I just recieved a 50 ibs bad of DE. I was wondering if there is a certain way you have to store it? I was thinking of a metal garbage can,but I dont know if that is a proper way of storing it. I only have 13 chicks, 3 dogs and 2 cats....so the 50 lbs of DE will most likely last me years. If anyone can give me advice that would me great! Thanks
How do you store DE ?
Wow, Lobee! That is a lot of DE. Where did you get it? How are you planning to use it? What kind is it (that is especially important)? Is it colored or plain?
I ordered it from custom milling. That is the cheppest I found it but for shipping, I just figured I would order a big amount and be done with it.I want to use it for the animals bedding, and sprinkle it in their food. I also was going to sprinkle it out side by the lilac trees because ticks love to hide in them. It is food grade and the color it white. white is its origanal color right?
here is the number for futher orders 1-877-348-3048. 25 lb bag $15.95 or 50 lb bag $23.95+ shipping custommilling.com
Hi Lobee--I think storing it in a large can or bucket with a lid would be fine. Just keep it dry. I wasn't aware it worked against ticks--but that would make sense. Good luck!
Sounds good. Thanks for the help.
Stupid question - what is DE?
Diatomaceous earth--everybody asks that once!:0)
thanks. wow - that is a lot. I guess you could use it to protect your hostas
from snails.
Tam
Lobee you can leave it in the bag it came in or the container of your choice. Keep it dry and it will last forever. Face it, it already has! If any gets wet, use it as a whitewash inside the coop. 1 cup DE to 1/2 gallon water, stirring frequently.
Well I think I will just leave it in the bag to save money...god knows we all need to these days. Yeah slugs would be good to use it on...Didnt even think about that. I am going to depend on my chickens to eat a lot of the bugs though sense they will free range.
What does DE do? How do you use it?
It is ground up tiny diatoms (ancient sea creatures) that have a hard silica or silica+ shell. They are basically microscopic, but when you use them as an insecticidal dust they shred the exoskeletons of the pests without hurting larger animals. You just dust it on things. Like an insecticidal powder or in chickens dust baths. Even mix it in grains you are trying to protect from weevils, moths, etc. . Of course then you rinse it off before you cook them. Just make sure you use food grade and not the stuff they sell for swimming pool filters at Walmart etc. That form is very dangerous to all living things.
Wow, so it can kill ticks AND come in a non-toxic form, that's great!
I'm not sure about ticks--others have said so--but those ticks are tuff!