by Howard Garrett
Not long ago, I started talking about diatomaceous earth as an insecticide. Boy, was I a
genius. This stuff had only been around since near the beginning of time. It's been
nature's insecticide since than and its other uses are many. So why haven't the university
systems and all the gardening experts been recommending it for years?
More recently I started talking about using natural DE as a food supplement for animals.
The results are almost too good to believe - even for me, and the question again comes up
- why am I the only one recommending this stuff? Seems like the vets should be extolling
the virtues of DE from the highest hills.
Undaunted ( hard headed might be a better choice of words), I wrote about DE in the Dallas
Morning News and when I started the gardening show at WBAP, it was the main topic of
conversation. So much so that my boss told me that show was getting a little boring from
talking about DE every call. I didn't ask the questions - just answered them.
Natural diatomaceous earth (DE for short) is the remains of microscopic one-celled plants
(phytoplankton) called diatoms that lived in the oceans that once covered the western part
of the United States and other parts of the world. Huge deposits were left behind when the
water receded. They are now mined and have several important uses in toothpaste, beer
filtering, and swimming pool filters. DE is approximately 3% magnesium, 86% silicon, 5%
sodium, 2% iron and many other trace minerals such as titanium, boron, manganese, copper
and zirconium.
Natural DE also makes a very effective natural insecticide. The insecticidal quality of DE
is due to the razor sharp edges of the diatom remains. When DE comes contact with the
insects, the sharp edges lacerate the bugs' waxy exoskeleton and then the powdery DE
absorbs the body fluids causing death from dehydration. Said more simply, DE kills insects
by drying then up. You'll see how drying DE is if you handle it with bare hands.
There is no residual danger of contamination. In fact, DE is actually beneficial to the
soil. It's loaded with trace minerals. However, there are a few precautions. Diatomaceous
earth is very dusty and can cause lung problems if breathed heavily, so when applying it
dry always wear a good dust mask or stand up wind. The second precaution is that DE sold
for swimming pool filters is ineffective for insect control because it has been heated and
chemically treated. It won't kill insects and it is very dangerous to breathe. Finally
natural DE will kill beneficial insects too, so use it sparingly to kill problem
infestations of harmful insects and don't use it too often.
Diatomaceous earth can be applied in a variety of ways. to use for flea and tick control,
apply a light dusting over the lawn, in dog runs, around pet bedding or favorite resting
spots and sprinkle a little on your pet between baths of a mild herbal soap. Avoid Dips
and soaps containing chemical insecticides. It's also a good idea to avoid soaps that
contain ammonium laurel sulfate. It's used to make good studs but it is a skin irritant.
Check out your own soap and tooth paste while you're at it.
The best way to apply the dust over a large area is with a light weight apparatus such as
Dustin' Mizer, Spritzer or other similar blowers. Applying by hands can be done but wastes
a lot of material and will dry your skin. To apply with water, mix 1/4 cup of DE in a
gallon of water and apply to the lawn and/or shrubs where pest problems exist. It doesn't
hurt insects until it dries out.
One of the best uses of DE is to add it to animal food - pets or livestock. When used at
1% to 2% of the food volume, it controls internal parasites, increases digestion and
provides valuable trace minerals. You will usually see an overall increase in health of
any animals fed DE on a regular basis.
Here are some of the common questions I get on natural diatomaceous earth.
Is DE dangerous to my pets, me or my family?
Since DE is dusty and abrasive, it can cause lung damage if breathed heavily. remember,
however, that breathing any dusty materials can be dangerous. be sure to wear a dusk mask
if applying with a dry blower. Mixing into a water spray eliminates most of these
problems. DE will not hurt earthworms or beneficial soil microorganisms. DE is one of the
few pesticides in the world classified as non-toxic, although I'm not real comfortable
with the classification. I think anything can be toxic if over used or misused.
How much DE should I feed my animals?
Some of the feeding rations suggested by suppliers and users include: 1-2% by weight of DE
in ground, dry feed. 5% by weight in stored grain. 5 ounces ( one cup) daily ration for
horses. one tablespoon per day for large dogs (over 55 lb.). One teaspoon per day for
small dogs, cats and puppies.
Does spraying DE in a wet solution work as well as the dry dust?
The wet spray method does work but only after the liquid had dried. Mix from 1-4
tablespoons DE per gallon of water and spray on the lawn, shrubs, tree trunks and building
foundations. When the mixture dried, it has the same abrasive and dehydrating powers as
the original dry dust. When sprayed wet the material covers the foliage and other surfaces
better than dusting dry, thus giving better insect control. It seems to last longer when
applied wet, but the dry application is usually more effective at killing insects quickly.
DE has no insect killing power while it is wet.
Can I mix DE with other sprays?
Yes, it can be mixed with other organic products such as seaweed, fish emulsion, garlic
tea, and biostimulants. it would be silly to mix DE with chemical insecticides. In fact,
it's silly to use synthetic toxic pesticides for anything.
Is DE registered by the EPA and labeled for insect control?
Yes! Some people would have you believe that DE is untested, unlabeled and therefore
unsafe for use. That's just one of the feeble arguments left to the organiphobes. DE has
been used for years in the food processing industry to treat stored gains to eliminate
weevil and other insect infestations. There are currently dozen of registrations of DE
with the EPA for various insecticidal and food supplement uses. DE, with and without
pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide, is registered and labeled for fleas, ants, roaches and
many other pests.
Piperony butoxide (PBO) is a synthetic synergism that is added to increase the killing
power of the product. I do not recommend it for any use. Those wanting to avoid it can mix
pure pyrethrum and DE together at a 25% -75% ratio. Pyrethrum products that are available
include Natural Guard and ECOsafe . There is approximately 1% pyrethrin in natural
pyrethrum powder. Pyrethroids are synthetic insecticides. They do not resemble
natural pyrethrum and should not be used.
(note: ECOsafe was a tradename for Natural Animal)
If you would like more information, testimonials, or to purchase, call Fran Tully at
801-949-3570
With
a 100% satisfaction guarantee and a guarantee against damage, why consider any other
product?
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