What is Diatomaceous Earth?
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Beef Cattle |
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1% by weight of dry ration |
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Cats |
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½ teaspoon / day |
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Horses |
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½ - 1 cup in daily ration |
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Chickens |
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5% in feed |
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Large Dogs |
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1 tablespoon / day |
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Small Dogs |
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1 teaspoon / day |
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Sheep |
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1% in ground grain |
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Goats |
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1% in grain |
Rub powder at full strength into the coat for fleas and sprinkle on bedding 1 tsp. per daily ration, rub at full strength into coat for fleas and sprinkle on bedding. Diatomaceous Earth can be used as a dust or spray for control of flies and other insects in buildings, on pastures, crops and trees.
PARASITE CONTROL
DE has been used for at least two decades as a natural wormer for livestock. It is believed that the DE scratches and dehydrates parasites. Some scientists believe that the DE is a de-ionizer or de-energizer of the worms or parasites. Regardless of the method of operation, farmers report definite control. For effective use, the DE must be fed long enough to catch all the newly hatching eggs or cycling of the worms through the lungs and back to the stomach. A minimum of 60 days is suggested at 2% of dry weight of the grain ration. Caution: do not give to very small pregnant animals such as cats, guinea pigs, etc. and do not feed continually to babies or very small adult animals such as cats, hamsters, etc. The material may be fed on a continuous basis to larger livestock for continuous parasite control and mineralization which is the next major use.
If you began feeding DE to your poultry and noticed a gain in production, what could the gain be attributed to? The obvious answer would be that the DE reduced the parasite population which resulted in decreased stress on the animal and increased food assimilation. But what about the "mineral" content of the DE? If oyster shell meal provides calcium, then finely ground DE may also provide a broad-spectrum of naturally occurring cheated minerals. These include calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphate, sodium, titanium, potassium and others. Numerous reports of gain have been reported when adding DE: to a ration. With lack of mineralization in modern grains, it isn't hard to conceive of mineral benefits from a finely ground natural mineral product. An Alabama study on hogs showed complete stopping of wood feeder chewing when DE was added to the feed ration. Feeding at 2% of grain ration can take care of both de-worming and mineralization. Most livestock will acquire a "taste" for the mineral if a small amount is mixed in with other feed. After acquiring a "taste" for DE they may take it free-choice.
DEODORIZATION/ABSORPTION
The third major farm use can be an added benefit from the first two uses. Deodorizing and absorption are natural functions of DE. These will continue to happen as undigested DE passes through with manure. Reduced fly hatching is usually observed in manure from fed DE. Some hog farmers are also spreading it in bedding (for odor and moisture control) in addition to that coming through the manure.
FLY CONTROL/INSECTICIDE
Fly control is a major problem with livestock operations. DE can be placed in tightly woven burlap bags and hung in doorways. Livestock will be attracted to it and work the bag until their heads are covered with powder which repels flies. In closed areas, DE can be fogged with hand cranked or electric foggers to wipe out flies. Since the DE "kill" is always mechanical in nature, it is important that the material come in direct contact with the insect. Mixing DE with things flies are attracted to around the farm may cause them to ingest DE in their attempts to eat the attractant. Besides fly control, DE can be used as an insecticide on most crops. In 1943 the USDA found that DE had an 86% mortality against pea weevil. On California cotton fields, DE was found to be more effective than insecticides and the yield was substantially increased (Tucker, 1978). Other tests indicate that DE is effective in controlling aphids, brown mites, red spider mites, twig bores, oriental fruit moths and coddling moths in orchards (Alien, 1972: DeCrusta, 1979). Field use of DE had several problems not sticking to the vegetation is the main one. Apply DE when plants are moist from natural or artificial sources to aid sticking but re-application is usually necessary after a heavy rain.
Dust after rain, overhead irrigation, or after a heavy dew to increase sticking of the powder. Dust plant upward from the ground, covering all stems, top and underside of leaves. For enclosed area use 1/2 to 3/4 pound per 1000 square feet. Hang dust bags in doorways of barns, milking parlors, etc. Sprinkle in areas where ants and roaches are present or areas in which they run, such as baseboards, under sinks, etc.
As a Spray: Mix two pounds per gallon of water with a wetting agent. Rates as low as 1/4 pound per 5 gallons water with a wetting agent has been effective. Be sure to keep mixture agitated.

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918-367-9792 |
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Kill’em Right |
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Insects will not become immune to it’s action |
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Kill bugs the Earth friendly way |

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