diatomaceous earth

Ron · November 14, 2005

I just started using DE in my birds food, from what I have read it is a good natural wormer as well as keeping insects from making a home in the food bin. I recently read somewhere (can't remember where now) That DE is used in some consumer products such as tooth paste, the artical also gave the scientific name that is used on the packaging, but I can't seem to find the artical anymore.

I have been thinking of giving it a shot myself, give myself a good worming lol

Ron

MsPigeon · November 14, 2005

Let me know how it works out for you Ron. There seems to be two extremes to the way people are reacting to the use of DE. Either they are immediately drawn to the warnings or the fact it is a natural pest control.

Carol

Ron · November 15, 2005

Let me know how it works out for you Ron. There seems to be two extremes to the way people are reacting to the use of DE. Either they are immediately drawn to the warnings or the fact it is a natural pest control.
Carol

I'll let you know how it goes Carol. The thing that has people scared (I think) is the filter grade stuff, the kind used in pool filters and the like, apperantly breathing it in will ruin your lungs in short order. The food grade stuff, is suposed ot be a lot safer and is the kind used for feeding to cattle and controling insects. We use it at work for insect control. I work in a food prossessing plant and food safty is very important, that's why we us DE. Common sense should always be used when working with any dust, wear a mask!

Another thing that seems to turn people off is the fact that DE causes microsopic cuts in insects, leading people to think that if it cuts bugs then it must be able to cut the gut.

just my thoughts

Ron

November 15, 2005

Well I was wondering how it killed insects that explains it D.E. is composed of fossilized sea creatures, Diatoms, as far as the microscopic cuts go insects breathe through their exoskeleton many common substances are harmful to insects as they cause damage to the waxy outer layer of their skin and impair their ability to breathe they arent really toxic just mechanically bad on them I dont know I dont see any need to give this to my birds but I am not willing to say I think its bad or it hurts them ???

November 15, 2005

P.S. I would also like to know how D.E. stacks up against activated charcoal as the textures are similar

MsPigeon · November 15, 2005

I agree, common sense is the key here... It does not have to be an everyday thing, 360 days out of the year. I figure one more gun in my arsenal to fight parasites and disease can't hurt. Variety is a GOOD thing, even in parasite control.

Carol