One of the easiest and most cost effective ways to control your pets intestinal systems, is by adding Diatomaceous Earth to their meals. Animal rescue centres love the product because of its effectiveness and ease of use. All you need to do is sprinkle a little powder over their food once a day, and you can be rest assured that you will be moving towards a happy healthier animal. It has many benefits, including flea control and supporting their bone structures.
What is Diatomaceous Earth?
Diatomaceous earth is made from the fossilized remains of tiny, aquatic organisms called diatoms. Their skeletons are made of a natural substance called silica. Over a long period of time, diatoms accumulated in the sediment of rivers, streams, lakes, and oceans. Today, silica deposits are mined from these areas.
The Benefits of Diatomaceous Earth for pets:
- Diatomaceous Earth is a dirt-cheap way to control external and internal parasites in your dog.
- Diatomaceous Earth is a non-toxic, safe substance made up from crushed fossils of freshwater organisms and marine life. Crushed to a fine powder and observed through a microscope, the particles resemble bits of broken glass. Diatomaceous Earth is deadly to any insect yet completely harmless to animals.
- Diatomaceous Earth’s mode of action for insect and parasite control is strictly mechanical. The microscopically sharp edges contact the insect or parasite and pierce their protective coating, so they soon dehydrate and die. The larva is affected in the same way.
- Internal parasites can be controlled by giving Diatomaceous Earth internally. It is very important to note that it must be food grade – the earth used in gardens and pool filters can damage your dog. Diatomaceous Earth can eliminate roundworms, whipworms, pinworms, and hookworms within seven days of being fed daily. To be most effective, Diatomaceous Earth should be fed for at least 30 days, to catch all newly hatching eggs or the cycling of the worms through the lungs and back to the stomach.
- Another use for Diatomaceous Earth is the control of external parasites and flies. This is achieved by dusting your dog with Diatomaceous Earth, along with his bedding area and surrounding carpeted areas.
- Diatomaceous earth is made of silicon dioxide. When chickens were fed a diet that contained less silicon dioxide than normal, their bone formation was harmed. This suggests that silicon dioxide plays an important role in bone formation.
How does diatomaceous earth work?
Diatomaceous earth is not poisonous; it does not have to be eaten in order to be effective. Diatomaceous earth causes insects to dry out and die by absorbing the oils and fats from the cuticle of the insect’s exoskeleton. Its sharp edges are abrasive, speeding up the process. It remains effective as long as it is kept dry and undisturbed.
Natural Flea Control:
One of the most effective, natural flea remedies for cats is diatomaceous earth. It’s beneficial because it’s safe to use around pets and children in the home.
The most important thing to do when treating fleas is to break the flea life cycle. This cycle will continue unless the fleas on both the house and the cat are exposed to Diatomaceous Earth at the same time. Otherwise, once you remove the fleas from your cat, it will pick up fleas again from the house.
Other Uses:
Diatomaceous Earth has also been reported in scientific literature to absorb methyl mercury, e-coli, endotoxins, viruses, organophosphate pesticide residues, drug resides, and protein, perhaps even the proteinaceous toxins produced by some intestinal infections. Given this, Diatomaceous Earth is very useful as a detox solution, digestive aid, and colon cleanser.
Dosage:
For dogs, use one tablespoon per day of food-grade Diatomaceous Earth in his food for large dogs and one teaspoon per day for small dogs and puppies. For external parasite control, simply rub the powder at full strength into the coat for fleas and sprinkle on bedding.
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Reported Benefits Of Diatomaceous Earth for Human consumption:
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Silica lowers bad cholesterol and raises good
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Silica fades age spots
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Silica stimulates metabolism for higher energy levels
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Diatomaceous Earth has a negative charge and bacteria have a positive charge. It is believed that Diatomaceous Earth sweeps bacteria out of the body by trapping it in its honeycomb shaped skeletal form.
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Silica supplementation helps repair and maintain vital lung tissue and protects them from pollution. By maintaining or restoring the elasticity of lung tissue, silica reduces inflammation in bronchitis.
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It acts as a cough decreasing agent. Silica tones the upper respiratory tract (nose, pharynx, larynx) and reduces swelling because of its positive action on the lymphatic system.
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Silica supplementation keeps menopause free of stress and helps to prevent any unwanted side effects of menopause.
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Silica works with other antioxidants to prevent premature aging and to preserve youthfulness.
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Silica can help prevent kidney stones and heal infections of the urinary tract. It is a natural diuretic which can increase excretion of urine by 30 percent, thus flushing the water-excreting system and restoring normal function to these vital organs.
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The presence of sufficient silica in the intestines will reduce inflammation of the intestinal tract. It can cause disinfection in the case of stomach and intestinal mucus and ulcers. Silica can prevent or clear up diarrhoea and its opposite, constipation.
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Silica will help normalize haemorrhoidal tissues.
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In regulating and normalizing the bowels, silica has a pleasant side effect; it can alleviate lower back pain, which often troubles the elderly.
