Nature, in its infinite wisdom, supplies us with an amazing tool. Diatomaceous Earth, also known as DE, is this tool. Most of today’s chemical flea preparations and wormers are toxic in nature. This is how they work: The preparation actually poisons the worm, the flea, the tick etc. Unfortunately these poisons linger on in the animal’s body.

Feed grade DE (Diatomaceous Earth) is FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) approved.  A mineral product, DE is mined from the unicellular fossilized silica shell remains.  Also containing colonial algae, which belong to the class Bacillariophyceae and are grouped as diatoms. These microscopic sea skeletons and aquatic plant fossils have tiny, sharp barbs that the human eye can only see through the use of a microscope.

The EPA states that DE has both an abrasive property and a sorptive property. DE therefore acts as a drying agent and a “razor blade”. DE clings to the outer surface of the flea/worm and dries it and the razor sharp barbs slice and dice the parasitic creature. DE is thus considered a mechanical wormer.

Dr. Jeff Toman, a veterinarian from Beaumont Texas is quoted as saying “DE is a natural insecticide and an excellent option to replace the chemical selections we have at present. The problem is not many people have ever heard of DE and thus are reluctant to use it once they have heard about it.”

Basically there are two types of DE. They are Swimming pool grade and feed grade.  The swimming pool grade is processed differently and actually poses a health risk to all animals. It is chemically treated and partially melted. DO NOT USE SWIMMING POOL GRADE for animal use.

Feed grade DE is what we want for our animals and yards. This grade is mined, dried, ground, sifted and then bagged. Our feed grade diatomaceous earth has non-crystalline silica. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health does not consider our DE a hazard. William Quaries in a recent article in the IPM Practitioner wrote “DE is so safe for use on foods that FDA has exempted DE from requirements or fixed residue levels when added to stored grain and also the US EPA allows its use in food storage and processing areas.”

Nature’s Farmacy recommends using some safety precautions when using DE as a dust on your property. Please wear protective gear, like a dust mask or scarf to cover your mouth and nose. Eye protection is also required when working with dry DE outside. Being a drying agent avoid direct contact with eyes, skin and mucous membranes.

To correctly apply diatomaceous earth, spread the product very thinly across your yard, dog runs, exercise pens, and flower beds. In the home treat your carpet in the same way as your yard.

For effective flea control and to exterminate them all together you will need to treat all services both inside and outside the home. In short anywhere your dog has been or is likely to go.  Plan on treating the areas several times to insure that you are killing all the parasites hatched since your last treatment.

DE is a proven and effective alternative to chemical pesticide use, however it is not immediate. It very well may take 2-3 weeks to prove itself. Research has proven that some insects die in 3-4 hours from exposure to DE and other insects may take longer.

DE as a wormer is equally as impressive. Simply add it to your dogs feed. Consider 1 tablespoon per 50 pounds of bodyweight. Most dogs would get 1 – 3 teaspoons.

DIATOMACEOUS EARTH

Inorganic Non-Poisonous, Non-Toxic and No Toxic Chemical Additives

Diatomaceous Earth is made up of fossilized deposits of algae called diatoms.  Diatoms weave tiny shells out of the silica they extract from water.  As they die, their shells become fossilized into Diatomaceous Earth.

Diatomaceous Earth removes waxy protective finish of insect’s shells, causing acute dehydration and death.

Diatomaceous Earth kills all stages of ticks and fleas when applied in a liquid or dust form to lawns, bedding areas, carpets and your pet’s fur. If used as a preventative, once ticks and fleas

A PRODUCT SO SAFE YOU COULD EAT IT!

Diatomaceous earth has been under our feet for eons, waiting to be discovered as a safe effective control for garden pests, for relief of flea and tick problems with pets, and for elimination of parasites in livestock.  Diatomaceous Earth is mined from deposits of natural, tiffany -like crystal shells of tiny, single-celled plants (algae) and ocean minerals.  Today, many people know the value of food grade Diatomaceous Earth as a source of trace minerals in vitamin products for humans, as an additive to animal foods, as an abrasive in toothpastes to help clean teeth!

Our Diatomaceous Earth is a completely safe, high quality, food grade product.  Having less than 1% crystalline silica, our D.E. is superior to conventional material.  We do recommend wearing a dust mask when dusting D.E. in a greenhouse or any enclosed area.  As with any dust, D.E. can irritate eyes and nose and should not be inhaled for extended periods of time.

HOW DOES IT GET RID OF INSECTS?

National Geographic reports. “Death comes within 12 hours after insects venture into Diatomaceous Earth.  Their skins are pierced by sharp edges of the diatom’s siliceous shells, causing life’s juices to flow out.”

APPLICATION RATE

Climate, temperature, rainfall, degree of pest infestation, presence of wildlife, livestock, and pets are variables that will determine the frequency of application.  Apply twice a week for severe infestations, until pests are eliminated.  Follow periods of heavy rain with a new application, and then be guided by recurrent sightings of pests.  Since fleas hatch rapidly during hot humid weather, reapplication may be required every week to ten days until all eggs are hatched and adults no longer reappear.

CATS AND DOGS (AND OTHER PETS)

When you use D.E. on and around your well-loved pets, you may do so without worry.  The Department of Agriculture and FDA allows D.E. to be sold as a food additive for up to 2% of an animal’s diet.  No worry when pets lick this product from their paws! 

