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What is Celatom® AFA? AFA is a CODEX Food-Grade natural diatomaceous earth (D.E.) product composed of microscopic diatoms that were deposited in ancient lake beds. These diatoms are made of amorphous silica in complex lacy shapes, which promotes a high absorption capacity and makes AFA an ideal product for anti-caking applications in grain and animal feed storage. AFA is non-toxic and safe for the environment.
What does AFA do? The benefits of D.E. as a natural insecticide for grain storage, garden, and animal use are well-established in practice. Natural D.E. powders have been used by farmers for centuries. With the increased popularity of organic and sustainable farming methods, more and more livestock and pet owners are re-discovering the natural benefits of D.E. as an animal feed additive. We cannot make claims about internal therapeutic benefits because of the prohibitive expense of the clinical studies that would be required by the government. However, many livestock and pet owners that have used AFA over the long term tell us they have experienced:
Control of fleas and ticks
Elimination and prevention of worms and internal parasites without chemicals
Enhanced metabolism
Improved feed efficiency (more gain per lb. of feed)
Reduced odor and moisture in barns and stalls
Improved coat and hoof condition
Fewer flies due to preventing fly larvae from developing in manure
Reduced annual vet bills
Reduced overall animal stress
How much AFA should I feed?
Feed about 2% of the weight of the regular feed rations over several weeks for noticeable results. More will not be harmful.
Is AFA safe? Natural Food-Grade diatomaceous earth products such as AFA are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an additive and anti-caking agent for animal feeds and stored grain, at up to 2% in the feed formulation.
What is CODEX or "Food Grade" Diatomaceous Earth? For D.E. to be called "Codex” or “Food Grade”, it must meet the following requirements:
Item
Food-Grade Requirement
Celatom-AFA Stated Value
Perma-Guard Stated Value
Arsenic (ppm)
20 ppm max.
5 ppm
<10ppm
Lead (ppm)
15 ppm max.
5 ppm
<10ppm
Crystalline Silica
Less than 1%
0.1%
<0.5%
PH
passes test
7.5
7.3
Loss on Drying %
10% max.
0.5%
6.2%
Loss on Ignition
7% max. on dry basis
5.0%
What is in AFA?
The diatoms are made of silica. As a naturally-occurring mineral, AFA contains many chelated trace nutrients such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and others that may be beneficial in the animal’s diet.
If D.E. is so absorbent, can I use it in animal beds and stalls?
D.E. can be spread in animal bedding for odor and moisture control. We especially recommend our granular AXIS® products for bedding use, and TROTTER® for dust control in horse arenas.
With all the chemicals already ingested by livestock today, isn’t it time we gave them something that is non-toxic for them, us, and the environment?
WARNING: NOT ALL D.E. IS SAFE FOR ANIMAL FEED!
AFA is made from a special grade of diatomite ore which is low in arsenic and other harmful elements. Some other grades have too much arsenic to be safe for use in animal feeds, and are NOT CODEX Food-Grade. D.E. grades designed for swimming pool filters are processed at high temperatures (calcined), and therefore contain crystalline silica, which is not recommended for animal feed.
AFA is a natural fine powder which is safe, non-crystalline silica, and moves easily through the digestive tract. Also diatomaceous earth that is used as an insecticide must be below ten microns in size to be effective, (Katz 1991a: Calvert 1930; Allen 1972). D.E. products with larger particle sizes are not recommended for feed or insecticide use.
Good rules to follow when buying diatomaceous earth:
Obtain the M.S.D.S. (Material Safety Data Sheet) Is it Fresh Water Diatomaceous Earth or Salt Water Diatomaceous Earth? The particle sizes and effectiveness can be very different. What is the Crystalline Silica content? What is the micron size? Is it CODEX Food-Grade D.E. which is low in Arsenic?
How does D.E. kill insects?
When insects come in contact with diatomaceous earth, the D.E. absorbs their protective wax coating and their shells are damaged by the glassy diatoms. This combination causes them to die by dehydration. There is no survival and no built-up immunity as there is with chemical insecticides. D.E. also does not break down as chemicals do, and the more that it is used, the more insects feel unwelcome in the area.
Is all D.E. safe to use?
Celatom® MN-51, MN-53, Crop-Guard, and All Gone! kill insects by cutting and puncturing insects’ exoskeletons and absorbing their body fluids. These products do not contain harmful chemicals, and are completely safe for humans, domestic animals, birds, and even worms and helpful bacteria in the soil. But they are death to insects, and a remarkably effective and long-lasting insect repellent on any surface. Birds that eat insects are not harmed, and may even benefit from the extra trace minerals in the D.E.
