MotherEarth D - Diatomaceous Earth - Questions & Answers

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  • Asked by Ralph
    02/13/2011
    Q
    If Mother Earth D gets wet, will it retain its properties after it dries out?
    In other words, if it is applied into a baseboard void and that area gets wet but then dries out, does the Mother Earth D then return to its original powder form and retain its properties of breaking down the bugs cuticle composition? If left undisturbed, how long will Mother Earth D last? Also, is there an aerosol version of Mother Earth?
    A
    Yes, once Mother Earth dust dries it will be effective again. When left undisturbed, Mother Earth  will last indefinitely. At this time, there is not an aerosol version of Mother Earth on the market.
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    43 of 44 people found this answer helpful.
  • Asked by Deb from Pacifica, Ca
    07/11/2012
    Q
    What exactly is the difference between insect and food grade DE?
    I've gone over your labels and stuff and it seems to have a lot of confusing information. I've only heard references to "food grade" and "Pool" DE. Can you provide information describing how and why some DE gets labeled as Insecticide Grade rather than Food Grade. The Pool Grade stuff I'm told has been specially processed which makes it toxic, is this product similarly processed to the pool grade?
    A

    The insecticide grade DE is manufactured using a special process and is usually from different mines than food or other grades of diatomaceous earth. Food grade DE will come from specific mines that do not contain elements such as arsenic and quartz, so it is essentially the "purest" form of diatomaceous earth. Some insecticide DE products will be from food grade mines, although you should not assume this is true with all DE products.

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    34 of 81 people found this answer helpful.
  • Asked by Dennis
    09/26/2009
    Q
    Is MotherEarth D safe to use around children and pets?
    Does it hurt pets or humans if they come into contact with the MotherEarth D? How much dust is needed to do the job efficiently?
    A
    Mother Earth D is an all natural product so there is no poison or insecticide present.  It is one of the safest products we sell.  There is no certain amount because this product is meant to be applied from a hand duster in cracks and cravices, under appliances, wall voids, etc.  You should fill a hand duster half way with the MotherEarth D and apply 1 to 2 puffs in the crack/crevice or under appliances or any other areas you apply the product.
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    26 of 28 people found this answer helpful.
  • Asked by Chris
    08/13/2010
    Q
    Is MotherEarth D food grade Diatomaceous Earth?
    A
    No. MotherEarth D is insect grade diatomaceous earth.
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    25 of 29 people found this answer helpful.
  • Asked by Allie
    05/23/2010
    Q
    Can Diatomaceous Earth be used in a car with roach infestation?
    A
    Yes, you could use Diatomaceous Earth dust inside a car, but you would want to apply it in areas that you do not come into direct contact with, such as underneath mats, in between seats, etc.  
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    23 of 23 people found this answer helpful.
  • Asked by Mary
    04/06/2011
    Q
    Will MotherEarth D - Diatomaceous Earth kill ticks? Can you spread the dust in the yard?
    A
    MotherEarth D dust is not labeled for ticks or to be used out in the lawn. You should consider using an insecticide granule such as Talstar PL granules over the entire yard to control tick populations.
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    15 of 30 people found this answer helpful.
  • Asked by Deborah from Columbus, Ohio
    04/05/2016
    Q
    Would MotherEarth D - Diatomaceous Earth work as a repellent for opossums and groundhogs?
    Would this work to deter opossums and/or groundhogs living under my deck?
    A

    MotherEarth D - Diatomaceous Earth would not work as an animal repellent.  We would suggest using a product such as Shake-Away Fox Urine Granules Critter Repellent to deter animals like opossums and groundhogs. 

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    11 of 11 people found this answer helpful.
  • Asked by Em from Tucson
    02/16/2018
    Q
    Will a wash & 3 rinse cycles remove MotherEarth D - Diatomaceous Earth from a down comforter?
    I sprinkled a down comforter with a lot of DE and stored it for a couple of years, to find it with many dead carpet beetles. I didn't shake it out--lots of DE, but took it to laundromat for large washer and 3 rinse cycles. Should the DE be gone? This will be used for bedding, for child.
    A

    Yes, after 3 wash cycles the MotherEarth D - Diatomaceous Earth residue should be gone from the bedding. 

