DIATOMACEOUS EARTH: AN UNDERRATED SURVIVAL TOOL
Many people have never even heard of diatomaceous earth, a.k.a. Fossil Shell Flour, while others know it only from using it in swimming pool filters. But if you are storing food for tough times ahead, this handy stuff is worth keeping around.
Diatomaceous earth (DT) is growing in popularity among survivalists, but almost entirely for its utility in food storage. Many know that DT will kill just about any type of critter that might end up in your food stores, and it is safe and tasteless when ingested by humans. What most survivalists don't know, is that DT has numerous other survival applications, from a water filtration to use as an insecticide to an anti-parasitic. If you really want to be prepared for the coming financial disaster, do yourself a favor and check out some of the relatively little-known survival applications for diatomacious earth. What diatomaceous earth really is: DT is made from fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. There are numerous commercial and industrial uses, but you will also find food grade diatomaceous earth that is safe - and even beneficial - for human digestion.
Food storage: Simply sprinkle a bit of earth on each two or three inch layer of grain as you fill your bucket/container. Once the container is full, roll it around on the floor (or shake it if you have a strong back) to spread the earth around. It is excellent for killing tiny hatchlings in your grain and is safe, tastless, and even beneficial when ingested by humans (as long as you aren't guzzling it). Don't bother washing it off before preparing the grain it was used on. In the worst case scenario, it will kill off some of the parasites in your body.
Water filtration: Some of you have studied up on expedient filtration systems, and if you have, you will find diatomaceous earth an excellent medium for water filtration. In fact, you will find it used in most swimming pool filters, as it is excellent for straining microscopic particles out of your water. (You'll have to do your own research into how to make your own filter). It can also be used to filter wine or beer. Just remember that food grade diatomaceous earth can be used to filter water, but the stuff packaged for using in your pool should NOT be used for storing grains.
Natural insecticide: Diatomaceous earth kills most insects by absorbing the lipids (fats) from the outside of their exoskeletons, causing them to quickly dehydrate. Just sprinkle a bit around your foundation to keep out the creepy crawlies, or apply it in problem areas (garden, under the sink, your kid's head, etc.). Its especially usefull in dealing with cockroaches, slugs, snails aphids, thrips, earwigs, silverfish, ants, bedbugs, cabbage root flies, carrot root flies, fleas, pillbugs, and ticks. Don't worry, because "d" earth doesn't do the same damage to humans, who have much, much more liquid in their bodies to cope with the absorption.
Anti-parasitic: Earth can be mixed with food in small amounts to kill worms or even parasites in humans or animals; and can also be added to the coat of dogs or cats (or the head of your child) to kill fleas, ticks, or lice. In fact, some vendors even package it specifically for this purpose, and it has been used throughout modern history by veterinarians in medical grade form to accomplish the same purpose. Some ranchers even add it to livestock feed to help produce healthier, parasite-free livestock.
Abrasive: Diatomaceous earth is mildly abrasive, and can be added to homemade toothpastes or soaps to aid in cleansing teeth, dishes, or other surfaces.
Liquid absorber: It is also unduly useful as an alternative to cat litter or to clean up spills - and is even recommended by the Center for Disease Control to clean up toxic liquids.
There are however a couple of considerations you should keep in mind when working wtih diatomaceous earth. Because it absorbs liquids, it can be mildly irritating if you end up breathing in a lot of it's dust. Use a mask if you plan on being messy. Also, diatomaceous earth will often kill "good" insects like bees and ladybugs, so use it conscienciously. Lastly, not all diatomaceous earth is considered food grade, so please don't go buying just any earth and dumping it in your food. 
