ORGANIC GRADE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH
Amorphous Silica
GENERAL INFORMATION:
* Probably the most effective
naturally occurring organic insecticide powder is diatomaceous earth. This is a
geological deposit made up of the fossilized skeletons of microscopic
one-celled plants (phytoplankton) particularly diatoms and other algae that
lived in the oceans and lakes. These deposits are mined from underwater beds or
from ancient dried lake bottoms.
* Natural DE makes a very effective organic
insecticide. The insecticidal quality of DE is due to the razor sharp edges of
the diatom remains. When DE comes in contact with the insects, the sharp edges
lacerate the bugs waxy exoskeleton and then the powdery DE absorbs the body
fluids causing parasite's death from dehydration.
* Further
protection is provided by the powder's property of repelling many insects. A
similar principle probably accounts for the fact that birds frequently take
dust baths, presumably to rid themselves of parasites.
* DE
works in a purely physical/mechanical manner, not ‘chemical’ and thus has no
chemical toxicity. Best yet, parasites don’t build up a tolerance/immunity to
its chemical reaction, so rotation is unnecessary.
* In houses it can be used effectively
to prevent the entry of certain insects such as earwigs, ants, and cockroaches,
and to control these and others that are present in cupboards containing food,
carpets, basements, attics, window ledges, pet areas (for fleas), etc. In all
of these examples it is important to place a small amount of the powder in
corners, cracks, crevices, and other areas where insects might hide. Whereas
with a contact pesticide the
insect dies quite quickly, with DE control may take several days. The more
important difference is that the effect of the protection provided by the
chemical is short-lived, whereas DE will control the pests as long as the
powder remains. In this respect DE is an ideal pesticide; it is residual but
nontoxic. The only health precautions that need to be taken are that if large
areas are being treated with a power duster, the applicator should wear a mask
to prevent inhalation.
* Lightly sprinkle in household
carpet. Leave for 2-3+ days, then vacuum. Please do not get heavy handed with
the DE in your carpet, as it may cause problems with your vacuum cleaner.
EXTERNAL APPLICATIONS FOR ANIMALS and CHICKENS:
* Lightly rub into pets coat, fur, and
bedding to dehydrate fleas, lice, mites, and ticks. Dust them lightly, but
thoroughly, as in order to kill the parasites, they must come in contact with
the DE.
Note: external application can take up to 72 hours to
dehydrate external parasites.
* DE is excellent in the chicken coops – on the ground, in nesting/dusting boxes to prevent lice and mites.
Sprinkle directly on fowl feathers to eliminate mites and lice. One thorough
dusting of a bird is enough to eliminate mites and lice. Just make sure to dust
the nesting boxes and the ground as well for added assurance that the mites
won't spread to the rest of the flock.
* Dairy cow owners put DE in burlap
bags, so cows can rub against it and sprinkle themselves with DE, which helps
to eliminate flies that land on them, as well as lice and mites. Apply to moist
kennel areas to reduce odors, dry the area, and prevent pest breeding.
* Deodorizing and absorption are
natural functions of DE, so add to kitty litter to absorb odors and keep the
litter box drier.
GARDEN APPLICATIONS:
* DE’s minerals are great for the garden.
* Apply to ant hills. Small ants may
require a few applications to completely eliminate them, as they burrow new hills
elsewhere, when we plug their initial hill with DE, but if we keep at it,
eventually they disappear. Big ants are eliminated within two applications of a
reasonable amount of DE applied to their ant hill. Ants in trash cans can be
controlled by either painting DE around the bottom of the trash can or
sprinkling it dry around it. They’ll go elsewhere, as they do not like walking
over DE, so you’ll need to find their home to completely eliminate them, but it
will keep them away from areas you put DE. Sprinkled around the house
foundation keeps new crawling insects from coming inside.
1 cup applied to 2½ L of water works
well. Good as a white wash for wood fencing too.
1 to 2 cups per 5L of water can be
used to apply DE in a backpack or hose end sprayer for problem infestations of
mites, aphids, fungus problems, etc.
Note: DE will turn whatever you paint or spray with
it white.
* Great for compost piles, to prevent
breeding pests and control odors.
OUTDOOR BUGS AFFECTED by DIATOMACEOUS EARTH:
* Ants, fire ants, caterpillars, cut
worms, army worms, fleas, ticks, cockroaches, snails, spiders, termites,
scorpions, silver fish, lice, mites, flies, centipedes, earwigs, slugs, aphids,
Japanese beetles (grub stage), fruit flies, corn earworm, cucumber beetles,
corn borer, sting bugs, squash vine borers, thrips, loopers, etc., etc.
