Date: November 04, 1997 06:07 AM
Author: Lee Chesson (lchesson@infoave.net)

While researching an effective way to treat moth-infested wheat berries, I come across a safe and simple method of ridding and preventing insect infestations in stored grains.

Food grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE) can be applied to any grain as part of a long term storage plan. Barley, corn, buckwheat, oats, rice, rye, wheat, sorghum and mixtures of these grains can be dusted with DE as they are moved into storage.

Food grade DE (don't use pool/filter grade) has also been used for years on livestock animals and pets to eliminate and prevent internal/external parasites, and for many producers has totally replaced products like Ivermectin, Safeguard, TBZ (sheep/goats), Piperazine (on FDA's hit list), and various pet wormers. DE is also used as a lawn and garden insecticide.

Since DE is what I've been looking for (non-toxic, versatile), I became a dealer. I can give you the name of the western US mining company that will supply 50 pound bags of food grade DE for $20 plus shipping. Shipping from Texas to East coast is about $15. Money back guarantee. Anyone interested can Email me for more info.

Regards to all - Lee Chesson

(http://garynorth.entrewave.com/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=16&Message_ID=5064)

---

Date: November 04, 1997 06:48 PM
Author: SheJohnson (thomasjohnson21@hotmail.com)
Subject: Rice Weevils!


Dr. Chesson:

I purchased a 25lb. bag of rice from my usual food co-op. To my surprise, rice weezils appeared after a few weeks. I had never seen anything like it before and they seemed to multiply very quickly. I am not too concerned about it now, because I will plan to burn this batch, but...if it were my storage food I would be so upset! Can you eat rice w/ weevils (if cooked)? Will they make you sick? I read in the encyclopedia that they lay eggs inside the rice (200-400 eggs for each weevil). Will your DE kill the weevils?

Also, is it a good idea to put DE in just in case? My rice did not look or taste bad before the bugs appeared...but I'm sure that they were already multiplying.

Thanks!

(http://garynorth.entrewave.com/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=16&Message_ID=5102)

---

Date: November 04, 1997 08:50 PM
Author: Lee Chesson (lchesson@infoave.net)
Subject: evilweevils


The rice weevil is probably the most destructive pest of stored grain. It is an internal feeder, meaning that the female bores a hole in the grain kernel, deposits a single egg in this depression, and seals the hole with a gelatinous fluid. She may lay 300-400 eggs over her four to five month lifetime. The larval and pupal stages are spent inside the grain, so treatment after the egg is laid is not possible.

Although it probably wouldn't hurt you to eat rice infested with weevils (you'd cook the little boogers), it may not be too palatable if you knew what you were eating. We've all probably eaten them from time to time - there's no way to tell if a rice kernel contains a weevil egg by casual visual examination. Typically, a staining technique is used to illuminate the tiny eggs - about the size of a pin prick.

Diatomaceous earth will destroy any stored grain pest that it comes in contact with. DE particles are characterized by their irregular shapes, generally spiny structures and pitted surface areas. They average only 5-20 microns in diameter, yet because of the previous sentence they have a surface area several times greater than any other mineral with the same particle size. The killing action is strickly mechanical. The microscopic sharp edges of the particles contact offending organisms and pierce their protective coatings. The parasites then dry out in a few hours and die!

You could treat rice with DE and it would certainly destroy adult weevils as they emerged. But since the egg, larvae and pupae develop inside the kernel, it would not affect these pre-adult stages. If it were me, I'd feed it to my chickens, and consider a different source for my rice. Check out WWW.Waltonfeed.com.

-hope this helps. Lee Chesson.

