DIATOMACEOUS EARTH

Diatomaceous Earth called a desiccant, which dry out any item or animal that contact them directly. The body of an insect, like that of other animals, is filled with liquid substances, like blood and digestive secretions. A waxy protective coating on the outside of their bodies prevents moisture loss. Diatomaceous earth kill cockroaches, silverfish, slugs, ants, fleas, beetles, etc., by destroying this waxy layer.

Around 300 million years ago, countless numbers of minute one-celled plants called diatoms existed in the oceans. They were constructed of tiny shells about themselves made out of the silica they extracted from waters. When the it died, its microscopic shell was left on the floor of the seas. Through the centuries, these shells eventually collected into deposits, sometimes thousands of feet thick. When the waters receded, the deposits were eventually covered and the shells fossilized and compressed into a soft chalk-like rock called diatomaceous earth.

When diatomaceous earth is quarried, milled, finely ground, passed through a screen and put through a centrifuge, it becomes a fine talc-like powder. This powder can be safely handled with bare hands, fed to animals and used to kill insects on contact, almost as if you were tossed into a pile of broken glass and you can imagine the outcome.

Diatomaceous earth is a non-toxic material containing useful minerals such as manganese, magnesium, iron, titanium, calcium, silicon and etc. Proper milling cracks apart the diatom skeleton, leaving microscopic silica needles. Sharp and hazardous to the insect, these needles are harmless to humans and other warmblooded animals. The tiny size and razor-like construction of a DE fragment is just right to disrupt the life of insects. The reason is that the skeleton of warmblooded animals is inside, surrounded and wrapped by the muscle which it supports, and the entire organism is protected by hair, fur, or feathers. Insects, however, have just their frame outside. Vital fluids are held in and protected by an oily or waxy seal over a hard porous cover. If an object is small and sharp enough, it will scratch the insect¹s waxy seal, allowing insect to dehydrate and die. Minute sharp particles are also taken internally by certain insects and interfere with their breathing, digestion and reproduction.

When using diatomaceous earth please note:
They don’t work when wet. Because of this, only use them in dry areas. Place the material in a duster or a flexible bottle that has a small, narrow nozzle less than 1/4" and apply a thin coating of the material. Many small puffs of dust are better than one large application. Even if kept in dry locations, the material will eventually absorb moisture from the air. When placed in a closed, dry space, it will remain active under normal conditions for about 2-3 weeks. During the humid summer months, the DE will probably not be effective longer than one week. Use small amounts and re-apply often.

A few choices of DIATOMACEOUS EARTH

Diatomaceous earth is comprised predominantly of silicon dioxide and is a fine, crumbly substance used in insulating materials, abrasives, ceramics, filters in pools, as a additive in toothpaste and as an anti-caking agent in artificial sweeteners. Mortality in insects is not immediate, as expected with traditional chemical insecticides, but will occur after a period of time.

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