Where can I find Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth?

[improperganda]

Hey guys! Im looking for Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth in toronto. I can't seem to find it anywhere! I've heard its good at killing bed bugs (which i think i have ) If anyone can help me, I would be soooo greatful! thanks in advance <3 xoxoxox

[screamy]

Oh, I don't envy you if you do have them...they are supposed to be an absolute nightmare to get rid of.

Sorry I don't have any sources for the silica, but try calling 311 - apparently the City gets hundreds of calls a year and should have some resources for you.

The good news is that - itchy and annoying though their bites may be - they don't carry diseases. Boil and dry (in a dryer - hanging them to dry won't help) all your sheets, pillow cases, etc.; run your pillows through the dryer on hot for at least half an hour, flip your bed up and go over the seams inch by inch, and vacuum the hell out of your mattress and boxspring.

If you have slats for your bed, take them out, wipe them down on all sides with bleach, and do the same for your head and foot-boards. You may want to lift the bottom and get underneath the parts the bed sits on, too.

There are also commercially available matress covers that zip them in (if they're still there) and keep them out (if they're not).

Best of luck - and please post about the silica if you find a place!!

[Ciel]

I don't know how this substance can be obtained as food grade, but diatomacetious earth is barbed stuff at both ends, so insects hurt when they ingest it. It is supposed to help with ants too, if you follow directions and put it along their paths (but not near your food!).

Hardware stores sell plastic bottles of it in the insect control aisle.

[FallenPixels]

I think Terra Greenhouses carry it, not sure how close one would be to you but if they carry it, I imagine most garden centres will (btw its also safe for cats with fleas)

[save_girl]

Once you've cleaned up as Screamy described, make sure your bedding doesn't touch the floor, and try taping your bed legs (sticky side out) to prevent new ones arriving too. Never hurts to take every precaution!

[improperganda]

I thought it was bed bugs but my dog just had fleas lol. Got rid of them (thank goodness!) Thanks for all the comments tho!

[save_girl]

It isn't often fleas are good news! But they are so much easier to get rid of.

[lecale]

Diatomaceous earth is sold in aquarium stores in the aquarium filters section - it's used to filter water in fancier set-ups. Try the Big Al's Aquarium Superstores online or check out one of their locations. I don't know that it would be food grade but the bedbugs won't care.

[kava5]

Are you still looking for this stuff? I saw some yesterday at Herbie's Herbs at Bathurst and Queen.
Here's a link to their online shipping (but it's easy to just go to the store and pick it up.)
http://secure.herbies-herbs.com/inde...com_virtuemart

[Vbe]

Seriously, that stuff is VERY different from food grade DE and is can cause lung cancer if inhaled. DE for pool/aquarium filter has been chemically and heat treated and now contains crystalline silica. This should be avoided. The same is also true of DE from salt water sources to a lesser extent.

When laying DE down in you home for pests be sure you're using the food grade variety.

Diatomaceous earth is sold in aquarium stores in the aquarium filters section - it's used to filter water in fancier set-ups. Try the Big Al's Aquarium Superstores online or check out one of their locations. I don't know that it would be food grade but the bedbugs won't care.

[Helios813]

I just read this article about DE "How to have better hair and a healthier body with a little known source of silica" so the idea of "Food Grade" DE is somewhat more interesting (to me) now so if anyone has any ideas of where to get this ...

[verkisto]

I visited Herbie's Herbs thanks to your post, Kava5, but they only have NON-FOOD GRADE DE. Health Services at Bloor and Dovercourt do not carry it in any form.

I was advised by staff at my local Hooper's to try The Big Carrot and Ottway's Herbals near Chester subway. If all goes well with my schedule, I will go there tomorrow and will report on the results. Cheers! ;-)

[Liviana]

The Big Carrot sells food grade DE and their suppliers are in Mississauga:
http://www.diatomitecanada.com/contact-us.htm