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Re: Diatomaceous Earth

Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html

In a message dated 99-06-05 16:17:17 EDT, you write:
<< DE: This isn't the cure all everyone says, but it is almost that good. 
 However, if it gets moist at all, it loses it's grit properties. Mix it 
 with a little flour to improve 'stick to it'ness' and a little longer 
 lasting. And prepare to reapply often, just don't choke out the plant from 
 getting any other nutrient via the leaves.
 I'm still trying to figure out how it works so well on intestinal parasites 
 if it loses it's oomph when wet. And if it does work that well, how does it 
 keep from killing earthworms or harming the intestine of animals that are 
 fed on it. >>

     Is DE used specifically to kill intestinal parasites? As far as I know, 
DE is in animal feed only to kill any bugs that may get in there and it's 
harmless to both animals and humans (but I've never read anything about it 
being beneficial as far as intestinal parasite control).
     DE kills bugs around plants by making little cuts in the skin and 
causing the pests to dehydrate. It's not going to work on anything that has 
very tough skin or a hard shell....only works on things like slugs and larvae 
(larvae only in feed and grains, since larvae would be deposited on leaves 
and not crawling across the DE barrier). Earthworms have pretty tough skin 
and can recover from injuries to the skin. Intestines are also made of pretty 
tough stuff...there's a mucus lining as well as heavy duty cell layers lining 
both the small and large intestine in all animals and people. 

<<I still put it in my goat milk soap, even if I'm unsure how stable it stays 
when wet.
martha>>

     It should stay stable as an exfoliant in soap. Corn meal works well, too.

HTH
Lisa Viger


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