Introducing The Amazing Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth

Food grade diatomaceous earth and non-food grade products are comprised of the naturally occurring remains of microscopic one-celled plants or phytoplankton called diatoms. Phytoplankton is to ocean fish and mammals as grass is to land mammals and reptiles. Diatomaceous earth is made up of the plants and diatoms that are the food of ocean grazing creatures.

Millions of years ago, these diatoms lived in the oceans and fresh water lakes that covered most of what is now the western part of the United States. When the diatoms died, they sank to the bottom of the ocean, and eventually became fossilized. Sometimes you will see diatomaceous earth referred to as DE, seashell flour, diatomite or kieselgur. Today, we are finding hundreds of ways to benefit from the use of both diatomaceous earth food grade and non-food grade products.

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is obtained though a mining and processing method. If you have a backyard pool, you may have used non-food grade diatomaceous earth food in your pool filters. Many cosmetics have diatomaceous earth food grade ingredients to help keep the products powdery. Diatomaceous earth is mainly used in two ways, as a pool filter or as a filler; however, diatomaceous earth is also found in paints, insecticides and even in drugs.

Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade vs Non-Food Grade

The filtering type of diatomaceous earth is typically used for pool or agricultural purposes. It is molded into different diameters and shapes to make it an effective filterer. This type is often referred to as "pool grade" diatomaceous earth. "Pool grade" diatomaceous earth should only be applied when you are wearing a breathing mask and gloves.

However, both animals and humans can actually consume diatomaceous earth food grade material. You can find it in products used to help create a healthier digestive tract. It can be also be used to help with colon cleansing and to kill parasites in the intestinal tract.

We use diatomaceous earth food grade material as a natural insecticide. It works as an insecticide because the crushed shells of the diatom fossils are very sharp. When you mix diatomaceous earth food grade material into the garden soil, it scars the sides of insects that rub up against the diatomaceous earth particles. The razor sharp edges scrape the exoskeleton of the bugs, while the fine powder diatomaceous earth drops into the scared insect shell. Eventually, the powder absorbs into the body fluids of the bug and it dies from dehydration.

Here are just a few ways diatomaceous earth food grade products benefit us all:

- Bed bug treatment
- Natural flea killer
- Natural pesticide for gardens
- Stop fleas on humans
- Get rid of tapeworms in cats and dogs
- Eliminate mite infestations on humans, pets, and plants
- Control and eliminate flies in your dog kennel, livestock barns and horse stables
- Acts as a natural colon cleanser
- Add silica back into your diet
- Eliminate intestinal worms and parasites
- Brewing beer

While the use of diatomaceous earth food grade material as an organic pesticide for crops has been around for years, there has been a growing popularity of using diatomaceous earth for internal use in farm animals, pets and humans. The purpose of this website it to share the uses and benefits of non-food grade diatomaceous earth, as well as of, diatomaceous earth food grade products.