Neem Powder
Neem is another herb with many benefits. It has been used for many centuries due to its blood-purifying, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-viral and antiseptic properties.
Neem powder can be used on pets in both powder and oil form as herbal insect repellent. It repeals ticks, mites, ants, fleas, lice and mosquitoes.
This powder is actually inhibiting larvae’s metamorphosis thus preventing these bugs’ rapid breeding. It also has moisturizing properties which are great in healing any scaling or dry skin which may occur due to skin’s irritation.
Food Grade Diatom Flour
Food grade diatom flour is also known as Diatomaceous Earth (DE). It is formed naturally and it is a siliceous, soft sedimentary rock which consists of diatoms’ fossilized remains.
These diatoms’ fossilized remains are a type of hard-shelled alga which can easily be crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder. This flour’s particles are so small that they feel like a fine baby powder to humans and pets. Simply said, it is mineral silica.
DE’s structure is crystalline and is harmless to both pets and humans because it is not a poison, bugs do not ingest it. It works in a very unusual way – it scratches insect’s bodies and causes them to dehydrate. Since food grade diatom flour can be very drying, use neem in order to counteract the dryness. Neem usage will protect your pet from excessively dry skin.
This powder can be purchased in many plant nurseries but make sure you explain specifically that you want food grade (not filter or crystallized grade). DE products are registered to be used against fleas, cockroaches, bed bugs, crickets, spiders, ticks and many other pests.
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