How are you applying Diatomaceous Earth?

Hey everyone,

This is my first year using diatomaceous earth (DE). I've searched the forums, youtube, and google, looking to see examples of how people apply it to their plants. I've seen one gardener spray her plants with a water hose then use a large duster to spray the leaves with DE. I've also read about others who add DE to a spray bottle and mist their plants and even some who just sprinkled it on.

How do you go about applying DE to your plants?

I'm also interested to know if anyone has run into problems applying too much DE to their plants. Many thanks go out to anyone who takes the time to reply.

- Vin

All the methods you have listed are acceptable means od applying. You are just going to have to find out which one you are most comfortable using and which one you are best at getting all the plant surfaces covered.
Good Luck

Premixed in the medium and as a top dressing........its also part of my personal daily diet...

I was under the impression that it didn't work well wet, for insecticidal purposes anyways (it also has Si, Cu and other trace nutrients for plants and can be used for this as well).

It's a good preemptive measure for insects even by dusting it around the plant, and the grow room. Put it where you see pest insects, or where you don't want them. If you have an indoor grow room you can work it into the carpeting, under mouldings, dust the perimeter with it, etc.

watchhowIdoit said:

Premixed in the medium and as a top dressing........its also part of my personal daily diet...

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Takes care of those troublesome colon aphids, does it?

Wet

Nullis said:

I was under the impression that it didn't work well wet, for insecticidal purposes anyways (it also has Si, Cu and other trace nutrients for plants and can be used for this as well).

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It won't dissolve in water, but it can clog some sprayers. I've also heard about DE containing trace minerals, which is exactly what prompted me to ask how others here use it.

To be clear, I've used it several times and I've been researching it for several days. I already have a fair understanding of it, but I guess you can say I was curious as to how other organic growers here use it.

Going by the responses so far it appears few people (if anyone) besides 'Watchhowidoit' have actual working knowledge of this stuff, which is disappointing since its such an effective and safe insecticide. I thank everyone who took the time to reply thus far.

FWIW, I've tested two methods, applying dry using a shaker can and by applying it wet. Applying it wet leaves a much thicker coat.

I should be getting a garden pesticide duster in the mail any day now. If anyone is interested I can do a review with photos.

It's always been my understanding that DE is a micro crystal (like thousands of little razor blades) and most insects consist of three doby parts, the head abdoman and thorax and the bottom of the thorax is soft and hangs lowest, as the bugs cross it or comes in contact with it , it sticks to them and slices them up, either they die or just go away. If DE gets wet it inhibits its ability to cut. When used as a top dressing it keeps larve from getting out and adults from getting in & this breaks the reproductive cycle. It should be re applied after each watering. I actually waite a day or two after watering so the powder doesn't wick up the surface moisture. I have used it in this manner for several years (when needed) and it has been very effective (Great For Ants and Knats) I have never heard of the spray method. That doesn't mean it doesn't work, I've just never heard of it. Hope this helps . If anyone thinks I'm wrong, PLEASE correct me. Respectfully! thanks and.....J.L.

I always apply my diatomaceous earth with a salt shaker. When I apply, I usually make sure that the soil is dry. I have never tried the spray bottle method, but I would imagine that is would be a good method of dispersal. You'll probably need to allow the diatomaceous earth to dry in order for it to work effectively.

As a test I took some diatomaceous earth and placed it in two cups. In one cup I wet down the diatomaceous earth, the other I left dry. I then gathered some ants from outside and placed them in each cup. The ants in the dry DE died almost instantly while the ants in the wet DE did not die. Long story short, I think diatomaceous earth needs to be dry to work.

evilpyro26 said:

I always apply my diatomaceous earth with a salt shaker. When I apply, I usually make sure that the soil is dry. I have never tried the spray bottle method, but I would imagine that is would be a good method of dispersal. You'll probably need to allow the diatomaceous earth to dry in order for it to work effectively.

As a test I took some diatomaceous earth and placed it in two cups. In one cup I wet down the diatomaceous earth, the other I left dry. I then gathered some ants from outside and placed them in each cup. The ants in the dry DE died almost instantly while the ants in the wet DE did not die. Long story short, I think diatomaceous earth needs to be dry to work.

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You make a great point.It may be that it returns to a crystal state once its dried.I like the test. I wish I'd thouhgt of that , I may do it anyway. I really hate ants!...J.L..

Thanks guys!

When I first started using DE I would just sprinkle it on using a shaker while the plant was dry. Then I stumbled onto the video by Garden Girl (http://youtu.be/Ttv7YFfMnRE) where she suggested wetting your plants then using a duster.

I didn't have a duster and I only heard from others that you can use it in a spray bottle. I didn't want to risk ruining any of my spray bottles so I got a small dish, added DE, and water. I made a thick paste and brushed it onto one of my plants.

Brushing it on gave me a really thick coat, to the point that the leaves looked painted. My girlfriend was worried that it would kill the plants so I took her advice and sprayed my plants with fresh water. I thought I got most of it off, but when the water dried there was still a really thick coat on. For a moment I thought I just sacrificed a plant, but by the next day the plant still appeared fine. Good to know because I was worried about the trace elements in DE burning the plant. So far it seems to be near idiot proof.

My garden duster just arrived today, so I added the DE and tested it out. Like in the youtube video, this time I misted my plants first then applied the DE using the duster. So all in all, I got to test out three methods: 1) applying it dry, 2) brushing it on with water, and 3) misting the leaves then applying the DE with the garden duster.

The first method seems to works the least effective. Brushing it on seems over kill for the plants, but I like it for around my grow area, like on tables or on the outside of my containers. The last method seems to work the best. The water acts kind of like a glue. But your right it only seems to work after the water evaporates.

I like the Mist\Dust Idea,I may try it in the future. Do you use it on the top sides of the leaves, bottom or both ? I think it would be the most effective to apply it to the bottom sides that way it won't effect the receptors.Good Luck...J.L..

The duster makes a dust cloud so it covers the top, bottom, and gets into the branch's pits (not sure what you call it) really well.

for DE to be effective it has to be dry....the DE is like glass shards when dried and they punture the bugs body and they then de hydrate...I apply it with a cheese shaker like you see in a pizza place or I use a garden duster if I need just a lite dusting.....now if your using it for ground use for say slugs or catapillars...lay some saran wrap down first and sprinkle on it....now on outside soil use for soil pests..wait for the top layer to be dry and then sprinkle on the soil go a bit heavy..once the DE gets wet re-appy when soil dries out again...it works not always 100% but close...

Al

i put diametacious earth on my bunghole

Da Almighty Jew said:

i put diametacious earth on my bunghole

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Do you make wine ? or do you just have Ass Bugs ?.....

Dusting works well for me also. I use a mustard bottle. Plastic, yellow..has a spout, or pointy tip....whatever you would call it. It works better than sprinkling the dust on, just point, sqeeze and make clouds.
Be sure to turn your fans off first, and wear a dust mask as it's not wise to inhale the DE.