Diamacious earth?

[Sparticus 13]

Iv'e recently treated my dogs with diamacious earth and was wondering how long it lasts for and when do i need to treat again? I would be gratefull if anyone could help me out. Cheers.

[wild rover 548]

I use it for birds and the dogs, the recommendation for dogs is one tablespoon a day, so assume it is fed continuously.

[artful212 394]

whats this stuff for mate never herd of it

[Moll. 1,770]

Cannot possibly work for worms. It is only a fossilised algae, which 'helps' with some pests by dehydrating the bodies. In a moist environment like the gut it would not work at all.

And tbh it is limited for most other pests also. A waste of money imo.

[Sparticus 13]

Thanks for trhe replies, i haven't fed it to my dogs, iv,e rubbed it into them and dusted there beds. Its a powder that kills mites and ticks. Iv'e never used it before and thought i would try it. Does anyone know how often you need to re-apply it?

[paulus 26]

Cannot possibly work for worms. It is only a fossilised algae, which 'helps' with some pests by dehydrating the bodies. In a moist environment like the gut it would not work at all.

And tbh it is limited for most other pests also. A waste of money imo.

[skycat 6,174]

I've always found it very useful for mites in chickens, sprinkled liberally on perches and around the chicken house as well as on the birds. As far as taking it internally for worms, I have no proof either way, though it contains silica which is an important mineral for the body: needed to maintain and grow bone, connective tissue, teeth etc. Seems to help rubbed well into the dogs' fur. I tend to use it for dogs which are 'itchy' probably due to dust mites and it is safe to apply round their heads, eyes, jaws etc being non toxic, as well as sprinkling on their straw, ditto the ferrets.

[bunnys 1,228]

dont breeth it in has sky cat says contains silica , not good for ya lungs. use a suitable face mask when using .atb bunnys.

[Moll. 1,770]

Perhaps the reason why i and other poultry breeders do not rate DE is the type of chickens we breed. Because they are so tiny they succumb to red mite, whereas on a bigger bird the same amount of mite would not be a problem, on Serama the mites will literally kill them overnight. Hence us paying probably more attention to mites than your average poultry keeper, and hence us knowing DE does not work, it may lessen the population by a small amount, but is not good enough used alone to combat mites

[Sparticus 13]

Thanks, for your replies, interesting answers, very informative, ill let you know how it goes.

I saw a topic on here a while back and thought i would give it a try. (Ill try anything once, well almost anything)!!!!

[paulus 26]

Perhaps the reason why i and other poultry breeders do not rate DE is the type of chickens we breed. Because they are so tiny they succumb to red mite, whereas on a bigger bird the same amount of mite would not be a problem, on Serama the mites will literally kill them overnight. Hence us paying probably more attention to mites than your average poultry keeper, and hence us knowing DE does not work, it may lessen the population by a small amount, but is not good enough used alone to combat mites

chemical warefare and good housekeeping always the best option

[Moll. 1,770]

chemical warefare and good housekeeping always the best option

 

Funnily enough i am just discussing this on the Serama forum, a woman's hen has literally been sucked dry overnight!

 

Frontline spot on or ivermectin the birds. Scrub interior of coops with a mixture of fairy and bleach. Add DE to the nest box area, mix it in with the shavings. Spray all the interior with a mixture of benzobezonate, aludex then once dried spray with Indorex household flea spray. A bit of chemical warfare but i dont see mites for months at a time.

Also try to make a day per week (Say every Sunday for example) you routinely check the birds over for mites, nails, beaks, poo bums etc etc.

 

Yet i still get Northern mites now and then?

[skycat 6,174]

Perhaps the reason why i and other poultry breeders do not rate DE is the type of chickens we breed. Because they are so tiny they succumb to red mite, whereas on a bigger bird the same amount of mite would not be a problem, on Serama the mites will literally kill them overnight. Hence us paying probably more attention to mites than your average poultry keeper, and hence us knowing DE does not work, it may lessen the population by a small amount, but is not good enough used alone to combat mites

 

That's a good point Moll, and I can only speak for when I had my layers, but it definitely killed the mites on the perches and in the house and the chickens never acted as though they had a problem as I did them once a month with DE. Maybe as a preventative it works OK, but isn't enough to kill an already established problem.

[Moll. 1,770]

 

 

That's a good point Moll, and I can only speak for when I had my layers, but it definitely killed the mites on the perches and in the house and the chickens never acted as though they had a problem as I did them once a month with DE. Maybe as a preventative it works OK, but isn't enough to kill an already established problem.

 

I have to still disagree Sky. Everyone who keeps fowl in any type of housing, already have an established problem of some degree. You simply cannot have one without the other. All you can do is try to keep on top of it, so they do not become a threat to the birds. It is like when you hear people who say their dogs NEVER have fleas. Either their dogs like in some sort of bubble and never leave the house or the owners simply do not see flea evidence, but as we know, dogs do get fleas.

 

I know i keep banging on about it, but DE is NOT good enough to control mites. It is just another tool in the arsenal.

[skycat 6,174]

Come and find a flea on my dogs! I may spray one or two, the susceptible ones, once or twice a year, with Frontline, but the rest of the time I spray the house with Indorex, twice a year, and do the kennels with DE. I only use Indorex in the kennels if I see a flea problem. Most of our dogs live in the house anyway, and are regularly combed thoroughly for signs of flea dirt: I have more of a problem with dust mites than anything else.