garden safe diatomaceous earth

Mattynugget

New Member
Hello I'm new here and wanted to know if anyone had any info on this product. I see people on forums saying its alright to use then others saying don't use it. I by mistake didn't do any research on it and used it on some plants I have in veg. It claims its 85% Silicon Dioxide. I'm hoping this won't hurt my plants that are in veg.
 

Mattynugget

New Member
That seems like the same stuff pretty much. Just hope it won't hurt my plants. I think since its labeled as a insecticide they can't sell it as food grade
 

OldMedUser

Well-Known Member
I got a 30lb bag of it at the feed store 15 years ago for about $30. It's for animal feed and mite control and is perfectly safe for your plants. Can mix it right in the soil or just work some in the top of the soil to help prevent fungus gnats.

Just don't get the stuff made for water filtration as it's been heat treated and lost it's sharp edges so it's no good to kill bugs.

It's labeled as an insecticide as it's not been cleaned enough for human consumption but it doesn't have any nasty chemicals on it or anything like that. I made caps out of the stuff I got and it didn't kill me. Good for the hair, nails and teeth not to mention any nasty bugs in your guts.

:peace:
 

tstick

Well-Known Member
Works great when it's dry and it will also add silica to the soil mix. You should apply it outdoors with a "puffer" that disperses the dust evenly and lightly. Wear a dust mask when working with it.

Works great against fungus gnats!
 

dannyboy602

Well-Known Member
Hello I'm new here and wanted to know if anyone had any info on this product. I see people on forums saying its alright to use then others saying don't use it. I by mistake didn't do any research on it and used it on some plants I have in veg. It claims its 85% Silicon Dioxide. I'm hoping this won't hurt my plants that are in veg.
Silica is important for cell growth in plants and in people. People use food grade DE for gut health. Who/where did you get the idea DE was harmful? Its also used as an organic insecticide. Do some reading. You'll be glad you did.
 

Mattynugget

New Member
Silica is important for cell growth in plants and in people. People use food grade DE for gut health. Who/where did you get the idea DE was harmful? Its also used as an organic insecticide. Do some reading. You'll be glad you did.
The garden safe stuff isn't considered food grade so I didn't know if it was safe or not. I guess since its considered a insecticide they can't list it as food grade
 

Budzbuddha

Well-Known Member
It works fine ...i use it and its how you handle it more as a precaution than its use. It will irritate lungs and is a dessicant ( moisture ) , this is one way of how it works , the other way is that it cuts into the insects body .

The BEST method is to " scratch " a bit into DRY TOPSOIL. there it will be most effective.
If you put on damp or freshly watered soil it clumps up and becomes ineffective. I DO NOT put on leaves as this will strip moisture from them.
 

dannyboy602

Well-Known Member
It works fine ...i use it and its how you handle it more as a precaution than its use. It will irritate lungs and is a dessicant ( moisture ) , this is one way of how it works , the other way is that it cuts into the insects body .

The BEST method is to " scratch " a bit into DRY TOPSOIL. there it will be most effective.
If you put on damp or freshly watered soil it clumps up and becomes ineffective. I DO NOT put on leaves as this will strip moisture from them.
Exactly.
 
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