Red Lake Diatomaceous Earth

[Wandering Man]

 I just bought a bag of Red Lake Diatomaceous Earth with calcium bentonight.

It was the only DE in the store at the time. Will this stuff work as well as the straight DE when spread around my hives?

[Mikey N.C.]

I'm new to beeking , are you worried about shb in the ground below hives ? ?

[Wandering Man]

SHB larvae, ants, any other critters that might want to invade my hives.

[neillsayers]

I  have used DE for many applications around the farm. I am not acquainted with the product you are referring to. I have used bentonite to help seal a pond bottom that is sand and not holding. Essentially it is powdered clay and will give your ground a higher clay content. Perhaps the makers of this product have a website where they explain the reason for the mixture.

[Wandering Man]

It's advertised as a food supplement for livestock.

[neillsayers]

It's advertised as a food supplement for livestock.

In that case I'd guess the DE is low in percentage to keep vermin/worms out of the feed. DE is actually a good stomach/intestinal wormer if used for several days. Might not be enough to help with larva in the soil.

[Mikey N.C.]

WM, I've did some studying on shb , some have tried oyster shells ground up and salt (sea or Epsom not sure) but there's a good video with Ga. Tech. Dr Jamie ?  that experimented , maybe APIS. can give us the link , it is a must see. showed me alot ( think is was in London) ?

[Wandering Man]

I had been buying DE from a local nursery, but they have quit handling it.  I'd run out and checked with Tractor Supply.  This was the only stuff they had, so I thought I'd take a chance.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/red-lake-earth-diatomaceous-earth-and-calcium-bentonite-20-lb?cm_vc=-10005

http://www.tractorsupply.com/static/sites/TSC/downloads/ProdContentPDFs/1019864_Bro1.pdf

[neillsayers]

What I use is  food grade DE. I believe you can buy it at a whole foods or natural food store. I have used it to store bulk grains like wheat or rice. It keeps weevils out.  Have also sued it to worm animals and to control fleas and ticks by putting it in dog bedding. For SHB larva I shake it out on the ground under the hives. Can't say if it helps much but I can't stand the idea of the larva getting a free pass. About twice a week I scatter chicken scratch under the hives so the birds come around daily and scratch around for treats.

[J-grow]

Neillsayers ........ Does it work for you?  Is it a no brainier that if we have some beetles it will help to use it?

[CBT]

Check the local swimming pool dealer. They use it in sand filters I think.

[neillsayers]

Neillsayers ........ Does it work for you?  Is it a no brainier that if we have some beetles it will help to use it?

Beetles can fly a long distance. The nearest managed hives to me are a mile in either direction. Yet they found me. The larva has to leave the hive to pupate in the soil. If one could keep their hive on concrete it would guarantee they die. It makes me feel like I'm doing something to kill to let my chickens scratch for them and sprinkle DE. Many folks drench with guardstar or generic equivalent but I'm not inclined to use chemicals in my soil. The best control seems to be strong hives. My Russian hives don't have any issues with them. I have two very weak VSH hives that I had to combine day before yesterday and had to cull over half the frames because they were slimed and infected.       

[Wandering Man]

I have several beetle blaster in my hives. Most are filled with oil. One has DE. The DE seems to be effective, since that is the trap with the most dead beetles.

Spreading DE around the hives on the ground seems to be keeping the ants away.

We've got several days of rain predicted here, so I'll be re applying as needed.

[CBT]

Never thought of using DE in a beatle trap. Sorry I don't get it. I thought on the ground it cuts the larvae as it tries to move through it.

[Wandering Man]

I didn't really expect it to work, so I've been surprised to find beetles in the trap.

I'm becoming more of a believer. Last week I was installing a faucet in the back yard. I was kneeling in the grass with my sandaled feet occupying the same spot as ants.

I spread some DE around the area and didn't get anymore bites.

It had just started raining, so maybe they were just passing through on the way to higher ground, but they were gone.

[neillsayers]

Never thought of using DE in a beatle trap. Sorry I don't get it. I thought on the ground it cuts the larvae as it tries to move through it.

  It works on insects by working into the joints of the exoskeleton. This causes the insect to lose body moisture and die of dehydration. Kinda cruel, now that I think of it.

Neill

[Bee Commander]

Hey All,
If you go to the bug, pest spray in Lowes or Home Depot, you will find DE in the area for Bed Bugs. I guess DE works great on bed bugs, but I know you can find it there.