Diatomaceous Earth
By Vanessa Richins
I wanted to be a marine biologist when I was growing up.
I would visit the tidepools and find the crabs, sea anenomes, limpets and more.
We took trips to a local science center where people could peer at smaller creatures under the microscope.
One kind of tiny ocean dweller is the diatom. These are algae that have developed a hard outer shell. They come in many shapes and sizes and are exquisitely beautiful, as these pictures show. After they die and fossilize, they are ground up into a fine powder called diatomaceous earth.
What does this have to do with urban gardening?
It turns out that many insects can be killed by using diatomaceous earth. The ground outer shell has very jagged, sharp edges that cut the exoskeleton of the insect when it comes into contact. This allows the sun and air into their shell, so they dry out and eventually die.
Since diatomaceous earth is made from natural algae, it’s well suited for use in organic gardens. The main insects that inspire the use of diatomaceous earth are slugs, snails, ants, fleas, aphids, and beetles.
There are a couple of cautions when considering diatomaceous earth in your garden. First, it doesn’t discriminate when it comes to killing insects, so your beneficials may be harmed. If you like your ladybugs, this may not be the solution for you.
Second, since this is a fine powder, you should wear a mask when you’re applying it so you don’t breathe it in.
Have you used diatomaceous earth in your garden? How well did it work?
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:35 pm
I wrote a Twitter Tip on Diatomaceous Earth for Fine Gardening recently- I use it in combonation with Sluggo for battling slugs and snails.
But, I also use it for our horrible Root Weevils and Earwigs and it works beautifully. Saved a very sad Salvia this year that bloomed heavily.
May 13th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Maybe you have got word about the Environmental protection agency and flea preventive drops? Why can’t everybody adore kitties to the extent we all do? It’ quite unsettling just what exactly many of these products are doing to our pets. Troubling: Flea Control Products Killing Pets