What is the difference between Cumbasil Mite and diatomaceous earth?

If you keep chickens, you naturally want them to be in top shape. To boost your hens' well-being, there are a few things you can do to ensure they live a long and happy life. These include providing them with sufficient space and appropriate housing, as well as good feed, plenty of fresh food, and drinking water and good stable hygiene.

The latter not only includes regular cleaning of the chicken coop, but also a reliable method to prevent mites, ectoparasites and other pests.

Many chicken lovers use diatomaceous earth to combat parasites. With Cumbasil Mite, there's now finally a natural, biocide-free alternative that rids your coop of these unwanted guests and, when used in a dust bath, prevents them from occurring.

But what exactly is the difference between Cumbasil Mite and diatomaceous earth? Here we take a look at what's in each and how both are used.

 

What is diatomaceous earth actually?

Diatomaceous earth, also known as diatomaceous earth, is a white powder obtained from the fossilized shells of diatoms, also known as marine deposits. These are actually fossils that make up a huge portion of our Earth's surface and crust.

Silicon dioxide is the largest component of the powder.

There are huge differences in the quality of commercially available diatomaceous earth. If you want to use it to eradicate red mites and other parasites from your coop, you shouldn't buy the cheapest option!

It should be food-grade. This ensures that the powder does not contain toxic additives that could harm your chickens' health. Furthermore, the powder used on your hens should be very fine so that it works effectively and reaches even the smallest crevices in the coop. Cheaper products are often coarse-grained and not as effective at controlling mites.

 

Why use diatomaceous earth in chicken farming?

One thing is clear: Diatomaceous earth is a truly natural product. Because the porous powder of the fossilized algae has extremely sharp edges, it is a well-known and very effective remedy against, for example, chicken mites, such as the widespread red poultry mite. It also helps if your chickens suffer from chalky legs, caused by the red mite.

The edges of the small diatomaceous earth particles injure the parasites and their respiratory tract. They die within a few hours when the waxy surface is damaged or the powder is ingested. Because diatomaceous earth kills mites, it is also classified as a biocide. These biocides must not be applied directly to the animal. Diatomaceous earth is therefore primarily used for coating stables.

But be careful: you can only combat living mites with the algae powder, meaning only the adult pests. It won't reach mite eggs and larvae. Furthermore, the coating will wear off as the animals use the barn. Therefore, you need to renew the coating regularly.

In addition to pest control, diatomaceous earth is sometimes used in cosmetics, paints or cleaning products because the particles can penetrate even the finest cracks and thus reach and clean places that other substances cannot reach.

 

Is diatomaceous earth safe?

Diatomaceous earth is generally harmless to your health and the environment, but it consists primarily of nanoparticles that should not be inhaled, so a dust mask is recommended for protection. It's suitable for organic farms, and even if you keep chickens as a hobby, you can use it without concern. The eggs and meat are also safe to eat, as this natural product leaves no residue.

However, you should take a few precautions when using it, as the porous and dry powder creates a lot of dust when distributed around the stable! Ideally, you should distribute it with a commercially available spray pump – like a pro. But a homemade "pump" can also work (you can simply poke a hole in the cap of an old plastic bottle, pour powder into the bottle, and shake it at the right angle).

Until the fine powder particles have settled, it's important to avoid inhaling the dust by wearing a respirator. This will protect your lungs and prevent long-term health damage. You can also protect your eyes with safety goggles and protective gloves.

Once the dust has cleared, you can, of course, enter the stable without protective equipment. Just remember this the next time you munch, as you'll stir up the diatomaceous earth again.

Another method is to dissolve the diatomaceous earth in water and apply it with a brush like paint. Then let it dry, and once it's dry, you can use the stable again. Again, keep in mind that when mucking out, the diatomaceous earth will be dry and you'll stir up the powder, which can be harmful to your respiratory system.

 

Is diatomaceous earth harmful to my chickens?

Diatomaceous earth poses no health risk to your chickens—quite the opposite! By preventing mites and pests from making life difficult for your chickens, you'll promote the well-being of your feathered friends.

However, as a precaution, you should also protect your hens from the dust. Therefore, it's advisable to apply the diatomaceous earth on a day when they can spend a few hours in the run. Let the chickens out in the morning and distribute the diatomaceous earth with a pump or a wet brush. By the time they return to the coop in the evening, there should be no particles left floating in the air.

However, long-term damage to chickens from inhalation is generally not expected, as their life expectancy is not comparable to that of humans. So you don't need to worry if they inhale dust.

What is Cumbasil Mite?

Cumbasil Mite consists of various minerals and, like diatomaceous earth, is a completely natural product. It also contains silicon dioxide, which is not obtained from fossilized algae, but from natural mineral deposits. It also contains many other important minerals such as magnesium, calcium, iron, and many trace elements, making it completely safe for animals to ingest.

It is approved for use on organic chicken farms and is ideal for hobby chicken keepers with a small private flock, as well as for mobile coops or other concepts. Cumbasil Mite impresses with its perfect adhesive properties. This allows the particles to adhere well to the feathers, where they specifically and effectively combat red mites and other annoying pests.

Because Cumbasil Mite is designed for the health and mite prevention of your chickens, its small particles are the perfect size to control mite pressure in the coop. This doesn't kill the mites, but rather severely restricts their mobility. (Reference to a study by the University of Applied Sciences Soest / publication by Prof. Belhauve) Firstly, the dust in the birds' feathers acts like a natural protective barrier, giving the mites virtually no chance of penetrating the skin. Secondly, it also blocks the mites' mobility in the coop, preventing them from multiplying uncontrollably. Studies on its use show that with Cumbasil Mite, mites no longer play a role for the chickens.

 

How to use Cumbasil Mite against mites?

To ensure that the mineral powder makes life difficult for mites, feather lice, biting lice, and especially the red poultry mite, a dust bath is recommended. To do this, place a tub of Cumbasil Mite in a protected area in the run or stable.

By nature, your chickens love to brood as a leisure activity and to clean their feathers. By using Cumbasil Mite instead of regular sand, you not only prevent parasites but also combat them in the event of an acute infestation.

Your hens may be skeptical at first. With a few simple tricks, like mixing in potting soil and using a suitable tray, you can improve their acceptance until they'll eventually jump into the powder willingly and squeal with delight, brooding contentedly. You can find more tips for the perfect sand bath in our blog post .

 

Cumbasil Mite or diatomaceous earth – which is better against mites?

You may now be wondering whether you should use diatomaceous earth against mites in the chicken coop, or rather Cumbasil Mite . The answer is simple: Distributed in a dust bath and regularly aerated with a rake, Cumbasil Mite is the ideal remedy for red mites and other unwanted pests. Because it's not biocidal, you can use it on animals, for example, as a dust bath. Furthermore, it contains no harmful nanoparticles, creates little dust, and is activated by the animals' natural instincts.

However, supplementing with diatomaceous earth can be beneficial, especially if your infestation is already severe and you can't control it with Cumbasil Mite alone. Use diatomaceous earth to coat cracks and crevices in the coop, as well as the floor and other surfaces. This will make the path to your chickens a real obstacle course for the pests. In combination with the Cumbasil Mite You've created excellent protection against mites in the hens' plumage, and your birds will quickly feel better again. Afterward, a dust bath is perfectly sufficient.