MINERALIZATION:
* Natural
grade DE contains 15 trace minerals: calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium,
copper, zinc iron, phosphorous, selenium, etc. People note shinier coats,
better overall health, better production, etc. in their animals who are fed DE
regularly. It has also been included in
the diet (one per cent in the grain ration) to control certain internal
parasites and this practice is said to result in lower fly populations in the
resulting manure.
FLY CONTROL:
* Used regularly, DE can pretty much
eliminate your fly population. Sprinkle on livestock when flies are present.
Dust barns, coops, after mucking and throw on top of manure/compost piles. You
need no longer use or need fly bags, fly predators/parasites, fly tapes, or
sprays.
* DE can be put in a backpack sprayer
mixed with water to spray your barn or coop buildings. Reapply DE when rain or
water washes or wind blows it away.
MORE BENEFITS:
* Organic grade DE has been reported
in literature to absorb methyl mercury, e-coli, endotoxins, viruses
(including poliovirus), organophosphate pesticide residues, drug resides, and
protein, perhaps even the proteinaceous toxins produced by some intestinal
infections. DE detoxes.
* There are some features about DE
that correspond with its ability as both a digestive aid and a colon cleanser.
The honeycomb skeletal form of DE is found, under microscopic evaluation to
reveal a tendency to become filled and clogged with hard debris such as
intestinal scale. It has not been found to cause any insult to the mucous or
barrier wall.
* DE has a negative charge and bacteria
has a positive charge, wherein it is believed by some that DE sweeps bacteria
out of the body by trapping it in it’s honeycomb shaped skeletal form.
* There is
no withdrawal period when given to milking or feed animals. No toxins.
Decreased mortality, increased milk production, decreased mastitis, and better
feed conversion.
CAUTIONS:
* If you have asthma or some other lung ailment, we
suggest wearing a mask when applying DE.
* Do NOT get DE in the eyes. DE is drying to the
eyes, so do NOT put it out when you or your pets are down wind of it.
* DE is
drying to your skin, just as it can be to your pets.
* Do NOT give to very small pregnant animals such
as cats, guinea pigs, etc. and do NOT feed continually to babies or small
animals such as cats, hamsters, etc.
* DE can reportedly be fed on a continuous basis to
larger animals and livestock for continuous parasite control and
mineralization.
* Do NOT use heavily in carpet too much DE causes
vacuum problems.
* Pool filter grade
diatomaceous earth has been heat and chemically treated and will poison an
animal or human who ingests it, so
it is always of utmost importance to only obtain organic DE to use in and
around your household.
* Remember, DE will kill beneficial insects as
well, so use accordingly.
Tips and Suggestions:
Have a look at my posts using DE:
* Chickens for Fresh Eggs
For more Fabulous ideas for your pets and garden have a look at these pages:
* Home and Garden Index
* The Furry Pets and Friends Index
This post Links to:
Furry Pet Care Pinterest
Chicken Care Pinterest
Please visit my "I link-up to... page" to link up with any of the below:
Down Home Blog Hop
For more Fabulous ideas for your pets and garden have a look at these pages:
* Home and Garden Index
* The Furry Pets and Friends Index
References, Additional Reading and Shopping:
Please kindly have a look at my "My Favourite things Store".
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Here you will find a collection of books (most of which are on my bookshelf) where I get a lot of information for my posts. You will also find the items required to make a lot of the products found on my blog.
I receive a small commission for items purchased through my store - Thanks for the support.
Furry Pet Care Pinterest
Chicken Care Pinterest
Please visit my "I link-up to... page" to link up with any of the below:
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On Display Monday
Brag About It
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Mix it up Monday
Marvelous Mondays
The Gathering Spot
Show me what You got
DIY Sunday Showcase
Pincentive Blog Hop
Thank you for sharing this information! I will be putting it to good use! Holly
ReplyDeleteThis is a really helpful post - I had no idea. And I was only using this for my pool. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank-you for your comment. Please use an organic diatomaceous earth and not the one for your pool, as often chemicals are added to the pool version. All the very best.
DeleteIf it keeps Earwigs out it's worth a try!! I hate those things in the house. Thank you for sharing, and for linking up to Super Sunday Sync.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post. I pinned it on several boards!
ReplyDelete~L
Wow. This is great information. Thanks so much for linking up your post at The Gathering Spot this week. I will be trying this asap!
ReplyDeleteKaren- I'm so glad we've run into ea other in blogland! I'll have to come back and read more on your organic posts. Love your artwork as well! Finding a natural solution for ants has been on my list for a few weeks as little mounds are popping up outside. I'm off to buy some DE .. and so glad I just saw your note NOT to buy the pool variety. Thanks for sharing and am looking forward to getting to know you & your blog better!
ReplyDelete