Death by dusting?

[Kitsune]

The diatomacious earth you use isn't the same as is in the pool filters, that stuff isn't food grade.

The insects don't eat it, the diatoms have silicone shells that are sharp (and very pretty if viewed under a microscope) and absorbant and they pierce the outer skeleton of the insects and dry them up.

I haven't had good results with dusting for mites with DE, but I have had good results from putting it in their food.

 

[chickbea]

Hi -
I've never had problems with mites - I always assumed my girls were controlling them on their own by dust-bathing. In the winter they use the wood shaving dust to scuttle around in. I live in Vermont - are mites more of a warm weather problem?
Amy

 

[SandraChick]

EEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKK

The stuff for swimming pool filters IS diatomaceous earth (DE) --it's the toxic version of DE and the bugs don't eat it and die.....

VERY IMPORTANT- the DE used in pool filters is DANGEROUS when inhaled. It's been heated (cooked at very high temps) and treated and that's what makes it dangerous.

Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth is not any more dangerous than inhaling the dust they dust bathe in anyways. It works mechanically like Kitsune described.

Wood Ash.....wood ashes is the way it was done in the olden days and works. Unlike the olden days...wood ash is not as available to people (only those with wood stoves or fireplaces that they use).

The act of dustbathing is the natural way that chickens help alleviate pest issues, but is not enough. Adding wood ash or DE to your chickens favorite dustbathing areas is a great way to have them dust themselves. Some will wait until they have a problem and then use fowl dust (which has chemicals in it), or spray made specifically for the problem. I use DE (FOOD GRADE) in their coops, nest boxes, and dust bathing areas and have had not problems...I like to prevent rather than treat. I also dump my wood stove ashes in the garden which they also dust bathe in and then "till" into the soil for me.

I did physically dust (with DE) a rescue chicken that had a huge infestation of feather mites (her feathers were actually falling apart in my hands). I dusted her two days in a row and I refreshed all the DE in the coop and dusting areas. Everyone is fine and no mites in sight!

That's what I do
sandra

 

[Chicken_Lover]

If dust is an issue for you, try mixing the (food grade) DE in water and spray it.

 

[pegbo]

Hi all! Thanks for clueing me in on DE. I was told by a store owner[farm store] and glad I didn't buy it. What I'd really like to do is make my babies a big dusting bath that they could use winter or summer. I'm in NY so I'd have to cover it up when not in use. Occasionally they will use their shavings but it doesn't work well.

 

[dlhunicorn]

Quote:
DE 's abrasive action will ONLY work if it is dry.

 

[Chicken_Lover]

Lapping compounds (a mechanical abrasive, like DE) are mixed with water to use.

Besides, the water will evaporate, leaving the DE where it was applied.

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

I've also heard that the way DE is suppose to work is that it cuts and then absorbs vital bug juices, so they die. I guess the question is, if it gets wet and the water evaporates, is the DE in the exact same condition it was prior to water absorption? Is it still able to cut / absorb the bugs as well as before? Anybody a chemical scientist or married / friends with one?

 

[Chicken_Lover]

" Wet Application: Mix with water at the rate of 2 oz. per quart of water (one oz. is about 8 level teaspoons). To help keep it in suspension, add one teaspoon of mild detergent and agitate the sprayer now and then while applying. "

Source: http://www.permaguard.com/animal.html

 

[SandraChick]

As chickenlover is demonstrating...wet application is one of several suggested methods of application by the producers....it's also been suggested that it can be used on wood buildings and will give a "white" appearance to the wood, but that the DE is effective once the water evaporates.

Now, unlike chickenlover, I can't give you any links cuz I did the research on DE too long ago and didn't keep track!

Sandra