DE DOES kill fleas in huge quantities, I haven't seen that small and safe amounts dent their numbers any, when I say huge quantities, I mean, a jar of DE that I throw the fleas in to shake-n-bake themselves... They do eventually die... but, just sifting some around and even putting it ON the animals didn't dent the population at all.
I would use DE as a deterant, such as putting it in a turkey baster and blasting it into cracks between boards and maybe right around the base of the coup, but only a fine line, something that maybe the bugs would rather not cross. I also use it in my dogs kennel some, I put it on the concrete in a very fine layer and then pile about 4-6 inches of pine shavings on top. Very little if any gets airborn that way but it keeps the bottom layer of the shavings dry and keeps the concrete from getting saturated in urine when he pees in the shavings. As for actual pest control once you get an infestation, I wouldn't rely on it, but it may help prevent a bit if used properly (which most people don't do) and only use it where it won't go airborn and it creates a barrier rather than being on EVERY surface.
I would use DE as a deterant, such as putting it in a turkey baster and blasting it into cracks between boards and maybe right around the base of the coup, but only a fine line, something that maybe the bugs would rather not cross. I also use it in my dogs kennel some, I put it on the concrete in a very fine layer and then pile about 4-6 inches of pine shavings on top. Very little if any gets airborn that way but it keeps the bottom layer of the shavings dry and keeps the concrete from getting saturated in urine when he pees in the shavings. As for actual pest control once you get an infestation, I wouldn't rely on it, but it may help prevent a bit if used properly (which most people don't do) and only use it where it won't go airborn and it creates a barrier rather than being on EVERY surface.