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    11 of 11 people found this answer helpful.
  • Asked by Crystal
    08/19/2010
    Q
    Is there an effective way to apply MotherEarth D without a duster or other applicator?
    A
    While you could try to apply the dust products by hand (wearing gloves of course), this would be the most wasteful and inefficient way to do so. You would have no way to get the dust into cracks, crevices or voids. You would also use way too much dust at one time, leaving small mounds and thick layers behind. When applied correctly using a hand duster, MotherEarth D is only applied in a very fine, thin layer. Almost every customer that has opted not to purchase a duster, ends up calling us back to make the purchase after they try to apply the dust without one.
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    10 of 11 people found this answer helpful.
  • Asked by Ethel
    12/05/2010
    Q
    How often should we reapply Mother Earth D pest control dust?
    It's been working fine. We were planning on reapplying it annually. Would that be sufficient?
    A
    MotherEarth Dust actually stays effective for as long as it is in place and dry. Reapplying the dust annually is a good plan because the dust could become covered with other dust or dirt or be displaced.
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    10 of 11 people found this answer helpful.
  • Asked by Cm
    03/22/2010
    Q
    Is MotherEarth D safe around pets, toddlers and infants?
    Are there any other dusts that are more safe or effective against ants, spiders and other household crawling insects?
    A
    When used as directed MotherEarth D is one of the safest dusts to use in the home. MotherEarth D is actually made up of crushed freshwater diatoms and it works by dehydrating insects through a desiccating action. MotherEarth D does not contain any chemical insecticides. We also carry Essentria Dust, a natural botanical oil dust that is very effective. The Essentria Dust is a versatile, minimum risk product that is exempt from Federal registration because it is made from natural botanical oils like rosemary, wintergreen and eugenol. Both dusts are safer to use in homes and both are very effective for crawling insects. The main differences would be that MotherEarth D lasts for as long as it is dry and in place, and Essentria Dust lasts for about 6 months but will also work even if it is damp.
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    10 of 12 people found this answer helpful.
  • Asked by Matt from Chicago, Il
    10/28/2011
    Q
    Is MotherEarth D effective against bird mites?
    It appears on the bird mite section of your website and the label includes mites, so I hope it does! Also, what other products would you suggest using? Onslaught? Bedlam aerosol spray?
    A

    We do not have any products that are directly labeled for birdmites but MotherEarth users have reported back with positive results. Here is the general treatments most folks try if they find they have bird mites in their homes:

    For treatment in the home we recommend you frequently vacuum all carpet and upholstery and dispose of the bag or vacuum contents in a sealed bag outdoors. Spray Sterifab on couches, chairs and other upholstered furniture where you may spend time resting. Use MotherEarth Dust in all cracks and crevices around the perimeter of the room. Apply a thin coat of MotherEarth dust to rugs and carpets. Rake (not sweep) nap back and forth, causing dust to enter rug or carpet. Let product sit overnight. Repeat application as necessary and vacuum every 3 - 4 days for effective control. MotherEarth dust does not have a fast knockdown, it can take several days for insects to die after they contact the dust. Onslaught can be used for a faster knockdown. Thoroughly apply as a fine particle broadcast spray using a hand pump sprayer to infested rugs and carpets and other cracks and crevices around the perimeter of each room. Put all clothes through the dryer on high heat to help kill mites and their eggs. We have had many customers use the above recommendations with great success. Most customers report that it can take several months to get rid of all of the mites. Finding and removing the source of the infestation is very important and is the key to getting rid of the mites for good.

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    10 of 10 people found this answer helpful.
  • Asked by Donna
    07/23/2010
    Q
    I have little red ants in my pantry. Can I use MotherEarth D around food? Any other suggestions if not?
    A
    You should not use MotherEarth D or any other dust around food in a pantry.  Dusts are meant to be placed in cracks and crevices, underneath appliances and inside wall voids.  Ant bait is a great choice for treating ants in a pantry or other area in your kitchen. Our Maxforce FC Ant gel is our most popular.  You should first throw away any open food that the ants are eating and take away all easily accessible food so there is not any competition.  The ants will eat the ant bait and take it back to their nest and feed it to the other ants and the queen. This method will eliminate the entire colony.
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    10 of 12 people found this answer helpful.
  • Asked by Tammy from Surrey, Bc
    08/29/2016
    Q
    Does MotherEarth D - Diatomaceous Earth treat for no-see-ums?
    A

