lime for fly control

[Bear Foot Farm]

It seems to me if DE killed worms, it would also kill earthworms

Exactly.
It's amazing how many people will post a site praising DE, and it will say "kills internal parasites", then further down the page it says "Safe for your garden, won't harm earthworms"

It's a good mechanical insectide, a good absorbent, and a good filtering material.
It really doesn't do anything else​

 

[dixie&trixie]

The flys at my place just disgust me. My chickens free range in my back yard so can i just sprinkle it all over the yard? I also have a dog and 2 cats that hang out back there too, will it hurt them? I have a bag of DE but havent used it yet. Im scared too.....suggestions on application please

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

My chickens free range in my back yard so can i just sprinkle it all over the yard? I also have a dog and 2 cats that hang out back there too, will it hurt them? I have a bag of DE but havent used it yet. Im scared too.....

You can spread it all over the yard, but it will do the most good in the coop and run where droppings are concentrated.
It won't harm you other animals.

The DE won't do anything at all once it's wet​

 

[BlackBart]

We always use lime on the manure piles.
Keeps the smell and flies down and changes the PH so it rots faster.
I have used DE but I think lime works better and doesn't kill bees. Mites don't like lime.

Some farmers/hobby farmers have started using predator wasps for fly control. It takes about three years for total control and must be seeded every year but it works very well.
One Dairy farm I visited had used the predators for five years and there was not a fly around.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
There's not one word of truth on that site.
DE will NOT work when it's wet, so as soon as it goes in your mouth, it's worthless.

It's simple science

you might be right, I know nothing about the science behind it but why is it they use DE in pool filters and in fish tanks then? Seem pretty wet to me in a pool??

Industrial grade is used for filtration, not dessication (drying), and is significantly heat processed after mining, unlike food grade de with is mined, cleaned and ground.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
If it's "Food Grade" it won't hurt them to eat it, but it won't benefit them in any way either

DE contains a number of trace elements and minerals that can be beneficial. I am not one who believes that DE is a cure-all miracle as do many. Quite frankly, that is mostly marketing crap in my opinion. But it does have its uses. No, I don't deliberately feed DE (tried it, see no real difference other than the birds don't care for it and their droppings are drier). But it is great at killing flies and maggots if sprinkled in areas where they congregate and hatch.

 

[Peppermint]

The flies around here have been terrible. Is everyone having fly problems this year?

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

DE contains a number of trace elements and minerals that can be beneficial

.

That's what the folks selling it like to claim

Pure Food Grade DE is about 90% Silica , with a little Alumina and some Iron
Any "trace elements" would be contaminants

But it is great at killing flies and maggots if sprinkled in areas where they congregate and hatch.

That's the ONE thing it really does​

 

[crossedwires]

Quote:
It WILL kill insects on their bodies if you dust them with it
It's pointless to feed it to them. It is NOT a "dewormer" no matter how many people say it is
It's mixed with grain to control insects IN the grain, and that is why it was given a "Food Grade" rating

You'll find most of the sites that promote it as a wormer are also trying to SELL you some
There has never been a SCIENTIFIC study that proved it works internally.
If anyone can find one, I'd love to see it

i am undecided as to its value as a wormer but yes on occasion i use it,

but for those willing to totaly debunk it and saying " show me a scientific study" i have the following links to scientific studies

http://www.mtsylviadiatomite.com.au/mod/files/research/DE_Natural_Dewormer_Study.pdf

there are also studies that say DE is ineffective!

but its cheap and it dosnt harm the birds. also if you look at the table in the first link DE actualy contains small amounts of some very useful minerals.

 

[harryg6167]

The lime will work great and it will not affect the chickens.
Have used it for years and it is great for fly control and for controlling the smell
and it works pretty quick.