- How to use - Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

Regular applications of DE can help reduce the numbers of insect pests in the environment. It can be applied to the skin, or sprinkled on surfaces around your coop.

When the body of an insect comes up against its sharp, spiky surface, the DE causes desiccation of the outer layer, which in turn causes dehydration and then death of the insect. It’s a slow process though, taking up to a week to cause a noticeable effect.

Researchers have shown it works well externally, but the news isn’t so great for its use in reducing internal worm burdens. Trials of cattle, sheep and goats fed food grade DE showed no reduction in worm burdens, nor prevention.

“DE does not have an effect on parasite loads as measured by faecal egg counts… DE does not reduce anaemia, as measured by packed cell volume and other blood parameters.”