How DE Can Help You
Diatomaceous Earth is an all natural product that has an incredible number of uses in the home, garden, your pets, on the farm and in horticultural applications. The individual pages below highlight just some of the ways Diatomaceous Earth can help and benefit you . . . .
The ways Diatomaceous Earth can help and benefit you
In the home
Food grade Diatomaceous Earth is useful in controlling and discouraging insects from your home, garage, workshop, sleep-outs, sheds – just about any building where control is necessary.
DE can be applied around the skirting of floors, under furniture, around the backs of cupboards and closets, nooks and crannies and everywhere you may be having or potentially could have an insect problem.
Dust around internal and external window sills and doorways to discourage entry by pests. DE can be added to a pump up type sprayer and applied to external building surfaces as per plant application methods. For maximum external control, add 5mls per litre of Pyrethrum to further deter outside nasties from coming in.
Under the house DE can be used on piles and structures to prevent entry by ants and cockroaches into the home.
Inside attics and roof cavities you can apply DE throughout the entire area to discourage insect infestations and tackle existing ones.
Carpet DE can also be sprinkled into your household carpet in light and even doses to discourage ants and fleas. Leave for a few days before vacuuming. Be cautious with the application, too much has been reported to clog up certain vacuum cleaners. Baking sieves have been used for this purpose and tend to distribute well. Garden rakes, a stiff broom or specialist carpet rakes can be used to work the DE into the carpet if necessary.
Outside, wasp nests can be easily disabled leading to their eventual demise by hitting them with a couple of large shakes from a shaker directly onto the face of the nest. Any surface wasps will become coated in DE, wasps entering or leaving the nest will become un-avoidably contaminated with DE which will ultimately kill them. The population will contract, the hive will no longer be serviced which will result in its self destruction.
Ant trails and nests can be similarly coated in DE which will immediately encourage their change of direction and re-location from the area. Severe infestations may require a number of applications. Apply heavy doses of DE around rubbish and recycle bin areas to discourage ant and fly activity in those troublesome areas.
Upon building a new home or building is an ideal time to apply DE to the inside of walls prior to lining interiors and in conjunction with installation. Gaining some future-proofing of potential insect nests occurring inside walls and cavities will pay dividends long term and provide ongoing protection.
Natural Bed Bug Control Why spend money on chemicals that are most likely ineffective or could cause more harm to you than the bed bugs would? Here at Denz Naturally, we offer a natural solution that has proven its worth over and over again. Our natural bed bug control has been developed over the years using nature's most useful element. With our Diatomaceous Earth (DE) solution, we are able to finally offer a natural bed bug control that works without containing harmful chemicals such as in other off the shelf sprays. Food grade DE is useful in controlling and discouraging insects from your home, garage, workshop, sleep-outs, sheds, and just about any building where control is necessary.
DE can either be used as a natural bed bug control or be applied around the skirting of floors, under furniture, and everywhere you may be having or potentially could have an insect problem. By purchasing our natural bed bug control made with DE, you are not only utilising earth's natural resources, but you are also ensuring that bed bugs are controlled effectively without unnaturally harmful chemicals.
Organic Flea Treatment Our organic flea treatment is an easy applying solution that has a proven track record in treating flea infestations. We have been studying and using Diatoms for many years and they have given us the opportunity to develop an organic flea treatment solution. Once the organic flea treatment is dusted onto any surface with high potential of fleas such as carpet, floorboards etc, our solution immediately gets working as it is a desiccant - a solution with a drying effect. Although Diatomaceous Earth (DE) organic flea treatment is an extremely effective solution capable of getting rid of fleas every time, the fleas must come into contact with DE in order for it to work.
How it works DE absorbs moisture some six times its own weight thereby causing an environment to become completely dehydrated. This environment becomes too dry for fleas to survive and they become completely dehydrated and die off. It is important to note that this causes no harm to larger living things like animals, birds and humans. To get the best results when using DE as an organic flea treatment, Denz highly recommends that you get it into the target area in application so that contact is guaranteed with the fleas allowing the treatment to be as effective as it can be. So if you are having problems with fleas, give DE a try as an organic flea treatment and you will be surprised how effective it can be.
For pets
DE is commonly sprinkled in light, even doses into household carpet by pet owners, particularly in areas frequented by fleas, ticks, mites or lice. Leave for a couple of days before vacuuming — be cautious with the amount used, as excessive DE has been reported to clog some vacuum cleaners.
DE is also commonly added to kitty litter boxes, generally for its moisture-absorbing and odour-control properties. As with any fine powder, avoid contact with eyes, and take care around pets' airways to minimise dust inhalation.
On the farm
DE on the Farm: Diatomaceous Earth has wide ranging applications on the farm and lifestyle block. Aside from the separately described applications for orchards, the home and other uses, it can be helpful in a multitude of other agricultural areas.
Spread liberally in places where insect discouragement is required - Its presence will dry wet spots, reduce the ability for insects to breed and lay eggs and reduce odour in manure build-up areas and reduce fly populations. Actively discouraging flies, fleas, ticks and mites in these areas will make your environment cleaner and improve conditions.
