Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Info!

[3littlechickies]

Hi!

What does putting DE in chickens water or feed do? I heard to put it in a spot with sand for a dust bathe. I also heard that people don't like to put it in dust bathing area because it might be a little harsh for their breathing. What do you think? Do any of you put it in their coop to control mites and lice? Does that work good? Do you know if it can be used with guinea pigs because my guinea pig has had mites before?
Thanks so much for any info!

 

[chfite]

Diatomaceous earth kills insects by cutting open the exoskeleton. These injuries don't heal, so the insect dessicates. Putting it in feed supposedly worms the animal eating it. The diatomaceous earth in the the poop will keep down flies, by injuring the maggots that feed on the poop. It is supposed to provide some drying effect on the poop which will deny the maggots a sufficiently moist environment for development.

Keeping the coop clean or turning over the deep litter will provide drying and decomposition to the same end.

I have used it on my dogs to control fleas, but it is quite drying to the fur. I suppose you could treat your guinea pig with it to kill the mites. Just rub it into the fur.

Adding it to a dust bath will provide it for the chickens to spread in and among their feathers to help clean in the same manner as the rest of the dust they use. Wood ash works well in a dust bath.

Diatomaceous earth doesn't provide any obvious benefit when wet.

Folks have widely divergent opinions on the efficacy and benefits of diatomaceous earth. I put it in my chickens' feed and use it to control insects in my shop. I add it to black oil sunflower seeds in the bag to prevent pantry moths.

Chris

 

[3littlechickies]

Thanks Chris!

That helped!

 

[christine9]

Does DE work to kill fire ants? Is there anything that will keep fire ants away and will not harm chickens?

 

[SigChef]

Does DE work to kill fire ants? Is there anything that will keep fire ants away and will not harm chickens?

I have had zero luck killing ants with DE, mine are not fire ants...just standard black ants. They just march right through it, no matter how much I put down.

 

[christine9]

I am still coop building, but I have been worried about these fire ants bothering my chickens. They bother me! I spread ant killer that is mostly effective but I am nervous about doing so with chickens around.

 

[christine9]

BTW, in studying other threads, molasses seems to be effective in making ants move on. Just pour onto mounds.

 

[4 the Birds]

DE is good to use in the coop bedding and on the poop boards. It helps keep things dry and knocks down a variety of pest. It causes insects to dry out and die by absorbing oils and fats from the insects exoskeleton. Be sure to use a dust mask when you dust the coop each week or so.... You will find that using a dusting insecticide along with DE will eliminate pests that the DE fails to kill in the coop and bedding (I use Python Dust found at Tractor Supply which is safe for livestock). DE is safe to use on your pet Guinea.

 

[redsoxs]

I'm on the fence about DE. The most I can say right now is that it doesn't see to hurt anything. Unsure if it helps.

 

[4 the Birds]

I'm on the fence about DE. The most I can say right now is that it doesn't see to hurt anything. Unsure if it helps.

It for sure "helps" to keep things dry. As for working against pests.... An insecticide is what you want for fast and reliable results.