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Silica proves effective with female discharge, abscesses, and ulcers in the genital area and cervix, as well as mastitis (especially for breastfeeding mothers).
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The intake of silica acts as a supportive treatment for inflammation of the middle ear. Because of the beneficial effectiveness of the lymphatic system, silica can be used for swelling of the lymph nodes in the throat.
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It has anti-inflammatory and odour binding effects.
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Silica can normalize circulation and regulate high blood pressure (hypertension).
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Silica can decrease vertigo, headache, tinnitus (buzzing of the ears) and insomnia.
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Silica can help diabetes by promoting the synthesis of elastase inhibitor by the pancreas.
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Silica can help arterial disease by strengthening the blood vessels. Studies confirm that with age, silica disappears from the aorta, the heart’s key blood vessel, thus weakening its critical connective tissue and resulting in a greater cardiac risk.
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Silica can help prevent Tuberculosis.
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By improving the elasticity of the joints, silica helps rheumatism.
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Silica has inhibitory effects on coronary diseases.
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Silica can help to avoid or to alleviate Alzheimer’s disease by preventing the body from absorbing aluminum and may flush out aluminum from the tissues. Silica can stimulate the immune system.
Source: Pooch & Kitty
You might ASK: What exactly is DE?
Discovered around 1836 by Peter Kasten in Germany, diatomaceous earth (DE) was originally used to make dynamite. It now has dozens of uses including metal polishes, toothpaste, pest control, and water filters.
DE is made from Diatomites, which are porous fossilized mineral deposits formed near dried up water. The mineral is a result of dead algae called diatoms usually found in marine sediments. Diatoms account for ¼ of all photosynthesis on Earth. The size of each diatom is about the width of a human hair (0.5 mm). While some diatoms float by themselves, many diatoms group together and form suspended chains near the surface of water or attach themselves to rocks or plants under water.
Diatoms produce oxygen
Diatoms have hard shells that resemble tiny pill-shaped glass houses made from silica. Silica is one of the hardest solids on earth and can be found in glass and concrete. Silica makes up 26% of the earth’s crust by weight.
Diatomite deposits can be found all over the world, including notable extractions sites such as Neuohe.
TWO TYPES OF DE: POOL GRADE VS FOOD GRADE
The quality of DE depends mostly on two factors: 1) where it’s mined and 2) how it’s processed. In the United States, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, DE is mined and processed in California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. However, diatomite deposits can be found all over the world. At the processing plant, the diatomites are crushed, dried, and milled to create food grade diatomaceous earth.
Pool grade (also called filter grade) diatomaceous earth is treated with very high heat in a process called calcination, which changes the silicon dioxide into crystalline silica. Pool grade DE is toxic and should only be used in filtration.
Food grade DE has less than 1% of crystalline silica and no more than 10mg/kg of arsenic or lead.
common uses for diatomite
HOW DE WORKS TO KILL BUGS
One of the most common household uses for DE is pest control.
Safer® Brand Diatomaceous Earth is deadly to insects with an exoskeleton.
Bugs DE Kills
When a bug comes into contact with DE, it works under the insect’s shell and punctures the body with DE’s microscopic sharp edges, absorbs all the moisture, and causes the bug to die of dehydration.
Let’s take a look at how to use diatomaceous earth to kill bed bugs. In the past few years, the U.S. has seen a rise in bed bug infestations because the bugs built up resistance to the toxic chemicals companies used to get rid of them. Since diatomaceous earth kills bugs physically they can never become immune to it. Homeowners can safely apply diatomaceous earth to their bed, couches, closets and whole house to eradicate bed bugs without harming their pets and kids. Once bed bugs come into contact with DE it takes less than 48 hours to kill the insect.
Ways to use DE to Kill Bugs
Wear a dust mask when applying DE as it can irritate your nose and lungs. However, DE is safe once the dust has settled. Diatomaceous earth must be dry in order to work. If using outside, reapply after it rains.
Leave bugs dead in the dust and feel good about using nature’s remedy. Check out Safer® Brand’s diatomaceous earth products made from food grade diatomaceous earth. Our products are OMRI Listed® and compliant for use in organic production. Click the product images below to learn more.
Safer Diatomaceous Earth for Pest Control
Sources:
http://diatomaceous.org/history-of-diatomaceous-earth/
http://westerndiatoms.colorado.edu/about/what_are_diatoms
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2003/feb/06/research.science
http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/degen.html
https://www.saferbrand.com/articles/what-is-diatomaceous-earth
http://mines.findthedata.com/d/p/Diatomaceous-Earth-(Diatomite)
http://diatoms.myspecies.info/node/8
EPA Directive On Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth
When using desiccants (diatomaceous earth or boric acid) to control bed bugs it is critical to use those that are registered by EPA and labeled for bed bug control. Desiccants that are intended for other uses, such as food-grade or for use in swimming pools, pose an increased inhalation risk to people. Learn more here: https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs/pesticides-control-bed-bugs