When you find out that your home has been intruded by pests and insects, you know it’s time to take out the big guns! You are ready to take on every possible measure to exterminate them from your territory.

Battling it out with pests may even push you into using pesticides which are mostly toxic. When using pesticides, it is advisable to take safety precautions and keep children and pets away. Once used, homeowners must follow proper clean up steps to ensure its harmful residue is not left behind, as it can be equally dangerous. So, caution is the key!

Speaking of safety: If you are dubious about whether or not to use strong chemical pesticides, then you can always opt for organic pest control products that contain diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous Earth is non-poisonous and safer than toxic pesticides on the market.

What is Diatomaceous Earth?

It is a finely ground powder made from fossilized remains of tiny aquatic microscopic organisms called diatoms. DE (diatomaceous earth) is a non-toxic substance and extremely effective in controlling pests like bedbugs, cockroaches,

Diatomaceous earth

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flies, and many other flying insects that may be residing in your home.

Diatomaceous Earth is porous, light, and abrasive. It sticks to the insect’s body and dries it out by absorbing the oils and fats from the cuticle of the insect’s exoskeleton and eventually the insect is killed.  It is an effective pesticide and can be used indoors and outdoors to control pest infestation.

Can It Cause Any Harm?

Even though it is not poisonous or toxic, inhaling it may lead to breathing problems. It can irritate the nose and nasal passages, cause coughing fits and shortness of breath and due to its abrasive nature, it may also irritate the eyes.

Furthermore, it can also make your skin go dry or swell up if you come into contact with it. Therefore, once you use diatomaceous earth in your home, it is very important to clean it up properly and ensure it doesn’t do you or your family any harm.

How to Get Rid of Diatomaceous Earth?

Here are some tips to help you ensure the proper removal of diatomaceous earth after using it to exterminate pests from your home.

Gear Up the Right Way

Since it is in powder form, the particles of diatomaceous earth may be found in the air and on the ground. Thus, to clean it up you need to gear up the right way.

  • Wear a Dust Mask

To avoid inhaling diatomaceous earth when cleaning up, wear a dust mask to protect yourself.

  • Wear Rubber or Latex Gloves

Though diatomaceous earth does not have any severe effects on the skin, if you come in contact with this substance, it may lead to skin dryness and itchiness. Hence when gearing up, don’t forget to wear rubber or latex gloves. By wearing rubber gloves, you can easily avoid skin contact with diatomaceous earth powder.

Spray Water in the Air

Spray water in the air to weigh down airborne DE particles. By spraying, DE particles will settle down on the ground. This will make the process of getting rid of diatomaceous earth faster.

Always Use a HEPA Filter Vacuum

Vacuuming really helps in getting rid of diatomaceous earth from the carpet. However, make sure you have a sealed

Hepa Cyclone Vacuum Cleaner

Hepa Cyclone Vacuum Cleaner

HEPA filter in your vacuum because diatomaceous earth particles are very small, and may flow through a regular vacuum filter and blow out again in a cloud of dust; that is definitely something you don’t want! Therefore, always use a sealed HEPA filter.

Sealed HEPA (High efficiency particulate absorption) filters are designed to catch microscopic particles like those of diatomaceous earth.

Use a Carpet Shampooer

To scrub off diatomaceous earth particles properly, a carpet shampooer can also come in handy. The spinning brushes attached to the carpet shampooer does an excellent job of scrubbing even the tiniest particles from the carpet.

Steam Cleaners to Clean Up the Drapes

For perfect home cleaning, don’t forget the drapes! Use steam cleaners to clean up diatomaceous earth. With a steam cleaner, you can clean and treat drapes and remove diatomaceous earth particles smoothly. The steam penetrates into the drapes and conveniently removes the minute particles of diatomaceous earth.

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9 Comments

  1. Martha 11:19 AM 4 July 2016

    I.have.mop.shampoo.the carpet dusted I.have done every damn think in the book.toi get of the stuff still.cant get it.out should not be sold anywhere take t off the shelf.

  2. Martha 11:24 AM 4 July 2016

    DIATOMACEOUS DUST WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT .SWEEPING SHOULDN’T BE SOLD NO WHERE CANT GET IT OUT OF NOTHING NO MATTER WHAT I USE. I HAVEN’T SPENT $100 TO GET IT OUT .THERE NO DAMN WAY!!!!!!!!

  3. Johnny 3:21 PM 7 October 2018

    It comes up easy use water

  4. DAnn 4:02 AM 23 July 2019

    This stuff has nearly killed me!! I have 3 doctors trying to help me not die from this shit. My house is full if it and I can’t get rid of it! I choke and cough and throw up at night. I have been to the hospital twice. This shit should be outlawed!!! Hard to clean it out when you’re sick as a dog from it. I swear it blooms, pollinates an travels throughout the home. This is dangerous and absolutely should not be in store shelves. I may have to move from my home just to breathe again.

    • A 9:50 AM 4 January 2023

      How is your health now?

  5. D 6:30 PM 4 November 2019

    All these homeopathic bs sites saying its nontoxic when it causes silicosis. Water is also non toxic when you drink it but not when you breathe it, same goes for “food grade” diatomaceous earth. The particles saturate the air and unless your apartment or home has an I industrial grade air filtration system (fan air in AND out, not just a floor standing filter) you’re breathing it. It should be illegal for non licensed use. My roommate put this stuff everywhere when we got bed bugs and it’s made me and my dog sick just from breathing it. I’ve mopped every day for a few weeks, I’ve washed everything multiple times, it wont come out, it just resettled in finer particles.

    • A 9:51 AM 4 January 2023

      How are things now?

  6. Nana 12:50 AM 14 April 2022

    Have any of you been able to get it out of your homes? If so how? I’m having the same problem

  7. Jill 5:04 PM 1 August 2022

    Same problem here, tried everything – nothing helps – any helpful suggestions? I’m considering an air scrubber – not the air purifiers, they are not helping.

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