Perlite toxic?

karmas a bitch

Well-Known Member
I use a coco recipe that I got from a friend. It's organic and I amend it similar to subcools super soil. I reuse the coco every cycle. I just reamend it.
I am having a problem with fungus gnats. A friend advised me to top dress with perlite so the little bastards get torn up on the way to lay eggs. My concern is that if I top dress with the perlite and then continue to reuse my coco will the perlite break down over time and become toxic?
I also bought some SNS203 to help me with my gnat issue.

Thanks for the help.
 

420God

Well-Known Member
It won't break down, in fact some people grow in straight perlite, it's called hempy bucket growing. Sand works also for what you need.
 

karmas a bitch

Well-Known Member
It won't break down, in fact some people grow in straight perlite, it's called hempy bucket growing. Sand works also for what you need.
Thanks I did know about humpy buckets but I did not know that they reuse it. I already bought the perlite before I thought of this. So I'd rather not buy sand if I don't need too.

I always wear a respirator when I mix soil up.
 

Wetdog

Well-Known Member
I've never heard of perlite for gnats. I have it in my worm bins and it does the worms no harm, so I think you friend is mistaken.

Sand and DE, perhaps, but not perlite.

It's great for airation and is NOT toxic, merely an irritant. So, yes to the mask.

Wet
 

researchkitty

Well-Known Member
Perlite is volcanic glass. Glass in your lungs is permanent, it can not be removed unless you are dead and cut open. Treat it like you would any glass in a powdery format, wear a respirator mask or be gangster and wear your hoodie backwards with eye slits.
 

scroglodyte

Well-Known Member
construction sand is sharp, and cuts pests up. play sand is dull, and not as effective. perlite alters the top layer where pests like to lay their eggs. 2" is good. DE gets wet and becomes ineffective. that's all i have to say 'bout that
 

Dizzle Frost

Well-Known Member
the dust is toxic if you breathe it in ... but as a meduim is non toxic ... its just the airborne particles that are shitty ..... i wet mine down before i use it to keep the dust to a min
 

hyroot

Well-Known Member
i had a gnat problem for months and tried everything, sand and perlite on top do not work.... there are always air holes for the gnats to get through. gognats does not work and it slows growth. the best is organocide (sesame oil, fish oil inhibitor to bugs) and diatomaceous earth (silica particles that shred and dehydrate bugs upon touch). every hydro shop and home depot and hardware store carries both


i agree with the dust from perlite being toxic to breathe. I learned that the hard way. its no joke. If you breathe in perlite dust. it will hurt and slow you down. just drink alot of water afterwards. I use a painters mask now when im messing with perlite and soil. They are like $3 for a few of them.
 

researchkitty

Well-Known Member
i had a gnat problem for months and tried everything, sand and perlite on top do not work.... there are always air holes for the gnats to get through. gognats does not work and it slows growth. the best is organocide (sesame oil, fish oil inhibitor to bugs) and diatomaceous earth (silica particles that shred and dehydrate bugs upon touch). every hydro shop and home depot and hardware store carries both


i agree with the dust from perlite being toxic to breathe. I learned that the hard way. its no joke. If you breathe in perlite dust. it will hurt and slow you down. just drink alot of water afterwards. I use a painters mask now when im messing with perlite and soil. They are like $3 for a few of them.
Use less GoGnats........ If it stunts your plants, your using it too much. I use it once a week foliar, room, and reservoir addition.
 
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