Mother Nature supplied the solution to those problems millions of years ago. Diatomaceous Earth (DE). It can be used effectively, as a pesticide on and around livestock, and in grain storage. It eliminates everything but the grain. In an outside environment, it's totally harmless to everyone and everything with less than six legs.

Kansas State University in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture ran test after test on diatomaceous earth protecting grain. Grain that was put up in 1976, treated one time only with DE, that grain is as fresh and clean as it can be. Grain gets stale and gets a musty smell, but not with diatomaceous earth on it. It has been said that diatomaceous earth, when you grind wheat into flour, you need not remove it because it is not considered to be foreign material and actually it adds 14 trace minerals to your bread. When fossil shell flour DE is incorporated into bread it yields no change in flavor or texture. Controls insects in wheat, rice, sorghum, oats, rye, barley, corn and seeds of all kinds. Controls rice weevils, lesser grain bobers, flat grain beetles, red flour beetles, confused flour beetles, merchant grain beetles, saw-toothed grain beetles, granary weevils, larvae of the Indian meal moth, etc.

For commercial use, it is recommended that 7 - 10 lbs. of DE be used per 2000 lbs. of grain, but we find that many people are using less successfully. For practical purposes, 1 lb. of Perma Guard Fossil Shell DE will protect 300 lbs. of grain or seeds. That means that 1 oz. will protect 18 lbs. of grain. For more convenience for most uses, 1 lb. has 6 c. of DE. 1 c. will protect 50 lbs. of grain or seeds. It is the only insecticide that you can treat grain with one time and never ever have to treat it again. It keeps it absolutely fresh and clean.

Make certain your storage containers are proper for the job and are clean and dry. Using a smaller container with a lid, fill about 1/3 full of grain, put in some food grade fossil shell flour DE, put the lid on and shake. (This will insure that every kernel has a coating). Pour the mixture in your storage unit and repeat this procedure until finished. Any DE left over can be used in many ways, or shared with friends, neighbors or relatives, or used for other purposes. The shelf life is forever.