Off The Grid News Better Ideas For Off The Grid Living
Dear Editor,
I have been using DE for grain and bean storage for about 10 years now and have never had a problem with any bugs in 55-gallon barrels with corn, grains, etc. or 5-gallon. I have always used the DE from the stores for use in the garden as it has no other ingredients listed as any type of poison. Also the DE from pool supplies also only list DE as the ingredient. Is there a real difference between these and what you said about a food grade back in Jan 24t, I think? Everything I can see and understand, it’s the same stuff (some finer than others like the pool version is course). Do you have additional info or insight? And if there is a real difference, where would one obtain food-grade DE?
Preparing in south Georgia
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Dear Preparing,
For controlling bugs in your food stores or garden, you should only use diatomaceous earth that is “Food Grade”. “Pool Grade” diatomaceous earth has been chemically processed and is a cancer-causing agent. It has been chemically treated and heated to change its composition. But food grade diatomaceous earth is considered by the FDA to be safe for use indoors and out. It is called “food grade” because it is used that way, in agriculture and humans. You can get food grade DE online if you don’t have an agricultural store (such as a farmer’s co-op or garden center) near you. Amazon.com is one such place. Thanks for writing, and I hope this helps! J
The Editor
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Dear Editor,
My wife & I live in the mountains of Colorado. We have a wood burning stove, plenty of wood, and more we can cut if needed. I am an avid reader of Off the Grid News, so I have been paying attention to all of the articles and suggestions that is on your web site. We have been storing up food, water and ammo even before we found your site and we believe we’re in pretty good shape for the unexpected, whatever that might be.
We have two large dogs that alert us if any animals or people come within 50 yards of our cabin and we have a small arsenal of weapons if we ever need to use them. We are not near any major city and the nearest town is 7 miles away. We do have neighbors on either side of us and they feel the same way we do about our “so called” government! We even have a sheriff who lives down the mountain.
Whether we experience an EMP from a nuclear attack or from the rays of the sun, we feel we can sustain for a while. We could also experience a shortage of food from the stores and mass rioting from very hungry people…even where we’re at. Again, we could sustain for a while, but shooting someone is not on my list of things to do. Killing another human being (in defense or not) will mess a person up psychologically for life!
We are preparing for what only God knows is coming.
Hunting for food would only last a short time because everyone who has a gun would be doing the same thing up here and eventually the game would become scarce. Gardening is a great idea but may not be very good at 7700 ft. and only 4 months to get the job done. A person can save & save & save, even enough to sustain them for a year, but eventually, the food and water will run out… and then what? I am of course talking worst case scenario here.
I know you don’t hold a crystal ball, but with all that I have said… in your opinion, how bad do you think it will get and are we prepped enough??
Concerned in Colorado
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Dear Concerned,
You can only do the very best you can with what you’ve got. It looks like you’ve taken into consideration many different scenarios and you’ve prepared the best you can for those. Don’t be quick to dismiss a garden… in four months you can grow enough to not only have fresh vegetables but be able to put some away through canning or dehydrating. If and when your water runs out, you’ll have to rely on natural water sources, just like our ancestors did before our time. Preparedness is as much a mental frame of mind as it is a physical conditioning. At some point you have to look at where you’re at, determine that you’ve done all that you can do, and then leave the future up to God. You have to practice faith.
You’re right, I don’t have a crystal ball. We pray for the best, and prepare for the worst. It’s all we’re able to do. God bless…
The Editor