Anyone have any experience using Diatomacious earth

ltecato

Well-Known Member
de consists of tiny, super sharp, particles of calcium. It slices up exoskeletons. Any de making it to a nest will cause havoc, yes. *Probably* responsible for at least *some* "expando-weed." Ever take a hit and suddenly your lungs react and feel like they're about to explode?

It's right up there with super fine perlite dust, for human lungs.
That is a scary thought! Thanks for the warning.
 

Fastslappy

Well-Known Member
I use in my coco mix (silica / calcium ) equal amounts as I do my rock powders
it's said to host bennies on it's surface area
good for your worms as well ??
 

dave chull

Well-Known Member
I have used DE since I started growing indoors and wont grow without it. Have been an outdoor guy for longer than I care to remember, last fall I decided to try my hand indoors to keep the steady flow of meds going without the typical break between outdoor grows. I cloned some of my outdoor plants and guess they brought spider mites inside. I found the food grade DE takes them out for good and now I use it as part of my routine. I top dress always with it, have dusted the edges of my tents and room as a precaution a few times and I have used it wet as well as dry during veg only to ensure no pests ever touch my plants again. An ounce of prevention will save your pounds at harvest time...

https://www.diatomaceousearth.com/blog/how-to-apply-diatomaceous-earth/
I'm cheap I use baking soda around my floors and door edges
 

hillbill

Well-Known Member
  1. DE, Neem, Dunks.....Pyrethrins in the area, not on the plants(last resort) and above all ....Vigilance! Gnats can arrive in any mix or compost including castings and manures so the battle never ends. They are in my own garden and compost barrel and pile. They thrive in my bog garden but are not allowed to live in my tent.
 
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Porky101

Well-Known Member
It blocked my pot, I have no drainage now. Everytime I water I have to stab the pot with wires to "break" the DE that has binded together forming a waterproof layer.

It does work, but I dont know why, it has destroyed my drainage!!
 

hillbill

Well-Known Member
Sprinkle it on. You might have a layer of sand or perlite. Don't try to make a layer of DE. I've used it around house, garden and tents and pets. It works and is allowed up to a certain ratio in grain which is being stored so you don't have bugs in corn or rice or wheat.

My pots still drain fine. If you overdose with it, it really makes a nice paste or even toothpaste.
 

GrowerGoneWild

Well-Known Member
I use food grade DE.

Observed stem improvement with rockwool blocks/ Soil treated with DE. Works like silica products

Observed a decline in fungus gnat population when using DE sprinkled on top of blocks and covered with opaque plastic. Could have been the plastic cover, could have been the DE could have been both.
 

hillbill

Well-Known Member
Don't put too much on and never on buds. DE is your friend. You eat it every day. Another form of DE is NAPA 8822 oil dry. It provide drainage, aeration and moisture retention all at once in your mix. Many things we use require careful use. It's always a good practice to keep dust down and do wear a mask especially with larger amounts. Even things like guano and peat moss or vermiculite can be dangerous. I like to sprinkle DE in the tent corners and under the stove and fridge.
 

Jubilant

Well-Known Member
DE is not harmful to breathe in as long as it is food grade, do not worry about that there is a form of DE that is terrible to breathe in but you won't be buying that if it is food grade. I used it with great success on my garden got rid of fungus gnats right quick. I just places a light layer on the top of my soil and mixed it lightly into the top then sprinkled a light layer to just sit on top.
 
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