.
Step 2:
Apply DE generously to the mound and continue to stir and break it up as you
add DE. Treat the top of the anthill similarly, breaking it up with your shovel and
generously coating it with DE. Also, apply DE in a one-foot radius around the ant
hill.
Step 3:
Continue to treat every ant hill on your property, and be on the lookout for
new anthills. Each one you treat makes it harder for the ants to re-establish
themselves.
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Note: If you’re dealing with little black ants that only have small hills, the job is
a lot simpler. You can just scrape the top of the hill off with your shoe and apply
DE thoroughly, and you should be good to go.
Aphids
If left unchecked, aphids can wreak havoc in your garden. They come in a
variety of colors such as green, red, brown, black, and yellow. Check your plants
a couple times a week as you walk through the garden or do other activities such
as watering and weeding. Look for plants that are yellowing, curling, or exhibiting
distorted growth. This could be a sign of an aphid infestation.
If a plant is covered in aphids,
it might be better to just cut it
down and dispose of it. This
won’t eliminate the problem, but
it can slow it down enough so
you can keep ahead of the aphids.
Applying diatomaceous earth
is great because it’s harmless to
your garden but deadly to aphids
that could kill your plants.
Method 1 - Dry Application (Recommended)
What You’ll Need:
Pest Grade DE Applicator 20 - 30 Mins

Step 1:
Increase the pressure of your hose when you water your plants (but not enough
to damage them). The force of the spray can knock aphids off your plants. Spray
all sides of the plant, including the base and the underside of the leaves. This
serves another purpose: it helps the DE stick to the plant more effectively. Avoid
applying DE on any blossoms your plants might have to protect bees from DE
26
exposure. We will talk more about protecting bees in the Precautions section of
this chapter.
Step 2:
While they are still wet, apply dry DE to your plants. Make sure to get the base
of the plant and the underside of the leaves as well.
Step 3:
Leave some DE around the base of the plant to ensure dusting any aphids that
have been knocked to the ground.
Method 2 - Wet Application

Another simple yet effective way to apply DE is to use the wet application
method. Using the directions earlier in this chapter, make a DE slurry and use a
spray bottle or pressure sprayer to apply DE to your plants. Make sure you spray
on the tops and bottoms of the leaves and around the stems.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs live in warm locations and often make their homes in bedding,
clothes, carpets, and furniture. You’re their constant supply of food, which is why
bed bugs enjoy these locations. If you think you might have bed bugs, check for
them by looking closely at mattress and furniture seams, the headboard of your
bed, and surrounding areas for black fecal matter and blood smears. If you see
these signs, act quickly to eliminate the problem before it gets worse.
Getting rid of bed bugs can be a rigorous challenge, and diatomaceous earth
alone probably isn’t enough. But when you use DE in conjunction with steam
cleaning, washing all fabrics, and cleaning and vacuuming your carpets, you will
have what it takes to beat the bed bugs.
What You’ll Need:
Pest Grade DE Large Applicator 1 - 2 Hours

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Step 1:
Bug proof your home by sealing up any entrances, cracks, or crevices. The
chances of reinfestation are much lower for people who do this first.
Step 2:
Steam clean your home, including linens and furniture. Bed bugs cannot
survive in temperatures above 130°F for more than a few hours.
Step 3:
Put all fabrics through the wash on very hot or very cold temperatures. Dry on
a high heat and store all washed fabrics in sealed plastic bags or containers.
Step 4:
Vacuum thoroughly. Dismantle your furniture as much as possible and
vacuum every part, paying particular attention to your furniture’s seams and
frames. After doing this, you can reassemble. Consider using a total encasement
mattress cover for your bed.
Step 5:
If possible, use a carpet cleaner to remove any bed bugs from the carpeting.
Step 6:
Apply DE along baseboards, in drawers, in any cracks or crevices, behind
appliances, along windowsills and door jams, and behind the wall plates of
electrical switches and outlets. Apply DE to furniture, mattresses, and carpeting,
rubbing it in with your hands. Especially target areas where there are visual signs
of bed bugs.
Step 7:
Although it’s not a fashion statement, leave the DE down as long as possible.
DE kills adult bed bugs, but it doesn’t kill the eggs, so you need to have DE applied
long enough to break the bed bugs’ life cycle. Two to three weeks would be ideal.
Reapply if the DE gets removed.
Step 8:
After two or three weeks, clean up your DE application. If the bed bugs come
back, don’t panic. Simply repeat these steps.
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Cockroaches
A cockroach infestation can be especially hard to deal with because they can
build up an immunity to many mainstream insecticides. But cockroaches can’t
build up an immunity to diatomaceous earth because it doesn’t use poisons to
kill insects. As mentioned earlier in the chapter, DE uses a mechanical action to
dehydrate insects’ exoskeletons.
What You’ll Need:
Pest Grade DE Small Applicator 30 Mins - 1 Hour

(1/2 to 3 lbs) (Optional)
Step 1:
Give your home a thorough cleaning. Keeping your house clean is usually
the best defense against cockroaches. Vacuum thoroughly; be detail-oriented,
and vacuum under furniture and appliances. Clean areas where food may have
dropped, such as behind your stove and in the backs of cupboards.
Step 2:
To prevent more cockroaches from entering your home, seal up any cracks that
could be under sinks, in the bathroom, near baseboards, or around poorly sealed
doors.
Step 3:
Dry up any damp areas to prepare for the DE application. If there are any leaks,
seal them with caulk or sealant.
Step 4:
Apply DE anywhere cockroaches can hide or enter your home and where food
is commonly dropped. Make sure you get every nook and cranny. Don’t apply DE
to any area that is consistently damp or wet, as the moisture will render the DE
ineffective.
Step 5:
Apply DE around your house along the foundation, near any cracks or holes,
29
and around doors and window sills.
Step 6:
If you have a crawl space, treat it as well. If you’re not storing anything that
needs to be kept dust-free, you can place 3 pounds of DE near the crawlspace
entrance and use a leaf blower to spread it around inside.
Step 7:
After the infestation subsides, clean up DE from floors and counters. Leave
DE applied in areas where it won’t be seen, such as the crawl space, as it will help
prevent future infestations.
Fleas
Fleas are blood-sucking, parasitic insects that can plague you, your home,
and your pets. Diatomaceous earth is an especially great solution if you have pets
because it can replace the toxic chemicals that are so often used to treat pets with
fleas.
What You’ll Need:

