DE for ticks - Page 1

Those of you who use DE for ticks  how do you put it on your property?  Do you buy it and just sprinkle it across the yard? You buy the food grade so it is safe correct?  It won't kill plants or anything?  I ask because I have never had ticks in my yard before.  I have been finding ticks on my dogs and they haven't been out anywhere since last weekend where I did find ticks but got them off before going home.  I have found fresh ticks since then.  I had treated with Advantix and I find that they are attaching to my Border collies face as I guess there is no chemical there. I HATE ticks any suggestions would be appreciated.  I do not like using chemicals.
 
  Lyn  

Ticks: the foulest and nastiest creatures that be. Pliny the Elder, 23-79 A.D.   http://www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/documents/publications/bulletins/b1010.pdf

Lyn,

The first step to dealing with ticks and all the nastiness they are responsible for, is to understand their lifecycle. This is the time of year they are at their very worst, for the nymph stage. The link I gave you is very thorough and probably more than you asked for. What you need to do right now, is avoid tall grass areas, bushes and low hanging branches. If you can't do that you need to physically examine and remove any ticks. Diseases are transmitted when attached to a host, between 36 -48 hours, so vigilence is your best weapon.

Good luck. DE would only work on the ground to prevent a soft bellied pest from creeping. Human grade DE only, would also work on soft bodied parasites inside the gut, in the same way. Or perhaps others, sprinkle it on the dog? I just never have.  Good luck. I hate ticks.

I didn't read beetree's article, but to add to what she wrote, you'll need to reapply the DE very time it rains. Definitely use food grade and if you use it on your dog be prepared to live with a walking dust bowl. Lol! 
 

Thanks for the info
 
  Lyn