Diatomaceous Earth - The Best Pesticide You've Never Heard Of - Cannabis Growing Questions - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

NiteTiger · 10-05-2007, 09:53 PM

Diatomaceous earth is an all natural by product of our planet's changing environment. Made up of the fossilized remains of microscopic phtytoplankton, this dirt is an absolute death trap for anything with an exoskeleton. It's also very effective on gastropods (slugs), but not quite as much as on exoskeletal bugs.

The key to DE is it's composition. As the phytoplankton fossilized, they did so with lots of teeny tiny sharp edges poking out. Was the fossilization continued, the shape of the plankton was set into 95-98% silica. As we all know, silica is one of the best dessicants on the market, widely used in those little packets you find in just about everything nowadays.

These jagged edges pierce the waxy protective layer of the exoskeleton, opening the bodily fluids to the dessication effects of the silica. This, obviously, is a very bad thing for the bugs. The bodily fluids are rapidly depleted by the silica, leaving one very dead bug.

Imagine crossing the Sahara, but instead of sand, it's tiny shards of glass, and you get the idea.

To the safety aspect, it doesn't get much better. 100% safe for humans and pets, it's often used to treat medical conditions. In pets (and less food scrupulous humans), it is used as both a flea and tick dust, but also internally to kill off intestinal worms. In the food grade form, the worst side effect from direct inhalation is sneezing. I wouldn't try that with a No-Pest Strip

This safety margin means that it can be applied at any time. It is not a liquid, and so can't effectively be absorbed by the plant via the foliage. Sprinkled on top of the medium, it provides a dual purpose. Fungus gnat larvae live in the medium, coming up through the surface to begin they're life as gnats. With a layer of DE on the surface, they never get the chance. As you water the plant, the DE is driven farther into the medium, where it can be taken up into the plant as a silica supplement, which is good for the plant both in root health and the support structures, making it more resistant to attacks.

I personally use it in a preventative mode, dusting the medium and plant at every transplant. I also dust around every possible entry point, and the entir floor. So, any bug tries to get in, and they die. If it's not at the door, it's on the floor, if they make it across the floor, they die on the container or medium. If they manage to make it to the plant by some freakish luck, the plants themselves have a layer of DE armor.

Last but not least, food grade DE only costs about $15 for 10 pounds. I think I've used almost a half a pound doing my entire house and growroom :wink:

Hope this helps some of you having pest problems out!

10-05-2007, 09:56 PM

excellent find NT some K+ coming your way

DimeBag65 · 10-05-2007, 10:02 PM

Great read, i think this will help alot of people out, Especially outdoors and around structures or houses, it will obviously also help to spread about in your pots indoors and i will definitely be doing that now. You stated a few things that i had questions on like its affects if breathed, and its use with plants. i spread DE around the perimiter of my garden and have noticed a huge decrease in pests compared to previous gardening.

the best part is you can find this stuff in almost all hardware store, it is also used as pool cleaner for filters i believe so alot of places carry it.

Kill pests and strengthen your plants!! good stuff

NiteTiger · 10-05-2007, 10:06 PM

Yes, it's used in filters and as a chemical absorbant (also used in kitty litter for this purpose), but these are industrial grade products, not the food grade. It's also much more expensive.

I got my 10 pounds from eBay.

Albert Hofmann · 10-05-2007, 10:41 PM

Great post Tiger...havn't tried this stuff yet, but I will be soon. Thanks for the info.

Budweiser13 · 10-05-2007, 11:09 PM

Cool stuff i am not sure of the grade but they sell it at swimming pool supply stores...

NiteTiger · 10-05-2007, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Budweiser13

Cool stuff i am not sure of the grade but they sell it at swimming pool supply stores...

That's the industrial grade

Cannabeard · 10-06-2007, 01:24 AM

Great post NT,
Got it on my list...just moved it up. Thanks man.

Stay safe, keep it green and fly free.....

Cannabeard

10-06-2007, 01:45 AM

Great topic, NT. I was gonna ask where you get the food grade, but I see you covered that. The local super-home-improvement-mega-mart has some OMRI listed DE with roach bait in it. It works wonders around the outdoor shrubbery where the lil bastids live and breed- or used to.

Thanks!

NiteTiger · 10-06-2007, 02:25 AM

Glad you approve guys!

Here's some pics...

You can see the DE dusting the leaves. And the floors.

Something else occurred to me -

As a dessicant, a preventative dusting applied to early buds could help prevent mold...