Step 1:
Clean your home and vacuum thoroughly. Be sure to clean underneath
appliances and furniture and vacuum your rugs meticulously.
Step 2:
Apply DE to your furniture, carpet, rugs, linen closet, drapes, and any other
places fleas might try to hide. Because DE won’t kill insect eggs, leave it applied as
long as possible so it can break the fleas’ life cycle. Two or three weeks is ideal.
Step 3:
Clean up the DE, wash your drapes and linens, and vacuum your carpet and
furniture.
30
Step 4:
If the problem persists, repeat these steps until the infestation is gone.
Note: If you have pets, such as cats or dogs, that are being bitten by fleas, you
will need to take extra steps to combat the infestation. We will talk more about
this in chapter 4, which covers ways to use DE for your pets.
Flies
Because insects have to crawl through
diatomaceous earth for it to affect them, flies
have a defense against DE that not all insects
do: they can fly. This allows them to more
easily avoid areas where DE has been applied.
This means that while DE can repel flies from
wherever it has been applied, you probably
won’t kill many of them with DE. However,
there are some ways you can use DE as a
repellent to keep flies away. These techniques
are especially applicable on farms where there are lots of smelly things to attract
flies.
Moisture and smell often go hand in hand, and these are both things that can
attract flies, which makes DE the perfect repellent because it can absorb odors and
moisture, making an area far less interesting to flies.
What You’ll Need:

Step 1:
Clean up garbage, animal manure, and any other smelly things that could
attract flies to your yard or farm.
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Step 2:
Do your best to get rid of standing water, mud, and other sources of
unnecessary moisture.
Step 3:
Dust DE around livestock food, watering troughs, and stables, especially
around moist areas where flies could nest and lay eggs. You will want your DE
application to look like a thin layer of dust. Some farmers treat these areas during
the spring and the fall, which will deter flies for the summer. However, it may be
useful to treat in the summer as well.
Step 4:
Reapply whenever the DE gets washed away or cleaned out. Including DE in
your regular cleaning schedule ensures that flies will be kept to a minimum all
year.
Slugs
A member of the Phylum Mollusca family, slugs actually have more in
common with octopi than insects.1 Slugs obviously don’t have exoskeletons like
insects, but the abrasive and absorptive properties of diatomaceous earth allow it
to wick away slugs’ slimy coating, resulting in the same dehydrating effect that it
has on insects.
What You’ll Need:

Step 1:
Since slugs prefer moisture and appear mostly at night, it’s helpful to not water
your garden in the evening at the height of their activity. Water your garden in the
morning; this allows for the soil to dry throughout the day and not attract slugs at
night.
1 North Carolina State University, “Introduction to Slugs and Snails.”

32
Step 2:
In the evening, when your garden is driest, encircle each of your plants with
a layer of DE dust. This will discourage slugs from climbing up into the plant to
snack on it, and if they do, they will dehydrate and die.
Step 3:
Reapply as often as needed. If the DE gets wet, it will resume working once it
dries out. You will need to repeat the application if it gets washed away.
Spiders
Though spiders are arachnids, not insects, diatomaceous earth can still be an
effective way to combat them in your home because it has the same dehydrating
effect on spiders as it does on insects.
What You’ll Need:

(1/4 to 1/2 lb) (Optional)
Step 1:
Clean your home thoroughly. A dirty home is an invitation to insects, and
insects are an invitation to spiders.
Step 2:
Apply DE in and around areas where spiders could sneak into your home, such
as cracks and holes around windows, doors, and baseboards. Also, apply to areas
in your home where you have seen webs.
Step 3:
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After a week or so, sweep and vacuum up the DE. If you want, you can also
leave the DE applied to help prevent more spiders from trespassing.
Note: Not all spiders are bad to have around. Spiders are incredibly
helpful creatures because they keep the insect population down. You should
definitely get rid of poisonous spiders, such as black widows and brown recluses,
but consider leaving harmless spiders alone.
Termites
If you live in an area where termites are a problem, you probably know
the damage they can cause. Termites usually create the most problems during
“swarming season,” when they create new colonies. For some termite species, this
is in the spring, while for others it’s in the summer. Find out what kind of termites
live in your area and when they swarm. As with any pest infestation, the best way
to protect your home from termites is to prevent them from entering in the first
place. You will want to termite-proof your home before swarming season hits.
What You’ll Need:

Step 1:
Eliminate hidden sources of moisture. Fix any leaks or drips you can find.
Termites are attracted to moisture as well as wood.
Step 2:
Patch as many holes and cracks as you can find, both above and below ground.
Make it as difficult as possible for termites to enter your home.
Step 3:
Apply DE onto exposed insulation and wood in your crawl space, basement,
attic, etc. This will create a barrier that will make it harder for termites to get in.
Step 4:
Occasionally check your DE application to make sure it hasn’t been removed.
34
As long as it stays intact and dry, it will continue to do its job for a long time.
DE can be especially helpful to homebuilders. You can apply DE to the

foundation of your home, as well as in the hollow areas of walls, ceilings, and
floors before they are closed up. This will create a barrier for termites and other
insects who try to invade your home.
Although DE can be extremely helpful in preventing and fighting off termites,
it won’t stop all types of termites completely. One study concluded that DE added
significantly to the mortality rate of above-ground termites, but it did not provide
as effective a barrier against some subterranean ones. The study suggested that the
effectiveness of DE against termites increased when it was applied in dry, above-
ground locations, meaning it can be effective in above-ground parts of a home,
especially the attic.1
Ticks
Ticks, like spiders, are
arachnids, not insects. Unlike
spiders, which want to stay as far
away from you as they possibly can,
ticks want to burrow into your skin
and suck your blood, and if that
isn’t scary enough, ticks can carry
and transmit nasty diseases. But
the good news is that DE can help.
Indoor Application
What You’ll Need:

Step 1:
Thoroughly clean your house. Ticks can hide in fabrics, rugs, and furniture
for long periods of time. Vacuuming regularly is especially important. Be sure
1 Grace and Yamamoto, “Diatomaceous Earth Is No a Barrier to Formosan Subterranean
Termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae),” 25–30.
35
to move appliances and furniture to clean under them and vacuum your rugs
meticulously.
This kind of cleaning is essential if ticks are brought into your house by a pet or
someone coming back from the woods.
Step 2:
Apply DE to carpet, furniture, linens, drapes, and anywhere else ticks might
hide. Leave it applied for about a week.
Step 3:
Clean up the DE, wash your drapes and linens, and vacuum your carpet and
furniture.
Step 4:
If the problem persists, repeat these steps until the infestation is gone.
Outdoor Application
There is no way to kill all the ticks on your property. Ticks in some areas can
be so pervasive that you would have to coat your entire backyard with a thick
layer of DE to keep them all out, but DE can still be a useful part of the solution.
What You’ll Need:

Step 1:
Ticks can be carried by rodents and transferred to your pets. Make a mental
note of areas where you have seen mice or other rodents, such as stacks of wood,
sheds, barns, the garage, or around things you have propped up near your house.
You may want to clean out these areas if they have any debris. If you find holes, fill
or patch them.
Step 2:
Dust DE around the perimeter of your house. If you have any tall grasses
planted near your house, target those as well.
36
Step 3:
Apply DE once a month. If the DE is washed away after a heavy rain, reapply.
Helpful Tips from the CDC

