Diatomaceous Earth

I didn't know if I should put this here or in Food but anyone feed diatomaceous earth to their dogs and/or other animals? Successful outcome?


Diatomaceous Earth is a non-toxic, safe substance made up from crushed fossils of freshwater organisms and marine life. Crushed to a fine powder and observed through a microscope, the particles resemble bits of broken glass. Deadly to any insect and completely harmless to animals, fish, fowl or food. Most insects have a waxy outer shell covering their bodies, INSECT STOP scratches through this shell causing the insect to dehydrate leading to eventual death.

More and more people are putting diatomaceous earth in their animal feed. Ever wonder why?

Diatomaceous Earth mode of action for insect and parasite control is strictly mechanical. The microscopically sharp edges contact the insect or parasite, and pierce their protective coating, so they soon dehydrate and die. The larvae is affected in the same way. This makes Diatomaceous Earth an excellent and totally natural control, with no indicating of mechanical or chemical damage to the animal tissue. It can be used as a dust for fleas, lice and other external pests by rubbing into the coat of the animal.

Both internal and external parasite and insect pest control will result in improvement in health, appearance and behaviour, as well as assimilation of feed, which means improved weight gain and lowered feed cost.

Another use is in animal production units for the control of external parasites and flies. This is achieved by dusting the animals and the litter or bedding area. It has also been included in the diet (two per cent in the grain ration) to control certain internal parasites, and this practice is said to result in lower fly populations in the resulting manure.

http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/health/diatearth.htm

Comments

  • edited November -1
    That's different. If anyone ever looks at pictures of the stuff, they look like little alien UFOs. They are really cool. I thought the white cliffs of Dover had a high percentage of this stuff
  • edited November -1
    Very cool!! I would love to know more!
  • edited November -1
    If anyone is interested though, remember to get the food grade one.
  • edited November -1
    I found some more really cool info including human and house application on this website... there are tons more sites out there to read, but for now...

    http://wolfcreekranch1.tripod.com/defaq.html
  • edited November -1
    Anybody else watch 3-2-1-Contact! when they were kids (early 80s), and remember the bit about diatoms?

    I remember they said that diatoms were in all kinds of stuff, including chalk, so at school, I categorized a piece of chalk as animal and not mineral, and fought the teacher over it.

    That got me put in special classes. :D
  • edited November -1
    Hmm...first I've heard of it, very interesting.

    Cliff - lol.
  • edited November -1
    Dr. Pitcairn talks about it a bit for external parasite control (along with the assistance of ants!) for a bad case of fleas. I probably wouldn't want to use it internally, but I'll never say never.

    Cliff... nice.
  • edited November -1
    I've actually been reading more and considering getting some to take myself.
  • edited November -1
    Jen I actually checked out his book from the library and it's sitting on my desk lol. I should get around opening it up. As for internally/externally, most of the people I know thinks taking it externally is completely pointless.
  • edited November -1
    I would urge caution if you plan to spread it around. When used dry it is meant to be left undisturbed. The silicates can cause respiratory problems if inhaled and blown about or pushed out via vacuume without proper filtration. I don't know what the package states or the grade so be careful since the dogs sniff about.

    http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0552.html

    http://www.deq.state.or.us/er/docs/LowerBridge/DiatomaceousEarthFactSheet.pdf.

    here is some blogger info about it too
    http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/organic/msg060712572900.html

    Snf
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