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Author Topic: Where do you buy diatomaceous earth for small hive beetles in Aus?  (Read 8087 times)

Offline Lone

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Where do you buy diatomaceous earth for small hive beetles in Aus?

Lone


Offline Lord Viykor

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Re: Where do you buy diatomaceous earth for small hive beetles in Aus?
« Reply #2 on: April 02, 2012, 05:55:06 am »
I was told Bunnings sell it, haven't checked though to confirm.

Offline Lone

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Re: Where do you buy diatomaceous earth for small hive beetles in Aus?
« Reply #3 on: April 02, 2012, 10:46:56 am »
Thanks Eco. It looks like it has lots of uses; could even put it in soup to stop the fly swimming in it.

LV, I looked on the Bunnings site and it doesn't come up.

I tried to call the company that plans to start a diatomaceous earth plant in town here, but of course they don't sell retail.  And none of the beekeeping suppliers I found on the internet sell it.  Someone gave me some of the swimming pool variety, but it won't be much good if it doesn't work on the SHB.  We are hoping to split a hive off tomorrow for my wonderful offsider (the one who runs away when he gets stung), and he has a thin bottom trap.

Lone



Offline zippelk

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Re: Where do you buy diatomaceous earth for small hive beetles in Aus?
« Reply #4 on: April 04, 2012, 01:02:09 pm »
Someone gave me some of the swimming pool variety, but it won't be much good if it doesn't work on the SHB. 

I didn't know there was a difference. what's wrong with the swimming pool variety? thanks!

Offline Tricky

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Re: Where do you buy diatomaceous earth for small hive beetles in Aus?
« Reply #5 on: April 04, 2012, 01:52:13 pm »
We bought a 10lb bag at our local Tractor supply store.


Offline Lone

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Re: Where do you buy diatomaceous earth for small hive beetles in Aus?
« Reply #7 on: May 09, 2012, 01:57:43 am »
I ordered the 5kg bag pretty much as soon as you gave me the link, Eco.  Goodness knows why I didn't get a smaller amount because this will probably last 100 years.  I was a little skeptical when it came because it didn't seem to have a very fine texture.  But after trying it on one hive it seems to work, and now we've loaded it into most traps.  The AJ trap had evaporated the oil/cider since last check, so at least it will eliminate that problem. 

Harpo, I'd have to look at a map but I think Herberton is closer than Harvey Bay.  But they are the same distance exactly by Australia Post (13km to the post office).  The neighbour also found this link, the only one I've seen that specifies small hive beetle:  http://www.plantdoctor.com.au/bee-keepers/perma-guard-natural-insecticide-clone-2.html  Because it is called Perma-Guard and not DE, I didn't find it on google initially.

On Eco's site, I see it is good for pet consumption for worms, and also rubbed on for fleas.  I wonder how it kills worms when it's ingested?  I have to be careful about the latter and other outdoor use because the native bee hive is close to the dog bed. 

One more question for those who've used DE in SHB traps, how often do you change the DE?

Lone

Offline lilyfrog

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Offline Lone

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Re: Where do you buy diatomaceous earth for small hive beetles in Aus?
« Reply #9 on: May 09, 2012, 08:32:54 am »
Hello Mark,

That's the first I've heard that only one brand of DE is allowed for SHB in Australia...which seems odd since a lot of traps sold are only supposed to take DE. 

Lone

Offline lilyfrog

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Re: Where do you buy diatomaceous earth for small hive beetles in Aus?
« Reply #10 on: May 10, 2012, 06:31:44 am »
Lone,

I don't think matters what brand, but this brand is certified for organic use. For full organic certification you need to be able to prove its chain of production & purity.

Don't use pool grade DE as it is toxic and has been proven in the lab to cause respiratory issues.

Hydrolised lime has been used in DE traps also, be several people I know & it works well.

cheers

Mark   
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