DE as bug control in feed = FAIL

[midd2005]

after really weighing the pros and cons of food grade DE with chickens, we went to a lot of trouble and expense to get a 50 lb bag. we figured that since its hawaii and bugs find their way into pretty much anything, we better, at the very least, be putting some in the food to kill any bugs that get in there. and sure enough before our DE arrived weavils started popping up in the first bag of chick starter (very expensive organic stuff). DE arrives and we have maybe 25 lbs of food left to which we add maybe a 3/4 cupfull of DE, stirring it all in. we wait a couple days and there are still weavils. so i add another 3/4 cup of DE leaving it on the surface where lots of the little buggers are crawling around. wait a couple more days. well, we still have a lot of weavils in there.

what happened? is DE a waste as far as killing bugs? does hawaii just have superhuman weavils? was the weavil population just too strong by the time we got to them? i have no idea what their life spans are.

has anyone else found this to be the case?

 

[chicmom]

I have read where DE is not effective if you already have an infestation. Alot of people swear by it, but I don't buy it because of the expense. It might be that particular insect isn't affected by DE. Others will come along soon who know alot more about it.....

 

[redhen]

DE isnt that great IMO...
Lots of folks get very dissapointed when they try it. I know i was...

 

[CubRed]

yup...DE isn't all the hype it's credited to be...

 

[dawg53]

More proof that DE is hyped....sorry you wasted your money. I found out the hard way as well many years ago.

 

[midd2005]

hmmm. well, at least i'm not alone. and i'm also a lot less concerned now about hurting the honey bees and worms in my compost.

i put all the feed into a big stand alone feeder that we aren't currently using.

see if that will fix their wagon.

 

[mtnhomechick]

I spread DE on the run and coop floor. Don't really know if it works that well or not. I DO put my feed in large lock handle garbage cans and have never noticed a bug in the feed. I also use lyme for odor control. And have a couple of fly traps hanging on the roof of the run. I also free range a few hours a day { after they pay the rent ) So far......So good. Hope this helps.

 

[dawg53]

The easiest way to kill bugs in feed is to secure the bag and put it in the freezer for about 4 or 5 days. (If you have a freezer)

 

[mtnhomechick]

Sounds like a good idea!

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

is DE a waste as far as killing bugs?

It will kill them sooner or later, but it won't stop new ones from hatching.

Freeze your feed and you won't have a problem​