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Diatomaceous Earth

Nature Society recommends using fresh water type Diatomaceous Earth (D.E) as a safe, ecological parasite control beneath purple martin nests

Fresh water type Diatomaceous Earth is made from diatoms. Diatoms are the grass of oceans and lakes, the food of ocean or fresh water grazers. These tiny organisms are protected by a crystal shell. As these organisms die, shells pile up on the bottom to form deposits. The deposits are then mined from underwater beds or from ancient dried lake bottoms. Once mined, it can be milled into a myriad of types for a great variety of uses. Fresh water type D.E. is milled until it has no crystalline form left, only small sharp edges which act as tiny razors to parasites that crawl through D.E.

Nature Society recommends a heaping teaspoonful of fresh water type D.E. be placed underneath sub-floors of martin houses when they are first opened for the season, and again after martins have started nest building. (Where sub-floors are not available, fresh water type D.E.. should be carefully placed underneath nest.)

If you're unable to locate fresh water type D.E. in your area, here are some online sources:

NOTE: Do not use salt water type D.E. for parasite control. It is milled much differently to be used in swimming pool filters, and is completely useless for parasite control.