In between bedding replacements sprinkle DE in areas requiring attention, wet spots, dirty areas and smelly spots. Keep a large shaker applicator on hand to make for easy application.
In water troughs apply a small amount of DE to troughs and other livestock water vessels. It will help to reduce algal growth in these containers and assist to keep them cleaner, nicer, longer.
Wasp nests can be easily disabled leading to their eventual demise by hitting them with a couple of large shakes from a shaker directly onto the face of the nest. Any surface wasps will become coated in DE, wasps entering or leaving the nest will become un-avoidably contaminated with DE which will ultimately kill them. The population will contract, the hive will no longer be serviced which will result in its self destruction.
Ant trails and nests can be similarly coated in DE which will immediately result in their change of direction and re-location from the area. Severe infestations may require a number of applications.
Cattle / Sheep / Goats / Pigs / Alpacas / Horses
Supplementary feed at a rate of 2kg per 100kg of feed or 50 – 100 grams per animal per day. Feed ad-lib in containers livestock can access to help themselves to required amounts of DE. Studies overseas have concluded that they consume approximately the same amount as the RDA anyway.
If supplementary feeding, remove 2kg of feed for every 100kg of supplementary feed and replace with DE. Blend and feed, supplementary meals should flow and pour better due to the anti-caking properties of DE.
Diatomaceous Earth has a multitude of helpful and practical uses in a farming situation - these are well documented on overseas websites. DENZ Ltd cannot vouch for the authenticity or factual basis for these uses and suggest that customers assess their suitability for themselves.
Unfortunately, in New Zealand due to the ACVM Act (Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines legislation) we are unable to claim the majority of these uses - technically. The ACVM has re-classified our natural and organic Diatomaceous Earth as a Veterinary Medicine - something of and irony in itself! Consequently we have no alternative but to work through the complex and expensive process to register it as such. Pending registration we have been legally bound to remove meaningful applications and information from our website until registration is granted. As a result we apologize for the lack of constructive detail in this section of our website. We would be grateful for your patience as we hope to have a resolution to this situation in the coming months.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture microscopically examined the internal organs of a dairy cow fed “free access choice DE for a period of five years and found no visible evidence of organ abnormalities”.
University of Illinois referring to tests run on dairy cattle fed 2% of Fossil Shell Flour in their rations stated there was no apparent harmful effect and that there was no evidence of FSF in the milk.
Chickens / Ducks / Pheasants / Fowl
Replace 5% of feed stockpiles with DE and blend prior to feeding out grains and manufactured feeds to protect feeds from insect infestation. Grains and feeds should flow better due to the anti-caking properties of DE.
DE internally fed and resulting build up in manure piles will bring fly populations down and reduces odour considerably providing a more pleasant environment.
Dr Philip Schaible, while heading the Department of Poultry Sciences at Michigan State University made the following report:
“DE Contains 15 trace minerals important to animal diets. DE mixes well with all feeds while guarding against insect damage".
Dr CS Hansen, DVM (now retired). Working with 8,000 chickens kept half on a regular diet and other other half he added Fossil Shell Flour to their diet. The Fossil Shell Flour group had a lower death rate, egg production went way up and egg breakage went way down.
Horticultural Applications
In the Garden: Diatomaceous Earth from Perma-guard has a wide range of applications and uses in the garden as a natural tool in your arsenal against common garden problems. DE can be applied wet or dry. Application can be as simple as hand spread or choose from one of our DE tailored applicators. Alternatively mixed with water at a rate of 20gms per 5 litres you can apply via a pump up type sprayer or simply brush on items at a higher concentration.
Apply DE - wet or dry onto soil to be planted with vegetables - or fruit trees and the water runoff zone. Try to maintain an even and thorough application.
Greenhouse Uses - Ornamentals: Diatomaceous Earth from Perma-guard has a wide range of applications and uses in the garden as a natural tool in your arsenal against common garden problems. DE can be applied wet or dry. Application can be as simple as hand spread or choose from one of our DE tailored applicators. Alternatively mixed with water at a rate of 20gms per 5 litres you can apply via a pump up type sprayer or simply brush on items at a higher concentration.
General Horticulture: timing of Applications – Ideally, DE should be applied when there is no wind and when bees are not visiting the area. The time and intensity of bee visitation to a given crop depend on the abundance and attractiveness of the bloom. In general, evening or early night applications are the least harmful to bees.
Understanding the biology and life-cycle of the insect pest to determine the best time for application and using the least toxic approach to preserve ‘good’ insects such as ladybugs, spiders, bees, praying mantis etc that are beneficial to your plants.
DE is absolutely fine to use in conjunction with liquid fertilizers and wetting agents. We recommend, before treating a large area, treat a few plants to ensure plant safety.
Ensure all spray equipment is cleaned after use to avoid DE leaving residue deposits in the tank, pump, nozzles etc. Simply flushing with clean fresh water for a minute or so will suffice.
Note: DE will not affect the egg stage of most insects and may need to be re-applied to impact the next generation or hatch.
