Why does diatomaceous earth kill bugs but not people? I heard that it’s in our food sometimes. Someone even recommended eating it.
Iris Goldman, Redmond
There’s an excellent reason why diatomaceous earth kills bugs of all kinds but not people. Chiefly, insects have exoskeletons that are damaged by the silica in diatomaceous earth. It’s the easiest and best way to kill carpet beetles, aphids on your plants, slugs, squash bugs, and so much more. When you use diatomaceous earth for bed bugs, it causes them to dehydrate and die. Fortunately, it won’t do the same to humans. Our skin protects us from a host of issues and doesn’t dehydrate like the covering on insects. The only danger is breathing in too much of the dust, which is harmful to the lungs.
In fact, people, cats, and dogs can all benefit from eating small amounts of the diatomaceous earth if it’s food-grade and pure. For one, it helps with digestion. It also contains healthy minerals like calcium and magnesium that boost your diet. It’s important to avoid consuming pool grade earth, though. Manufacturers harvest it from saltwater sources and it may contain contaminants that can hurt the body.
Besides taking it as a supplement, you can use diatomaceous earth to protect your house and garden from pests like ants and as a natural roach repellent. It’s also the best way to get rid of spider crickets, and a host of other unwelcome critters like worms and stink bugs. It forms a natural barrier to crawling insects.
Some folks like to shine up their silver or scrub their toilet with diatomaceous earth since it’s a gentle abrasive. Others use it to absorb musty odors and remove carpet stains. In fact, you can view the whole list of ways to get the most from the diatomaceous earth in this article: https://www.tipsbulletin.com/diatomaceous-earth/
In summary, this is a safe, natural product that can enhance your health. You don’t need to fear diatomaceous earth–instead, use it to help you live better.