The many uses of Diatomaceous Earth for horses
Did you know that diatomaceous earth can safely be used to:
- Reduce the number of flies – both in the barn and your paddocks
- Kill worms*
First a bit of background….Diatomaceous earth is a fine siliceous earth composed chiefly of the cell walls of diatoms which are the remains of minute aquatic plants. It is chiefly used in filtration, as an abrasive. The abrasive quality of diatomaceous earth is what makes it useful in killing flies and worms*. It works in 3 ways:
- Diatomaceous earth provides a drier environment which reduces breeding areas. Flies love moist areas.
- It also works to reduce odors that are attractive to flies.
- And the best, diatomaceous earth is very abrasive to insects. It cuts into their exoskeletons or outer bodies and dries up their bodily fluids on contact. This causes both the flies and worms to dehydrate and die. Simple, effective.
The most effective ways to use this environmentally friendly, non-toxic, natural fly and worm killer… Use only food grade diatomaceous earth.
- Spread it or mix it into your manure pile. – There it will prevent fly larvae from developing into the next stage, reducing the number of flies.
- Add it to your stall bedding. Works the same as in your manure pile.
- You can even feed it. Yes, look at the labels of some of those pricey feed through fly control products and you will find diatomaceous earth as an ingredient in quite a number of them.
- You’ll need to work out how much to feed based on weight, of course. Should you choose this method, do it for all of your horses. It’s not harmful and passes through the gut and out the other end. When flies land, they pick up some of the silica and it goes to work.
- When spread on poo piles in the paddock, it works the same as in the manure pile or in your stall bedding.
Oh word of caution. If you use fly predators, don’t feed diatomaceous earth or spread it in your paddocks. It will kill your friendly fly predators too! You don’t want that!! It can be put into stall bedding or into the manure pile, provided the manure isn’t spread in the paddocks.
* Not intended as medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian.