Diatomaceous Earth: an organic insecticide for use at home and in the garden
A powder made from ancient fossils, which you can eat, and which also serves as an insecticide: what on earth could this substance be? Well, it's known as diatomaceous earth, diatomaceous soil, diatomite, celite or kieselgur. The powder looks a lot like flour and can be used - amongst many other uses - as an effective insecticide. Let's find out more:
What is Diatomaceous earth?
Diatomaceous earth is produced by pulverising porous, crumbly sedimentary rock, in turn made up by the fossil siliceous shells of diatoms, i.e. microscopic, unicellular aquatic plants.
Diatomaceous earth is used as a powerful pesticide in chicken coops and horse stables, given that it is non-toxic for animals and humans.
Diatomaceous earth also acts as a natural insecticide and is particularly effective against arthropodic insects, such as aphids, mites, scaled insects, cockroaches, bedbugs, ticks, silverfish, etc. Specifically, this fossil powder gets into the gaps in the exoskeletons of insects, absorbing the lipids from the cuticles and causing the insects to die from dehydration.
Since it acts on insects with exoskeletons, diatomaceous earth is not harmful to bees, butterflies and other flying insects and is regarded as a eco-friendly insecticide.
How to use Diatomaceous Earth
The best way to use this fossil powder is when it is dry: just sprinkle a small amount around the perimeter of your home, near windowsills, or wherever you spot infestations. The powder will act as a barrier to the insects. Do not go overboard with the doses: a large quantity could chase away beneficial insects and animals.
You can also use Diatomaceous Earth in solution: put 30 grams of the powder into a spray bottle with 1 liter of water and shake before use. Diatomaceous Earth is not a soluble powder, so you have to shake up the mix each time you use it. Note, however, that this liquid version is not as effective as when the powder is used dry.
To protect plants from aphids and other scaled insects (like the California Red Scale, for example), you can sprinkle the powder around the base of the plants.
Diatomaceous earth will remain effective as long as it is in place and and it is not a problem if it gets wet or a little muddy. However, if rain or watering washes it away, you will need to reapply it. To make the powder adhere better, you can consider adding oil to it that is not harmful for plants (such as mineral oil or pinolene-based product)s.
If you have an insect pest problem, give this fossil powder a try!
