Diatomaceous Earth has multiple features which help in pest control. Its structure consists of billions of minute silica with solid and complex frustules. It has exceptionally high absorbent power, which can absorb twice its weight. It also includes other features like immobile chemically, high surface area per unit volume, porosity, abrasiveness, etc. If you’re a farmer or know anyone from a farming background who has a problem with insects in their fields, this process may help you understand how to DIY pest control works and can be beneficial for your lifestyle.
Features of Diatomaceous Earth in DIY Pest Control
What is Diatomaceous Earth?
Diatomaceous earth is the solidified residue of diatoms that occurs by nature. It is also known as diatomite or DE. Diatoms are one-celled marine algae/seaweed. The diatoms are mainly found in oceans, rivers, lakes, etc., from where we can mine and dry the lake beds and further convert them into powder form after they are adequately dried. The powder which is formed after grinding is mainly used as a pest. It is mainly in the form of off-white color, which is very abrasive that helps us to dissuade the tiniest of insects. The diatomaceous earth consists of silicon dioxide at deficient levels. The first diatomaceous earth pesticide product, which contained silicon dioxide, was registered in 1960 to kill insects and bugs. The typical chemical structure of Diatomaceous Earth contains 86% silica, 5% sodium, 3% magnesium, and 2% iron.
How does Diatomaceous Earth work?
Diatomaceous earth is a power structured pesticide used to kill insects, bugs, etc. The powder form of Diatomaceous earth is very sharp compared to blades or knives. The DE, when it comes in contact with the insects, affects the exoskeleton body by giving them abrasions and cuts as the powder edges are very sharp. It also affects the outer body of insects as they don’t have immunity against it. The diatomaceous earth dries out the respiratory system of the insects when they come in contact with them. It comes in contact with their lungs and respiratory holes when inhaled, drying, and dying out.
Types of Diatomaceous Earth
There are multiple usages of Diatomaceous Earth. It includes pest control, absorbent, filtration, livestock, etc. Diatomaceous Earth is categorized into two types:
- Food grade
- Pool grade
1. Pool grade
Pool grade diatomaceous earth is used in the calcined form, which means it has been made by heating at high temperatures. Heating is done to harden the covering of the diatoms, which results in a good filtering agent. The DE contains silicon dioxide; heating at high temperatures turns into crystalline silica. The crystalline silica is hazardous, so it is preferred and recommended to only use it for filtration and keep away from using it for any other purposes as it may affect humans and animals.
2. Food grade
Food grade, also known as Food codex chemical grade, is mainly used in an uncalcined form, which means it is used in amorphous silica. The main Food codex chemical grade is to utilize minimum silica in their products. Therefore, the Food codex chemical-grade nearly contains less than 1% of crystalline silica. To avoid the hazardous behavior of crystalline silica, the minimum amount is used to make the products. Thus, making it safe for humans and animals as well.
How should Diatomaceous Earth products be used in farms and gardens?
The best way to apply the Diatomaceous products is to sprinkle the powder wherever required. The dusting is to be done on the soil where the insects, slugs, and bugs may appear and harm your crop. It is more effective if you sprinkle after the rain, not before the rain. If you have done the dusting of the DE and then it rained, then the DE will be less effective as it is more useful when it is dry as compared to when it is humid. The Diatomaceous earth should be sprinkled in significantly less quantity over the plants so that it may not harm the plants.
While sprinkling the Diatomaceous earth over plants and soil, you must take some preventive measures to keep yourself safe from consuming it in any manner.
You must wear a mask to avoid contact with your system and keep children out of that sight for some time until the sprinkling is completed as the dust particles may be allergic to some people.
Pros and Cons of using Diatomaceous Earth as a pesticide
Many pest controls use diatomaceous earth and farmers to get rid of the unwanted insects on their farms which results in harming their crops and plants. The pesticide, which uses diatomaceous earth’s compound 100% as an active ingredient, is popularly known as Mother Earth D. It is very effective in gardens and farms to get rid of insects that are harming the growth of the plants.
The main disadvantage is that the diatomaceous earth works only where it has been sprinkled, and sometimes the place it is needed may go unnoticed, which will result in their effectiveness up to some extent only. We know that food-grade diatomaceous earth products are not harmful to be used around humans and animals. Still, the pool grade diatomaceous product is very harmful and should be avoided in every circumstance and must be used only for filtration purposes.
Other usages of Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is not only used for gardening and farm purposes but also for many other things as well. The oldest way of using the DE is in the form of abrasives. The nature of this DE was very mild and was used in tubes of toothpaste, scrubs for the face, polishing of metals, etc. It was also used in making explosives, construction, and agriculture purposes.
Conclusion
Diatomaceous is not such a well-known product in the world of gardening and farming, though its properties are very beneficial in this field. The DIY DE is mainly used in small-scale farming or gardens. Therefore, awareness regarding both the food grade and pool grade DE is critical to keep away from any unavoidable situation. Hiring the best professionals like Empire Pest Control In London will be the best idea for you to get rid of pests in a smooth way.
