Diatomaceous earth

[El Sapo]

I've recently purchased some from the local feed store for use as pest control in my organic garden. Can anyone suggest the best method for use (I understand a light dusting of the plants is generally sufficient) and any other tricks / tweaks etc? I hear it can be a pretty indiscriminate killer although I haven't seen (m)any 'beneficial bugs' around anyway. I am pretty sure I am using a saltwater version of D.E. and have read to be very careful about inhaling it. Anyone use this product or have any opinions / suggestions?

 

[Uninformed]

DE is a particulate that cuts on contact. Any bug that walks across it will be cut. Thus, as you said, it is an indescriminant deterrent. It washes off with water. Just sprinkle it on the plants - It is as simple as that.

 

[Sangre Naranjada]

This is a picture of one of the types of diatom shells commonly found in DE. You can clearly see the spikes and sharp edges at this level of magnification. This is what cuts the chitinous exoskeleton of insects that walk across it (thus killing them by means of dessication) and I expect you also can understand why you would not want to have this stuff down your throat and in your lungs.

 

[WooHorn]

Any effect on rats and mice?

 

[GM Platter]

Dont know about rats and mice, but I'm using this stuff with good effect on ants in Houston.

If those Pearland crazy ants come my way I'll be ready.

 

[Texas Law]

Is the stuff at the garden store the same as I put in my pool filters?

 

[Sangre Naranjada]

No, it is not the same.

Pool filter DE starts off as the same stuff, but gets processed to remove the spikes and edges so it fits together better and makes an effective filter media. Because the edges have been smoothed down, the pool filter stuff will be wholly ineffective as a pest control agent.