Where do I buy diatomaceous earth?

[HilltopFarm]

I live in Northern NJ and am looking to buy it locally to avoid the shipping charges.

Any suggestions??

Thanks

 

[mykidsdaddy]

Swimming Pool Supplys! It is used for a filtering media.
I forgot to add...
Be careful when pouring it out of the bag. Diatoms are microscopic skeletons of sea creatures that lived millinnea ago. It isn't really "Earth" and it's not good to breathe it in.

 

[Peeplperson]

NO NO NO!!!

That's the wrong kind of DE. You need to get Food Grade DE. The kind for swimming pools will not work.

 

[mykidsdaddy]

I'm sorry!

I didn't know there is a food grade.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Swimming Pool Supplys! It is used for a filtering media.

This would be the wrong kind!! Never buy it from a swimming poor supply store. Go to custummilling.com DE should be PURE white not tan and should be safe enough for YOU to eat

 

[ChooksChick]

DO NOT GET IT FROM POOL STORES!!!!

If you have and haven't had bad luck with it, consider yourself lucky and stop while ahead.

The food grade is the only thing safe for your flock.

I get mine from a ritzy dog food store that carries natural pet foods and supplies- you might look for a place like that.

It's about $15 for 5#.

 

[ChooksChick]

Quote:
It's an easy mistake to make, don't sweat it.

We all learn as we go!

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

http://www.custommilling.com/

Here is the link to custommilling and it takes 2 days to reach you through the mail. It cost me 50 bucks for 50#'s (that includes shipping) but it's a year later and I'm STILL using it! It lasts forever if you don't over do it.

It's WELL worth the price.

 

[Davaroo]

Swimming pool DE will probably work to deter bugs and for general spreading around the place.

But you dont want to eat it. Neither should birds or animals.
That sort is treated with heat and chemicals and so is not something you want to consume. In small quantities, like with a general dusting to control insects, it probably presents no major problems. Sometimes we tend to blow things out of proportion....

But, because it is chemically treated, there exists the admonition to use only food grade DE. It is completely inert and there are no toxicity worries over it's presence, or it's use. It can be fed to your animals to prevent internal parastites and indeed you can eat it, too. So to avoid potential problems, it is the best sort to have.

 

[Peeplperson]

Sorry - Didn't mean to jump on you

We are all learning. I just found out on BYC that our local Lowe's carries food grade DE. It's also available on the internet, but can cost more to ship than to buy.

Good luck