diatom

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pamela
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diatom

Post by pamela »

i have been using diatom now for3 years and was wondering what exactly is diatom and does it really help to prevent bugs and redmite ? +confused+ +confused+
doggy daft maybe just daft
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LittleBrownFrog
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Re: diatom

Post by LittleBrownFrog »

it's the fossilised remains of a kind of algae (I think) - it works by dehydrating the creepy crawlies :-D
"Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder..." Thoreau.
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pamela
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Re: diatom

Post by pamela »

thankyou! :-D
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garethj
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Re: diatom

Post by garethj »

Hi i believe the sharp edges lacerate the bugs waxy exoskeleton and then the powdery diatomaceous earth absorbs the body fluids causing death from dehydration. 100% natural. hope it helps )t'
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sandy
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Re: diatom

Post by sandy »

But it won't stop red mites {mr.angry}
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Steve the Gas

Re: diatom

Post by Steve the Gas »

It does keep their numbers down though.
It's silicate cell walls from algae, very sharp amd so is LBF.. )t'
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devilbrighteyes
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Re: diatom

Post by devilbrighteyes »

is there ANYTHING that will stop red mites?
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and my girls Silver and Ginger x

http://horti-amoris.blogspot.com/
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Steve the Gas

Re: diatom

Post by Steve the Gas »

Torch the coop, )j;

Manda swears by full fat coke sprayed in all the coop interior. )t'
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devilbrighteyes
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Re: diatom

Post by devilbrighteyes »

Haha that could prove expensive!

I have read somewhere (can't remember if it was on here or somewhere else) that if you seal all the knooks and crannies in the coop with wood filler when you first get it it will significantly reduce the amount of red mite. Is there any truth in that?
Catherine xx

and my girls Silver and Ginger x

http://horti-amoris.blogspot.com/
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Steve the Gas

Re: diatom

Post by Steve the Gas »

Logically - yes, less places to hide and breed. People also make the DE into a paste/paint (with water) and paint the total insides of the coop.
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LittleBrownFrog
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Re: diatom

Post by LittleBrownFrog »

Steve the Gas wrote:It does keep their numbers down though.
It's silicate cell walls from algae, very sharp amd so is LBF.. )t'

Thank you ... I think :?

Plastic coops are supposed to be less attractive to redmite - we've had ours two years, and haven't yet been infested (touch wood, cross fingers etc etc)
"Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder..." Thoreau.
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Steve the Gas

Re: diatom

Post by Steve the Gas »

'Twas a compliment. :-D

)ot:
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