Diatomaceous earth also called Diatomite or in short DE, is rightly called MAGIC POWDER because it has got several important uses not only in gardening but also in medical field and multiple other uses.
This is a naturally occurring organic substance obtained from certain natural rocks. It is made up of fossilized diatoms. Diatoms are single-celled organisms having a silica rich shells. This powder looks and feels like chalk powder and has great porosity and abrasive properties. This is not so expensive and you can purchase this online from HERE!
Now, lets list out the top 7 uses of diatomaceous earth in gardening.
- Ant Control
Why is it so important to control ants in your garden? Actually Mealybugs and Aphids have a symbiotic relationship with Ants which protect these pests from predators and also carry them to the plant tips. The Ants in turn get the honeydew sugars excreted out of their anus as their gift.
How to use DE for ant control? Sprinkle DE dust over the infested plants and also over anthills and you should get great results. - Get Rid of Slugs and Snails
These creatures eat away a lot of your plants in your garden overnight. To get rid of slugs and snails, apply DE powder in a circle around the plant and when their soft bodies come in contact with the powder, the sharp silica particles inflict tiny cuts on the skin. The dehydrating effect of the powder causes them to lose too much fluid and they eventually die. - In Compost
Bin
Maggots in your unfinished compost pile can be a nuisance. Just sprinkle this powder in your compost pile and get rid of maggots organically without using any chemical pesticides. - Mix it in your Potting Soil
Although it doesn’t have much to offer by way of nutrition, it has the properties to hold the nutrients from fertilizers and then offer it as a slow release to the roots. Plus it also makes your soil well draining and well aerated. - Prevent
Rodents and Animals from Entering your Garden
How to use it for this purpose? Do You know most rodents and animals run away from the smell of citrus and peppermint?
You can use small containers with DE powder and add few drops of the essential oils of lemon or peppermint and keep these near the entry points of these animals. The DE powder absorbs these oils and retains the smell for a longer period of time unlike some cotton balls or a piece of cloth soaked with these oils. - Control Other
Insects like Flies, Ticks and Mites
These are not only troublesome but can transmit diseases in humans and pets and hence dusting DE powder on your plants and around them will keep your garden clean from these insects.
1. As an Organic Pesticide
Diatomaceous earth is a non-toxic way to control pests in the garden. It is very
effective against all types of pests on your plants like aphids, mites, thrips,
mealy bugs, caterpillars and almost every pest. The mechanism of action is it’s
a contact poison which kills pests by extreme dehydration.
How to use Diatomaceous earth on plants?
First of all Water your plants for the day. Then dust the plants with an
applicator or just sprinkle the powder on your plants. This will help the powder stick to plant
surfaces. Since dehydration is the main mechanism of action, moisture on your
plants renders the powder ineffective and also in rainy season – apply when
there is no rain.
To avoid killing beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies, do not sprinkle on flowers.
So, there you
have it folks. With DE powder and neem oil, you can eliminate most of the pests
in your garden safely and organically without using any harmful chemicals.
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Happy Gardening!
Here are some of the organic and natural home remedies to get rid of ants in your home and also in the soil around your plants including plant containers: The most effective method I found is infact a chemical which is one hundred percent effective – this I shall discuss and demonstrate at the end of the video and also you have a quiz question at the end.
12. Chalk Piece: Chalk contains calcium carbonate, which helps in repelling the ants. You can simply draw a line with a Chalk at their entry points or you can also sprinkle some chalk dust in these areas for better effect. You can also safely dust on the soil around your plants.
11. Pepper: Sprinkle some black pepper powder. This is will help repelling ants to some extent. Even this You can safely dust on the soil around your plants.
10. Chilly powder is another similar effective remedy. You can sprinkle it directly on ants and also on the soil around your plants.
9. Salt: to some extent will help in keeping the ants away. Just sprinkle some at the corners of your home or garden.
8. Baking soda and powdered sugar: Ants produce an acid for their defence mechanism. To harm them we ca neutralize this acid by mixing equal amounts of baking soda and powdered sugar and keep this in a container like a lid or plate.
7. White Vinegar: Its believed Ants cannot bear the smell of white vinegar. Prepare a solution of equal amounts of water and white vinegar. Add a few drops of some essential oil to it – neem oil drops would really increase its effectiveness. Mix this solution well. Store this solution and sprinkle it. Repeat this if necessary.
6. Lemons: Squeeze a lemon or place lemon peels near ant places. You can also wash your floors with water that has a little lemon juice added to it. Ants don’t like the smell of lemon juice.
5. Orange Peel Paste: Make a paste of orange peels in warm water and paint this at ant places and holes. Then wipe it after 1 or 2 days and repaint if required.
4. Cinnamon Powder: Sprinkle cinnamon powder and see effect – ants are actually repelled by cinnamon. But its not a cost effective method. You can use this only in emergency when you do not find any alternate way. You can safely sprinkle it on the soil around your plants.
3. Neem Oil – about 10 ml in 1 liter of water, you can sprinkle it on the soil around your plant but not directly on plants because this is double concentration what we are using here.
2. Boiling Water: If its feasible carefully drop boiling water on their residing places. I know it sounds too harsh, but your home and garden are more important to you than these creatures. You can also use a dish wash liquid to warm water and spray on them.
1.Borax Powder and Trap: Most people think Borax powder is a chemical, But actually its naturally occurring mineral salt and organic. You can sprinkle borax powder directly on the areas and also make a trap with boric acid to attract most of them. Make a sugar syrup or use honey and add some boric powder and add to a container with some holes for ants to enter inside and not honey bees and keep in a corner where ants are expected to visit. You can watch a detailed video on this from a link at top right corner of this video.
And Now the most effective method is the use of a chemical: There and many costly chemical sprays and stuff for killing ants but What is Use is Chlorpyrifos Powder – 1.5 percent available as Pyriban powder or check the brand name at your store. You can also use Permethrin dust with same efficacy. Its very cheap and effective way. Just sprinkle very little dust near the ants and they all die within no time.