Diatomaceous Earth - does anyone use this?

Elle Jay · **Posted:** Fri Mar 09, 2012 9:26 am

I was reading some reviews of Diatomaceous Earth, where people claimed it was great for preventing worms in chooks (you can put it in their food) and also dust the chooks with it and put it in their pen to get rid of fleas and lice. Does anyone here use this? Is it really effective?

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Fri Mar 09, 2012 9:55 am

Hi, Elle Jay,

I haven't used it but know many people who do for natural pest control. The food grade Diatomaceous Earth is added to the animal's chooks even your dogs food so flies don't sit on their droppings, also can be used for fleas, mites, worming etc

Our local stockfeed doesn't have it and I don't know where you can buy in in Melbourne, but you can buy it on line from

http://www.fossilpower.com.au/

The website gives you more information about DE and it's uses.

nic · **Posted:** Fri Mar 16, 2012 6:57 am

Hi Ellie Jay, I have used it on my chooks with excellent results. both in their food, and as a dusting powder for lice. It is a totally natural product that works by physical action, not chemical, definately look it up online for more info, but its well worth the effort to find someone who sells it. My advice though, is to get a large bag, as it works out far cheaper in the long run. For anyone on the North Coast NSW, the Mullumbimby Co-op sells it for $9 per kilo, or a 23 kg bag for about $145(for memory), Cheers!

Ian Clayton · **Posted:** Fri Mar 16, 2012 10:02 am

Hi

I have used DE and sold a lot of DE we used to own a stockfeed business. I have used it to worm cattle, chooks and dogs and humans with good results. DE also contains many other minerals that are vital to your animals and your health and wellbeing. It is essential that you only use food grade DE and not the swimming pool filter DE that has been heat and chemically treatred. There is plenty of good information available on the net.

We have recently moved from Far Nth Qld to Tas and I'm looking for a supplyer if anyone knows of one in Tas.

Regards

Ian

parvo · **Joined:** Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:39 pm **Posts:** 735

Don't believe all the hype- all anecdotal and very little-no scientific proof.
For example, how does it kill internal parasites by physical action ( ie the sharp edges supposedly slice through the exoskeleton of the parasite) but don't tear the intestinal lining which is much softer?- makes no sense to me!

And if it is so safe, why do you have to wear a mask when handling it- yet it is safe for birds to dust bathe in??

If you use it and you are having good results then fine- keep using it. (My question still remains, how do you know it is working? Do you get regular faecal tests done to check for worms?)

But personally I would not rely on it as my main source of anti-parasite protection.

It has received a real lift in exposure recently and several new products have been produced and marketed specifically for birds

Cindys334 · **Joined:** Sun Jan 08, 2012 4:15 pm **Posts:** 39

I've been using DE in my pen for about a week now. We have had terrible problems with mites from wild birds and they were everywhere no matter how much i sprayed. I have put down rice hulls to keep things dry and then applied the DE over that - no mites ! [smilie=a_cookiemonster.gif]

You are advised to wear a mask because it is a fine powder and it is not recommended you breath it in, like any powder.

I think I'll be still doing my own worming and i can't honestly see how that works for internal parasites, but for mites and lice - wonderful !

Cheers
Cindy

Homecoops · **Joined:** Mon Apr 09, 2012 1:03 pm **Posts:** 1

Can I ask please where do you buy it from?

I am in Wollongong

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Mon Apr 09, 2012 6:04 pm

Homecoops wrote:

Can I ask please where do you buy it from?

I am in Wollongong

You can purchase DE from

http://www.fossilpower.com.au/Order.html

Cindys334 · **Joined:** Sun Jan 08, 2012 4:15 pm **Posts:** 39

Yep thats the place

Wonderful stuff - there are people that say they won't use it because you are recommended to wear a mask but if you read the Pestene container you are suppose to wear a mask with that too (its sulphur based) and to be honest i would rather breath in this stuff than the sulphur in pestene (mainly because i'm allergic to sulphur).

So far so good, looking to see how long before i have to redo when the rain comes, they tell you that you will need to reapply once it gets wet.

Cindys334 · **Joined:** Sun Jan 08, 2012 4:15 pm **Posts:** 39

I am hoping that the local wild bird population will take to dustbathing in my yard and be mite free should be a winner all round then

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