In addition to applying DE, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
offers helpful guidelines to minimize ticks in your yard, as paraphrased by the
Center for Disease Control (CDC):1
•
Remove leaf litter.
•
Clear tall grasses and brush around homes and at the edge of lawns.
•
Place a 3-ft wide barrier of wood chips or gravel between lawns and
wooded areas to restrict tick migration into recreational areas.
• Mow the lawn frequently.
• Stack wood neatly and in a dry area (discourages rodents).
• Keep playground equipment, decks, and patios away from yard edges and
trees.
• Discourage unwelcome animals (such as deer, raccoons, and stray dogs)
from entering your yard by constructing fences.
• Remove old furniture, mattresses, or trash from the yard that may give
ticks a place to hide.
Wasps
Because they can fly, wasps
present a challenge similar to
flies. They are flying insects,
so it’s unlikely that wasps
would walk through enough
diatomaceous earth for it to kill
them. But luckily, wasps will not
build nests where DE has been
applied, which means that DE
makes a good wasp repellent.
Because of this, it’s best to treat your home and yard as a preventative measure
before an infestation can begin. Do some research and see what time of year
wasps will show up in your area, and try to treat your yard with DE before they
arrive. This will also work for hornets and similar pests.
1 “Preventing Ticks in the Yard,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
37
What You’ll Need:

(1/2 to 1 lb) (Optional)
Step 1:
Locate the areas where you typically have had issues with wasp nests. Most
wasps build nests in dark, low-lying places such as BBQ grills, under stairs, patio
decking, and patio furniture. It’s important to treat these areas with DE directly in
order to remove the problem.
Step 2:
Apply a fair amount of DE in those areas where wasps have caused problems.
You can use the dry or wet application method, depending on what will work best
for each situation.
Step 3:
Apply DE every four to five weeks for continual prevention. Also, apply more
DE after heavy rainfall.
Other Insects
We’ve given you a list of 11 pests and shown you how to deal with them using
diatomaceous earth, but there are roughly 900,000 species of insect in the world,
and there are about 91,000 species in the United States alone!1 And that doesn’t
even account for non-insect pests like slugs and spiders. So of course, there is no
way we could teach you how to deal with all of them. But luckily, we don’t have
to. The steps and tips we have shared with you can be adapted to fight other pests
as well. So, if you’re faced with a bug problem we didn’t cover, flip through this
chapter and find a pest we talked about that seems closely related, and adjust
the steps you find there to fit the bug you’re dealing with. For example, if you’re
dealing with snails, take a look at our guidelines for slugs. They are similar enough
that the same steps should work for both.
1 Department of Systematic Biology, Entomology Section, National Museum of Natural

History, “Numbers of Insects (Species and Individuals).”
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Precautions
“Bee” Careful
Bees are critically important pollinators, which means many plants couldn’t
reproduce without them. Bees are less likely to encounter DE because they
are flying insects, but if they encounter enough DE, it can be fatal. Luckily, it’s
possible to apply DE for pest control and keep bees safe at the same time.
Applying on soil, concrete, and other areas level to the ground shouldn’t be a
problem. It’s also safe to apply to plants if you follow these precautions:
• Don’t apply DE on blossoms or on foliage immediately surrounding them.
• Only apply on the stems and leaves of plants if you don’t see bees crawling
on them.
• If bees start crawling on the stems and leaves of a plant you have already
applied DE on, spray it off with water (but don’t spray the bees, of course).
• Apply early in the morning or late in the evening when bees are less
active. This will help bees avoid contact with clouds of DE dust that may puff up
as you apply.
Take similar precautions with other beneficial insects. Lacewings, ladybugs,

praying mantises, and many others are good to have around because they eat
insects that can harm your garden.
Eyes and Lungs

Remember, diatomaceous earth can irritate the eyes and lungs, so you may
want to use breathing and eye protection while applying, especially if you’re
applying DE indoors. Keep children and pets out of the room while you apply. It
will be safe for them to go back in once the dust settles. Be especially careful if you
or anyone in your household has breathing problems of some kind.
A Note on Vacuuming
We have heard horror stories of people trying to vacuum diatomaceous
earth out of their carpet only to have their vacuum break beyond repair. Before
you vacuum up DE, read the next section. It could save your vacuum’s life.
Clean-up Tips
“How do I clean up diatomaceous earth?” This is actually a really good
question. Applying DE as pest control can create a big mess, and cleaning it up
when you’re done might seem like an intimidating task. But it doesn’t need to be
39
intimidating. Here are some tips to help simplify the job.
Hard Floors
If you have applied diatomaceous earth on smooth surfaces like wood floors,
tile, countertops, baseboards, or in cupboards, your job is simple. In fact, you
probably do these tasks in your home regularly even when you don’t have DE
applied.
Damp Towel
Take a damp towel and simply wipe away the DE, just like you would if you
were cleaning up spilled flour. Shake the towel off either outside or over a trash
can and rinse it out thoroughly before putting it through the wash.
Sweeping
Take a broom or brush and sweep the DE into a dustpan and then remove to
the trash can. If you find you get too many airborne particles, try getting a spray
bottle full of water and lightly covering the floor before sweeping. You don’t want
to soak the DE, just give it enough liquid to hold it to the ground. If there is still
some DE on the floor after you have swept, follow up by wiping with a damp
towel or mop.
Carpets and Rugs

Cleaning diatomaceous earth from carpets and rugs provides more of a
challenge than cleaning DE from bare floors, but it’s still perfectly doable if you
do it right. Vacuuming is the best method for getting DE out of carpets and rugs,
but there are certain limitations to what a typical vacuum cleaner can do. DE is so
hard and abrasive that it can quickly ruin your vacuum’s filter and motor. So,
let’s look at some ways to vacuum up DE without killing your vacuum.
Shop Vac
Shop vacs are the way to go for cleaning
up DE. If you don’t have one handy, we highly
recommend renting one from your local
hardware store. These vacuums are powerful,
have great suction, and are designed to deal with
large amounts of debris.
40
Filterless Vacuum
If you don’t have easy access to a shop vac, use a filterless vacuum to suck up
the DE lying around your home. If you don’t have a filterless vacuum, you can use
a regular vacuum so long as you clean out the filter every few minutes as you go.
Generally, we advise against the use of regular filtered vacuums because it’s hard
to know when the vacuum cleaner’s filter starts to go. If you’re going to use one of
these vacuums, be very cautious about how much DE you vacuum and for how
long, and know that you are taking a risk.
Last Resort
Most DE applications can be cleaned up with a vacuum, but when it gets
ingrained in your carpet and your vacuum isn’t up to snuff, it’s time to rent a
carpet cleaner. Carpet cleaner rentals are common and generally have reasonable
rates.
If you follow these guidelines, cleaning up DE is simple. Just make sure you’re
taking the appropriate precautions and using the right tools for the job.
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Chapter 4
Animal Uses
So far, we’ve covered two main topics: diatomaceous earth for health and
diatomaceous earth for pest control. This chapter covers these as well, but this
time, we will be looking at how these things apply to pets and livestock. Many
animal lovers have seen DE make a tremendous impact on their animals’ health
and well-being.
Supplement and Detox for Animals