10-05-2007, 09:53 PM	#1
NiteTiger Tiger, Tiger, burning bright... Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4,256	Diatomaceous Earth - The Best Pesticide You've Never Heard Of Diatomaceous earth is an all natural by product of our planet's changing environment. Made up of the fossilized remains of microscopic phtytoplankton, this dirt is an absolute death trap for anything with an exoskeleton. It's also very effective on gastropods (slugs), but not quite as much as on exoskeletal bugs. The key to DE is it's composition. As the phytoplankton fossilized, they did so with lots of teeny tiny sharp edges poking out. Was the fossilization continued, the shape of the plankton was set into 95-98% silica. As we all know, silica is one of the best dessicants on the market, widely used in those little packets you find in just about everything nowadays. These jagged edges pierce the waxy protective layer of the exoskeleton, opening the bodily fluids to the dessication effects of the silica. This, obviously, is a very bad thing for the bugs. The bodily fluids are rapidly depleted by the silica, leaving one very dead bug. Imagine crossing the Sahara, but instead of sand, it's tiny shards of glass, and you get the idea. To the safety aspect, it doesn't get much better. 100% safe for humans and pets, it's often used to treat medical conditions. In pets (and less food scrupulous humans), it is used as both a flea and tick dust, but also internally to kill off intestinal worms. In the food grade form, the worst side effect from direct inhalation is sneezing. I wouldn't try that with a No-Pest Strip This safety margin means that it can be applied at any time. It is not a liquid, and so can't effectively be absorbed by the plant via the foliage. Sprinkled on top of the medium, it provides a dual purpose. Fungus gnat larvae live in the medium, coming up through the surface to begin they're life as gnats. With a layer of DE on the surface, they never get the chance. As you water the plant, the DE is driven farther into the medium, where it can be taken up into the plant as a silica supplement, which is good for the plant both in root health and the support structures, making it more resistant to attacks. I personally use it in a preventative mode, dusting the medium and plant at every transplant. I also dust around every possible entry point, and the entir floor. So, any bug tries to get in, and they die. If it's not at the door, it's on the floor, if they make it across the floor, they die on the container or medium. If they manage to make it to the plant by some freakish luck, the plants themselves have a layer of DE armor. Last but not least, food grade DE only costs about $15 for 10 pounds. I think I've used almost a half a pound doing my entire house and growroom :wink: Hope this helps some of you having pest problems out! __________________ *Remember - Every 'elite' started off as someone's bagseed* kingjobber - This hash just uncentered my chi Growing cannabis is only as complicated and expensive as you want it to be. Current Grow: Knowledge Guides: Diatomaceous Earth - The Best Pesticide You've Never Heard Of Pontiac's DIY Link-O-Rama Unofficial Glossary for New Growers The Water Cure- How, when, and why How to remove 'HPS Orange' quick and easy! Last edited by NiteTiger; 10-05-2007 at 10:01 PM..
	Quote 16 members found this post helpful.

10-05-2007, 10:02 PM	#3
DimeBag65 You will not be forgotten Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: stuck between a stone and a high spot Posts: 2,283	Great read, i think this will help alot of people out, Especially outdoors and around structures or houses, it will obviously also help to spread about in your pots indoors and i will definitely be doing that now. You stated a few things that i had questions on like its affects if breathed, and its use with plants. i spread DE around the perimiter of my garden and have noticed a huge decrease in pests compared to previous gardening. the best part is you can find this stuff in almost all hardware store, it is also used as pool cleaner for filters i believe so alot of places carry it. Kill pests and strengthen your plants!! good stuff __________________ Dime's 07 Outdoor Prop. 215 and SB 420 Complient Medicinal Cannabis Grower RIP buckeye-Leaf , you will be missed, but not forgotten! and live on in our memories, cheers brotha
	Quote

10-05-2007, 10:06 PM	#4
NiteTiger Tiger, Tiger, burning bright... Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4,256	Yes, it's used in filters and as a chemical absorbant (also used in kitty litter for this purpose), but these are industrial grade products, not the food grade. It's also much more expensive. I got my 10 pounds from eBay. __________________ *Remember - Every 'elite' started off as someone's bagseed* kingjobber - This hash just uncentered my chi Growing cannabis is only as complicated and expensive as you want it to be. Current Grow: Knowledge Guides: Diatomaceous Earth - The Best Pesticide You've Never Heard Of Pontiac's DIY Link-O-Rama Unofficial Glossary for New Growers The Water Cure- How, when, and why How to remove 'HPS Orange' quick and easy!
	Quote 1 members found this post helpful.

10-06-2007, 02:25 AM	#10
NiteTiger Tiger, Tiger, burning bright... Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4,256	Glad you approve guys! Here's some pics... You can see the DE dusting the leaves. And the floors. Something else occurred to me - As a dessicant, a preventative dusting applied to early buds could help prevent mold... __________________ *Remember - Every 'elite' started off as someone's bagseed* kingjobber - This hash just uncentered my chi Growing cannabis is only as complicated and expensive as you want it to be. Current Grow: Knowledge Guides: Diatomaceous Earth - The Best Pesticide You've Never Heard Of Pontiac's DIY Link-O-Rama Unofficial Glossary for New Growers The Water Cure- How, when, and why How to remove 'HPS Orange' quick and easy!
	Quote

10-05-2007, 09:56 PM	#2
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	excellent find NT some K+ coming your way
	Quote

10-05-2007, 10:41 PM	#5
Albert Hofmann Blame Hofmann Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 564	Great post Tiger...havn't tried this stuff yet, but I will be soon. Thanks for the info.
	Quote

10-05-2007, 11:09 PM	#6
Budweiser13 Bong tokes with Chong Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 945	Cool stuff i am not sure of the grade but they sell it at swimming pool supply stores...
	Quote

10-06-2007, 01:45 AM	#9
EatShitake Guest Posts: n/a	Great topic, NT. I was gonna ask where you get the food grade, but I see you covered that. The local super-home-improvement-mega-mart has some OMRI listed DE with roach bait in it. It works wonders around the outdoor shrubbery where the lil bastids live and breed- or used to. Thanks!
	Quote