Bug season is almost here… diatomaceous earth is a safe way to control them

By: Susan Durant

Spring has sprung and so will the bugs.  Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a safe way to control diverse types of household, garden and barnyard pests.  It is effective against ants, fleas, bed bugs, cockroaches, ticks, spiders, earwigs, internal parasites and more.  

Winston Rost, of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, said food grade DE is allowed in the organic garden, in livestock bedding and mixed with feed, if it is documented.  It is important to use food grade DE.  Other types, like the type used for pools may contain toxic chemicals.  

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is made from fossilized skeletons of tiny sea and freshwater organisms called diatoms, which is mainly composed of silica, and it is harvested from the sediment on the seafloor.  When crushed DE becomes a fine abrasive powder, like pulverized glass.  It sticks to the insect on contact.  The sharp edges of the powder scratch through the exoskeleton, and the internal body fluid leaks out or it is absorbed by the powder. This dries up and kills the insect.  Insects do not become resistant to DE’s effect, since it works mechanically.  Hill, S. (May, 1986) Diatomaceous Earth: A Non Toxic Pesticide. Retrieved from http://eap.mcgill.ca/publications/eap4.htm.

Silica and the minerals in DE are naturally occurring in the environment, and it is a natural component of a wildlife diet, said Andrea Shortsleeve of Vermont Fish and Wildlife.  She went on to say, DE is relatively safe for the environment if used in moderation.  Andrea warned; “While the fuzzy hairs on honey bees and other pollinators protect them from being affected from the diatomaceous earth, it is not desirable to have the bees bring any back to the hive where it could impact the eggs and larvae. So, a good way to reduce this risk is to avoid applying the diatomaceous earth powder on the blossoms of the plants and to only apply the powder in the evening when the bees are back in their hives for the evenings.”

DE can be irritating to the eyes, skin and the respiratory tract.  Glasses, gloves, and/or mask may be worn for protection during use.  Always follow label instructions when using DE.