So you want to know what diatomacious earth is and how it works?

[Bear Foot Farm]

I also add it to their feed for worm control

It doesn't kill internal parasites
It ONLY works when it's dry​

 

[Tomhusker]

Quote:
It doesn't kill internal parasites
It ONLY works when it's dry

There seems to be folks on both sides of this argument on this site. There are enough members here that it might be possible to do some kind of informal study on whether or not it does work. It might take a little time to do, and results would have to be taken as presented, but it might shed some more light on the subject.

 

[GrumpyOldMan]

Quote:
It doesn't kill internal parasites
It ONLY works when it's dry

There seems to be folks on both sides of this argument on this site. There are enough members here that it might be possible to do some kind of informal study on whether or not it does work. It might take a little time to do, and results would have to be taken as presented, but it might shed some more light on the subject.

Local feed store only had “feed” grade so I bought the “only” bag (7# bag) they had. It’s the brown stuff. I sprinkled some around (not in) their food bowl for fly control and in the hay in the coop for fly control / dehydration of poop and to see if it has any effect on odder. If it works as promised I’ll buy some “food” grade off the Internet. Feed store is very proud of this stuff; it was $22.00 for the 7 # bag. I can get “food” grad shipped for less.

Just ordered 50 # of This

 

[Schultz]

Quote:
It doesn't kill internal parasites
It ONLY works when it's dry

Oh brother!

Based on some joe blow at somestupid university's only study they ever tryed on it. I have EXPERIENCE with the stuff using it for just this purpose. It works very well and my chickens and turkeys have never had a problem with worms since we started using it.

 

[aprophet]

Quote:
It doesn't kill internal parasites
It ONLY works when it's dry

I live in between the great dismal swamp NWR and the marshes of the Elizabeth river ,it is not only humid here 60%++ but it is wet on top of being humid. I have been trying to use DE for about 2-3 weeks it helps some but it does not seem to work as well as just the fly strips. So there may be something to it needing to be dry/stay dry for it to work it just don,t seem like it has changed much here

 

[TiaView]

It DOES kill worms in a dogs intestinal tract better than any chemical. I know this because I am looking at the top show dog and beloved family member who's life it saved. There are many dog folks that use it with unquestionable results. The mushers use it for their sled dogs...I'll find the article. They were losing dogs due to worm infestation and started carrying DE (food grade). Now they don't lose dogs to worms. It works as an absorbant...not just as a dry product.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Oh brother! Based on some joe blow at somestupid university's only study they ever tryed on it.

There have been many studies.
Feel free to show one SCIENTIFIC study that say it's anything other than an insecticied.​

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

It works as an absorbant...not just as a dry product.

And that means it will NOT work when it's already wet

A wet sponge can't soak up water. It's the same principle​

 

[aprophet]

Quote:
And that means it will NOT work when it's already wet

A wet sponge can't soak up water. It's the same principle

it works by absorbing the moisture from whatever pest come in contact with it i.e maggots,flies etc if it is dry it works well if it is wet it is kina hard for something wet to absorb moisture

 

[GrumpyOldMan]

Quote:
And that means it will NOT work when it's already wet

A wet sponge can't soak up water. It's the same principle

Correct me if I’m wrong but here’s my take on it with my very limited research. It’s mostly Silica, 85% or higher. Silica is sand / glass and the sharp edges are what give it its kill action. It kills by removing the creatures protective coating. Silica can breakdown when wet but even the smaller pieces still have ‘sharp’ edges. This goes on and on down to most miscopy level. Correct? So I don’t see why it wouldn’t work after coming in contact with moisture / wet.