Application rates of sprayer – weigh 60gms / 180mls in a 15l backpack sprayer. 800 – 900gms of DE mixed in a 200 litre automated sprayer.
Application rates for brushing application - 1 cup applied to 2 litres of water creates an effective solution. Maintain regular stirring or agitation during use to prevent DE settling.
With careful observation of your plants you will discover the perfect times and volumes to apply Diatomaceous Earth to gain the most benefits.
Stock Feed Supplement
DE is added to daily feed rations by farmers across a range of livestock, including horses, cattle, sheep, goats, poultry and other pets.
When mixed into normal feeding regimes, animals generally adapt readily to DE's inclusion. For dry feeding, a small amount of water can help make it more palatable for dogs and cats, while cattle, sheep and goats are commonly given DE blended with supplementary feeds. DE is also valued in bulk feed and grain storage for its natural moisture-absorbing and anti-caking properties, helping keep stored feed dry.
For general volume guidance, see our DE Dosage Rates page,
Anti-caking agent
Diatomaceous Earth is a completely natural, chemical free anti-caking agent. It has very useful benefits in products and feeds that experience difficulties in pouring and flowing. Particularly stock-feeds containing molasses tend to form clumps and become sticky. Not only will the clumps become hard to pour, they start to encourage mould and potential wastage can occur. DE, when mixed with the feed will coat the particles preventing them from binding together. This enables the feed to flow better making the feed less likely to mould due to the moisture absorbency characteristics of Fossil Shell Flour.
Replace 2% of product with food grade Diatomaceous Earth for flow control benefits. Not only will it flow better, food grade DE is also has some benefit as a long term grain protector (see Grain Storage Protector). Additional benefits include ...
All natural, chemical free anti-caking agent
Less wastage, money saved
Easier handling, easier storage
Anti-caking properties, better flow
Stays drier longer
Discourages insecticide infestation
Grain Storage protector
Perma-Guard® Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth is a naturally occurring amorphous silica product supplied by DENZ Ltd throughout New Zealand.
Diatomaceous earth is used internationally in a wide range of industries, including food processing, grain handling, horticulture and livestock production.
In New Zealand, agricultural uses are regulated under the ACVM Act. Consequently, DENZ Ltd does not make claims regarding specific agricultural applications unless they are approved under New Zealand legislation.
For product specifications, certifications and technical documentation, please visit our DE Library or contact us to discuss your requirements.
Commercial Insecticide
As the world becomes increasingly Green and chemical conscious home-owners, consumers and business owners alike are more and more looking for non-toxic solutions and chemical free answers to their everyday needs.
The challenge is to meet this consumer driven transition with eco-friendly products that are not harmful to our health, our environment or provide any lasting damage after their application.
Diatomaceous Earth has a multitude of helpful and practical uses when used commercially - these are well documented on overseas websites. DENZ Ltd cannot vouch for the authenticity or factual basis for these uses and suggest that customers assess their suitability for themselves.
Unfortunately, in New Zealand due to the ACVM Act (Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines legislation) we are unable to claim the majority of these uses - technically. The ACVM has re-classified our natural and organic Diatomaceous Earth as an Agricultural Compound - something of an irony in itself. Consequently we have no alternative but to work through the complex and expensive process to register it as such. Pending registration we have been legally bound to remove meaningful applications and information from our website until registration is granted. As a result we apologize for the lack of constructive detail in this section of our website. We would be grateful for your patience as we hope to have a resolution to this situation in the coming months.
Consumption by mammals
Food grade Diatomaceous Earth has a multitude of positive health related benefits when fed daily to all mammal and avian species alike.
Perma-guard’s Fossil Shell Flour deposit is 89 - 95 percent amorphous silica. As well as being very high in silica percentage it also contains 15 essential trace minerals including phosphorous, selenium, calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, copper, zinc and iron.
Silica alone is in fact crucial to bones, tendons, skin, cartilage and blood vessels. Silica exists in the blood stream and important organs such as the liver, heart, and lungs. Silica won’t build up in the body as it is water soluble and easily absorbed by the intestinal wall and rapidly excreted. Daily consumption is therefore necessary. No studies to date have found negative side effects from too much Silica.
Mixed with your animals normal feed it promotes improved health, well-being, vitality and productivity when used on a daily basis.
As well as the trace minerals, Fossil Shell Flour particles are negatively charged (rather rare).
Some of the reported potential benefits of daily consumption of DE include …
15 Trace minerals – beneficial for soil, plants, animals and potentially even humans
Better feed conversion, improves weight gain and general health
Promotes shinier coats, hair, skin, manes, hooves, nails and plumage
Cost effective health supplement.
Feeding in-sufficient quantities of DE has the potential of not producing the desired result. There are no known side effects from over consumption of food grade Diatomaceous Earth. Please see ‘DE Dose rates’ for more detailed information.
Like all new introductions exercise caution and introduce slowly, increasing dosages gradually over time until reaching the desired level. As individuals, environments and situations are all unique we recommend considered fine tuning to achieve maximum benefit.