Can't Find Food Grade DE Locally

[Redhead Hen]

Quote:
I did the search on eBay for DE spelled out. I also found earthworkshealth to be the cheapest total price. I did the search and then sorted the results by lowest price including shipping. It seems that you don't need a ton of it and 10 pounds should last for a while. I'm gonna buy from them this week. Looks like the best deal to me.

I know that I can drive 30 mins away, spend $10 for 4.4 lbs. So ... I think I will save myself the hassle of packing up the toddlers for a 30 min drive and just order on line.

 

[sotelomary]

I don't know if you live on the west coast but I buy my DE from groworganics.com. I pay $29.99 + $20 for shipping for 50lbs. Even with shipping this is a really good deal for me because it comes out to $1 per pound.

Hope this helps,
Mary

 

[enggass]

For sprinkling in my Coop and personal ingestion - yes, personal ingestion even a 10lb Bag is quite a bit.
My wife is very intrigued by the 'possible' health benefits it brings to people. 1 Tbs a day.
I'm a bit skeptical, but hey, if what people say and what they claim is true, I'm willing.
Had some tonight with water - doesn't even taste bad.
Steve

 

[gltrap54]

Thanks Steve !!!!!!!!!

 

[ADozenGirlz]

I bought mine on eBay too. LOVE eBay!!!

 

[BawkinOnTheBench]

I also found Earthworks to be cheapest. I got a 50 lb bag about a year and a half ago, and I still have over half of it left.

 

[GeneGoddess]

Found a local source for me (FINALLY). Agway in Palmer, Mass has some. It's in the Insecticide section, but is food grade. Try calling around to local farm stores and asking.

 

[Chieftain]

Quote:
Try asking for "Feed Grade" Diatomaceous Earth as opposed to "Food Grade". This is one of the biggest misunderstandings here at BYC, and this demonstrates why we need an improved FAQ section, and even an on-line "Chicki-Wiki" encyclopedia here.

Anything that is "Food Grade" is fit for human consumption. "Feed Grade" is suitable for animal consumption. Most feed stores that carry animal husbandry supplies should carry Feed Grade DE. Here is what it looks like:

This is a very fine talcum powder consistency, and is a reddish brown color because of the iron content of this particular brand. As you can see from the bag, it is used for all kinds of livestock, including chickens. While "Food Grade" DE is perfectly fine to use for animals, the reverse is not true about "Feed Grade" DE.

You will probably hunt high and low for "Food Grade" DE but the "Feed Grade" is likely available now, although in a 40 pound bag. You will want to have a pair of clean five gallon buckets with good O-Ring seals on them to put the DE into for storage, and be sure to have a good, tight fitting dust mask or respirator on before you open the bag. This is very dusty stuff and you do not want to breathe it, so be careful.

 

[PeepsInc]

TSP has whats called "Y Tech" it's a garden & poulty dust. It does the same thing for $4.