Cricket
Ridin' The Range
Note that the following is from a manufacturer/distributor of DE.
Food grade Diatomaceous Earth is the fossilized remains of microscopic shells created by one celled plants called diatoms.
Diatomaceous earth is made available for human consumption in other parts of the world such as Europe and China but the FDA in the United States has not approved its use for human consumption only animal consumption.
Diatomaceous earth is completely harmless to warm blooded animals, but it is also highly lethal to any creature that has an exoskeleton. DE is a natural desiccant which means it dries out or dehydrates. As diatomaceous earth travels through the digestive tract it will slowly come in contact with these small invaders and they will eventually succumb to the effects of the fine powder.
How do I properly use Diatomaceous Earth?
If you want to make a dietary supplement to keep your animals healthy it is important to remember that the amount of Food Grade DE mixed into the dry weight of the food is not to exceed 2%. Although Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth is non-toxic it is never a good idea to feed your animals too much of anything. The 2% of Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth is typically more than enough to take care of any problems you may have, and you will probably be just fine with less than that. For smaller house pets you might want to just add a teaspoon to their food, and for larger pets try using a table spoon. Always consult a veterinarian for your pets specific needs when you buy food grade diatomaceous earth. *
Remember to only buy food grade diatomaceous earth and steer clear of the DE used in pool filters as it is processed DE and is toxic. Avoid diatomaceous earth that has any kind of additive in it because they can sometimes be toxic as well. Also because it is a very fine powder, inhaling too much of it can irritate the lungs and cause coughing. Diatomaceous Earth also may cause your skin to become dry if your skin is exposed to large amounts of it, but the typical consumer will not have to worry too much about that as you will rarely come in contact with enough to make a difference. It is recommended that while working with large amounts you use a mask and gloves as a precaution and use DE in well ventilated areas.
Food grade Diatomaceous Earth is the fossilized remains of microscopic shells created by one celled plants called diatoms.
Diatomaceous earth is made available for human consumption in other parts of the world such as Europe and China but the FDA in the United States has not approved its use for human consumption only animal consumption.
Diatomaceous earth is completely harmless to warm blooded animals, but it is also highly lethal to any creature that has an exoskeleton. DE is a natural desiccant which means it dries out or dehydrates. As diatomaceous earth travels through the digestive tract it will slowly come in contact with these small invaders and they will eventually succumb to the effects of the fine powder.
How do I properly use Diatomaceous Earth?
If you want to make a dietary supplement to keep your animals healthy it is important to remember that the amount of Food Grade DE mixed into the dry weight of the food is not to exceed 2%. Although Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth is non-toxic it is never a good idea to feed your animals too much of anything. The 2% of Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth is typically more than enough to take care of any problems you may have, and you will probably be just fine with less than that. For smaller house pets you might want to just add a teaspoon to their food, and for larger pets try using a table spoon. Always consult a veterinarian for your pets specific needs when you buy food grade diatomaceous earth. *
Remember to only buy food grade diatomaceous earth and steer clear of the DE used in pool filters as it is processed DE and is toxic. Avoid diatomaceous earth that has any kind of additive in it because they can sometimes be toxic as well. Also because it is a very fine powder, inhaling too much of it can irritate the lungs and cause coughing. Diatomaceous Earth also may cause your skin to become dry if your skin is exposed to large amounts of it, but the typical consumer will not have to worry too much about that as you will rarely come in contact with enough to make a difference. It is recommended that while working with large amounts you use a mask and gloves as a precaution and use DE in well ventilated areas.