diatomaceous-earth

tinytortoise

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The OP picture is not food grade, the back (fine print) says this in the warnings section (not for use with children or pets)!
 

BenDoc

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How do you go about applying it to the bedding? remove all decorations, hides, food and water dishes and throw some on top and stir around and repeat? I figured i could do this once every couple weeks while she soaks for her usual 30 mins. Any tips would be great! Thanks
 

H2447INTX

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How do you go about applying it to the bedding? remove all decorations, hides, food and water dishes and throw some on top and stir around and repeat? I figured i could do this once every couple weeks while she soaks for her usual 30 mins. Any tips would be great! Thanks


This is what I did during a good cleaning.
I have seen maybe 1-2 of the flys.
 

tinytortoise

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Good to know, I'd been only using very little and somewhat mixing, next application I'll go a bit deeper.
 

H2447INTX

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Good to know, I'd turned only using very little and somewhat mixing, next application I'll go a bit deeper.

I pulled all the plants an objects out, just turned over the top 2"-3" of soil sprinkled across the top and mixed it up then repeated 2 more times. Added a light layer orchid bark over top.

Cleaned everything and put fake plants back in etc.


They will try to eat it if it gets on bark or stones or anything.

Its safe to eat , just be mindful of what it may get on.
 

LaLaP

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What about the tortoises inhaling it? I read that it causes damage to the lungs if it's inhaled and since tortoises are low to the ground and do a bit of sniffing around do you think it could be harmful in this way?
 

H2447INTX

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Well I dont know.

Mix it in well, and with soil being moist or damp that would help as well.

I have had no issues the last couple weeks.
 

tinytortoise

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What about the tortoises inhaling it? I read that it causes damage to the lungs if it's inhaled and since tortoises are low to the ground and do a bit of sniffing around do you think it could be harmful in this way?
Make sure to keep tortoise away while you're incorporating DE into the substrate, giving air plenty of time to settle. Then just make sure you dont leave any clumps of white powder, to prevent tortoise from investigating.
 

jsheffield

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Make sure to keep tortoise away while you're incorporating DE into the substrate, giving air plenty of time to settle. Then just make sure you dont leave any clumps of white powder, to prevent tortoise from investigating.

Would it be bad for torts?

I initially thought this thread might be about incorporating de into their diets for the reasons that some people do ....

Jamie
 

tinytortoise

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Would it be bad for torts?

I initially thought this thread might be about incorporating de into their diets for the reasons that some people do ....

Jamie
Ensure you get food grade. I got omri listed organic food grade DE, I think I linked above but can add again if you need.

I don't recommend feeding it unless you're approaching from a different angle, such as parasites; deworming. It may also be viable for calcium suppliment but I literally haven't researched this, DONT FEED IT TO TORTOISE, based on this dialogue.

For pest control, like gnats, flies, etc (in enclosure) it won't be bad or toxic to your tortoise. You just want to prevent it from being in the air. Tortoise isn't going to stir too much a fuss, and when you incorporate it to soil it quickly becomes moist and more spongy, so you don't have to worry it while they're burrowing.

It's just the application, make sure you're not leaving a small or giant white pile for your tortoise to cause to circulate in the air.
 

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