Its one thing for my cat to have fleas, but when they are jumping and biting me too, it really sucks. Recently, I was at my neighbors house when her 12 year old dog was rolling around rubbing/scratching her back on the carpet, then outside in the driveway on the rocks trying to get relief from the fleas and dry skin. I instinctively rubbed a handful of FPP on the dog. Excitedly, I told her how the powder dries up any pests and relieves animals of their unrelenting itching. She replied, “We are trying to keep her moisturized not dry her up”. Mind you, I don’t have an itchy dog, just a cat with fleas, so I felt bad having contributed to de-moisturizing the poor, old pup. To our surprise she stopped scratching within minutes and has done well ever since! The chemicals we put on our animals to kill tics and fleas are toxic, not just to them, but to us. Here is a pesticide that is not harmful to animals or humans and its edible! This natural pesticide powder is called Diatomaceous Earth. 5000 or more years ago it became part of the pantheon of Chinese medicine. In European countries it is used by holistic seeking individuals as an alternative to chemicals for strengthening the nails, hair, skin and bones. In other countries it is used as an additive in the large grain silos to keep them bug free. Here is how it works on our little, fury friends:
Officially called fossilized phytoplankton powder (FPP), the sharpness of the fossil cuts through the waxy coating of a pests outer layer of skin, essentially drying them up, dehydrating them (the pests). Diatomaceous Earth can be found online at freshwaterorganics.com and available in 3 different grades. I purchased the organic human consumption grade. To my surprise, I found that diatomaceous earth lowers cholesterol, kills parasites, and is great for the nails, skin and bones!....not to mention its edible.....!
