Question about diatomaceous earth

[ivan3]

Amorphous Diatomaceous Earth (ADE) is GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) by both the FDA & the EPA (<1% crystalline silica) (EPA requires a different label when sold as an insecticide). It can be used in the home. Pool Grade Diatomaceous Earth (heated until it melts into a `glass' and crushed) is approx. 20% crystalline silica and prolonged exposure can result in Silicosis.

ADE is a desiccant and will ABSORB between 4 and 6 times its wt. in water (is mined around the world and there is some slight variation). However, the primary mechanism of action by which it kills insects is ADSORPTION, eroding the waxy outer lipid layer of an insect's chitinous exoskeleton (a process that continues after the insect is dead - NO movement/NO friction, i.e., it doesn't `cut the bug up'). It is more effective when humidity is lower (adheres to bug primarily through static charge). It is slow acting and effectiveness varies by species/environment. It is a relatively effective/relatively benign desiccant/insecticide. Paying more than $25.00 for 50lb. might not be the most efficient utilization of capital. However, we find it to be useful mixed into bedding/dirt bathing areas and it does cut down on flying insect pests (worthless against Wood Roaches).

As a food additive (has been tried as a probiotic in Africa) there is some evidence that it reduces uptake of some nutrients. As a wormer? Still waiting for precise mechanism of action to be described (research in ruminants has pointed to no reduction in parasites).

A useful adjunct if one can get it cheap at a feedstore

 

[chickengeorgeto]

.... Pool Grade Diatomaceous Earth (heated until it melts into a `glass' and crushed) is approx. 20% crystalline silica and prolonged exposure can result in Silicosis.

You didn't read the link I provided. The link discuses acquired silicosis in humans as a result of the mining or extraction of DE from the environment.

The MSDS for garden variety Diatomaceous Earth
http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9923703

 

[ivan3]

chickengeorgeto wrote: You didn't read the link I provided. The link discuses acquired silicosis in humans as a result of the mining or extraction of DE from the environment.

I read them and addressed the issue in the second sentence of my post. Let's examine the information from one link: Food Grade (amorphous) DE is NOT (crystalline) heated to melting (calcined) in the presence a fluxing agent; the product of which is cooled and crushed to create a white glistening (~20% ground glass) powder that is used in pool filters, and has led to multiple lawsuits by workers exposed daily during the manufacturing process without the required safety gear (good masks/showers/change of clothes). ADE is mined, cleaned, and bagged up. It is grayish white and dull in appearance (amorphous not crystalline) Don't get me wrong, an N-95 rated mask is recommended for clean-out of coops - but the concern is Histoplasmosis, not Silicosis. My only problem with ADE is marketing (from rancher to backyarder it's sometimes oversold/priced). We pay $25 for 50lb.- in the back of the feedstore, on a bottom shelf, I found a 2lb. bag of `safe' insectide $8.95. I checked the label - only ingredient was ADE (for use in home on pet beds/under counters, etc.). This matches a slightly more refined, commercial, effort by Celite Corp. to market an insecticide for cattle/feed `Durafil 610' also nothing but ADE. Below is a copy of the letter sent from the EPA to Celite about the labeling (as I mentioned in my first post the EPA requires different labeling if ADE is marketed as an insecticide rather than food additive/desiccant/anti-clumping agent).

ADE is not the only sorptive dust (slow death by aDsorption) that will kill insects but is the safest and (usually) cheapest.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

For mites I recommend the permethrin dust from the feed store and repeat in 7 days. Also treat coop. You can put it in a tied-off old sock and make sure to get under wings, vent area, abdomen, and everywhere except the face.

If I don't get rid of the nestbox shavings they come right back.

I use DE in their dust bath in the summer when I don't have woodstove ashes to give them. But I don't recommend it for an infestation.

 

[dawg53]

Is DE all it's cracked up to be? I mean I've heard that it is the best thing since sliced bread. Everything from killing mites to de-worming to cake receipts. I don't know, it just seems too good to be true! My flock has mites, for the first time in 8 years of raising chickens, and I'm looking at how to treat them.

Take it from a fellow Dawg, use sevin dust.

 

[jjdward]

Thanks guys! all this is good stuff! I put out some Sevin dust in the coop and nest boxes. I'm going to dust the girls tonight. GO DAWGS!!

 

[4 the Birds]

+1

Well stated. DE works well in our livestock barns dusting on the bedding. It is supplied in many feed stores for the purpose to dust in livestock barns. It is relatively cheap to buy in bulk. As with anything airborne.... wear a dust mask when you spread. I wear a dust mask even when raking and spreading straw and hay. Even dust from sand in the coop and run can be an irritant for the lungs.

I read them and addressed the issue in the second sentence of my post. Let's examine the information from one link:



Food Grade (amorphous) DE is NOT (crystalline) heated to melting (calcined) in the presence a fluxing agent; the product of which is cooled and crushed to create a white glistening (~20% ground glass) powder that is used in pool filters, and has led to multiple lawsuits by workers exposed daily during the manufacturing process without the required safety gear (good masks/showers/change of clothes). ADE is mined, cleaned, and bagged up. It is grayish white and dull in appearance (amorphous not crystalline) Don't get me wrong, an N-95 rated mask is recommended for clean-out of coops - but the concern is Histoplasmosis, not Silicosis.

My only problem with ADE is marketing (from rancher to backyarder it's sometimes oversold/priced). We pay $25 for 50lb.- in the back of the feedstore, on a bottom shelf, I found a 2lb. bag of `safe' insectide $8.95. I checked the label - only ingredient was ADE (for use in home on pet beds/under counters, etc.). This matches a slightly more refined, commercial, effort by Celite Corp. to market an insecticide for cattle/feed `Durafil 610' also nothing but ADE. Below is a copy of the letter sent from the EPA to Celite about the labeling (as I mentioned in my first post the EPA requires different labeling if ADE is marketed as an insecticide rather than food additive/desiccant/anti-clumping agent).

ADE is not the only sorptive dust (slow death by aDsorption) that will kill insects but is the safest and (usually) cheapest.

 

[weezilgirl]

DE has to be dry to be effective. Feeding it to anything wets it and the little "barbs" that make it work for some things are gone.

 

[EP Minerals]

weezilgirl: Getting DE wet doesn't render it ineffective. It's made from diatoms: single-celled aquatic plants that are millions of years old.

 

[aggiemae]

weezilgirl: Getting DE wet doesn't render it ineffective. It's made from diatoms: single-celled aquatic plants that are millions of years old.

Yep... Either way (wet or dry) DE is pretty useless for anything.