What is Diatomaceous earth (DE)?
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is sourced from diatomite, a soft sedimentary rock. Diatomite is made from the fossilized shells of a major group of algae known as diatoms. Diatoms have a single cell, and a unique feature is that they are enclosed within a cell wall made of silica. Diatoms are the primary food source for marine life. They have been part of the earth’s ecology since prehistoric times and they still exist today in both salt and fresh waters all over the world.
Diatomaceous Earth is composed of 33% silicon, 19% calcium, 5% sodium, 3% magnesium and 2% iron, as well fifteen other trace minerals like boron, manganese, titanium, copper and zirconium.
In the past, humans and animals were able to consume enough silica in food, but as modern hybrid foods and toxic soil became a reality, studies suggest that only about 1/3 of the silica that we need is present in our fruits and vegetables. Silica is a necessary component for the health of tendons, cartilage, blood vessels, and bones. It is also needed for healthy skin, teeth and nails. It even contributes to the health of almost all of our vital organs.
Benefits of diatomaceous Earth (DE):
Diatomaceous earth can help your pet’s health (and yours!). You can also use it in your home and in the garden. And it’s safe to use around your dog and other pets.
Internal Parasites — Diatomaceous earth can eliminate roundworms, whipworms, pinworms, and hookworms in your dog. It can work in as little as 7 days of daily feeding. To be most effective, you should feed diatomaceous earth for at least 30 days. That’ll make sure you get rid of all newly hatching eggs. And it will catch the cycling of the worms through the lungs and back to the stomach. It will not kill heartworms.
External Parasites — Another use for diatomaceous earth is killing external parasites and insects. You can do this by dusting your dog’s skin with diatomaceous earth. If you have a flea infestation, you’ll also need to sprinkle it on his bedding and carpeted areas.
Detoxification — Some sources report that diatomaceous earth may absorb methyl mercury, E. coli, endotoxins, viruses, organophosphate pesticide residues, drug residues, and protein. It may even remove the proteinaceous toxins from some intestinal infections. There’s research showing it can remove heavy metals from waste water. This means diatomaceous earth can be very useful as a detox solution, digestive aid and colon cleanser.
Caution: ensure you never inhale DE. It is especially dangerous to the lungs if it is in a crystalline form, or if it has been heated to a high temperature. Take precautions not to inhale the dust of the fine white powder. When taking it, stir it into liquid. Do not take it as a dry powder, or sprinkled onto food as a dry powder.
INSECT CONTROL
To insects DE is a lethal dust with microscopic razor sharp edges. These sharp edges cut through the insect’s protective covering drying it out and killing them when they are either dusted with DE or if it applied as a wettable powder spray. If they ingest the DE it will shred their insides. Can be used on insects, flea and lice control, bed bugs, grain storage, parasite control in animals (use in feed) and fly control.
• Diatomaceous Earth may be used as a barrier to control adult flea beetles, sawfly, coddling moth, twig borer, thrips, mites, cockroach, slugs, snails and many other insects such as:
• Aphids, thrips, earwigs, silverfish, ants, spider mites and many other insects. Can be used for bedbugs, cabbage root flies, carrot root flies, fleas, pillbugs, ticks and is helpful in dealing with fungus gnats.
• Indoor and Outdoor Application: Sprinkle a light layer of DE in areas where pests frequent, including under stoves, cabinets, sinks, garbage cans, window and door frames and sills,entrance ways, sewer pipes and drains, and in cracks and crevices. Repeat treatment as needed.
• Carpet Beetles: Thoroughly dust along baseboards, carpet edges, under furniture, carpet, and rugs, and in closets and shelving.
• Bedbugs: Take apart bed and dust joints and channels. Dust any hollow tubing and the interior framework as well as the mattress and all cracks in the room.
• Fleas: Thoroughly dust carpets and pet’s bedding and sleeping areas, as well as cracks and baseboards. It also can be rubbed into your pet’s fur.
• Flies: Thoroughly dust areas where flies frequent (walls, straw bedding, livestock pens). It also can be applied to livestock coat as an insect repellent/contact insecticide.
• Fly Larva: Keeps fly larvae from developing in manure, which makes a significant reduction in the fly population.