(http://garynorth.entrewave.com/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=16&Message_ID=5112)

---

Date: November 05, 1997 10:41 PM
Author: Will_richards (will_richards@hotmail.com)
Subject: The edidable evil weavil


You can eat them and they won't hurt you, In really drastic situations they are a source of protein. I read somewhere, and have been trying to remember where, so I could post it about American prisoners of war who were in really good shape compared to most. The prisoners also farmed Roaches. It was investigated by a naval surgeon and it turns out that their rice was buggy and the were housed near a mill, so the japanese were feeding them the rice bran after they cleaned and polished thier rice. It was buggy garbage, and the prisoners were in better health then their captors. Another interesting point is that this doctor discovered I really high incidence of ulcers in the local Japanese, but not one in the captives. He made no conclusion on this, but one has wonder. If anyone wants to voluteer for a double blind study on this I bet the government will give us a grant. We would have to title our work, "The Effect On The Global Enviorment of Human Consumption of Weavil Infested Rice Tailings'. Gotto to be worth a half of million. ;>

(http://garynorth.entrewave.com/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=16&Message_ID=5200)

---

Date: November 05, 1997 01:25 AM
Author: Lynn (hope1@breeze.net)
Subject: rice weavils


I have more than once found weavils in my rice, and other hard grains. I simply wash well with lots of hot watar. Then cook or dry for use later, keeping it seperate from other grains. And get that buggy sack out away from the other clean stuff in your sotrage too. And for heavens sake don't eat them. The joke about extra, free protein is not funny. I don't like seeing them swim around the cooking water!

(http://garynorth.entrewave.com/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=16&Message_ID=5146)

---

Date: November 05, 1997 09:49 AM
Author: Lee Chesson (lchesson@infoave.net)
Subject: no joking


True, there is no humor to be found when you open a container of grain, only to find the bugs got to it before you did. Anyone storing food (particularly grains) needs to have a reliable source and a method of insuring against pests. Proper storage in clean, airtight containers will work to keep bugs out. While nothing will restore an already infested kernel of grain, treating with a product such as DE will insure the adult bugs are destroyed before infecting additional kernels. If you are putting up grains for long term storage, and you are not 100% sure it's bug free, you have two choices to insure against pests: it has to be stored in an oxygen-starved environment, or it has to be treated.

-Lee Chesson

(http://garynorth.entrewave.com/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=16&Message_ID=5156)

---

Date: November 14, 1997 12:36 PM
Author: Bill Webert (webert01@hotmail.com)
Subject: How to treat grains with DE


OK, Lee, tell us how to go about treating a bucekt full of rice with DE as you move it from a bag to a bucket.

Thanks!

(http://garynorth.entrewave.com/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=16&Message_ID=5680)

---

Date: November 18, 1997 05:51 AM
Author: Lee Chesson (lchesson@infoave.net)


Bill, here's how to do it. But first let me address the issue of safety. I do not have permission from any government agency concerning the following claims.

Food grade DE has been approved by the USDA & FDA for use as a feed additive. CFR # 1573.340(C). How safe is it for human consumption? You have to do an end run around the government, since agencies are not in the business of studying safe, natural alternatives; the chemical manufacturers will ensure this, IMO. You can't patent the second most plentiful element on earth.

Food grade DE that I'm discussing is mined out west by DR Mining and consists of: Silicon Dioxide(85%), other elememtal oxides(10%) and moisture(5%). I researched Silicon Dioxide and found that this element is used throughout the food industry as an anti-caking agent in products like granulated salt, non-dairy creamer, dried milk, cheese products, herbs and spices, dried egg products, powdered sugar, cake mixes, drink mixes, etc. I've been hearing about the safety of DE (make sure it's food grade, not the filter grade) for years, and now I'm convinced. Do a web search on silicon dioxide and you'll see. You'll also learn how integrated circuits are made - how ironic.

Anyway, here's how you treat stored grains. Use one bucket for mixing. Fill it about half way with grain, add DE and mix well. Pour this into bucket being used for storage and continue to add from mixing bucket until full. The recommended rate is up to 2% DE by total weight, so a 50 # bag will treat over a ton of grain. This may be a little overkill; all you want is a light coating on each kernel. A cup and a half per 50# is about right. When it's time to eat, you can rinse off DE with clean water if you'd like, but you don't need to. It won't hurt you. In fact you'll be getting 14 minerals found in DE, I've also heard that nutritional companies are going to be packaging DE in pill form. Awesome stuff, this diatomaceous earth.

take care all

-Lee

(http://garynorth.entrewave.com/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=16&Message_ID=5880)

---

Date: November 18, 1997 11:47 PM
Author: Lynn (hope1@breeze.net)
Subject: where to find it


Lee.....I know a dozen places where one can get the filter grade DE, but where can I go to get the human grade DE? Any suggestions? I did a web search for DE, and got everything but food grade information.

