Diatomaceous earth

Hello,

I have recently purchased some Diatomaceous Earth. From what I have read it is a natural insecticide. That has been used since well before 1900 to fend off all sorts of insects from grain/flour. I would like to know if anyone has used it, or knows anything about it being used. I have read that its often used in flea powders/ lice powder. Its used orally (food grade) in both livestock and humans alike to ride you of parasites.

My main reason for buying and trying this product is I have an outside garden and recently got a puppy. After learning that your average flea and tick control methods (i.e. frontline) are all durived from Monsanto's brilliant invention Agent Orange. After learning that all Flea collars/sprays/wipes/dipps are a durivative of a neurotoxin I decided to look for an alternative.

After looking It seams that Diatmaceous Earth is the best choice.
Its just hard to find feed back. I have read afew dozen reviews from farmers and how it has been a godsent for there cattle but I was more intrestead in its plant aplications. Duke has been flea free since I used it.
A tiny bit of the powder and rub it between both hands and rub all over the pet. Easy enough.

For plants I have read that it depends what you are trying to combat.
If its a ground dwelling insect just dust the ground and leave a thin layer. Re apply after each watering since the nature of Diatoms is to literaly cut the little buggers waxxy outer coating and cause them to die of dehydration. If they fly and land on the foliage just dust the leaves. I am a bit worryed about dusting the buds (havent got that far in the grow yet) with pretty much pure silica.

The only real downside I have found is that I want to use it on this type of plant. Since silica can cause silicosious. Everything I have read from Perma Guard is that the silica (Diatomaceous) used is the sillicon Dioxide varient
which again from everything I have read does not cause silicousious.
I really would like some input since it seams a bit dangerous.

Im going to add afew quotes to give more info since before I started all this I never knew of Diatomaceous earth, or that its in damn near everything.
Sorry for the rantish post but I feel that this option should be started.
Again if anyone knows about or knows someone who has used Diatomaceous Earth please reply. If you have any questions ill be more then happy to help.

Diatomaceous earth (pronounced /ˌdaɪətəˈmeɪʃəs ˈɝθ/), also known as DE, TSS, diatomite, diahydro, kieselguhr, kieselgur and celite) is a naturally occurring, soft, chalk-like sedimentary rock that is easily crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder. This powder has an abrasive feel, similar to pumice powder, and is very light, due to its high porosity. The typical chemical composition of diatomaceous earth is 86% silica, 5% sodium, 3% magnesium and 2% iron.
Diatomaceous earth consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. It is used as a filtration aid, as a mild abrasive, as a mechanical insecticide, as an absorbent for liquids, as cat litter, as an activator in blood clotting studies, and as a component of dynamite. As it is also heat-resistant, it can be used as a thermal insulator.

Pest control

Diatomite is also used as an insecticide, due to its physico-sorptive properties. The fine powder absorbs lipids from the cuticle, the waxy outer layer of insects' exoskeletons, causing them to dehydrate. Arthropods die as a result of the water pressure deficiency, based on Fick's law of diffusion. This also works against gastropods and is commonly employed in gardening to defeat slugs. However, since slugs inhabit humid environments, efficacy is very low. It is sometimes mixed with an attractant or other additives to increase its effectiveness. Medical-grade diatomite is sometimes used to de-worm both animals and humans. It is most commonly used in lieu of boric acid, and can be used to help control and eventually eliminate a cockroach infestation. This material has wide application in control of insects of grain storage.
Disadvantages of using diatomaceous earth for pest control include the health risk to humans (see below), and the harm it does to many beneficial insects, including predatory beetles and bugs and many detritivores.
Absorbent

Its absorbent qualities make it useful for spill clean-up and the U.S. Center for Disease Control recommends it to clean up toxic liquid spills.
It has been employed as a primary ingredient in a type of cat litter. The type of silica used in cat litter comes from freshwater sources and does not pose a significant health risk to pets or humans.
Hydroponics

Freshwater diatomite can be used as a growing medium in hydroponic gardens.
It is also used as a growing medium in potted plants, particularly as bonsai soil. Bonsai enthusiasts use it as a soil additive, or pot a bonsai tree in 100% Diatomaceous earth. Like perlite, vermiculite, and expanded clay, it retains water and nutrients while draining fast and freely allowing high oxygen circulation within the growing medium.