    MotherEarth D - Diatomaceous Earth is not labeled to treat of Noseeums. Talstar P is good general insecticide that is labeled for Noseeums. You will spray along the baseboards and cracks and crevice in the area affected inside the home, this will last 90 days. You will want to treat outdoors as well as a perimeter spray. Treat around the window seals, doors, etc. in places where they could possibly come in. This wil last 30 days outdoors. Here is the link for the product:

    http://www.domyownpestcontrol.com/talstar-talstar-one-p-97.html

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    9 of 13 people found this answer helpful.
  • Asked by Dave
    02/28/2011
    Q
    What grade is your diatomaceous earth, Mother Earth D?
    A
    MotherEarth D is insecticide grade DE made from fresh water diatoms.
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    9 of 10 people found this answer helpful.
  • Asked by Jessica from Gilbert, Az
    08/25/2011
    Q
    Do you recommend using Diatomaceous Earth in the attic?
    I have heard mixed things about using DE in the attic to get rid of a scorpion problem. Some say it works great. Others say that scorpions avoid it and to try a different type of dust. I just need the best option to put in my attic for a scorpion problem.
    A
    DE will work fine.  Like any other dust, it will only be repellent if you put out too much.  Piles of dust to insects and scorpions look like mountains and can repel them from the area because they do not want to walk over it. Dust should be applied in a very thin layer.  If you can see the dust, you applied too much.
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    7 of 7 people found this answer helpful.
  • Asked by Jacquelyn from Albany, Ny
    06/02/2017
    Q
    Can I use MotherEarth D on clothes and shoes?
    I seem to have a bird mite infestation. I am in the process of storing away clothes in plastic containers. Is it safe and effective to add MotherEarth D when storing clothes and shoes?
    A

    MotherEarth D or other Diatomaceous Earth products should not be used on clothing or similar personal items. This dust is a dessicant and would actually cause skin irritation with any prolonged contact. Clothing can be treated for any pest in a washer and dryer, or by dry cleaning or steam cleaning. 

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    6 of 12 people found this answer helpful.
  • Asked by Amanda from Wyoming, Michigan
    02/11/2015
    Q
    Does MotherEarth D - Diatomaceous Earth help with mite infestations?
    I have a bird that has a case of mites, not wanting to use over the counter products such as sprays on him that can be harmful and cant afford a vet. So was wondering if using Mother Earth D around areas of the home will help in any way??
    A
    You can use MotherEarth Dust in all cracks and crevices around the perimeter of the room. Apply a thin coat of MotherEarth dust to rugs and carpets. Rake (not sweep) nap back and forth, causing dust to enter rug or carpet. Let product sit overnight. Repeat application as necessary and vacuum every 3 - 4 days for effective control. MotherEarth dust does not have a fast knockdown, it can take several days for insects to die after they contact the dust.
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    6 of 9 people found this answer helpful.
  • Asked by Heather
    05/19/2011
    Q
    Can you use MotherEarth D - Diatomaceous Earth on flying squirrels?
    I have 6 baby flying squirrels ( between 5 and 7 weeks old) and they have fleas really bad. Can I use this product on them for flea control?
    A
    MotherEarth D is not labeled for use on animals. We are reluctant to make any type of topical flea control recommendations for exotic animals because so many of these animals are sensitive to chemicals. We recommend you contact your veterinarian and ask for his/her advice on flea control.
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    5 of 5 people found this answer helpful.
  • Asked by Aidahally from Singapore
    12/14/2012
    Q
    i have a lot of bedbugs in my room. Can i use d mother earth to spray around my floor?
    If cant apply on my floor what product would you recomend me? How would i apply the mother earth?
    A
    MotherEarth D is labeled to be used on as a thin coat on carpeting. For the most effective treatment for Bed bugs we recommend using one of our Bed Bug Kits. Please take a few moments to read over our Bedbug Guide to get a general idea of what needs to be done. We also recommend that you encase all of your mattresses and boxsprings with Protecta Bed Encasements as mattresses and boxsprings can be very difficult to impossible to treat because of all of the seams, folds, cracks and crevices.
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    4 of 10 people found this answer helpful.
Displaying 1 to 20 (of 38 questions)