Quote: Barbara Schuler

There seems to be some definite reason for concern regarding inhilation, but I'm not clear as to how concerned I should be as to ingestion. There are some comments on skin irritation. I'm interested to see what you think Leih after reading all this. Wish I had seen this before ordering 100#!! LOL!

It seems pretty easy to get around. Just wet it down so it's not a particulate in the air. It might make it non ideal as a flea powder but it's still a super effective non toxic method of bug control on the ground, and in food.

I did do a spring cleaning on the coop last weekend and put it on the floor before adding the shavings, then added a bit more. I have not mixed it in the feed yet but will get to that tomorrow. Thanks.

 Quote: Barbara Schuler

There seems to be some definite reason for concern regarding inhilation, but I'm not clear as to how concerned I should be as to ingestion.

The ingestion part is fine, as long as it's food grade. I'd take it myself (a fair number of people do, actually).

I don't think you'll be sorry your bought that big bag...just keep it dry and it'll last you a long time.

leih

Someone off of a chicken forum I belong to posted the following when I posted the msd sheet above... I did not notice it was not on food grade DE.


Garden Gal, your fact sheet is specifically for Diatomite and Celite and other industrial forms of DE. They are completely different from food grade DE, its just not the same. The DE for your fact sheet is as it appears in deposits in the ground, and then treated and is used directly for industrial filtration use in chemical plants and the production of material goods. Crystalline is the big red flag here (quartz and crystal). That stuff is highly dangerous, much like asbestos. Certain forms of silica contain cancerous properties- others do not and are necessary for the existence of all life. Even humans require silica in their mineral and dietary needs- just not from industrial DE!

Food grade however is fully approved for consumption by animals, is certified FDA organic, and poses no health threats.

Food grade DE is listed as GRAS with the FDA, and has been used in our foods as a filter agent since before the 70's. (pulled that right off the FDA website)

Ohhhhhhhhh!

Boy, this is a good thread!

Well, crap! I was gonna try that on my yard this year. Since my dog has flea allergies, I have had to put her on Comfortis during the flea months.

Since she is small (10lbs and her nose is only about 9 inches off the ground) do you think it would be possible to wet it enough to keep her from inhaling?

 Quote: Nora Ferrell

Well, crap! I was gonna try that on my yard this year. Since my dog has flea allergies, I have had to put her on Comfortis during the flea months.

Since she is small (10lbs and her nose is only about 9 inches off the ground) do you think it would be possible to wet it enough to keep her from inhaling?

My new understanding is that as long as you make sure it is FOOD GRADE DE you are okay - it is the NON food grade which is the problem. You can also use it on your dog.

I bought FOOD GRADE from Country Naturals (www.countrynaturals.com) and was very pleased with the price - it was $25 for 50 lbs. and only 13.00 to ship.