Do you have bugs? In your garden, in your lawn or heaven forbid your home? Want a safe way to rid your garden, home and lawn of those nasty little critters? There is a way for you to get rid of those pesky critters without harming the environment.

Diatomaceous (die-a-toe-may-shus) Earth. It isn’t dirt or earth but it is broken up shells of tiny little things called diatomes. It is 100% ecologically safe to the environment and is non-poisonous to man and animals. If you have eaten anything with flour, believe it or not you have eaten this substance.

This is a crawling insect control containing Silicon dioxide, from diatomaceous earth 85.0% and 10.0% other elemental oxides, with 5.0% inert ingredients. No chemicals involved with this method of eradicating bugs. Which means that it is environmentally safe for you, your pets and anything with a digestive system.

Diatomaceous Earth kills by physical injury rather than by chemical poisoning. The microscopically sharp edges of diatoms are drawn to the insect by static electricity and punctures the skin and drains the insect of bodily fluids. This causes dehydration and ultimately death. If the dust is eaten by an insect, the microscopic needles of silica interfere with the insect’s breathing, digestion and reproduction, thus, preventing further infestation.

We have a 40 ft. x 100 ft. garden and have 8 rows of potatoes that were infested with hordes of Colorado Potato Beetles. These little buggers over winter as adults in soil, in fence rows or under litter in the garden. They become active in May and will start to lay eggs as soon as potato, tomato or other nightshade plants become available. Larvae and adults feed on the foliage and can cause extensive damage especially if their population is high and if they feed within two weeks of the potato plant flowering. Potato yield will be greatly affected if these Colorado Potato Beetles are not controlled.

We tried hand picking the bugs but this did not effectively control them so we went looking for an effective but safe method of eradication. We ask around to several of our friends who have gardens and they recommended we try the Diatomaceous Earth. I went to our local garden shop and purchased a 2 pound bag. This was enough for complete coverage of our 8 rows of potatoes. Our garden rows are planted across the 40 ft. width of the garden.

Diatomaceous Earth‘s killing actions are mechanical. Insects cannot become immune to its action. Insects come in contact with the powder or ingest it and literally dry up and die within 48 hours. Diatomaceous Earth has a highly repellent effect on most insects. It is odorless, nonstaining and remains effective in the control of insects as long as the product is present. Should you get a hard rain after application you will have to reapply.

To apply Diatomaceous Earth you will need a hand or power duster or you can also apply by using a container with a lid that you can poke holes into and then use it to shake over the area you want to apply the Diatomaceous Earth to. The shaker method is the one we ultimately ended up using. We purchased a hand duster but didn’t like using it. The capacity of the duster was so small that we were constantly having to refill it. We used a coffee can as a container with holes in the lid. The lid stayed on securely so we didn’t worry about the contents spilling. You must wear a dust mask while applying so that you do not breath in any of the dust.

It is best to apply in the early morning while there is dew on the plants so that the Diatomaceous Earth adheres to the plants. Or you can water the plants and then apply.

Diatomaceous Earth can be used to control cockroaches, ants, earwigs, millipedes, centipedes, crickets and silverfish in the home. Lightly coat a thin layer in areas where these pests are found and may hide, such as cracks and crevices, behind and beneath refrigerators, cabinets, stoves, garbage cans and in and around sewer pipes and drains, window frames and in attics and basements. If it is possible you can dust insects directly. Repeat treatment regularly or whenever reinfestation occurs.

Diatomaceous Earth will also control fleas. Treat floor and bedding in and around pets’ sleeping area as well as cracks and crevices, baseboards , carpeting and wherever fleas are suspected.

Carpet beetles and bedbugs have no chance when Diatomaceous Earth is applied to areas where infestation is suspected. Dismantle beds and treat mattresses especially folds and edges and treat all cracks and crevices in the bedroom if bedbugs are suspected or noticed.

If you have a problem with snails and slugs Diatomaceous Earth to the rescue! No more slimy slugs in the garden or slivery slimy trails on your sidewalks! A little dusting of Diatomaceous Earth and no more worry!

Storage and disposal: Store in cool dry area. Disposal of wastes resulting from use of this product may be on site or at an approved waste disposal facility. When container is empty, close it and dispose in trash container. If you wish to dispose a partially filled container do so by wrapping in several layers of newspaper and discard in trash. You may burn if you wish but be sure and stay out of the smoke.

Precautions to be taken when handling: Avoid contact with eyes, it causes moderate irritation. Thoroughly wash hands and clothing with soap and water after handling

First aide: Have the product container or label with you when calling the poison control center, or doctor, or when going for treatment. If inhaled move person to fresh air. If person is not breathing call 911, then give artificial respiration, preferably by mouth-to-mouth then call a poison control center or you may call 1-800-424-9300 for emergency medical treatment information. If contact on skin or clothing take off contaminated clothing. Rinse skin immediately with plenty of water for 15-20 minutes, then call your doctor or a poison control center for further treatment advice. If you should get this product in your eye, hold eye open and rinse slowly and gently with water for 15-20 minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present, after the first 5 minutes, then continue rinsing eye, then call a poison control center or your doctor for advice. If this product is swallowed call a doctor or poison control center immediately. Have person sip water if able to swallow. Do not induce vomiting unless told to do so by the poison control center or doctor. Do not give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.

As with all pest control products Keep our of the reach of children.

There is a note at the bottom of the bag informing you that: Buyer assumes all risks of use, storage or handling of this product not in strict accordance with directions given herewith. Voluntary Purchasing Groups, Inc. warrants this product to conform to the chemical description on the label and for the purposes stated on the label. The limit of any liability incurred shall be the purchase price paid by the user or buyer.

Did it do the job for us? Yes! Those Colorado Potato Beetles are no longer residing in our garden! And we protected the environment while eradicating those ugly things! Now we will wait until the tomatoes show signs of the Tomato Worm and we will again dust with Diatomaceous Earth. We will wait until there are worms or signs of worms before using this product. Even though it is safe for the environment we won’t use it unless it is needed.

We also used this product on our Hosta’s. I don’t know what kind of bug was eating them but they were doing a job on the leaves of the Hosta’s and we watered the foliage and then dusted with the Diatomaceous Earth and have seen no further insect damage.


Recommended: Yes