There are numerous benefits animals can receive from a consistent dosage of
diatomaceous earth. As with humans, DE can provide your animals with vital
silica and beneficial trace minerals. People who give their pets DE often find their
pet has thicker fur, better digestion, and more energy. DE can also help detox
animals’ digestive systems, and some people claim that DE can rid pets of internal
parasites, though the EPA has not approved DE for internal parasite control.
When giving your pets DE, there are a few things that are important to
remember. First, only use food grade DE. Second, DE is absorbent and can
therefore be a bit drying on the system, so make sure your pets have continual
access to water so they don’t get dehydrated.
Pest Control for Animals

Chapter 3 was all about using diatomaceous earth as pest control for your
home, yard, and garden. In this chapter, we are going to build on that by giving
you steps to take if your pets are suffering from a pest infestation. DE can be
especially handy as pest control when you have pets because it isn’t toxic like so
many mainstream products.
The EPA authorizes the use of its registered pesticides by location, meaning
they individually approve the places they feel are suitable for the use of a pesticide.
43
DE is currently registered for use in and around the home, but has not formally
been approved for direct application on pets. As a result, we are limited to only
covering the use of DE on your pet’s belongings.
Also, when cleaning up DE you have applied in your home, remember to
follow the guidelines in the Clean-up Tips section of chapter 3 so you don’t ruin
your vacuum.
Remember to be very careful when vacuuming up any DE you have applied.
DE can quickly destroy a conventional vacuum. For more information on this,
refer back to the “Precautions” section of chapter 3.
Dogs and Cats
Supplement and Detox

How you feed diatomaceous earth to dogs and how you feed it to cats is
virtually the same. The only difference is in the dosage amount, which you
determine by the weight of your cat or dog.
Dosage by Weight for Dogs

Dog Size: DE Dosage:
Small dogs and puppies* 1/2 tsp.
Less than 50 lbs. 1 tsp.
50-100 lbs. 1 Tbsp.
Over 100 lbs. 2 Tbsp.
*We recommend you hold off on adding DE to puppies’ diets until they
move to solid food.
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Dosage by Weight for Cats
Cat Size: DE Dosage:
Small cats and kittens* 1/2 tsp.
7-13 lbs. 1 tsp.
Over 13 lbs. 1 1/2 tsp.
*We recommend you hold off on adding DE to kitten’s diets until they
move to solid food.
How to Feed DE to Dogs and Cats

The best way to give DE to your pets is in their food. If you were to put DE
in your pets’ water, it would probably just settle to the bottom without being
completely lapped up. And like we said in chapter 2, if DE absorbs any nutrients
from food, it will only be a small, negligible amount and nothing to worry about.
If your pet eats wet food, remove the wet food from the can and add it to your
pet’s food dish. Sprinkle the appropriate dose of DE and mix it in. That’s all there
is to it.
If your pet eats dry food, there are two ways to apply DE. The first way is to
add DE to the entire bag of pet food. You do this by multiplying the appropriate
DE dosage by the number of servings in the bag. Add that amount of DE to the
bag of pet food and shake the bag to distribute it evenly. This method also helps
deter insects that might infest your pet’s food supply, such as ants, beetles, and
flies.
The second method of applying DE to your pets’ food is to apply a single dose
to your pet’s food dish each day. Many dogs and cats will turn up their noses at
their food if it’s covered with white powder, so here’s what we suggest doing: mix
the appropriate DE dosage in ¼ cup of water and pour it over your pet’s food.
After doing this, stir it up if you need to. The point isn’t to make your pet’s food
soggy; rather, the water will help the DE stick to the pet food instead of being
powdery, making it more acceptable to picky eaters.
Also, be sure your pet has access to plenty of water, as DE can be a bit drying to
the system.
There is no set amount of time animals are supposed to take DE for. You can
feed it to them for a few weeks to give their health a boost, or you can continue to
feed it to them for years.
DE for Fleas
If the flea infestation is limited to your pet, you can probably get away with just
following the directions below. However, if the fleas have begun to spread from
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your pet to the rest of your house, you will need to follow the steps described here
as well as those found in chapter 3.
Step 1:
Vacuum thoroughly. This helps collect any flea eggs that might be lying
around; collecting those eggs before you apply DE is essential, as flea eggs aren’t
affected by DE until after they hatch.
Step 2:
If any areas you will be treating for fleas are damp, dry them out. This is
important because the DE needs to be dry for it to kill fleas effectively.
Step 3:
Apply DE to areas where your pet likes to hang out, such as a pet bed, as well
as the surrounding areas.
Step 4:
After a few days of letting your pet lounge around in DE, give your pet a bath
with a thorough shampooing. We don’t recommend bathing your pets very often,
since it can dry out their skin, but since DE can also dry out skin, it’s important to
revitalize your pet’s skin with a soap-free or moisturizing shampoo.
If you have a cat, don’t worry about bathing it. A bath would be a nightmare—
for you and your cat. Luckily, you don’t have to bathe your cat. They do a good
job of keeping themselves clean, and you can rub them down with a warm, damp
cloth to help the process.
Step 5:
It’s unlikely that fleas will survive vacuuming, DE, and a bath, but go ahead
and comb through your pet’s fur with a flea comb anyway, just to make sure none
get away.
Step 6:
Leave the DE applied until the flea problem is gone. Meanwhile, continue to
regularly bathe and comb your pet.
Step 7:
Once the fleas subside, go ahead and clean up your DE application.
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DE for Ticks
Step 1:
If ticks are a problem in your area, check your pets for ticks after they romp
around outside. Look for ticks everywhere on your pets, including between the
toes, inside the ears, and between the legs.
Step 2:
When you find a tick that has attached itself to your pet, apply rubbing
alcohol to the area. Then, place tweezers as close to your pet’s skin as possible and
carefully pull the tick out. Make sure the head comes out with the body. Place
ticks in a plastic bag, and seal it shut. If you think a tick has given your pet a
disease, take the tick in question to the vet for identification.
Step 3:
If ticks are getting into your home, clean thoroughly and apply DE. The steps
for this are essentially the same as the steps listed above for dealing with fleas.
Refer to those steps for detailed guidelines.
Horses, Cattle, and Other Livestock

Diatomaceous earth has been known to improve digestive health and give
animals shinier, healthier coats, which makes it an excellent feed additive for your
farm animals. Ranchers, farmers, and pet owners alike have many stories of the
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benefits of adding DE to animal feed, including feed for horses, cattle, and other
livestock.
Ratio of Animal Feed to Diatomaceous Earth

For most farm animals, the recommended DE dosage is up to two percent of
the feed’s weight. It’s not recommended to go beyond that, but you can do less if
you want. The chart below offers some examples.
Feed: DE:
100 lbs. 2 lbs.
75 lbs. 1 1/2 lbs.
50 lbs. 1 lb.
25 lbs. 1/2 lb.
How to Feed DE to Farm Animals

