Diatomaceous Earth Instructions

WHAT IS IT?
Diatomaceous earth, an organic and natural product, is mined in the American West. It was formed from trillions of microscopic one-celled algae called diatoms, which weave tiny shells for themselves out of the silica they extract from water.

As the diatoms die, these shells settle in deposits at the bottom of ancient lakes and lagoons. When the lakes dry up and the seas recede, the deposits are fossilized and compressed into a soft, chalky rock called diatomaceous earth.

After it is quarried, milled, finely ground and passed through a screen, it feels and looks like flour and can safely be fed to animals, or used as a dust or spray.

Diatomaceous earth particles are characterized by their very irregular shapes, generally spiny structure and pitted surface area. They average only 5 to 20 microns in diameter, yet have a surface area several times greater than any other mineral with the same particle size. Diatomaceous earth contains about 33% silica - the main ingredient in a diatom's skeleton - plus sodium, titanium, magnesium, boron, copper, strontium, manganese, vanadium, gallium and other trace elements, including aluminum, iron, calcium and zirconium.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS - IMPORTANT!
When spraying or dusting, use a mask and goggles to keep particles out of your nose and eyes. The sharp edges which destroy the insects can irritate the eyes and respiratory system.

LAWN AND GARDEN
Diatomaceous earth can be applied as a dust or mixed into a slurry for foliar spraying. It can be used as a barrier to crawling pests or dusted/sprayed onto foliage for control of soft-bodied insects as well as ants, cockroaches, silverfish, etc.

Dust in the late evening or at night, to reduce harm to beneficial insects. Because the substance is so dry, dusting works best after a light rain or after plants have been sprayed with a fine mist of water. Dusting should progress upward from the ground, covering all stems and leaves, especially the undersides of the leaves and stems.

Diatomaceous earth can also be applied wet. Using a five-gallon sprayer, place a teaspoonful of Safer soap or another sticker-spreader in a quart of warm water. Put 1/4 pound diatomaceous earth in the sprayer, and add the soap mixture. Then top off with water. Make sure to keep the solution agitated as you spray.

To protect your fruit trees, sprinkle a liberal amount of diatomaceous earth on the ground around the trunks. Also paint the tree trunks with a mixture of Safer soap (above), diatomaceous earth and water. This protective buffer zone will impede the migration of various fruit tree flies (maggot stage) and worms, as well as Japanese beetles (grub stage).

When used as a barrier for earwigs, snails, slugs, etc., diatomaceous earth must be kept dry to be effective.

As a lawn insecticide, diatomaceous earth is a potent deterrent to grubs, chinch bugs, cutworms and other soil insects. Apply the dust four times a year at a rate of 25 pounds per 1500 square feet.

Earthworm farmers find 100% diatomaceous earth effective in controlling parasites in worm beds. Because earthworms are structurally different from insects, they can digest particles of diatomaceous earth and then eliminate them in their castings.

DUST FOR LICE AND FLEA CONTROL
Diatomaceous earth is used as a dust against fleas, lice and other external pests on pigs, dogs, cats and chickens. Use full strength as a talcum powder to rub into dog and cat coats and in dusting boxes for chickens.

PARASITE CONTROL IN ANIMALS
A purely natural product, diatomaceous earth's action against insects is strictly mechanical. The microscopically sharp edges of the ground product contact the offending organisms and pierce their protective coatings. The parasites then dry out in a few hours and die, passing harmlessly through your animal's digestive system and into the manure pile.

SUGGESTED FEEDING RATES
Beef Cattle:     1% by weight of total dry ration, or free choice.
Calves:            4 grams in morning milk.
Dairy Cattle:    1 % by weight of total dry ration, or free choice.
Chickens:        5% in feed.
Dogs:              1 tablespoon per day for large dogs (over 55 lbs); 1 teaspoon per day for small dogs and puppies.
Goats:             1% in grain.
Horses:           5 oz. (1 cupful) in daily ration per horse.
Sheep:            1 % in grain.

FLY CONTROL
Diatomaceous earth can be applied as a dust or spray to control massed flies in pastures, in and around trees, grounds and buildings. It is best applied at night when the air is calm. Pyrethrin may be added for quick knock-down of insects without risk of spreading toxins to milk. Dust on 15 to 40 lbs per acre (20-25 lbs in quiet air) and use the same rate for enclosed spaces. For liquid spray, mix two lbs per gallon of water.

GRAIN STORAGE
Some grain and flour mills have replaced chemicals like Malathion with diatomaceous earth to aid in the prevention of insect damage to the stored grains and seeds. The most effective protection will be achieved if grain or seed is treated immediately after harvest by lightly coating the outside of all kernels with dust. The best way is to apply the powder directly onto the grain either at the bottom of an elevator leg or as it is being moved into storage by auger or conveyer belt, using seven pounds of diatomaceous earth for each ton of grain. Barley, corn, buckwheat, oats, rice, rye, wheat, sorghum and mixtures of these grains may be treated in this manner.

             ONLY USE PURE FOOD GRADE DE
      Please do not use Pool Grade DE for anything except pool filters!
                   It has a different make-up and is toxic if ingested!