Diatomaceous earth - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

What is Diatomaceous Earth?
Diatomaceous earth is a remarkable, all-natural product made from tiny fossilized water plants. Diatomaceous Earth is a naturally occurring siliceous sedimentary mineral compound from microscopic skeletal remains of unicellular algae-like plants called diatoms. These plants have been part of the earth's ecology since prehistoric times. 30 million years ago the diatoms built up into deep, chalky deposits of diatomite. The diatoms are mined and ground up to render a powder that looks and feels like talcum powder to us. It is a mineral based pesticide. DE is approximately 3% magnesium, 33% silicon, 19% calcium, 5% sodium, 2% iron and many other trace minerals such as titanium, boron, manganese, copper and zirconium. Diatomaceous Earth is a natural (not calcined or flux calcined) compound. Diatomaceous Earth is a natural grade diatomite. However, the continual breathing of any dust should he absolutely avoided.

• This DE is not the same thing as the DE used in swimming pool filters. Pool grade DE is Diatomaceous Earth produced for pool filters and it is treated with heat, causing the formerly amorphous silicon dioxide to assume crystalline form. Pool grade DE should never be used for pest control. Swimming pool DE ranges from 60% to 70% free silica!

How does it work?
To insects DE is a lethal dust with microscopic razor sharp edges. These sharp edges cut through the insect's protective covering drying it out and killing them when they are either dusted with DE or if it applied as a wettable powder spray. If they ingest the DE it will shred their insides.

• Comes with complete instructions for use on insects, flea and lice control, bed bugs, grain storage, parasite control in animals (use in feed) and fly control.

What insects can DE be used for?
Diatomaceous Earth may be used as a barrier to control adult flea beetles, sawfly, coddling moth, twig borer, thrips, mites, cockroach, slugs, snails and many other insects such as:
Aphids, thrips, earwigs, silverfish, and ants. Can be used for bedbugs, cabbage root flies, carrot root flies, fleas, pillbugs, ticks and is helpful in dealing with fungus gnats. Indoor and Outdoor Application: Sprinkle a light layer of DE in areas where pests frequent, including under stoves, cabinets, sinks, garbage cans, window and door frames and sills,
entrance ways, sewer pipes and drains, and in cracks and crevices. Repeat treatment as needed.
Carpet Beetles: Thoroughly dust along baseboards, carpet edges, under furniture, carpet, and rugs, and in closets and shelving.
Bedbugs: Take apart bed and dust joints and channels. Dust any hollow tubing and the interior framework as well as the mattress and all cracks in the room.
Fleas: Thoroughly dust carpets and pet's bedding and sleeping areas, as well as cracks and baseboards. It also can be rubbed into your pet's fur.
Flies: Thoroughly dust areas where flies frequent (walls, straw bedding, livestock pens). It also can be applied to livestock coat as an insect repellent/contact insecticide.

DE for parasite control:

Diatomaceous Earth - Experimental Feeding of Codex Food-grade Diatomaceous Earth to Zoo Animals Richard Smith, Hallwood Inc., Animal Food Specialties, Grand Rapids, Michigan

A mixture of feed incorporating 2% diatomaceous earth was sent to three zoos for evaluation. John Ball Park of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Brookfield Zoos of Chicago Illinois; and Buffalo Zoo of Buffalo, New York. John Ball and Buffalo Zoos reported that their black bears on the special feed showed a better coat and clearer eyes. The primates fed at the Brookfield Zoo displayed a pronounced improvement in both appearance and behavior. Stool samples taken at all three zoos showed an absence of any internal parasites - adult or egg. Parasites in these animals were present prior to using the diatomaceous earth food mixture.

How is DE applied?
Apply DE with the Pest Pistol!
You can use any type of applicator like the ones in the picture. The cylinder with jar in the front is a single action type pump that disperse a fine cloud of DE on foliage. The small unit with the red cap is a "Pest Pistol" used to inject DE into cracks and crevices or as a fog in larger areas. The Chapin compression sprayer can be used by making a thin slurry of DE and water. This method can you give precise coverage and when it dries the DE goes to work. A slurry can also be used as a "paint" on tree trunks to discourage insects and to give sunscald protection to the bark. A slurry paint may also be useful in deterring borers from laying eggs on bark. DE is compatible with Golden Harvest Natural Fertilizer and most other wettable powders or liquid fertilizers and pesticides.

Are there any safety concerns with DE?
Yes, you must wear a dust mask when applying it as it can irritate the mucous membranes in the nose and mouth. Once the DE dust has settled it won't bother you.

I bought DE today for pest control.

Before I use it, just wondering if DE will raise the PH of my medium?
I'm currently using a liquid form of silica (potassium silicate) in my hydro reservoir, and it raises the PH a lot.

Also, would it raise the EC/PPM of my reservoir (recirc)- given that DE drains to the reservoir after watering. If so, I'm worried that I'll get inaccurate or false EC/PPM readings.