Thoroughly mix the appropriate amount of DE into the animal feed. You can
mix large amounts of feed at once or mix DE into single servings. Once mixed,
you can simply feed your animals as you normally would. DE can be stored in
feed long term and help keep insects and mold away from the feed.
Try adding the DE to one serving of animal feed to make sure your animals
won’t turn up their noses at it. Some animals can be finicky. If that’s the case with
yours, try the wet application method as described above in the Supplement and
Detox section for cats and dogs.
DE for Pests
There are many pests that can plague farm animals, such as flies, fleas,
and ticks. To take care of a fly problem, turn back to chapter 3 and follow the
directions there. For fleas and ticks, adapt the instructions found in this chapter
under “Dogs and Cats” to work for your animals.
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Chickens

Mammals aren’t the only animals that can benefit from ingesting diatomaceous
earth. It can also benefit chickens and other fowl. As with other farm animals,
the DE dose for chickens is two percent of the feed’s weight. Since the way to feed
DE to chickens is essentially the same as giving it to livestock, simply follow the
guidelines in the Horses, Cattle, and Other Livestock section.
DE for Mites and Lice

Mites and lice can plague your chickens and chicken coop, and they can be
difficult to get rid of. Diatomaceous earth, however, can be used as a natural
chicken lice and mite treatment. It can also be applied as a good preventative
measure to keep infestations from occurring.
Step 1:
Clean the coop by raking out old hay, straw, pine shavings, or whatever else
you might use as bedding on the floor of the coop and in the laying boxes. If
you’re dealing with an infestation, we recommend either bagging old bedding
material for your trash service (if available) to pick up, or burning it in a safe
location (if permitted by local law). This will help keep the infestation from
spreading. If there is no known infestation and you’re simply cleaning out the
coop as a preventative measure, bagging or burning are optional.
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Step 2:
If you have a wood or concrete floor, spray it out with water. If you have a dirt
floor, use an outdoor broom to remove the excess dust.
Step 3:
Disinfect the roosts and laying boxes. You can disinfect and clean them with
warm water, vinegar, and a scouring tool.
Step 4:
Once the floor is clean and dry, apply a layer of DE. Use a broom to spread it
out so there is an even dusting everywhere.
Step 5:
Place fresh hay, straw, or pine shavings in the coop and laying boxes, and
sprinkle it with a fine layer of DE. Using a rake or pitchfork, turn the bedding over
to distribute the DE throughout.
Step 6:
Add a thin layer of DE to the top of your chickens’ dust bathing area. The
chickens will bathe themselves in the DE, helping to eliminate any mites or lice
that may already be on your chickens.
Step 7:
Repeat after every coop cleaning.
Note: These steps are also applicable to turkeys and other kinds of fowl.
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Chapter 5
Do-It-Yourself Projects
We’ve already covered the most common and fundamental uses of
diatomaceous earth, which are internal health and natural pest control, yet we’ve
only scratched the surface of what DE can do. It can clean, deodorize, exfoliate,
and a whole lot more. DE does many of these things when used as an ingredient
in do-it-yourself recipes. So, let’s jump in and explore some of these lesser-known
uses for DE.
Do-it-yourself Hygiene
Bath Bombs
Bath bombs are an awesome way to take
your bathtub experience to the next level. They
also make fantastic gifts to share with friends
and family. This recipe combines the soothing
power of essential oils and bath salts with the
gentle exfoliation of diatomaceous earth.
Dry Ingredients
• ¼ cup food grade diatomaceous earth

• ½ cup citric acid
• 1 cup baking soda
• ¼ cup Epsom salt
• ½ cup cornstarch
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Wet Ingredients
• 2 Tbsp. essential oil

• ¾ Tbsp. water
• 2 tsp. olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
• 3–4 drops of food coloring (optional)
Tools
• Rubber gloves
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk
• Plastic mixing bowl
• Spray bottle
• Plastic fillable ornaments, cookie cutters, OR ice cube trays
Instructions
Step 1:
Combine dry ingredients in your mixing bowl. Using your whisk, mix these
ingredients evenly.
Step 2:
Combine wet ingredients in your spray bottle and shake thoroughly.
Step 3:
While stirring the dry ingredients, gradually spray the wet ingredients into the
dry ingredients. If you were to add the entire wet mixture at once, the baking soda
and citric acid would react. By adding the wet mixture slowly, you prevent this.
The mixture should reach a consistency similar to wet sand and should cake
together easily. If your mixture is too dry, add a little more water to the spray
bottle and continue to add the liquid slowly.
Step 4:
Once the mixture has reached the right consistency, pack it tightly into your
ice cube tray, cookie cutter, or plastic ornament.
If you would like, you can also add a few rose or lavender petals as you pack
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the mixture into the molds, which will give your bath bombs a luxurious, spa-like,
feel.
Step 5:
Store in a dry place for 12–24 hours. The bath bombs should harden and
resemble giant jawbreakers. Remove the bath bombs from the ice cube trays,
cookie cutters, or ornaments and wrap with plastic wrap to keep dry.
To use your bath bombs, simply unwrap one and add it to your bathwater. It
will fizz and spread the essential oils and DE throughout the water.
Body Butter Bars

Body butter is a great way to keep your
skin fresh and moist. This body butter bar
recipe combines the moisturizing abilities
of cocoa butter, the scent carrying power of
diatomaceous earth, and the sweet smells of
essential oils.
Ingredients
• ¾ cup cornstarch
• 2 cups melted cocoa butter
• ½ Tbsp essential oils
Tools
• Measuring cups
• Mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon
• Measuring spoons
• Spatula
• Soap mold
Instructions
Step 1:
Place cornstarch and DE in your mixing bowl and combine evenly.
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Step 2:
Melt your cocoa butter. You can do this by putting it in a sealed plastic bag and
letting it sit in a bowl of heated water or by putting your cocoa butter in a glass
mixing bowl and placing it on top of a simmering pot of water. If you want to try
another method, a quick Google search will provide plenty of information.
Step 3:
Add your essential oils to the melted cocoa butter and mix well.
Step 4:
Gradually add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients, stirring until well
combined.
Step 5:
Pour the mixture into soap molds and allow it to harden in a cool place. Once
the mixture is dry, you can remove it from the molds.
Deodorant
The scent carrying, odor eliminating
properties of diatomaceous earth make it an
effective ingredient for homemade deodorant.
It’s a great way to protect against body odor
even if you have very sensitive skin, and it helps
replace mainstream deodorants that are full of
harmful chemicals.
Ingredients
• ¾ cup cornstarch OR arrowroot flour

