Diatomaceous earth is made from the remains of diatoms, which are tiny organisms that lived in rivers, streams, lakes and oceans. Diatom skeletons are made up of silicon dioxide, a combination of silica and oxygen. Silica is very common in nature and it makes up 26% of the earth's crust.

Diatomaceous earth is very abrasive to an insect's exoskeleton, causing them to dry out and die. Diatomaceous earth is used in a variety of settings, including indoor applications for controlling bed bugs, fleas, cockroaches, and carpet beetles.