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Diatomaceous earth - your thoughts

Okay, so this probably isn't the right Forum topic but I couldn't think where to put it.

I want to use Diatomaceous earth as an insecticide.  The cat has had a bout of fleas and I think the chickens might have them too.  Looking into it, I think I could use it as a slug and snail killer and use it for red mite in the coop too.  

What kind of damage could it do?

Posts

  • FarmergeddunFarmergeddun Posts: 229

    lol no - frontline

  • Stacey DochertyStacey Docherty Posts: 1,759

    I use it for my chickens all the time and was told that it was good for slugs and snails but its too expensive to use on the garden!

  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114

    Probably mites/lice on the chickens.  Can be debilitating if it is a bad infestation. 

    Louse powder is what you need.

  • dolgarrogdolgarrog Posts: 83

    what is diatomaceous earth??

  • FarmergeddunFarmergeddun Posts: 229

    I think it works by dessicating insects

  • Emma1978Emma1978 Posts: 201

    Big fan of D.E. here, for delousing my lovely ladies image

  • thanks again waterbutts! (& thanks for making me laugh out loud re your soup - my cat jumped a mile!)

  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114

    Cats are quite easy to give pills to if you wrap them in a towel.  Tuck them under your arm and you have both hands free for administering the pill.  Open their mouth and put the tablet too far down for them to 'tongue' it up. Close the cat's mouth until they have swallowed the pill.  Release angry cat.

    They won't speak to you again for a bit, but Hey Ho! that may be all to the good.

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