• ½ cup melted coconut oil
• ½ Tbsp. essential oils
Tools
• Measuring cups
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• Mixing bowl
• Spatula
• Saucepan
• Airtight storage container
Instructions
Before making your deodorant, apply a little essential oil to your wrist, as you
might when testing a perfume or cologne. This will help you determine if the
essential oil you want to use in your deodorant might irritate your skin and if the
scent is complementary to your skin’s natural smell.
Step 1:
Place dry ingredients in your mixing bowl and combine evenly.
Step 2:
Melt your coconut oil. You can do this by putting your coconut oil in a sealed
plastic bag and letting it sit in a bowl of heated water or by putting it in a glass
mixing bowl and placing it on top of a simmering pot of water. If you want to try
another method, a quick Google search will provide plenty of information.
Step 3:
Add your essential oils to your melted coconut oil, mixing thoroughly.
Step 4:
Gradually pour liquid ingredients into dry ingredients, stirring until well
combined. You may want to add more melted coconut oil until you reach a
consistency you like, but it should be roughly the consistency of peanut butter.
Keep in mind that coconut oil melts very easily, so the consistency of your
homemade deodorant largely depends on the temperature at which you store it.
Step 5:
Use your spatula to move the mixture over to your storage container. To use
your homemade deodorant, use your fingers to rub the mixture under your arms.
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Scented Exfoliant for Homemade Soaps
DE is an ideal additive for your homemade
soaps because it can carry the essential oils you
use in soap making, which means that not only
will your soap exfoliate, but it will also smell
great.
The process of making soap is far too vast
a topic to cover in this book, so what we will
cover here is how to add DE, scented with
essential oils, to the homemade soap recipe you already use. If you have never
made soap before, there are plenty of books and websites that can teach you how
to do it.
Ingredients
• 2 parts food grade diatomaceous earth

• 1 part water
• Roughly 10 drops of essential oil for every ¼ cup of DE
Tools
• Mixing bowl
• Mixing spoon
Instructions
Step 1:
Mix water and essential oils.
Step 2:
Gradually add your water and essential oil mixture into the DE, stirring
constantly.
Step 3:
Once the ingredients are well mixed, store your mixture in a warm, dry place
until the water has evaporated completely; this may take a couple of days.
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Step 4:
Once the DE has dried out, you will notice that it carries a strong scent from
the essential oil. If you’re using a soap recipe that calls for exfoliators like charcoal,
bentonite clay, or oatmeal, substitute them with your scented DE using the same
proportions.
Add your scented DE to your soap mixture when you would normally add
your scent oils, once your soap has reached trace but before you pour it into the
mold.
Once your soap has hardened, you are ready to enjoy your scented, gently
exfoliating soap.
Face Mask
Diatomaceous earth is a great exfoliant that can remove microscopic deposits
of dirt, oils, and dead skin cells. This means you can create a very simple, natural
face mask with nothing but DE and water.
Instructions
The steps for this are easy. In a bowl, mix roughly 1 part DE to 3 parts water.
You can make the mask thicker by adding more DE, or you can add water to make
it a thinner facial scrub. Place mixture in an airtight container for storage.
Application
If you’re applying as a facial scrub, use your fingers to gently scrub the mixture
on your forehead, nose, chin, and cheeks. Avoid your eyes and mouth to prevent
irritation. After scrubbing, rinse off.
If you’re applying as a face mask, use your fingers to smear the mixture over
your forehead, nose, chin, and cheeks. Leave the mixture on your face for 2–5
minutes, allowing it to dry. Wash the dried mixture off your face using water and
a cloth. Avoid your eyes and mouth to prevent irritation.
You can add coconut oil or essential oils like lavender for added benefit. You
can also add DE to your current exfoliation products.
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Toothpaste Enhancer
Diatomaceous earth is hard and porous,
which makes it the perfect abrasive to help
remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. In
fact, many toothpaste brands already include
silica—DE’s main ingredient—but you can
add DE to your name-brand toothpaste to
increase its cleaning power. You can also use
DE in homemade toothpaste recipes. We won’t show you how to make your own
toothpaste here, but you can look up recipes online.
There are two ways you can mix DE with your toothpaste. You can squeeze
some toothpaste into an airtight container and mix in DE at a ratio of 1 part DE to
9 parts toothpaste, dipping your toothbrush in the mixture when you’re going to
brush your teeth and storing it with the lid on when you’re not brushing.
The other method is to simply dip the dampened bristles of your toothbrush
into DE before adding toothpaste and brushing.
Note: Because DE is so hard and abrasive, you must be careful to not wear out
your enamel. We don’t recommend brushing your teeth with DE for an extended
amount of time; however, it can be amazing for short-term deep cleaning.
Homemade Cleaners
All-purpose Cleaner
The hard, abrasive silica in diatomaceous
earth makes it ideal for integrating into your
cleaning, whether you’re scrubbing the tub,
floor, or countertops.
Ingredients
• 1 part food grade diatomaceous earth

• A few drops of vinegar, lemon juice, OR dish soap
• 5 parts water
Tools
• Bucket or spray bottle

• Cloth, sponge, OR paper towel
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• Funnel (optional)
Step 1:
Add DE to a bucket or spray bottle. If you’re using a spray bottle, a funnel can
be helpful in getting the DE into the bottle.
Step 2:
Add water to the bucket or spray bottle.
Step 3:
Add a small amount of vinegar or lemon juice. The added acidity will help
clean tougher spots. As an alternative, you can add dish soap for a more forgiving
scrub.
Step 4:
Using your cloth, sponge, or paper towel, apply the mixture to the surface
being cleaned and scrub. Because DE is so hard, be careful when scrubbing wood
or other surfaces that could be easily scratched.
Step 5:
Dry surface immediately after cleaning.
Stain Remover
The porous diatoms that make up
diatomaceous earth work quickly to clean
up oily or greasy spills. It works on carpets,
concrete, hardwood, and even clothes. DE will
absorb oil and grease more efficiently than a
flimsy paper towel or cloth.
Step 1:
Don’t wait too long after the spill. As soon as possible, cover it with a thick
layer of DE.
Step 2:
Wait 2–24 hours for the spill to be absorbed, depending on the size.
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Step 3:
Remove the DE and dispose of it. If you applied DE to the carpet, make sure to
follow the vacuuming precautions found in the Clean-up Tips section of chapter
3. If you applied DE on an article of clothing, rinse the DE off the spill and place
the article of clothing in the laundry.
Step 4:
While DE is awesome at soaking up oil and grease, it won’t necessarily remove
every stain. But even if the stain is still there after applying DE, it should be easier
to clean after using DE. If you clean up the DE and there is still a stain, scrub the
spot with hot, soapy water.
Natural Deodorizer
Carpet
Sometimes carpets can harbor unwanted
smells. Whether this is caused by spills, pets,
moisture, or age, unwanted carpet scents can
be difficult to remove. The porous nature of
diatomaceous earth is great for removing these
unpleasant odors.
Step 1:
Identify the area on your carpet that the odor is coming from. This may be a
specific area or it may be the entire carpet.
Step 2:
Coat the carpet or affected area with DE. For more info on how to do this, see
the Methods of Applying DE section of chapter 3.
Step 3:
Use your hands or a broom to work the DE into the carpet until there are no
clumps visible.
Step 4:
After 24–48 hours (the longer the wait, the greater the effect), go over the
carpet with a vacuum to clean up the DE. Make sure you follow the vacuuming
precautions found in the Clean-up Tips section of chapter 3.
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Note: You can repeat this process as often as your carpet needs it.
Cupboards, Drawers, and Closets

