Big Paws Only Dog Forums

BPO Medical Forum => Treatment & Preventative Meds => : Newly Newfed October 31, 2007, 07:32:29 PM

: My experience with DE...
: Newly Newfed October 31, 2007, 07:32:29 PM
So I bought the DE for fleas in the house and spent a weekend painstakingly applying it to the carpets.

Apparently Sierra doesn't think I did it right.

I came home today to find a path of DE powder trailed around the house and the inside of the house was a big dust cloud.  Almost an entire 5 lb bag!  It was EVERYWHERE.  Oh man, Jeff was NOT HAPPY AT ALL.  We spent a half hour trying to figure out how to clean it up without stirring up more dust or destroying the vacuum.  Eventually, my MIL sacrificed one of her old vacuums, which we ruined, but we got it cleaned up.

It never ceases to amaze me the trouble this sweet dog can get herself into.
: Re: My experience with DE...
: Sillygoose October 31, 2007, 07:50:42 PM
Ok excuse my ignorance, but what is DE and why did it kill the vacum cleaner?
: Re: My experience with DE...
: Newly Newfed October 31, 2007, 08:01:26 PM
Diatomaceous Earth.  It's a very fine powder that ends up coating the fleas and suffocating them.  At least so says my vet and lots of people here swear by it.  It killed the vacuum because it's so fine, like flour, but not as heavy, and it just got into every crack and crevice of the machine.  Poor vacuum didn't stand a chance.  LOL!
: Re: My experience with DE...
: Sillygoose October 31, 2007, 08:17:48 PM
I will be going to bed a wiser person tonight. Good to know too!
: Re: My experience with DE...
: chaosndestruction November 01, 2007, 10:51:51 AM
haha well at least you shouldn't have to worry about fleas ;)
: Re: My experience with DE...
: Newly Newfed November 01, 2007, 11:08:42 AM
Wow, I've used DE many times and it has had no effect on my vacuum. ???  I wonder why it caused a problem with your MIL's?  There's plenty of dust in the environment as fine or finer than DE, so most vacuums should be able to handle it fine.

Also, DE doesn't suffocate the fleas, it slices them open and dehydrates them.  It is the most effective and safe flea treatment I've ever used.

I'm thinking what you vacuumed wasn't 5 lbs worth all at once in piles an inch deep strewn about all over the house.  LOL!

She destroyed just about the ENTIRE 5 lb bag.  We started seeing and smelling smoke.  Luckily, there wasn't much left when that happened and we were able to use our vacuum for the rest with no problem.