I have received numerous inquiries regarding Food Grade vs non-food grade DE, and other questions in general regarding DE. I hope this will not be too lengthly and will answer most of the questions.
DE is the fossilized remains of crustaceons called diatoms, found mostly in the western United States. They are mined from dry lake beds, either salt or fresh water lakes. Generally, the non-food grade DE is mined from the salt lakebeds and the food grade, from the fresh. Crystalline silica content is the deciding factor in DE that makes it either food grade or non-food grade! This silica can and will cause lung damage! The silica content of non-food grade DE is roughly 65% At this percentage it maked DE lethal (deadly)! The food grade DE (as permitted by the FDA) CANNOT have a silica content higher than 3%. Most food grade DE has less than this amount. PermaGuard DE has less than one half of one percent, and I believe this is the lowest. What are the benefits of using food grade DE? First of all, it has 14 trace elements in it that is beneficial to life. I have taken it and I know many others have also.
DE eliminates parasites internally, but may take up to 60 days of daily injestion to eliminate the entire system of them. That may seem like a long time but by putting it in food, you are assured of a continuous daily dosage!
DE reduces odor, removes harmful bacteria from the upper intestinal tract and reduces fly hatch. It is used as a barrier to slugs and snails and reduces odors by sprinkling it on urine, feces or vomit. When used in chicken feed, it also makes their eggshells harder.
Dosage Guidelines: Humans - 1 heaping tspn in water, juice or food. Children - 1/2 tspn in the same venue.
CHICKENS - 5% of total weight of feed (100# feed = 5# DE 50# = 2 1/2# etc) - KITTENS - 1/2 tspn daily - CATS - 1/2 to 1 tspn daily - DOGS under 50# 1Tbls daily, over 50# 2 Tbls daily - ALL CATTLE (Dairy and other) 2% of weight of dry ration - CALVES 4 grams in the morning - GOATS - 1% in grain - HOGS - 2% of weight of dry ration - SHEEP - 1% in ground grain - HORSES - 1/2 to 1 cup in daily ration. These guidelines for feeding are found at PermaGuard recommendations. Although it states you cannot OD on DE, if given beyond the recommended dosages, it can have a drying effect on whatever it comes in contact with. At the recommended dosages it shouldnt cause any harm!
DE is used in animal bedding to control pests and used in compost to control odor and unwanted pests (DE is harmless to earthworms). DE is used as a white-wash to control pests in the coop by mixing 1 cup with a half gallon of water and spraying or painting the walls (needs to be shaken often as it will settle to the bottom). Is it safe? PermaGuard states breathing food grade DE is likened to breathing "road dust", and a paper filter over the mouth should be used if exposed to the dust. I personally have never used a filter but would definately recommend that you do if you suffer from asthma, emphasema or any other breathing difficulties. I hope this has answered any questions you may have had concerning DE. If I can help further, you can PM me!
Tim
DE is the fossilized remains of crustaceons called diatoms, found mostly in the western United States. They are mined from dry lake beds, either salt or fresh water lakes. Generally, the non-food grade DE is mined from the salt lakebeds and the food grade, from the fresh. Crystalline silica content is the deciding factor in DE that makes it either food grade or non-food grade! This silica can and will cause lung damage! The silica content of non-food grade DE is roughly 65% At this percentage it maked DE lethal (deadly)! The food grade DE (as permitted by the FDA) CANNOT have a silica content higher than 3%. Most food grade DE has less than this amount. PermaGuard DE has less than one half of one percent, and I believe this is the lowest. What are the benefits of using food grade DE? First of all, it has 14 trace elements in it that is beneficial to life. I have taken it and I know many others have also.
DE eliminates parasites internally, but may take up to 60 days of daily injestion to eliminate the entire system of them. That may seem like a long time but by putting it in food, you are assured of a continuous daily dosage!
DE reduces odor, removes harmful bacteria from the upper intestinal tract and reduces fly hatch. It is used as a barrier to slugs and snails and reduces odors by sprinkling it on urine, feces or vomit. When used in chicken feed, it also makes their eggshells harder.
Dosage Guidelines: Humans - 1 heaping tspn in water, juice or food. Children - 1/2 tspn in the same venue.
CHICKENS - 5% of total weight of feed (100# feed = 5# DE 50# = 2 1/2# etc) - KITTENS - 1/2 tspn daily - CATS - 1/2 to 1 tspn daily - DOGS under 50# 1Tbls daily, over 50# 2 Tbls daily - ALL CATTLE (Dairy and other) 2% of weight of dry ration - CALVES 4 grams in the morning - GOATS - 1% in grain - HOGS - 2% of weight of dry ration - SHEEP - 1% in ground grain - HORSES - 1/2 to 1 cup in daily ration. These guidelines for feeding are found at PermaGuard recommendations. Although it states you cannot OD on DE, if given beyond the recommended dosages, it can have a drying effect on whatever it comes in contact with. At the recommended dosages it shouldnt cause any harm!
DE is used in animal bedding to control pests and used in compost to control odor and unwanted pests (DE is harmless to earthworms). DE is used as a white-wash to control pests in the coop by mixing 1 cup with a half gallon of water and spraying or painting the walls (needs to be shaken often as it will settle to the bottom). Is it safe? PermaGuard states breathing food grade DE is likened to breathing "road dust", and a paper filter over the mouth should be used if exposed to the dust. I personally have never used a filter but would definately recommend that you do if you suffer from asthma, emphasema or any other breathing difficulties. I hope this has answered any questions you may have had concerning DE. If I can help further, you can PM me!
Tim