By simply placing a small, open container of
diatomaceous earth in cupboards, drawers, and
closets, you can deodorize and prevent future
bad smells.
Step 1:
Identify the location which seems to be
producing the unpleasant smell.
Step 2:
Find a small container you can put DE in. This could be a large matchbox, a
paper bag, an empty coffee can, or a mason jar. The larger the space you want to
deodorize, the larger the container should be. You can either leave the container
open or cut holes in the lid and/or upper sides of the container.
Step 3:
Fill about the bottom third of your container with DE.
Step 4:
Leave the container of DE in the cupboard, closet, or drawer. Over the next
week or so, you will notice the smell beginning to fade. The longer you leave
the DE in place, the more the smell will dissipate. After a long time, the DE
might reach a point where it has absorbed all it can, making it less effective as a
deodorizer. If this happens, replace it with fresh DE.
Garbage Cans
Your garbage can is often one of the smelliest
spots in or around the home, but luckily,
it’s also one of the easiest to deodorize with
diatomaceous earth.
Step 1:
Before you deodorize with DE, empty your
garbage can. If possible, scrub out your garbage can with soap and water. This will
greatly improve the results (not to mention reduce nasty bacteria and grime). If
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you decide to wash your garbage can, make sure it’s dry before you apply DE.
Step 2:
Coat the bottom of your garbage can with a generous layer of DE. You can also
use a wet application to get DE to stick to the inner walls of the garbage can.
Step 3:
Once you have applied DE, you can begin using your garbage can. If you throw
something away that is especially stinky, you can dust a layer of DE over the top of
it to help contain the smell.
Shoes
Yes, diatomaceous earth can even deodorize
your smelly shoes.
Step 1:
If possible, remove your shoes’ insoles. If
your shoes’ insoles are not removeable, skip to
step 3.
Step 2:
Apply a small amount of DE and massage it into the insoles. It should be
enough DE to lightly cover the top and bottom. If you have gel insoles, just dust
the insoles without massaging in the DE, as the abrasiveness of DE could damage
them.
Step 3:
With the insoles still removed, dust the inside of your shoes with 1–3
tablespoons of DE.
Step 4:
Leave your shoes and insoles alone for 12–48 hours.
Step 5:
Using a vacuum, remove the DE from the insoles and insides of your shoes.
Remember to be very careful when vacuuming. See the Clean-up Tips section of
chapter 3 for more details.
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Vacuum Cleaner
Normally DE doesn’t mix well with
traditional vacuum cleaners (see chapter 3), but
if done correctly, DE can be used to deodorize
your vacuum, which can sometimes take on
some strange smells.
Doing this is extremely easy. Simply
remove the bag from your vacuum, pour 1–2
tablespoons of DE into the bag, and place the bag on your vacuum again. This
should greatly prevent and reduce unpleasant odors.
Miscellaneous
Grain Storage Protectant
People have been using diatomaceous earth
to store food for a long time. Many ancient
cultures mixed DE into their grain to protect
it from insects. This is still practiced today in
agriculture for grains and animal feed. You
can also use DE to help preserve food storage
items such as flour, legumes, rice, corn, and
other dry foods. Not only does DE kill and repel insects, it also absorbs moisture,
which helps keep food dry and mold-free. Another perk of using DE is that it’s
completely natural, so it helps eliminate the need for artificial preservatives.
We recommend applying about 1 teaspoon of DE for every pound of food (or 1
cup of DE for every 50 pounds of food, if you’re storing large quantities). If you’re
placing food items into long-term storage, we recommend increasing the amount
of DE to 1½ or 2 teaspoons for every pound of food.
Step 1:
Dust a thin layer of DE on the bottom of the inside of your storage container.
Step 2:
Pour 3–4 inches of food into your container on top of the DE.
Step 3:
Apply another thin layer of DE on top of the food.
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Step 4:
Continue layering 3–4 inches of dry food between layers of DE until the
container is full.
Step 5:
Close the container and give it a good shake. If the container is large and
heavy, simply tip it back and forth at different angles a few times. This will allow
your layers of DE to settle throughout the container. The idea is to get all the food
coated with DE.
Step 6:
Open the container and apply a final layer of DE on top of the food. Don’t mix
in this layer; just let it rest on top.
Step 7:
Seal the container and place it in storage. If the container is sealed properly,
there will be no need to reapply DE.
Step 8:
When you’re ready to use the food you have stored, you can place it in a
strainer and rinse the DE off with water. This isn’t a requirement though. DE won’t
change the way your food tastes, and it contains beneficial trace minerals. And
though it may sound obvious, you won’t be able to rinse DE out of flour.
Note: Remember that this only works for dry food storage. Also, if you have a
food storage item that is already infested with insects, DE may kill the bugs, but it
won’t make them disappear. Throw it away and start over with fresh food.
Essential Oil Diffuser

When it comes to releasing the aroma of
essential oils throughout your home or office,
diatomaceous earth has several advantages over
the traditional diffusers and cotton balls. First,
you don’t have to use as much essential oil. A
few drops in a container of DE go a long way.
Second, DE allows the aroma of your essential
oils to last far longer than it would otherwise.
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Ingredients
• 1 cup food grade diatomaceous earth