Focus on pest hideouts:  sleeping quarters for pets and areas of the yard where they play or nap; on, around, and under upholstered furniture; in food storage areas.  D.E. may be patted lightly into your pet’s coat, but avoid getting dust into the eyes.  The coat may feel coarse to the touch for a day.  Get a bonus for your cat by adding D.E. to kitty litter to absorb moisture, dry stools, and thus control odor.

The Dustin Mizer is handy for dusting under porches and under the house.

INDOOR APPLICATION

Rid your home of heavy flea infestation!  Sprinkle D.E. lightly over carpet, under and behind appliances, furniture and beds, and along baseboards where fleas hide and hatch. Indoors, sprinkle D.E. by hand or with a flour sifter and brush into carpet with a broom.  Leave D.E. at least 6 hours (better overnight) before vacuuming.

LAWN APPLICATION

Apply in spring as weather begins to warm in your area, again when hottest part of summer is expected, and again before average temperatures drop below sixty degrees in fall.  Reapply after heavy rain or for unusual infestations.

We highly recommend the Dustin Mizer for outdoor application for most economical spread of D.E.  The Dustin Mizer can be found at most home improvement stores.  The Dustin Mizer holds about 6 oz., which covers about 500 square feet.

VEGETABLE GARDEN

Apply D.E. to soil under the plants where insects are a problem.  Spray in the center crown of developing cucumbers, squash, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.  Early application to the growing plant and to the soil just around the root system are excellent preventative measures for control of plant specific pests; however, we do not recommend blanket application over the entire garden.  Apply with the Dustin Mizer.

TREES AND SHRUBS

Apply with Dustin Mizer directly to tree trunk.  Place Dustin Mizer 1-2 inches from the tree and spray trunk from head to high ground.   To cover higher branches, mix ½ cup D.E. with one gallon of water and spray foliage, using pressurized sprayer.  Borers attack many trees, especially fruit trees and ornamentals, and are extremely difficult to defeat once established.  In the fall, D.E. scratched into soil in a two or three-foot band around base of tree will provide minerals for the tree and discourage borers from over-wintering.  Ornamentals can be protected from aphids, flea beetles, and leafhoppers by dusting surrounding soil in early fall, and foliage in spring and summer.

PREVENTION AND MAINTENANCE

To control fleas, ticks and other pests year around, use D.E. on a regular basis.

Home:  Apply periodically along baseboards on perimeter of each room, under beds and upholstered furniture.  For flea control, be sure to apply before flea season begins.

Cats, Dogs, and other pets:  Once fleas and ticks have been eliminated from their living area, and a preventative program is established, it may be unnecessary to apply D.E. to your pet’s coat.  However, when pets go for a romp outside their pets-free zone, they may need temporary treatment to coat.

Lawn:  Apply three of four times each year, more during flea and tick season as required.

APPLICATIONS

ANTS:

Dust a generous amount of D.E. directly on anthill.  Extend out about 5 feet from hill.  When it rains, reapply after ground is dry.

ROACHES:

Spray or Dust D.E. on any area where insects hide such as cracks, baseboards, etc.  Also where feed and foodstuffs are stored.

FLIES:

Use D.E. in all areas where livestock are kept.  Spray weekly on walls, partitions, feeding troughs, watering areas.

POULTRY AND LIVESTOCK:

With a program of internal, external, and ground application, higher yields are expected from animals free of stress and disease.  One test showed, when D.E. was included in feed for hogs, internal parasites were eliminated, and hogs stopped destructive behavior of rooting and destroying feeders.  The value of D.E. as an additive to animal foods has been known for many years.  There are 14 trace minerals in D.E. (Boron, Silicon, Aluminum, Manganese, Magnesium, Gallium, Iron, Calcium, Vanadium, Copper, Sodium, Titanium, Zirconium, and Strontium).  These elements are important to animals developmentally in promoting good health and preventing disease.  The Department of Agriculture and FDA allows D.E. to be sold as a food additive for up to 2% of the animals diet.  Animals fed D.E. treated grain have a healthier intestinal tract, and flies around manure in the barnyard may be reduced to a point that spraying can be eliminated.

Dust on or rub D.E. into animals coat, or fill rub-socks with D.E.

Feeding instructions:  Feed at a rate of 10# D.E. per ton 1st week, 20# per ton 2nd week, 30# per ton 3rd week, 10#-15# per ton maintenance thereafter.

STORED GRAINS:

7# per ton (apply 1 oz. to 1 bushel).  Diatomaceous Earth, applied at the rate of just 7 pounds per ton of grain, will keep bugs out for indefinite periods, doing no harm to the grain but keeping it fresh and insect free.

FIELD CROPS:

Dust or Spray D.E. at the rate of approximately 5 to 10 pounds per acre.

CONTROL THESE PESTS WITH D.E.:

Bag Worms           

Blister Beetle

Bud Worm            

Cabbage Looper             

Cabbage Worm              

Caterpillar            

Corn Earworm                

Cut Worms                     

Deer Tick              

Flea Beetle           

Fleas

Grasshopper                  

Horn Worm

Leafhopper

Midges

Mite

Moth Larvae         

Peach Borer                    

Potato Bug           

Stinkbug 

Aphid                             

Wasp                             

Web Worms

Weevil                            

…And a host of others

 

Nature’s Farmacy Inc. 

All rights reserved.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 5th, 2008 at 11:18 am and is filed under Flea Control, Wormers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.