~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Natural diatomaceous
earth (DE) is the remains of microscopic one-celled
plants (phytoplankton) called diatoms that lived in the
oceans and lakes that once covered the western part of
the US and other parts of the world. These deposits are
mined from underwater beds or from ancient dried lake
bottoms. Diatoms (DE) are the grass of the oceans and
lakes. Just as grass is the staple food of earth
animals. Diatoms (algae) are the food of the ocean or
fresh water grazers.
Diatomaceous earth is
mined, milled, and processed into a myriad of types for
a large variety of uses. Filtering and filler are two
main uses but diatomaceous earth also ends up in paints,
cosmetics, drugs, chemical insecticides, etc. Because
the milling produces different sized and shaped
particles, it is important not to use the filtering type
for agricultural purposes.
Garden or Pool Filter
Grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is commonly used to
control garden pests such as ants. Pool filter grade
diatomaceous earth has been heat and chemically treated
and will poison an
animal or human who ingests it. It is NOT to be used for
consumption by animals or humans. It is always of
utmost importance to only obtain food grade
diatomaceous earth to use in and around your
household.
Food Grade Diatomaceous
Earth (DE) is EPA
approved to be mixed with grains to control mealworms
and other pests and has been exempt
from tolerance requirements as an inert, inactive
ingredient in chemical pesticides.
-
Diatomaceous
earth is EPA approved against indoor and outdoor
crawling insects.
-
Diatomaceous
earth is USDA approved as an anti-caking agent for
animal feed.
-
Diatomaceous
earth is FDA approved for internal and external use
Diatomaceous
earth has been used for at least two decades as a
natural wormer for livestock. Some believe diatomaceous
earth scratches and dehydrates parasites. Some
scientists believe that diatomaceous earth is a
de-ionizer or de-energizer of worms or parasites.
Regardless, people report definite control. To be most
effective, food grade diatomaceous earth must be fed
long enough to catch all newly hatching eggs or cycling
of the worms through the lungs and back to the stomach.
A minimum of 60 days is suggested by many, 90 days is
advised for lungworms.
Food grade
diatomaceous earth works in a purely physical/mechanical
manner, not 'chemical' and thus has no chemical
toxicity. Best yet, parasites don't build up a
tolerance/immunity to its chemical reaction, so rotation
of wormers is unnecessary.
Read More... (PDF - 2 pages)
