Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous Earth is made from fossilized water plants and is a natural occurring siliceous sedimentary mineral compound from the remains of algae-like plants called diatom. As a result of fossilization, the diotoms left are called diatomite. These diatoms are mined and ground up to make a powder that has a look and a feel much like talcum powder.

Diatomaceous Earth may be used as a barrier to control pests: adult flea beetles, sawfly, coddling moth, twig borer, thrips, mites, cockroach, slugs, snails, aphids, earwigs, silverfish, and ants. It can be used for bedbugs, cabbage root flies, carrot root flies, fleas, pillbugs, ticks and is helpful in dealing with fungus gnats.

How it works:

Organic Diatomaceous Earth derived from organic sources. Due to its unique tiny barbed cylindrical properties it is a natural insect repellent. It does so by penetrating the waxy coating that covers the insect’s body as it walks along the powder. This creates wounds that let body fluid out. The porous nature of the powder also makes it absorbent. This means diatomaceous earth works in two ways, both injuring the pest and drawing out fluid to dry and kill the insect. Death does not happen on contact, but over a short period of time. If left undisturbed, diatomaceous earth can be effective within 24 hours, though better results are usually apparent after five days.

Organic Amendment:

• 30L of growing medium: ⅛ cup (30ml) to ¼ cup (60ml) per 30L of soil (applied twice per season for outdoor and once per cycle for indoor).
• Per 1L of growing medium: Mix 1-2ml.

Outdoor Gardens & Flower Beds: 

• 1kg to 2.5kg per 10 square meter of garden space (applied once per season).

Potted Plants: 

• 2 to 5 tablespoons (30-75ml) per 5L of soil (applied once per year).

As a Natural Insect Control:

• Indoor and Greenhouse for Aphids & Spider Mites: Dust under the leaves and directly into infestations of aphids on cabbages, broccoli, kale, and cauliflower. Also apply on top layer of soil and stem.
• For Bulbs: Just prior to planting, dip and coat entire bulb or existing stem in DE to address any dormant bulb thrips, borer, or mites.
• In the Greenhouse: Sprinkle a perimeter barrier of DE around seedling trays for pill bugs and around the base of small plants to protect against earwigs.
• In the Garden: When plant leaves are dry with a forecast of good weather, dust plants with diatomaceous earth to help control asparagus beetle, Mexican bean beetle, potato beetle and cutworm.