Cheap does not mean ineffective. Everyone is used to paying high prices to get the best products around. However, paying high prices does not mean you are getting the best product. Take Diatomaceous Earth (DE) for example.
It is not expensive, it is available just about everywhere, and it contains no chemicals. That is a good combination when you want to save some money. To top it all off, it is very thorough when it comes to killing fleas and ticks. Once a day for at least seven days, and your job will be done.
The key is to buy the food-grade version of DE. It is non-toxic, safe to put on your dog, and does not come with a lot of side effects. Other grades should not be used on or near your dog.
What do you know about using Diatomaceous Earth for Fleas and Ticks? Click here to learn more.
How To Apply Diatomaceous Earth on Dogs
There are three ways you can apply this tick-killer product. Only one of those three puts DE directly onto dogs. The first step in helping your dog fight off those fleas and ticks is to buy food-grade DE.
No other version will work. Food grade DE is safe to use, non-toxic and can be put on your dog in minutes. Plus, there are no harsh chemicals to hurt your dog.
The second step will be to apply DE and you do that by sprinkling it all over your pet. You have to be careful around the eyes, ears, and nose of your dog but other than that apply this product generously.
Step three is to massage the powder down deep till it gets to your dog’s skin. This is a must-do step as those ticks and fleas are at the skin level. Then step 4 is to wait. Leave DE on for at least 72 hours before you wash it off.
You need to leave it on for that long to make sure you get all of those ticks and fleas. DE does kill within 12 hours, but it does not get every creature within that time frame.
Can you use Diatomaceous Earth for Ticks on Dogs? Click here to learn more.
How Often Should Diatomaceous Earth Be Applied?
72 hours is the minimum recommended time to leave DE on your dog’s body. It has been said that you should leave it on for several weeks. That way you can get new fleas and ticks the moment they leap onto your dog.
If you do it the latter way, you would only need to apply this product once a month. That is if you do not let your dog go out in the rain. Baths and rainstorms will wash DE off leaving your dog vulnerable again.
The number of times you apply DE is up to you and where you live. If you do not let them go out in the rain, then one application should last for a while. If you do the former option and only wait 3 days, then once a week should be okay. But check with your vet first before creating that schedule.
Where To Apply Diatomaceous Earth
There are two other applications you can choose to use. One is to mix a little DE with your dog’s food. How much you give them each day will depend on their size and weight.
Small dogs or puppies only need a 1/2 tsp. Per day mixed with their moist food. Dogs that weigh up to 50 pounds can handle 1 tsp per day, also mixed with their food.
Those dogs that weigh over 50 pounds, but not more than 100 pounds can take 1 tablespoon per day. Finally, those dogs that weigh over 100 pounds can easily handle 2 tablespoons per day.
DE does not always taste that good so mixing it with moist dog food is the best way to get your dog to eat it.
The second way to apply DE is to mix it with some water and spray it over your grass and vegetation. This will kill those fleas and ticks where they live. You can also dust your lawn, etc., with the powder but again wait till you have a few days of straight sunshine to do this.
It is also a good idea to sprinkle some powder on your dog’s bedding, carpets, furniture, and other places ticks may hide in your home. Wait a few days before vacuuming the powder up to make sure you killed every creature that bothers your pet.
Is Diatomaceous Earth Safe for Dogs? Click here to learn more.
Some Final Words
Using food-grade DE is a fine tick-killing option especially when you do not want to pay a lot of money for harsh and dangerous chemicals. Check it out and see how well it works. Protecting your treasured pet does not have to cost you a lot of money.
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