EP Minerals has the necessary federal and state government registrations of our D.E. for use as an insecticide. Excerpt from The IPM Practitioner, Monitoring the Field of Pest Management, William Quarles, Volume XIV, Number 5/6, May/June 1992. "Both swimming pool grade and natural diatomaceous earth come from the same fossil sources, but they are processed differently. The natural grades are mined, dried, ground, sifted and bagged. The pool grade is chemically treated and partially melted and consequently contains crystalline silica which can be a respiratory hazard. Thus, it is imperative that only natural diatomaceous earth be used for insect control. This non-crystalline silica is not a hazard…" "Ingestion of diatomaceous earth is not toxic to mammals. Rats fed a daily diet containing 5% freshwater diatomaceous earth show no abnormalities after 90 days (Bertke 1964). Dairy farms sometimes feed their animals food containing 1 to 2% diatomaceous earth to control worms and other internal parasites (Allen 1972). Impoverished humans sometimes add diatomite to their baked goods in order to stretch their flour supply (Cummins 1975). It is so safe for use on food that the FDA has exempted diatomaceous earth from requirements of fixed residue levels when added to stored grain (Fed. Reg. 1961). The U.S. EPA also allows its use in food storage and processing areas (Fed. Reg. 1981)."
Can I use D.E. in my house to kill bugs?
MN-53 and All-Gone! are useful around the house for control of roaches, silverfish, ants, bedbugs, flies, fleas, crickets, and many other insects. They can be applied as a dry dust or mixed with water at the rate of 2 oz. per quart (60 g per liter) and sprayed as a liquid.
Application To be effective, MN-53 or All Gone! need to be applied as a physical barrier that insects must crawl across to be damaged. Apply dust liberally around cracks and crevices, under stoves and refrigerators, and in likely hiding places. Be sure to treat around sinks and drain pipes. Lightly dust areas around windowsills, doors and other places where pests may enter. Rugs and carpets: Apply a thin layer of D.E. all over rugs and carpets to control fleas. Rake the D.E. into the fibers and leave overnight. When cleaning, do not make a special effort to remove the dust in the rug. It will continue to kill live fleas, repel others, and will deodorize the carpet. For even better control of flies and roaches, liberally dust the outside walls of the house, shrubbery, and outbuildings (such as barns, stables, kennels or corrals). Repeat if needed.
How about in my garden?
MN-53, MN-51, Crop-Guard, and All Gone! help control aphids, whiteflies, beetles, mites, leaf hoppers, and many others. They can be used on any fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains and grass -- up to and including day of harvest. For lawns, apply 8 to 16 oz. of MN-53 dust per 1000 sq. ft. of the yard. Two or three applications per year should do the job. This can be done as dry dust or as wettable powder, using suitable equipment. For crops and gardens, All Gone!, MN-51, or Crop-Guard can be applied as either a dry powder or mixed with water and sprayed. The goal is to get coverage over the entire plant, especially under the leaves. For young plants, as little as two pounds per acre may be adequate. For larger plants, 5 lb/acre is probably sufficient. With extra growth, it might be necessary to increase the amount. An examination of the leaves will tell if the leaf bottom is covered.
How can I control insects on my pets and livestock?
MN-53 and MN-51 are effective against fleas, ticks, lice, and other pests on dogs, cats, poultry, and any warm-blooded livestock. MN-51 is a food-grade product which is preferred for animals which tend to lick their fur. Lightly work the material into the hair of the animal, or provide a pile or loose bag of it for animals to roll in or rub against to dust themselves. Pay strict attention to places where the animal cannot reach, such as the scalp. Dust the ears of the animal with care. Dust the animal's bedding and areas where the animal sleeps, as well as cracks and crevices adjacent to them. Repeat once a month or as necessary. Individual ticks observed on the animal should be dusted thoroughly. For confined animals infested with fleas and ticks, dust the entire area with D.E. D.E. is very absorbent and will dry out skin if used over a long period. Observe the animals’ skin carefully and discontinue use if the skin becomes excessively dry or irritated.
How should I use DE to control insects in Grain Storage?
Insect damage to stored grain has been a serious problem for millennia. In recent decades, mankind has resorted to toxic chemicals to control this problem. Over time, however, some people have developed illnesses from the residues of these chemicals, and some insects have begun to develop immunity to the chemicals used. When Crop-Guard is used for insect control, however, the insects are killed and they do not become immune. The D.E. harmless to vertebrates and it is permanent. Its effectiveness doesn’t fade or deteriorate, but keeps on working as long as needed. Crop-Guard is a food-grade product designed for use in grain storage and on growing plants and vegetables. Blend about 2% by weight of Crop-Guard into the stored grain or flour.
Crop-Guard has no taste or smell and is harmless to humans and animals, so it does not have to be removed from the grain or flour before processing.
Priced per ton. Email info@RiMAXBio.com for smaller or larger quantity prices and details.
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