diatimetricious earth questions

[Yrekagrow]

i plan on using diatimetricious earth in my raised bed for vegtables, and in my outdoor 50 gallon tub MMJ grow...

how much do you use per cubic foot of soil?

what pests does it prevent?

if used properly does it have any negitive side effectes? (for humans, pets, or plants)

is it advisable to use indoor as well as outdoor?

thanks:D

[swampy]

I think you just spread it on top the soil, If I remember right it scratchs bugs exoskeletons and they die from infection

[buddyh]

Yeesh!
You want dead, infected bug skeleton's laying around your plants?

[Yrekagrow]

so it's not realy preventative as much as pest control for an established infestation?...
(btw i'm still wondering what pests does it effects? plus if used properly does it have any negitive side effectes? (for humans, pets, or plants) and is it advisable to use indoor as well as outdoor?)

[reddiet]

Here ya go Yrek.
http://www.epinions.com/content_100422749828

RED

[Green Medicine]

Think BARRIER.

You place a ring of it AROUND the plants you want to protect...like the Berlin wall!

Putting it around pots and containers will help keep "crawlies" from getting into them.

It's something you have to maintain, as it blows away in the wind and water.

Put it in a "squeeze bottle" with the tip cut larger, and run a "bead" of DE around the pots and containers.

Then just "dust" a light amount on the surface of the soil.

Have you also looked at "tanglefoot"? It's a goo you squeeze around plant stalks and on the edge of pots...it's just a non-hardening gel that traps critters...The also make "tanglefoot sticky tape" to go around pots and stalks.

Tanglefoot works much better.....but it will stick to YOU and your CLOTHES!
And it's really, really sticky!

[swampy]

Thanks GM I wasn't sure how to use it but next time I get bugs I know what Im using :D

[Yrekagrow]

ok ....i get it, thanks.... that link realy was interssting red, but it did not mention mites or thrips...hmmm

GM that tanglfoot stuff sounds good too, about how much does it cost?

[Duck]

Great link red. Diatomacious earth, as I understood it was the fossilized remains of fresh and sea water algae. To crawlie insects, it's like walking on broken glass. Harmless to humans and pets. Appears as a fine dust. I have had only success with this stuff.

So there you have it, another song for your grow room's enhanced ambience; Carole King -"Walking on Broken Glass". Put that right beside your Ted Nugent CD, "Tie Your Mother Down".

[S_a_H]

Harmless to humans and pets. Appears as a fine dust. I have had only success with this stuff.

.


This almost 100% true you have to be carefull if your just dumping a pile in your pots as you pour it out it can become airborune and this stuff in your lungs is not good. So wear a dusk mask a better safe than sorry deal.

SaH

[Mendrel]

This almost 100% true you have to be carefull if your just dumping a pile in your pots as you pour it out it can become airborune and this stuff in your lungs is not good. So wear a dusk mask a better safe than sorry deal.

SaH

This is also true of perlite, vermiculite and just about any fine airborne substance. Protect your lungs!

[Opus]

Diatimetricious earth devloped at the University of Victoria from dead bug skeltons and such. When ANY bug walks, crawls or lands in it the stuff scratches the waxy coating that ALL bugs have. This coating is what prevents the bugs from deyhdrating. Once scratched the bugs deydrate in a matter of days.

Works best on all crawling bugs. Keep it dry for best results. I have it in the corners my basement to control sow/wood bugs ect. Apply as per directions... cut of tip at an angle and spray... it comes out like a fine powder.

USE A DUST MASK!!!!

good gardening!

[Duck]

Mask on, check.
Gotta Play Safe
Thank you, I had never thought to take that precaution

[Herbin' Cowboy]

i plan on using diatimetricious earth in my raised bed for vegtables, and in my outdoor 50 gallon tub MMJ grow...

how much do you use per cubic foot of soil?

what pests does it prevent?

if used properly does it have any negitive side effectes? (for humans, pets, or plants)

is it advisable to use indoor as well as outdoor?

thanks:D

I used to live in Lompoc, California where nearly all of the talcum powder and other Diatom products come from. Many of my friends worked at the plant. I have been told that inhaling Diatoms is extremely dangerous as the tiny fossils are triangular in shape and will make your lungs bleed if enough gets inside you. Just be exceedingly careful when using raw (if that's how it comes...I have no idea) Diatomaceous earth.

Here's a fun fact about Diatomaceous earth...if you sprinkle raw Diatom podwer into a glass of red wine and leave it until morning, the wine will be crystal clear when you wake up and look again. This is because the Diatoms can be so incredibly fine that as they sink in the liquid they actually filter the colour molocules right from the wine! True story!

[1JoeSky_IVXX]

Very good info, thanks everyone.:)

[Opus]

Here's a fun fact about Diatomaceous earth...if you sprinkle raw Diatom podwer into a glass of red wine and leave it until morning, the wine will be crystal clear when you wake up and look again. This is because the Diatoms can be so incredibly fine that as they sink in the liquid they actually filter the colour molocules right from the wine! True story!

I'm gonna have to try that :D

[gelu65]

This is used in swimming pool filters, cheap to buy and it comes in big bags. in the garden reapply after it gets wet.

[Herbin' Cowboy]

I'm gonna have to try that :D

You must remember that the wine trick was done with an ultra-fine Diatomaceous earth, not the coarse commercially available grade. But it might still work to a degree, I don't know. It would be fun to find out though, so tell us how it goes!

[soulmate]

D.E. works very good on almost all soft body bugs.

[pflover]

the wine trick would probably drastically change the taste and other qualities of the wine. still a cool trick. wonder if it would work with coffee.

[nogoodnamesleft]

this is a good source for diatomaceuos(sp) earth and they would be able to answer any question you may have about the product. they are also the best place i know of for all your beneficial insect needs.

http://www.naturescontrol.com/