What is a diatomacious earth?
Diatomaceous earth is made of fossil remnants of unicellular algae called diatoms. Diatoms have a two-part shell of silica, and this silica remains in the diatomaceous earth. The silica is abrasive, so diatomaceous earth is used to kill certain insect pests .. it cuts through the exoskeleton of the insect. Read more and see a picture here. http://www.ghorganics.com/DiatomaceousEa...
What is the effective difference between white DIATOMACEOUS EARTH and the tan/light brown DIATOMACEOUS EARTH ?
dart above has the right idea but some of the details are incorrect. Diatoms make a silica skeleton (not calcium) and the brown variety usually hasn't been filtered as much as the white. When ALL foreign material has been filtered out it's white. If it's light brown there is still traces of other matter besides the diatomaceous earth. The white is usually more effective because it's pure silica but often it costs a little more. As far as time--it's a contact killer so it should kill the insects once they crawl through it.
Where to buy food-grade diatomaceous earth?
We've recently moved to a house that is infront of a wooded area, and haven oticed a few fleas on our dogs. Where can I buy food-grade diatomaceous earth in person?
Can I put diatomaceous earth on my cat to kill fleas?
Can I put diatomaceous earth on my cat to kill fleas?Theoretically, yes, but be cautious. Before you do anything research the subject of safely killing fleas. This site makes some good points: You Should Never Do These Things When Treating Your Cat For FleasDiatomaceous earth is designed to control external and internal parasites on pet dogs and cats. It is a non-toxic substance (usually a white powder) made up from crushed fossils of freshwater organisms and marine life. It is said to be safe and fleas do not like it: Natural Flea Control for Cats with Diatomaceous Earth The food grade, rather than pool grade, diatomaceous earth is the grade that is recommended. However, there are side effects: dry skin, and potential irritation to eyes, nose, and throat. How Long Does Diatomaceous Earth Take to Kill Fleas? Furthermore, it lessens the flea problem but may not end it, and certainly not immediately. I looked up reviews (both use for human health and pet flea control) Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth 5 Lbs and found mixed reviews: 72% giving it 5 stars but obviously over 25% with reservations.Personally I would recommend consulting with your veterinarian before using anything. When we got Sasha and Velvet in 2008 our vet recommended Revolution. It appears to work well, and we still use it on our present cats, Velvet and Peach.I should point out that this response is from Canada and the date is June 2018. New products are being tested all the time, and some appear to be on the verge of coming to the marketplace. Also, there may be other safe brands available in your country which are not available to me. As I said, check with your vet to find what is recommended for flea control in your area, and also if there are any notable side effects.So, yes, you can use diatomaceous earth, but ask your vet if there is anything better available, especially given the side effects and mixed reviews for diatomaceous earth. Your pet deserves the best!Sasha was a believer in Revolution, but her favorite mosquito control was to open her mouth, catch them, and eat them! No pest control better than do-it-yourself in her humble opinion.
Difference between diatomaceous earth and diatom powder? or is there none?
Diatom powder is just ground up diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth (or DE) breaks up into tiny bits and powder very easily, and when done so it is called diatom powder.
Is Diatomaceous Earth safe to use inside around small children?
It Is Not Poisonous. It is only harmful if it gets into the eyes and if it is breathed into the lungs since it is actually the remains of ancient tiny sea creatures shells. I purchased some through the Only Natural Pet Store and one other natural products business. Both containers advise using goggles and a breath mask when applying the Diatomaceous Earth in large amounts. I prefer using cedar oil products from CedarCide. The PCO Choice is expensive but it is a concentrate and can go a long way if not mixed too strong, it is not deactivated by wetness as the D. Earth, and not so dangerous an irritant. It will highly irritate the eyes because the oil is suspended in a concentrated salt solution, and also should not be swallowed. It is not dangerous to good insects so it can be used on the outside of the home. I will not receive anything for passing on this info. Phone # 1-800-842-1464 or www.CedarCide.com. It is excellent as a flying insect repellent if applied in a thin paste around the door frame, which how I have used it to keep out flies, wasps , and mosquitoes. I think it may be possible that you could find, by internet research, that there are some essential oils, herbs, and spices to make your own pest repellents that would be safe and natural. May God bless and keep you all.
Is diatomaceous earth a respiratory irritant if inhaled?
Yes, if it wasn't food grade diatomaceous earth. The other kind is bad for lungs. Food grade is the only one that should have been used. The kind used for swimming pools is the bad for lungs kind. EDIT: Although it is mined from the ground, diatomaceous earth (DE) is not an earth, but fossilized deposits of microscopic shells that were created by single one-celled plants called "diatoms". The diatoms' most impressive skills are as shell builders, they are alchemists, changing dissolved silicon into a silica. http://www.diatomitecanada.com/diatomace... Diatomaceous Earth Different Types Fresh Water The kind of Diatomaceous Earth you want is referred to as natural food grade Diatomaceous Earth because it has NOT been altered in any chemical way. Natural Diatomaceous Earth is classified as amorphous silica. You only want to buy natural, fresh water sourced Diatomaceous Earth that has less than 1% crystalline silica. Diatomaceous Earth can be milled or processed in many ways. Diatomaceous Earth can be heated to a very high temperature (about 1000°C or 1800°F) and used for filtering but it is also used as a filler and can end up in paints, cosmetics, drugs, chemical insecticides, and other things. Further there are different grades or quality available, mostly there are 2 different fresh water grades available, superior which is the deeper lying and most pure form and then the top section which is used for the rolling material and other non essential uses. Salt Water Salt Water Diatomaceous Earth contains crystalline silica which is considered a hazard and can cause respiratory irritation and even silicosis. http://www.vitalorganics.co.za/diatomace...
If diatomaceous earth kills arthropods like e.g. squash bugs - will it not also dehydrate the squash it's sprinkled on?
No, it won't kill squash. It kills exoskeletal insects because it sticks to the bug and has microscopic sharp edges. When the insect moves past things the sharp edges scratch it's thin exoskeleton and create water losses. soon the bug dies of dehydration.Your squash won't be walking around except in animated cartoons. So, in those cartoons, the squash would dry out, except that's not an interesting plot. So that's still a no.
How do I get rid of brown ants in my house?
WATCH the Ants and find the tracks they use to gain access to the building, Ants use smell to create these ants highways from Ant nest to building,locate these runs and spay the ant paths the with weak bleach,, if you follow up this way,, and keep spaying these ant highways over a time your ant problem will fade away, The returning ants get lost and As loss of Ants to Ant colony will force ants to forage for food outside of areas around your home, , or shed ect, this works if you keep following ant runs with weak bleach spay over paths, walls outside , I use MILTON baby bottle cleaner bleach at about 1part bleach in 5 parts water and its safe around animals and on wall inside house , but will brown plants that are spayed so cover them first and spray around them If Ant colony is located in wall of your home/ building afraid your have to drill a hole and spray bleach in to wall cavity's around and in Ant nest to make them vacate the nest and relocated outside somewhere else, this methods works, As use it a lot,, to get ants to vacated,, My Giant tree dahlias flower beds outside front of my house, Ants just love to -plant aphids in Dahlias in late spring to farm them for the sugar aphids produce while sucking life out of my plants , so is battle I learn to win and get ants to move on ,And added bonus slugs and earwigs vacate as well for while, Please take care of how you use this method if you have small children and pets let spray dry before letting kids or pets back in area you bleached and Do not leave any of bleach mix lying around use it all up or PUT DOWN LOO [TOILET] keep remaking bleach mix on need to use bias ,Ants can be make to move to safer feeding areas with out need to wipe them out , or use insecticide