D E, do I need it in my coop?

[piscesfille]

Hello all ~

Newbie here....have been reading through the posts and have seen many references to DE food grade. Would really appreciate it explained in layman's terms. Does every coop need DE? Can it ever be harmful? What happens if I choose not to use it?

 

[Dixiedoodle]

First off--there are TWO kinds of DE: 1. Food Grade--it's used by some companies in grains etc. to kill larva of bugs that might be in the grains. 2. Non Food Grade: it's used in pool filter systems.


Food Grade DE is used my many/some to prevent bugs in, on and around their poultry. I also use it to worm my dogs. When I use it in my dogs food I notice a much smaller fly population.
I do use it in the nestboxes and on the roost.


Please note that there is no scientific information (that I know of ) that says DE is effective..but many people swear by it.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The following is my opinion. I am certainly not an expert so take it for what it is worth. There are a lot of people that use DE and are very comfortable with it.

I've read some about DE and have not become that comfortable with it. I imagine it is like a lot of other things. If it is used properly, it is probably a great product but if it is not used properly, it can be harmful. I've looked a little, admittingly not a lot, at the FDA data base on DE. From what I have seen, Diatomaceous Earth is classified as GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) for certain uses, actually a lot of uses. It can be used in the packaging of food and is used as part of a filter medium in certain food processing. I'll not list more because I don't know all of them. If you really want to study it, you might google fda then search for diatomaceous earth. Maybe you will have more patience than I do.

I have seen warnings (not in the FDA database) that crystalline silica can cause silicosis and can eventually lead to cancer if it is inhaled Food grade DE contains very low percentages of crysyaline silica. They suggest wearing a dust mask if you are exposed to airborn DE dust. Those warnings were from the internet, not any official source, so I don't know how valid they are. I did see in one of the FDA studies (not sure of the date but it was after 1998) that they were preparing to perform a study to see if ingesting asbestos is harmful to humans. We know that inhaling it is. I mention that, not to cause fear and panic, but to point out that you really need to know what uses have been approved as safe and what the proper safety precations are.

DE has been approved by the FDA as GRAS for certain uses. As long as it is used for those uses with proper precautions, it is generally regarded as safe. I personally don't use it.

 

[lurky]

I have a #10 bag of DE collecting dust in a corner. I tried it on a hen i rescued that was infested with mites. It had no effect. The next day I dusted her with poultry dust from randallburkey and there was immediately no bugs moving on the bird.

 

[fordmommy]

I use Red Lake DE in my coop, run, and dog's 30x40 kennel. It is "FEED" grade DE. I will never go without it again. It is 'the best' product if have ever used. I sprinkle it down once a week and absolutly NO smell! I got my bag for $17.00 for a 40lb bag from my local feed mill.