Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous Earth has many uses for rabbits, the garden, and our health. You will want to be sure to use ONLY food grade diatomaceous earth, this is very important and can harm your rabbit if it is not food grade.
It can be purchased at Walmart or online, Lowes does not carry food grade, but, they will usually happily order it for you.
What is Diatomaceous Earth?
Diatomaceous earth is made by God and from nature, it is sedimentary rock, made of fossilized hard-shell algae, called diatoms. Over a long period of time, diatoms accumulated in the sediment of streams, rivers, oceans, and lakes. industrial grade is toxic to humans and pets, whereas food grade diatomaceous earth is non-toxic and very beneficial.
Diatomaceous earth is composed mostly of silicon, which is the second most abundant element in the soils. As Christ-followers, we believe this is for a reason and that the Lord gives us everything we need. This is also present in rock, sand, clay, and helps plant development. The ocean contains vast amounts of diatomaceous earth.
Uses, Health Benefits, and Application:
Mites, Fleas, Lice: Apply with nylon bristle brush, cover the rabbits face and eyes, do twice a day for several days (this will kill the mites), wait 10-14 days and then apply it again the same way (to kill any eggs that have hatched from the previous mites).
Detoxifying your body: Using internally, begin with small amounts. Use 1/2 tsp. to begin with in a cup of juice or water. It has a muddy look and taste. After you detox slowly for a few days, you can increase the dose. You can do this twice a day, once your body is used to it, then you can eventually make it 1 tsp. in the morning and 1/2 tsp. in the evening and work your way up to 1 tsp. in the morning and 1 tsp. in the evening. Drink lots of water throughout the day, because it can make you very thirsty. Water is needed to carry and eliminate toxins as well as heavy metals from the body. If you take too much at the beginning, it will detox your body quickly and leave you feeling not so well.
Daily intake: If you want to take it daily or every so often, it is safe to take while pregnant and also for children. You can easily add a 1/2 tsp.-1 tsp. to smoothies or juicing or other drinks. It can taste like mud (similar to bentonite clay if you have used that). Another way to drink it is by adding it to coconut water, and then adding a little raw honey to it (this helps with the flavor and is actually pretty yummy).
Metal detoxification: It sweeps heavy metals out of the body, this is helpful especially to those with heavy metal poisoning or mercury fillings. Aluminum is also swept out, which lowers the risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Keeping pets healthy/ taking internally: Start off with very small amounts for pets or rabbits also. Sprinkle a small amount on food, and then increase it over time. Only use very small amounts. Remember to give you pet plenty of water to clear out his/her system.
Products: There are over 150 products registered to use inside buildings, on farms, in gardens, and even in pet kennels, and rabbitries to kill bed bugs, cockroaches, crickets, fleas, ticks, spiders, and many other pests naturally. There are thousands of non-pesticide products which contain diatomaceous earth: toothpastes, makeup, skin care products, foods, drinks, medicines, rubbers, paints, water filters, and much more, use diatomaceous earth in their products.
Health: It is an important component of human ligaments, joint and muscular health, and cartilage.
The Silicon in diatomaceous earth helps aid digestion (and regulate digestion, lessens gastrointestinal inflammation, cleans out the colon, treats diarrhea and constipation. It is a great choice for families on the GAPS diet!), cholesterol (some people report a 40-60 point drop in blood pressure points after a month of use), stronger nails, healthier hair, clearer skin, collagen production, increases energy
Since it sweeps out foreign matter, you will begin to notice better nutrient absorption, and more energy.
Helps prevent kidney stones, osteoporosis
Sprinkle around barn, garage, house, or garden. We use this on squash bugs and other bugs in our garden when they were killing our produce and it works immediately.
Decreases mastitis and increased milk production in livestock with internal use. It also causes healthier coats and hooves.
Sprinkle in the chicken coop or around rabbit cages or in stalls to control flies.
Better and stronger eggs produced by hens who have it sprinkled in their feed (similar to shells added to feed).
Sprinkle around windows and entrances to protect from ants, spiders, and even scorpions.
Sprinkle it in your garbage bins for odor and pest protection.
Apply to compost keep odors and pests away.
Add to manure heaps to keep flies and larvae down.
Add to bulk grains to keep pests and moisture out.
REMEMBER, you don't want it to get wet because it works by absorbing, so, if it is absorbing water, it will not absorb the insects as well.
Add it to homemade deodorant, toothpaste, or even to the inside of your toilets for a natural cleaner and deodorizer.
For Bunnies:
You can brush it on their fur in the open air. You can also add it to their food. Doing this is a natural way of keeping your well-loved bunny free from parasites of any kind. Parasites are very common for rabbits and is a common cause of death. If you do this once every couple of months, it should go a long way in keeping your bunny healthy. Just make sure it is food grade.
How Does Diatomaceous Earth Work?
It dries out the insects by absorbing their oils and fats in their exoskeleton. Its microscopic, sharp edges are abrasive, which speeds up this process. The area needs to be kept dry in order for it to be effective.
Anything we breathe in is absorbed into our bloodstream. Even though it is not harmful, we usually wear a mask when applying it to our animals if we are not outside when applying it. It we breathe in too much, it can irritate our eyes, and nasal passages; it can cause coughing, just as any dust can. It can also cause irritation and itching if exposed to too much on our skin.
Can Diatomaceous Earth Cause Harm?
This product has been an approved product since 1960 and there have been many studies done on this product, so far, the studies are showing that it is safe and does not cause cancer. Again, however, it is important to use food grade diatomaceous earth, because non-food grade has shown adverse reactions.
Rabbit studies have been done and have found no health effects after applying diatomaceous earth to their skin five times per week for three weeks. In rat studies, researchers fed rats high doses of diatomaceous earth for six months. They did not find any reproductive or developmental effects. Guinea pigs were forced to breathe air containing diatomaceous earth for two years, and there were no effects.
Inhaling large amounts of diatomaceous earth for long periods of time and for long-term, has been associated with short-term respiratory problems. Wearing a doctors mask when applying it can help with this, and applying in the open air, as well as using smaller amounts and not continually applying large amounts. The respiratory problems were only temporary and reversible.
Children are more sensitive than adults, so keep this in mind when applying it.
Since large amounts of diatomaceous earth is present in our soils, birds and other wildlife encounter it, and it is not known to be harmful.
This is a great website for more trusted articles about Diatomaceous Earth: http://search.mercola.com/results.aspx?q=diatomaceous%20earth
Sources: Oregon State University, National Pesticide Information Center http://npic.orst.edu, The Prairie Homestead
Here is where you can purchase Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth:
-Walmart (Garden Sections)
-Tractor Supply
Blessings,
Verity Farm
