Diatomaceous earths

[protus]

as to the PM's.
they are disabled .
You may email the user or admin of choice though

[610Alpha]

Protus you disappoint me no huge debate or anything....Not even a comment about the "Food Grade" poke. You are just no fun :p

If I do use DE as a pesticide on my garden I will be sure to use a mask and to thoroughly wash all the veggies before bringing them inside the house.

[Patriot Prepper]

Regarding the toxic value of DE.

I have used natural health methods for over 35 years. I have not been to a doctor, do not used prescription drugs, over the counter drugs, etc. I do not have any health issues or diseases.
By adhering to health principles I am able to remain both disease free and doctor free.

If you follow conventional wisdom, then fluoride is also safe, in fact, they claim it is healthy and useful for your teeth. Well tooth decay is not the result of a fluoride deficiency. Fluoride is a toxic substance used in pesticides. If you look at all the crap they put in processed food, the toxic chemicals they put on crops, and the poisons they claim are safe, then you might believe the food grade DE is OK for human food storage. In my opinion, it is not OK and will not be part of my food storage plan. Don't put the stuff near my food.

There was an interesting article in Mother Earth magazine a ways back, that showed some of the new research regarding pesticide safety. Well science is showing that the stuff is really dangerous. And guess what, is reduces testosterone. Could we be creating a feminine passive society? Once again their are people stating that pesticides are safe, when they are not.

As far as DE use in food storage, I believe it is toxic to humans in one manner or another. Why use it?

[Lowdown3]

If you use common sense when packing- don't buy grains that have sat around for six months and don't let them sit around for six months after you get them, you won't NEED this potentially hazardous product- DE.

The proponets say "then when your ready to use your grains you WASH the DE off."

Much like the reason the Army went to disposable chemical protective suits- how can you be sure you got it ALL off? Let's forget the whole issue of wasting water "washing the DE" off grain.

Finally, email Walton's, OFD, Blue Chip, ask the professionals do THEY USE IT? I can save you an email if you'd like- THEY DON'T. No professional packing house uses DE, dry ice, mylar party balloons, salt as a dessicant, lime, sheetrock dust, soda pop bottles for containers or any of the Bravo Sierra you see people that lack a lot of experience in food storage advocating.

[jloneill17]

Lowdown- what are your suggestions for how much weight in food to put in mylar w/ 5 gallon bucket. Also what foods would say hold the longest with the best nutritional and filling value? Also, does it matter or help to vacuum seal the mylar before sealing it?

[Klayton]

@jloneill17: you will be throwing in an O2 absorber with your mylar bag before you seal it. This will do what you are thinking of by vacuum sealing (removing the harmful gas-oxygen). There are some things that I vacuum seal for cost savings: blocks of bulk bars of soap is the last thing I vacuum sealed and then placed in a paper bag (to block all light). But for food, dont skimp, use an O2 absorber.

If you go, to here: http://http://providentliving.org/co...4224-1,00.html
You will see some recommended shelf life (if properly stored)...

[Lowdown3]

I would not argue with any of their estimates on storage life. I've had similar results.

We keep a little bit of food from every "lot" i.,e when we are rotating rice from 91 we keep at least a bucket from that time period. Then later those are used as examples like in the "Long Term food storage Results" videos that Protus put on Youtube.

I'm planning another video of that genre to show how some of the more arcane stuff made it over time.

In general, food packed with a modicum of care, will keep much longer than the "chart commandos" and "six bucket experts" will tell you it will.

[jloneill17]

I appreciate the advice. I was going to us O2 in all of my mylar bags, i just didn't know if vacuum sealing it also would help. Looks like the wife is gonna let me keep 1/2 of my tax return, so with the wedding money, I think i'll have about 1K to put towards food storage. Got some friends who run restaurants, will get the buckets from them, then get the mylar and O2 from shopsimplerliving.com. thanks so much. gonna read all of your posts on "getting started series". And re-watch your videos. Oh, i think 150.00 of the cash is going towards a ruger 10/22. can't help it. gotta buy one

[1Admin]

Vacuum sealing isn't necessary if your using absorbers. Save the money on the super duper vacuum sealer and buy food with it.

[ronicolman]

I have some tiny white unidentified insects in my home- they are not bedbugs (much too small, wrong shape) not fleas (can't jump, wrong shape) and not lice (they are the wrong shape and can walk over smooth surfaces). I've searched for household pest images and can't find anything that looks like them at all.

[Klayton]

@ronicolman do they fly? It sounds like you may have whiteflies, common if you have household potted plants and you over water the soil. I believe they still sell those yellow sticky traps that will help wipe them out quick...