Dusting 1 week old kittens with food grade diatomaceous earth

I have a litter of 1 week old kittens whom I have been bottle feeding, their mother unfortunately was hit on the road the morning after they were born on a friends porch.

The poor little souls are swarming with fleas, from being born outside and of course the flea issues in the house and my cat Toby who has been sleeping and laying with them and has pretty much taken over their care other than feeding them.


I have heard about D-earth for years but have never used it, the people I know who have, swear by it.

I want to get rid of the fleas on the kittens, but obviously they're too small for flea meds and I don't want to bathe them, would rubbing some D earth in their fur be harmful in any way? it's food grade, so it's supposed to be safe, even for animals (and people) to eat. 

I noticed there were no replies, so I wanted to chime in. I do not have experience with kittens nor d-earth for this purpose. All I know is that d-earth is used as an insecticide and people sprinkle it around the perimeter of their house to get rid of ants. I'd be hesitant to put such a powerful product on tiny little kittens. It could cause respiratory and/or skin issues. They are in a very vulnerable state right now without their mother.

Hopefully someone else can chime in on the best way to safely and effectively control fleas in kittens. I'm sorry I can't be of more help.

I did find two older threads that may be helpful:

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/257931/fleas-on-newborn-kittens

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/260138/two-day-old-kittens-flea-infested
 

You can use blue Dawn dish soap very diluted and a flea comb.  Just be sure to give the babies extra warmth after drying them.  You can use a rice sock warmed up in the microwave to help keep them warm.