Natural DE - Food Grade, Diatomaceous Earth (11.34 Kg)

Food grade diatomaceous earth is a fine mineral powder made from fossilized diatoms — microscopic aquatic algae that accumulated over millions of years in sedimentary deposits. Unlike chemical pesticides that kill through toxicity, diatomaceous earth works through a purely physical/mechanical action: the microscopic silica particles (14–17 microns) scratch and absorb the protective waxy coating on insect exoskeletons, causing them to dehydrate and die within 24 to 72 hours.

• Contains 82.5% amorphous silica (SiO₂) — the active component
• Non-calcined and food grade, meaning it is safe around animals, feed and food
• Effective against crawling insects: poultry mites, red mites, fleas, grain weevils, ants and beetles
• Does not create chemical resistance — insects cannot adapt to mechanical action

Food grade (amorphous) diatomaceous earth must not be confused with calcined/filter grade diatomaceous earth, which is heat-treated above 1000°C and contains hazardous crystalline silica. Always verify the product is labelled food grade before use around animals.

Food grade diatomaceous earth is one of the most effective natural treatments for poultry parasites, particularly red mites that hide in coop crevices during the day and feed on birds at night. For best results in your chicken coop:

• Remove all bedding, scrape perches and nesting boxes, then apply diatomaceous earth generously into every crack, joint and crevice where mites harbour
• Sprinkle a thin layer (2–3 mm) under fresh bedding in each nest box
• Mix approximately 250 mL into your flock’s dust bath area — birds will self-treat as they bathe
• Dust lightly along the top and underside of all roosting bars

Reapply every 5 to 7 days during active infestations to catch newly hatched larvae. Diatomaceous earth must remain dry to be effective — it loses its abrasive action when wet but regains it once dried. In Quebec’s humid summers, ensure good coop ventilation and reapply after rain exposure.

The dosage depends on the application. For grain storage protection, mix food grade diatomaceous earth at a rate of 2 to 3 % by weight (approximately 2–3 kg per 100 kg of grain). This creates a physical barrier that prevents grain weevils, meal moths, flour beetles and other storage pests from establishing.

• Grain storage — 2–3 % by weight, mixed thoroughly throughout the grain
• Cattle feed additive — up to 2 % of the daily ration as an anti-caking agent
• Poultry feed — 2–5 % of the feed ration mixed into mash or crumble
• Horses — approximately 60–90 g per day mixed into feed for a 500 kg horse

In stored grain, diatomaceous earth also absorbs excess moisture, helping prevent mould growth and mycotoxin development — a significant concern in Quebec’s humid climate where fall-harvested grain can contain elevated moisture. Always ensure thorough mixing for even distribution.

Food grade diatomaceous earth is considered safe for use around livestock, pets, children and in food-handling areas. Its active component is amorphous silica (82.5 % SiO₂), the same form found naturally in grains, vegetables and drinking water. It is classified as food additive E551c and approved for organic agriculture.

• Wear a dust mask when applying large quantities to avoid temporary airway irritation
• Avoid direct contact with eyes — fine particles can cause dryness
• When dusting directly on poultry or livestock, avoid the face, eyes and nostrils
• Do not apply near ponds, streams or aquatic habitats

The critical distinction is between food grade (amorphous) and calcined/filter grade (crystalline) diatomaceous earth. Only food grade is safe around animals. Crystalline silica from calcined products is a recognized respiratory hazard and must never be used in agricultural or domestic applications.

Diatomaceous earth relies on its dry, abrasive microscopic structure to damage insect exoskeletons. When the powder absorbs moisture, the sharp edges become rounded and lose their ability to scratch through the waxy cuticle. The good news: it regains full effectiveness once it dries out, since the properties are physical, not chemical.

In Quebec’s climate, where humidity can exceed 80 % in summer and condensation is common in farm buildings, managing moisture is key:

• Ensure chicken coops and barns have adequate airflow to reduce condensation
• Apply in sheltered areas: inside coops, under roofing, in grain bins, along interior walls
• During humid periods (June–September), reapply every 5–7 days rather than the 10–14 day dry-climate cycle

For outdoor barriers around foundations, apply after rain once the surface has dried. A 2–3 cm band along building bases remains effective between rains when sheltered by roof overhang.

Despite being a simple product, several common mistakes reduce the effectiveness of diatomaceous earth in agricultural settings:

• Using calcined instead of food grade — the most dangerous mistake; calcined diatomaceous earth contains crystalline silica that causes serious lung damage
• Applying too thickly — insects avoid visible piles; a thin, even dusting is more effective because insects must walk through it, not around it
• Expecting instant results — diatomaceous earth takes 24 to 72 hours to kill through desiccation; it is not a knockdown insecticide
• Forgetting to treat hiding spots — red mites hide in crevices during the day; treating only surfaces misses where parasites actually live

One oversight specific to Quebec farms: not protecting stored product from freeze-thaw moisture. If your bag is stored in an unheated barn through winter, repeated cycles introduce moisture that clumps the powder. Store in a sealed container in a dry location.

Diatomaceous earth and chemical insecticides each have distinct strengths. Understanding when to use each gives the best results in an integrated pest management program:

• Mode of action — diatomaceous earth kills mechanically (desiccation); chemicals kill through neurotoxic disruption. Insects cannot develop resistance to mechanical action
• Speed — chemicals offer rapid knockdown (minutes); diatomaceous earth requires 24–72 hours
• Residual protection — dry diatomaceous earth protects continuously as long as it stays in place; many sprays degrade within days
• Safety — food grade diatomaceous earth has no withdrawal period for eggs or meat; chemical insecticides often require 7–28 days

For organic producers in Quebec, diatomaceous earth is one of few approved options. For conventional operations, it works best as a preventive foundation — applied routinely in clean coops and grain storage — with chemical treatments reserved for acute infestations.

F.G. Edwards carries food grade diatomaceous earth by Natural DE at both store locations in the Eastern Townships: West Brome and Bedford, Quebec. As a farm supply retailer serving the region since 1928, we stock this product year-round alongside a complete range of pest control solutions.

Related products that complement diatomaceous earth in a pest management program:

• Poultry health supplies — dust bath containers, coop cleaning products and poultry-safe disinfectants
• Livestock fly control — pour-on insecticides, fly tags and barn management systems
• Grain storage — airtight containers and moisture management products
• Garden pest control — natural insecticides, rodent traps and wildlife deterrents

Our team can help you develop a pest management plan tailored to your operation — whether you run a backyard chicken coop, a commercial poultry barn or a cattle operation. Visit us at West Brome or Bedford for personalized advice.