Smokin Djinn's blog: "Gardening tip: 2"

What is Diatomaceous Earth? Diatomaceous earth is a remarkable, all-natural product made from tiny fossilized water plants. Diatomaceous Earth is a naturally occurring siliceous sedimentary mineral compound from microscopic skeletal remains of unicellular algae-like plants called diatoms. These plants have been part of the earth's ecology since prehistoric times. 30 million years ago the diatoms built up into deep, chalky deposits of diatomite. The diatoms are mined and ground up to render a powder that looks and feels like talcum powder to us. It is a mineral based pesticide. DE is approximately 3% magnesium, 33% silicon, 19% calcium, 5% sodium, 2% iron and many other trace minerals such as titanium, boron, manganese, copper and zirconium. Diatomaceous Earth is a natural (not calcined or flux calcined) compound. Diatomaceous Earth is a natural grade diatomite. However, the continual breathing of any dust should he absolutely avoided. How does it work? To insects DE is a lethal dust with microscopic razor sharp edges. These sharp edges cut through the insect's protective covering drying it out and killing them when they are either dusted with DE or if it applied as a wettable powder spray. If they ingest the DE it will shred their insides. What insects can DE be used for? Diatomaceous Earth may be used as a barrier to control adult flea beetles, sawfly, coddling moth, twig borer, thrips, mites, cockroach, slugs, snails and many other insects such as: Aphids, thrips, earwigs, silverfish, and ants. Can be used for bedbugs, cabbage root flies, carrot root flies, fleas, pillbugs, ticks and is helpful in dealing with fungus gnats. Indoor and Outdoor Application: Sprinkle a light layer of DE in areas where pests frequent, including under stoves, cabinets, sinks, garbage cans, window and door frames and sills, entrance ways, sewer pipes and drains, and in cracks and crevices. Repeat treatment as needed. Carpet Beetles: Thoroughly dust along baseboards, carpet edges, under furniture, carpet, and rugs, and in closets and shelving. Bedbugs: Take apart bed and dust joints and channels. Dust any hollow tubing and the interior framework as well as the mattress and all cracks in the room. Fleas: Thoroughly dust carpets and pet's bedding and sleeping areas, as well as cracks and baseboards. It also can be rubbed into your pet's fur. Flies: Thoroughly dust areas where flies frequent (walls, straw bedding, livestock pens). It also can be applied to livestock coat as an insect repellent/contact insecticide. How is DE applied? Apply DE with the "Pest Pistol"! Great to use for night time slug hunting. lol ;-) You can use any type of applicator like the one in the picture. The cylinder with jar in the front is a single action type pump that disperse a fine cloud of DE on foliage. The small unit with the red cap is a "Pest Pistol" used to inject DE into cracks and crevices or as a fog in larger areas. The Chapin compression sprayer can be used by making a thin slurry of DE and water. This method can you give precise coverage and when it dries the DE goes to work. A slurry can also be used as a "paint" on tree trunks to discourage insects and to give sunscald protection to the bark. A slurry paint may also be useful in deterring borers from laying eggs on bark. DE is compatible with Golden Harvest Natural Fertilizer and most other wettable powders or liquid fertilizers and pesticides. Not as much fun as a shaker of salt, out snail hunting, but the organic nature and ease of use is incredible. Plus, I like the idea of laying insect razor-ribbon around my plants and on lil Suzail without harming either. Give it a try.