diatomaceous earth?

Does anybody know anything about or has anyone ever used diatomaceous earth as a top dressing for parasite and fly control? My farrier was out and was telling me that he feeds it to his horses and he has very, very few flies. I googled it and found some info, but was just wondering if anyone had any personal experience with it.

denise

I've never heard about it but would like to know more if you found out anything

i'll let you know what i find out. I googled it and you can even feed it to dogs for flea and tick control.

denise

Dia what? HA! Let us know... I'd sure try it on the dogs!!!! WHEW!

why not just feed garlic or brewers yeast that is supposed to work too??? that seems kind of weird to feed to a horse or dog to me

Lynn M. wrote:

why not just feed garlic or brewers yeast that is supposed to work too??? that seems kind of weird to feed to a horse or dog to me

I tried the garlic and brewers yeast on the dogs before. It didn't work.

denise

Yesterday I was at the feed store and found the natural mineral blocks, but they have something in them that's a natural feed through fly control and they sell the suckers for 19.00. I thought that was pretty neat, but jeeze, 19.00 x6 horses, that sure adds up when you have to buy it every couple of months. By the way, anyone looking for a good fly control program, I finally got those Demand Pestabs from country supply and our flies are literally almost gone. Between those and the fly eliminators, I get to enjoy a fly free summer! (almost.)

I need to get some of those little things pesky things...I know one thing, my kittens are having a big time with flies, and somebody caught a bird the other day, there's feathers everywhere in their little room.

I tell you I love the spot ons... they work great if they can do it around here... I would love to try the fly eliminators but we have 80acres and cattle that back up to us so I doubt we would get a lot of benefit from them.... my biggest problem is ticks... we found guinnea hens really do the trick for that...

I've heard you can use it on fire/red ant mounds....Kills them.

I know thay used to use it for/in toothpaste.

Lynn, what's the spot ons? Anybody ever try those things that you either put on halters or tie around their neck sort of thing for flies?

the spot on are like the ones you use for dogs they totally work for horses too....Ive tried several all at the same time on different horses the brand that works best is Equi-spot

Oh, okay, you're talking about the kind that you what, put on their withers and go back to their back or from head to tail, kind of thing. I'll have to try those on the broodmares. Thanks, Lynn!

I've heard that diatomaceous earth stuff has very sharp razor edges all over it that when inseccts ingest it, just cuts their insides all up and kills them. But of course the pieces are tiny, it's harmless to an animal. I've never heard of feeding it to a horse. I guess my only experience with it is in plants to keep the bugs off. We used to sprinkle it under plants. I would like to hear more. I need all the help I can get.

Lynn- I have two geldings that act like the spot ons absolutely set them on fire. The others don't seem to mind it at all.

I wanted to buy some fly predators this year, but I decided against it. The horses are on 15 acres, but there's a 100 acres full of cattle that backs up to us. Usually we have more of a problem with horse flies and they don't work on them, but this year it's more just plain ole barn flies.

denise

Denise which brand did you try? I tried 3 different kinds and have a mare that looks like hamburger if you leave her out in the summer for more than 3 weeks at a time.. I haven't had any problems with that equi-spot but it is definately one you don't want to get on your hands it stinks really really bad and lasts forever... a drop on each side of the withers at the poll at the tail head and at the hock and elbow... I believe that is all the spots if I remember correctly..

HA! Jools emailed me her secret recipe and it seems to be working pretty good. It took awhile for it "set in" but seems to be doing it's job and it smells good too!

I used the equispot.

denise

Ill remember that Denise and not use it on the younger horses... good heads up... Ive only used it on broodmares so far and the elderly

Cindy - I want the secret recipe!!!

My poor Duckie is dying - he HATES flies on his legs!

Okay, I'll email it to you.

diatomaceous earth works like a charm. And WAY cheaper than regular dewormer. Top dress it with grain, and away go not only a good portion of your flys, but your internal parasites, gone.
A guy out here used it on his PMU farm. We're talking over 100 mares, plus young stuff and studs. The vet did a fecal count and couldn't believe how low the parasite count was.
I definately reccommend it.

Thanks. We're going to give it a go. It will be delivered with our feed next week. I wonder how long it will take for it to make a difference in the flies?

denise