Diatomaceous Earth (also known as diatomite or kieselgur)

[malanfj]

Has anyone ever used Diatomaceous Earth for parasite treatment?

It is said to kill by physical action, not chemical. First by being abrasive to the insects exoskeleton and absorbing its body fluids, thus posing no harm to warm-blooded life.

[GregH]

The use of Diatomacious Earth (Dolomite) in organic agriculture has a long history and the science appears to be sound. Even the CSIRO have investigated its effectiveness http://sgrl.csiro.au/storage/inert_dust ... _dusts.pdf. What this study shows is that it does depress insect numbers in stored grain except at high humidities. One thing it doesn't go into is that the product is not pure calcium magnesium cabonate - it contains very fine silica and as such does present a risk to the respiritory system. if you want to know about the safety of anything just use you r surch engine to pull up a materials saffety data sheet like the one at http://www.graymont.com/msds/MSDS_Dolom ... estone.pdf. The hazards to humans are not insignificant especially to the respiritory system (chemical pneumonitis and silicosis). Since birds have a much more efficent system of lung ventilation through the use of their air-sac network inhaled dolomite probably represents an even greater risk to them than it does to human and other animals. In short; dust yor seed with it if weevils are eating it but don't dust your birds.

[jusdeb]

Ive been looking into alternatives to chemicals in flea control and dia/earth has been mentioned as a way to get rid of fleas in carpet .
Dont have them in the carpet only a few on the critters since I dont know if dousing the dogs in the stuff will work the sites Ive visited swear by it for bedding and carpets .
Must be something in it

[gomer]

Is that what Pestene and flea powder is ?

[jusdeb]

Not sure Gomer I just googles natural alternatives for flea control ,,,,might google pestene now , you got my curiosity going.

Pestene Powder – for the treatment of mites, lice and fleas on birds, dogs, cats and horses.

Composition: Sulfur 50 g/kg, rotenone 10 g/kg.
Indications:Lice, mites and fleas in poultry, dogs, cats, horses, calves and goats.
Precautions Safety directions: Skin irritation may develop if contact is prolonged. Wash skin thoroughly with soap and water. Wash contaminated clothing after use.
First aid. If poisoning occurs, contact a doctor or Poisons Information Centre. Phone Australia 131 126. If swallowed, give 2 glasses of water. If eye contact occurs, hold eyes open and flood with water for at least 15 minutes. If inhaled remove from contaminated area and seek medical advice.
Withholding Periods: Meat. Poultry: 1 day. Eggs. Nil.
Directions for use: Apply weekly to animals, bedding and environment. Sprinkle liberally through coat or feathers and work into skin.
Presentation:Powder: 500 g.

[jusdeb]

Bio Spot Carpet Powder
Pyrethrins
Nylar
Linalool 16 oz. treats 1-2 rooms (200-400 sq ft). Kills adult fleas and ticks. Stops development of flea eggs
the above powder is for carpet the one you put on the dogs coat is pyrethrin , tea tree , piperonyl butoxide ( aristopet ).

Poor bloody dogs , they get frontline plus on the neck fortnightly ( under vets advice ) flea shampoo , flea powder some heavy duty flea spray in the kennel and under princess milly bed ....way too many chemicals I think but at the moment with the rain pushing the fleas out of the ground the poor buggers need some relief from the biting .

[finchbreeder]

Pyrethrin is natural. Derived from plants.
LML

[malanfj]

Thanx for the reply GregH

I've done some more research on the subject and found the following:

In my understanding, Wiki states that:

Diatomaceous earth also known as diatomite or kieselgur, is a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that is easily crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder. It has a particle size ranging from less than 1 micron to more than 1 millimeter, but typically 10 to 200 microns.[1] This powder has an abrasive feel, similar to pumice powder, and is very light, due to its high porosity. The typical chemical composition of oven dried diatomaceous earth is 80 to 90% silica, with 2 to 4% alumina (attributed mostly to clay minerals) and 0.5 to 2% iron oxide.[1]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth
&

Dolomite is the name of a sedimentary carbonate rock and a mineral, both composed of calcium magnesium carbonate CaMg(CO3)2 found in crystals. Dolomite rock (also dolostone) is composed predominantly of the mineral dolomite. Limestone that is partially replaced by dolomite is referred to as dolomitic limestone, or in old U.S. geologic literature as magnesian limestone. Dolomite was first described in 1791 as the rock by the French naturalist and geologist, Déodat Gratet de Dolomieu (1750–1801) for exposures in the Dolomite Alps of northern Italy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolomite

are two different things and are not related to each other.

Diatomaceous earth comes in two different forms:

Amorphous silica and Crystalline Syllica

What distinguishes them from one another is the nature of their atomic-scale structure

When Diatomaceous earth is arranged on a atomic-scale, it's called Crystalline Syllica. When it's not arranged and in it's natural state it's called Amorphous silica.

e.g. first pic Crystalline state, second Amorphous state:

image006.jpg

Amorphous silica is silica in its natural occurring state. It is a trace mineral every mammal on the planet needs to live. It becomes crystalline when it is exposed to extreme heat through volcanic activity or commercial manufacturing means. The type of diatomaceous earth used in swimming pool, and other, filtration systems is crystalline silica. Crystalline silica is extremely dangerous when inhaled or ingested. It is not biodegradable.

Wiki also states it so well:

The type of hazard posed by inhalation depends on the form of the silica. Crystalline silica poses a serious inhalation hazard because it can cause silicosis. Amorphous silica can cause dusty lungs, but does not carry the same degree of risk as crystalline silica. Natural or dried, food grade diatomite generally contains very low percentages of crystalline silica. Diatomite produced for pool filters is treated with high heat (calcining) and a fluxing agent (soda ash), causing the formerly amorphous silicon dioxide to assume its crystalline form.

What you should be looking for is Diatomaceous Earth that contains NO clays, additives or contaminants, that is 100% amorphous silica and contains less than 0.5% crystalline silica. It should come from a freshwater source, Food Grade and NONE of it should be calcined. It should be fine, white / grey powder and have a smooth consistency.

Check out http://perma-guard.com/

What do you think? Am I on the right track?
Jacques

[jusdeb]

Is lost now , way too much info for this little brain.

[GregH]

Well I guess I should have done some more research rather than relying on my memory and a few MSDS pages. I looked up veterinary and agricultural uses of diatomacious earth and there are plenty and ingestion appears to be safe (apparently it's a safe wormer too (http://fossilshellflour.com.au/feed-additive.html) but all the MASDs mention a respiritory hazard (+ skin and eye irritant) and I can't see how you get around that if you're dusting a bird. If you want to give it a go try it out on a few zebs before you go for you go shaking your lavender eared wax-bills in platic bag of the stuff. Actually seeing as you're in Africa maybe the waxbills are cheaper than zebs but the I still wouldn't risk it for other that seed.