• 1/8 cup water
• 2–3 drops essential oil
Step 1:
Add essential oil to water and stir thoroughly. (2–3 drops are usually plenty,
but feel free to add more if you want a stronger scent.)
Step 2:
Slowly add DE to your water and essential oil mixture.
Step 3:
Stir thoroughly until all the DE is moist.
Step 4:
Place mixture in an airtight storage container.
How to Use It
Place your open container of essential oil infused DE in an area of your
choosing, and the scent will fill the room.
Your scented DE will maintain its fragrance far longer than cotton balls, but it
will eventually begin to fade. Fortunately, it’s easy to get it back. If you add a little
water, just enough to get the DE moist again, and mix it up, it will bring back the
scent to about 70–80 percent of what it was originally. Mix another drop or two
of essential oil into the newly wetted DE, and it will increase the fragrance even
more. Be sure to store scented DE you aren’t using in an airtight container, as this
will help the DE retain its scent.
Rodent Repellent
It’s thought that rodents hate the potent
smells of peppermint and lemon citrus oils, and
people have had success with using a mixture of
DE and either of these oils to repel mice, rats,
voles, moles—even rabbits.
To make this repellent, just follow the steps
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listed above for diffusing essential oils. Just be sure you use peppermint or lemon
citrus oil.
How to Use It
Place your DE mix as close as you can to where rodents live and eat. If they
live in your yard, you can dump it down their holes. If they are in your home,
leave your container of scented DE open on the counter or floor where there
is a problem. Just so you know, DE mixed with these essential oils won’t harm
rodents, but it will overpower them with a smell they can’t stand, making them
want to pack up and leave the neighborhood.
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Afterward
Now you know everything there is to know about diatomaceous earth, right?
Well, the truth is that there is still much to learn. There are more uses to discover,
more tips and tricks, more benefits. Even we learn something new every now and
then!
To learn more about DE, a great place to start is our website,
DiatomaceousEarth.com. This e-book contains information you won’t find on our
website, but our website also has additional information that we couldn’t fit in this
e-book. You’ll find testimonials, smoothie recipes, and information about other
substances like DE, as well as an extensive list of frequently asked questions.
There are also other sources that can help you continue to learn about DE. Feel
free to peruse the internet for more information, but be careful with this—don’t
believe everything you read online. The internet is teeming with information
about DE, and not all of it is accurate. Be sure to only get information from
credible sources.
If you have questions or concerns, feel free to contact us online. We would
love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have.
• Email: info@diatomaceousearth.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diatomaceousearthcom/
• Twitter: @FoodGradeDE
Now that you know what’s possible with diatomaceous earth, we encourage
you to tell your friends and family about it so they can also experience its benefits.
As more people discover the uses of diatomaceous earth, we may begin to see
it change the world. It will contribute to healthier societies and reduce our
dependence on toxic chemicals, thus helping to preserve our planet.
67
Bibliography
Antonides, Lloyd E. “Diatomite.” Minerals Yearbook 1 (1997): 24.1–24.4.
http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/diatomite/250497.pdf.
“Beyond Silver and Gold, Nevada’s Mining Future - EP Minerals, LLC.”

YouTube video, 2:36. From a news report televised by KRNV NBC Reno.
Posted by “EP Minerals, LLC,” December 9, 2011. https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=67OJKgTota8.
Bunch, T.R., C. Bond, K. Buhl, and D. Stone. “Diatomaceous Earth General

Fact Sheet.” National Pesticide Information Center, Oregon State Universi-
ty Extension Services. January 2013. http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/degen.
html.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Preventing Ticks in the

Yard.” Last updated January 8, 2016. http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/avoid/
in_the_yard.html.
Considine, Glenn D., ed. “Diatomite.” Van Nostrand’s Scientific Encyclope-

dia (Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Interscience, 2008). 1:1,499–1,501.
Dasch, Julius. “Mineral Resources from Fresh Water.” Water: Science and
Issues 3 (2003): 85–88.
Department of Systematic Biology, Entomology Section, National Museum

of Natural History. “Numbers of Insects (Species and Individuals).” Bug
Info, n.d. https://www.si.edu/Encyclopedia_SI/nmnh/buginfo/bugnos.htm.
Grace, J. Kenneth and Robin T. Yamamoto. “Diatomaceous Earth Is Not a

Barrier to Formosan Subterranean Termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).”
Sociobiology, 23, no. 1 (1993): 25–30. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/gracek/
pdfs/071.pdf.
Korunic, Zlatko. “Diatomaceous Earths, a Group of Natural Insecticides.”

Journal of Stored Products Research, 34, no. 2–3 (April 1998): 87–97.
Mustoe, George E. “Diatomaceous Origin of Siliceous Shale in Eocene

Lake Beds of Central British Columbia.” Canadian Journal of Earth Science
42, no. 2 (February 2005): 231–241. doi: 10.1139/E04-099.
68
North Carolina State University. “Introduction to Slugs and Snails.” Insect
and Related Pests of Flowers and Foliage Plants, n.d. http://ipm.ncsu.edu/
AG136/slugintr.html.
Rose, Tui. Going Green Using Diatomaceous Earth How-to Tips. Denver:
Outskirts Press, 2010.
“[Technology Spotlight] Diatomaceous Earth.” PCT Magazine. May 23,

2007. http://www.pctonline.com/article/-technology-spotlight--diatoma-
ceous-earth/.
Wachter, H., M. Lechleitner, E. Artner-Dworzak, A. Hausen, E. Jarosch,

B. Widner, J. Patsch, K. Pfeiffer, D. Fuchs. “Diatomaceous Earth Lowers
Blood Cholesterol Concentrations.” European Journal of Medical Re-
search, 3, no. 4 (April 8, 1998): 211-215. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
pubmed/9533930.
69
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1

The Complete Guide to Diatomaceous Earth

This book may not be reproduced or transmitted in whole or in part without

Chapter 2: Health Uses and Benefits 15

Chapter 3: Diatomaceous Earth for Pest Control 21

Chapter 4: Animal Uses 43

Chapter 5: Do-It-Yourself Projects 51

What Is Diatomaceous Earth?

What Is Diatomaceous Earth?

The History of Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous Earth Deposits

The Grades of Diatomaceous Earth

All DE falls under one of four main grades:

Food Grade Feed Grade Pest Grade Pool Grade

More information is given on each of the grades below.

Pest Control Grade

How to Tell if Diatomaceous Earth Is Food Grade?

Food Grade DE You Can Trust

Diatomaceous Earth’s Effects on the Environment

Other Uses for Diatomaceous Earth

1 See note 8 in the Bibliography.

Cleaner and Deodorizer

Where to Buy Diatomaceous Earth

Food Grade DE You Can Trust

Health Uses and Benefits

What You’ll Need:

Food Grade DE Glass of Water Stirring Spoon

1 See note 11 in the Bibliography.

Better Digestive Health

Less Joint and Ligament Pain

Healthier Hair and Nails

Pregnant or Nursing Mothers

Diatomaceous Earth for Pest

How DE Works as a Pesticide

How to Apply DE for Common Pest Problems

1 Rose, Going Green Using Diatomaceous Earth How-to Tips, 77.

What You’ll Need:

Pest Grade DE Small Applicator 20 - 30 Mins

What You’ll Need:

Pest Grade DE Large Applicator 20 - 30 Mins

Method 1 - Dry Application (Recommended)

What You’ll Need:

Pest Grade DE Applicator 20 - 30 Mins

Method 2 - Wet Application

What You’ll Need:

Pest Grade DE Large Applicator 1 - 2 Hours

What You’ll Need:

Pest Grade DE Small Applicator 30 Mins - 1 Hour

What You’ll Need:

Pest Grade DE Small Applicator 30 - 40 Mins

What You’ll Need:

Pest Grade DE Large Applicator 30 - 40 Mins

What You’ll Need:

Pest Grade DE Large Applicator 30 - 40 Mins

1 North Carolina State University, “Introduction to Slugs and Snails.”

What You’ll Need:

Pest Grade DE Small Applicator 20 - 30 Mins

What You’ll Need:

Pest Grade DE Applicator 30 - 40 Mins