(http://garynorth.entrewave.com/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=16&Message_ID=5947)

---

Date: November 19, 1997 12:33 AM
Author: Joe Stout (joewstout@iswt.com)
Subject: DE


Lynn,

Call 1-888-3787. The company is in Waco Texas. UPS will cost as much as the DE. The lady is friendly and will answer any of your questions. God Bless, Joe

(http://garynorth.entrewave.com/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=16&Message_ID=5952)

---

Date: November 19, 1997 06:11 AM
Author: Lee Chesson (lchesson@infoave.net)
Subject: that's 1-888-372-3787


EPA distributors in Waco, Tx is the distributor for DR Mining company. Call Jeanette @ 1-888-372-3787. Use my dealer number NC02. If you can use larger quantities, you may want to ask about becoming a dealer or distributor.

If you are near Statesville/Lexington North CArolina, you can pick up to save shipping charges.

regards,

Lee

(http://garynorth.entrewave.com/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=16&Message_ID=5956)

---

Date: November 19, 1997 09:38 AM
Author: alice crozier (alicec@iquest.net)
Subject: Human grade DE


In answer to your question about DE that can be used for human consumption...I have some and got it from a company called Perma Guard, Inc..115 Rio Bravo SE..Albequerque, NM..505 873 3061...That is the latest info I have on them...I purchased 50# 2-3 years ago..and the shipping was as much or more than the product..

I am surprised at your amazement about it working to kill the insects you mentioned...DE works because it is so dry and it is such a small powder, that when it comes in contact with the insect joints, it works its way inside and dessicates them...really quite a marvel..for a non/chemical application..not practical on a large scale, but for home gardens, should do nicely for someone who watches for insect problems...

Just my contribution for you alice

(http://garynorth.entrewave.com/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=16&Message_ID=5961)

---

Date: November 09, 1997 01:43 AM
Author: Lynn (hope1@breeze.net)
Subject: diatamaceous earth


Decided to go searching the net for what I could find on this subject. did email the man raising ostrich's, but have not heard form him.

This is what I found; It's used as an exfoliant in cosmetics (this one I like) Used in DRINKING WATER FILTERS In the garden it is used for pests. This reminded me of my garlic episode. Loads of little black beetles covering my garlic plants. WAshing this off did no good, they just crawled back up on the plants. So I got out my DE and covered the plants well. Well, it worked wonderful. Earwigs don't like it, neither do ROACHES. have yet to find a reference to HUMAN USE DE. Anyone out thre find information on this, relating to humans.

(http://garynorth.entrewave.com/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=16&Message_ID=5342)

---

Date: November 09, 1997 11:20 PM
Author: Will_richards (will_richards@hotmail.com)


Fumigating Farm-Stored Grain With Aluminum Phosphide This NebGuide provides step-by-step instructions for fumigating stored grain on the farm with aluminum phosphide.

Here the web site for this info, http://www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/pesticides/g790.htm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leroy L. Peters, Extension Entomologist ------------------------------------------------------------ I am trying to find Scietific DE info and will post when I have it Will

(http://garynorth.entrewave.com/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=16&Message_ID=5370)

Date: November 13, 1997 01:39 AM
Author: robert (robert@avicom.net)

Their is a great book on storing food, "Making The Best Of Basics" it going into many differant ways to store food, We at Ready Made Resources 1-800-627-3809 sell this book for $17.95. give us a call this is the best book on the subject of storing your own food you will find

(http://garynorth.entrewave.com/forums/Index.cfm?CFApp=16&Message_ID=5594)