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What is Diatomaceous Earth?
Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.) is composed of the skeletal remains of diatoms (plankton) which are microscopic aquatic plants belonging to the Bacillariae class of unicellular plants. Their skeletons are almost pure silica (SiO2). When the diatom dies, the enclosed organic matter decomposes leaving a residue of the hard siliceous valves. Through the centuries, as diatoms have died, their shells have survived, slowly piling up and accumulating as deposits on the bottom of ancient geological lakes and lagoons.
There is evidence that the ancient Egyptians and other early cultures used D.E. to protect their grain stores from insects. According to scientific studies and articles published over the past sixty years, D.E. is an effective, environmentally friendly, stored grain insecticide. D.E. is approved in various forms, by the EPA, the Dept. of Agriculture and the FDA, where it is classified as GRAS, (Generally Regarded As Safe).
The interest in the use of D.E. for stored-grain insect control, is primarily due to: 1)Development of resistance in insects to organophosphate grain protectants, 2)Consumer’s demand for food, free of pesticide residues; and 3)loss/or restriction of currently available stored-grain pesticides, due to federal regulations.
DiaSource D.E. has been tested in the laboratory and field as a viable alternative to conventional insecticides. Results of tests conducted at the University of Minnesota have shown that DiaSource D.E. is effective on a wide variety of species. Of special note; DiaSource D.E. has proven effective in controlling Indian Meal Moth larva in stored grain facilities. Newly emerged populations are suppressed for up to 30 days after treatment.
Because insects must come in contact with diatomaceous earth dust for the dust to be effective, it is important to know how to apply the dust to stored grain or an empty bin for maximum effectiveness on insects. Techniques for applying the diatomaceous earth dust are discussed further;
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DiaSource Excavation Site #1
Exposed 26 acre portion of the 5,700 acre D.E. deposit
An air strip is in the foreground
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| Excavation at Site #1 |
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DiaSource Diatomite Processing Services
Preprocessing of Raw Ore
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What is DiaSource® D.E. Grain Storage Insecticide?
This product is a custom milled, white powder, containing approximately 8% moisture. The D.E. is predominantly made up of amorphous silica (89% silicon dioxide) and is from a freshwater source. Crystalline silica is virtually non existent. The particle sizes range from 5 to 45 microns (1micron = 0.000039 inches or about 4/100,000 of an inch). The dust is odorless. It will not create a static electrical charge. Our D.E. contains no baits or additives and is not chemically treated or kiln fired (as is the calcined variety - used in swimming pool and other filtration).
Extensive testing has verified the crystalline silica content of our D.E. to be less than one tenth of one percent (0.1%). This has become a significant factor under the newly proposed OSHA standards. Material Safety Data Sheet available. Physical and chemical analyses available upon request.
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