DE Question

[AtRendeAcres]

Sweet PDZ is a deodorizer (takes the ammonia smell out of coop) (or stalls) it does nothing for parasites!

I buy my PDZ at Agway were they also have

DE INSECT DUST 6LB
St. Gabriel Laboratories' Insect Dust is 100% Diatomaceous earth, and is used to control numerous pests; including ants, fleas and ticks. Diatomaceous earth has been used in Asia to control insects for 400 years. Safe for use indoors around kitchen cupboards and pantries as well as outdoor use along foundations and in the yard and garden.
SKU – 10201971
UPC – 699064500207
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I use this in coop, all over for dogs & cat! (it is all natural) it does not say food grade so even though this shouldn't hurt them to eat I order the food grade online that I put in chicken food, dog food, cat food!

I am thinking of using on my horse also (((anyone out there use with their horses?))
Joanne

 

[lichick28]

I'VE BEEN USING FOOD GRADE DE FOR SEVERAL YEARS. I CAN ONLY FIND IT ON LINE AND THE SHIPPING FOR A 20LB BAG COST AS MUCH AS THE DE BUT IT IS WORTH IT.

 

[mudderhen]

Very recently, I had the misfortune to discover that my chickens had not only mites, but lice as well. I discovered this while attmpting (albeit unsuccessfully) to AI one of my roosters with particular hens. It was a terrible case of mites and lice, and prior to, I had no idea they even had them. Needless to say, after freaking out, I talked to my friend about it, and she told me about the food grade DE. I did some research on the net, which proved to be very valuable, and was able to find the DE at my local feed store in Homer, GA. My friend told me to use an old pair of panty hose to dust the birds with. I knew I would have to dust all the birds, their coop, roosts, and nest boxes.
I started out that evening after dark while all the birds were nesting, and with my pantyhose full of DE, grabbed them one by one and dusted their fannies, under theor wngs, and everywhere else I could reach front and back. The next day, I emptied the coop of hay and shavings and covered every flat surface with DE using a sifter with a handle (I think that's what it's called). It worked like a charm. I should have used a dust mask, but other than that, four days later I checked all the birds, and not the first mite or louse could be found. It really is great stuff.

My house also sits on top of a huge fire ant colony. They come into the house and bite us sometimes. I made the initial mistake of dusting the outside of the house first, which ran hundreds of ants inside, so I scattered the DE all around the inside edge of the house where they were getting in and left it for several days. In a matter of hours, all the ants were dead or gone, and I haven't seen another ant in the house since.

Sorry to be so long winded. Here is a great link:

http://www.dirtworks.net/Diatomaceous-Earth.html

 

[cmom]

I use DE in my coop in their run and where they like to dust bathe. In the pine shavings in their coop I sprinkle FOOD GRADE Diatomaceous Earth (DE) on the shavings. Also my roosts in my coop are over wire which allows the poop through and I sprinkle the DE over the poop too. The pine shavings are on the floor in the rest of the coop. Monthly I add some shavings and weekly I add DE. Once in awhile I throw some scratch on the shaving with the DE and let the chickens mix it up. They so a very good job. I have no problems with fleas, flies, mites, lice, stink and such. My pine shavings stay nice and dry easy to clean out.

 

[NYREDS]

Quote:
Slight correction, you didn't hear this from all of us. Some of us believe the cure-all claims about DE are nonsence at best.

 

[jeannieo]

Quote:
how often do you sprinkle it about? Also I find it interesting that I have only read one post where the writer thought all the cure all claims about DE are "nonsence."

I'm assuming the person meant "nonsense."

I choose to believe the testimonials I have read. I got mine from Custom Milling and they couldn't have been more pleasant or accomodating.

 

[Rufflemyfeathers]

I ordered so DE the food grade this morning 50lb..yes my shipping is more than paid for 5o lb bad..boy I can even use it ..I read all the testimonials and I will even try..I am glad someone posted about having the wrong kind as I did not realize you should use the Food Grade to be safe..

 

[Tweeza]

I went to a feed store to purchase some DE and was very disappointed. The bag said nothing about it being food grade or for pool filter use. I decided it shouldn't be used with animals.

So the moral to my story is - just because it comes from a feed store doesn't mean it's good for the animals.

Thanks to all of you pros I was equiped with the knowledge I needed.

 

[spatcher]

I sell DE in 3, 5 and 7# if anyone is interested. Its Perma-Guard Fossil Shell Flour Food Grade,purist on the market. Most of my cost is on shipping and the rates are going up the middle of January. PM if interested.

 

[speckledhen]

I doubt many feedstores or hardware stores will have FOOD GRADE DE. Food grade DE is safe around the birds and kills bugs (not on contact, but very soon afterward). It dries out the shavings and poop as well.

It does not, however, cure cancer or the common cold, though some claims are close to that. I use it here to kill bugs because I do not put poison around for that. I put a small amt in opened feed bags to kill any bugs that are in there or might get in there. Yes, I store my feed in metal trash cans, but the dang Southern States dealer always has buggy feed. I no longer buy mine there, but got into the habit of putting the DE in the feed.

If you get it at some place like Lowe's or Home Depot, I guarantee it is NOT food grade DE.