Diatomaceous earth is a substance that’s a naturally occurring substance mined from lake beds. It is fossilized diatoms(a type of single-celled planktonic algae) that lived in oceans and freshwater lakes years ago. There are several benefits for using diatomaceous earth in your organic garden, including eliminating the need for chemical pesticides.

• Diatomaceous earth is a non-toxic way to control pests in the garden. It is effective against all insect pests that crawl on plants because contact with the powder is extremely dehydrating. After watering the plants, dust them with an applicator. This will help the powder stick to plant surfaces. Although diatomaceous earth is a non-selective insecticide, flying insects like bees are less affected as they don’t come in contact with substance. Avoid spraying flowers, however.

• Diatomaceous earth is often used as a medium for growing plants, usually in conjunction with other substances. Although it doesn’t have much to offer by way of nutrition, it has the capacity to hold fertilizers and then release it to the roots. That, as well as the porosity, makes it a good growing medium for grow bags. Mix it with potting soil to increase drainage and air circulation in the root zone.

• Rodents like rats, moles, mice, and rabbits often do great damage to your garden. They are known to have an aversion to citrus and peppermint smells, so you can use small containers of diatomaceous earth with a few drops of the essential oil of lemon or peppermint as deterrents. This highly porous substance is better than cotton balls in both absorbing the oil and retaining the smell for longer periods.

• Insect repellent:

  Aphids are rice-sized green pests that feed on plant juices by piercing young plant parts and sucking the sap. This will stunt plant growth and reduce yield. Dust aphid-infested plants with the diatomaceous powder or mix it with water and spray on plants with a sprayer.

  Ants indirectly destroy garden plants through the use of aphids. Ants “farm” aphids by carrying them to new plants and protecting them from predators. The ants then “milk” the honeydew from aphids in return. Dust garden plants and ant hills with diatomaceous earth to get rid of them.

  Slugs are nocturnal pests that like to feed on garden plants under the cloak of darkness. Protect tender plants by creating a circle of diatomaceous earth around plants. When the soft body of a slug comes in contact with the powder, the sharp particles inflict tiny cuts on the skin and they quickly dehydrate.

  Flies are an annoyance to gardeners, but they can easily be kept away with an application of diatomaceous earth. Sprinkle the powdery organic product liberally on all plants and on the ground. Flies tend to avoid treated areas.

  Fresh manure and compost piles can house the larvae of many types of flies. While maggots aren’t harmful, the resulting flies are a source of aggravation. To keep the compost pile maggot-free, just sprinkle diatomaceous earth all over it.

  Ticks can be a big problem in gardens close to woods. Many wild animals carrying these pests deposit them on your lawn, and the pets may get infected when they play on the lawn. They are not only troublesome but can transmit diseases, Dust the entire yard, especially the lawn, with a liberal amount of diatomaceous earth. Use an applicator to do this, and repeat it once a month during the flea season.

Caution: The downside to Diatomaceous Earth is that it does not discriminate between pests and beneficial insects. Ladybugs, green lacewings, butterflies, bees, and other "good guys" can also be killed by Diatomaceous Earth if they come into contact with it. For this reason, we recommend using Diatomaceous Earth with discretion on and around plants that beneficial insects may frequently visit. Avoid using it around flowers as well.

How to Use Diatomaceous Earth

• When shopping for Diatomaceous Earth, look for the "food grade" quality. The Diatomaceous Earth used in pool filters is not effective against garden pests.

• Sprinkle bands of Diatomaceous Earth around the plants you are trying to protect. It's important that the ring of DE does not have any gaps for pests to sneak through.

• If pests are eating the leaves of your plants, you can dust the leaves with Diatomaceous Earth, which should discourage further damage. However, you should avoid applying DE near the plants' flowers, where pollinators might inadvertently come into contact with it.

• When using Diatomaceous Earth, it's recommended to wear eye protection and a dust mask, as the small particles can be irritating.

• Diatomaceous Earth works best in dry conditions. It clumps together when wet, so reapply after it rains.