Earthed

Does diatomaceous earth work on insects in the home?

I have some tiny white unidentified insects in my home- they are not bedbugs (much too small, wrong shape) not fleas (can't jump, wrong shape) and not lice (they are the wrong shape and can walk over smooth surfaces). I've searched for household pest images and can't find anything that looks like them at all.



I have tried using pyrethrin-based insecticides on them but they seem to be resistant to them so i have ordered some diatomaceous earth. Does this "mechanical insecticide" really work, and how should I use it?
...and can anyone tell me from experience? It's an interesting and innovative idea and preferable to spraying my house with poison but is DE genuinely effective?

Public Comments

1. It get into their exoskeleton and binds them up. Just lightly dust the area where they are with it and vacuum it up later. D.E. is pet save and nontoxic.
2. Diatomaceous earth works well on aphids. To us th diatomaceous earth is just a fine non-toxic powder. However, at the scale of a tiny aphid it looks like a field of crushed glass that they must crawl across. when they do it cuts their skin and they will eventually die of the wound.
   
   
   
   You might also want to try boric acid. It's pretty safe and is effective on a broader range of critters.
3. I myself have tried using diatomaceous earth. However it is suppose to be used around swimming pools to help keep insects out of the pool. But it is also good for inside insects. You can give it a try and see if it works. All you do is sprinkle a small amount in areas the insects are found. You would use it just as you would Boric Acid. It seemed to work for me, hope it works for you.
4. it works pretty good on slugs. Keep it away from pets though. My dog will walk through it and end up throwing up. Better to be safe than sorry
5. I'VE USED SALT IN THE PASS IT WORKS ON SOME THINGS, ALSO I'VE USED A FLAT PAN WITH WATER/ &A SMALL AMOUNT OF COOKING OIL IN THE PAN WITH A DESK LAMP LIGHTABOUT 6 IN'S ABOVE IT