-
Diatomaceous earth or D.E. is a
light earth or powder-like substance.
-
It contains a large quantity of
fossilized diatom remains.
-
Diatoms are microscopic plants, which possess uniquely
shaped shells of silica.
-
When diatoms die, their shells settle to the bottom of
the lakes, ponds or seas in which they inhabit.
-
Since diatoms can number in the millions, when they sink
to the bottom they form a thick blanket on the bottom of the water. This
blanket is made of almost pure silicon dioxide which over time and under
pressure of the water is converted to what we call D.E.
-
There are two types of diatomaceous earth that consumers
can use today.
-
One is sold by swimming pool suppliers
as a filtering agent
-
The other can be used as an insecticide
by farmers to store grains.
-
D.E. is safe for farmers to add
to their grain because it exterminates the insects in a physical manner
and not a chemical one, therefore it is non-toxic. The diatom shells are
covered in sharp spines that will penetrate the flesh of the insect. The
ensuing wounds cause fluids to escape and dehydrate the insect resulting
in death. Since insect eggs don't move much and are completely covered
in a hard shell, D.E. works best on adult insects or those who are in the
pupae stage. D.E. is only dangerous to the insects and is not harmful to
humans or cattle due to a natural resistance to diatoms possessed by them.
Because of this resistance, farmers can add D.E. to their stored grains
or beans without removing it before they go to market.
There are a number of products
on the market today that contain D.E. Such products are sold in Canada
and the U.S. under the names: Dryacide, Insecto, perma-guard and Protect-It.
They are used mainly as grain protectants but are not as effective as chemical
insecticides. Research is being done to increase the effectiveness of D.E.
by adding it to other processes such as hbsp;
|
