Update on Diatomaceous Earth ( Food Grade) For gnats. So...
Update on Diatomaceous Earth ( Food Grade) For gnats. So I’ve posted on here the gnats issues I’ve been having and it’s been a never ending struggle. I’ve tried everything anyone recommended. But nothing seemed to work. Then I came across Diatomaceous Earth. I did all kinds of research. And found it’s good for fleas that were attacking my poor dog too. So I used D earth and showered my plants in them. And gave my dog a dry bath. And BOOM gnats basically gone, fleas no longer in sight. Mind you it’s messy but I feel I finally found my saving grace. #HappyPlants #PestControl 💖💖💖
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@FabRubbercup That sounds fascinating, was the DE in powder form in a packet? Do you have a photo of the packet? I am finding more and more uses for DE but this sounds like the best one yet if it gets rid of those pesky fungus gnats.
So it's a dry shower on the plants? So they it covers the top soil? I have heard of using a barrier on the top soil but not with DE. Thanks for sharing your outcome.
So it's a dry shower on the plants? So they it covers the top soil? I have heard of using a barrier on the top soil but not with DE. Thanks for sharing your outcome.
@Seymour https://a.co/d/1BJTJlh this is the exact one I bought and used, and ya I let a ❄️ SNOW of DE fall on all my plants with the blower included. Ya I tried top barrier idea, you can see some of my plants still have a barrier of sand on some. Which helped a tiny bit. But at the same was killing some of plants that don’t like staying wet longer. I just tried and made sure the entire top of the soil had at least a sprinkle. Of course happy to have good news to share. 💖
@Gustavo Do *not* blow on it. If you apply it while dry, you should probably even wear a mask. It's a very fine, abrasive dust, which can be harmful if you inhale too much of it. You could mix it with water, however, and use a normal spray bottle.
It is supposed to work while dry because its abrasiveness hurts the critters and/or dries them out afterward. So, depending on what you are dealing with, spraying/powdering it where the infection is and leaving it on, is your best bet.
It is supposed to work while dry because its abrasiveness hurts the critters and/or dries them out afterward. So, depending on what you are dealing with, spraying/powdering it where the infection is and leaving it on, is your best bet.
@MusicalRedmint I'm so sorry to bother you and the rest of the community with these questions, but thank you already.
So, to dissolve it in water and spray it on the plants also reaches the expected results, from what I understand? I am extremely bothered this didn't come with a manual - I was about to take it into my hands and just drop it all over my plants.
And the other option would be to powder it gently over the soil, not all over the plants etc
So, to dissolve it in water and spray it on the plants also reaches the expected results, from what I understand? I am extremely bothered this didn't come with a manual - I was about to take it into my hands and just drop it all over my plants.
And the other option would be to powder it gently over the soil, not all over the plants etc
@Gustavo well there really is no instructions, you can hand to sprinkle it, or if you have an empty shaker, that works too. Mine came with a blower. Just make sure to wear a mask and don’t take it off till you have walked away from where you were working. The powder is very thin and will stay in the air for a while. 💖
@Gustavo It is safe to a certain extent. You can use your hands - it is even marketed as edible. Just don't breathe it in. If your problem is in the earth (e.g. fungus gnats) just spread it there, and everything should be fine.
As for spraying, I've never done it myself, just seen it done, so I think it should work. But it takes time to dry and is not killing off pesky critters right away.
Glad to answer, just ask away. Normally, I'm the one with a million questions, so I'm glad to be able to give back. Did not mean to scare you about the fine dust. I just had a vivid mental image of you blowing everything all over the place and inhaling a lot. Sry.
As for spraying, I've never done it myself, just seen it done, so I think it should work. But it takes time to dry and is not killing off pesky critters right away.
Glad to answer, just ask away. Normally, I'm the one with a million questions, so I'm glad to be able to give back. Did not mean to scare you about the fine dust. I just had a vivid mental image of you blowing everything all over the place and inhaling a lot. Sry.
@FabRubbercup I want to test it out on mites next... and I imagine on leaves the wet version could work better. Or wet it and take a brush. We will see
@MusicalRedmint or or you can use a brush to just brush the dust on, like your doing your plants makeup 💄😂
@FabRubbercup @MusicalRedmint A mask is 100% fine by me, and I have gardening gloves (lol, I know...). Perhaps I'll just take the pots out of the room one by one and powder them using the gloves, or keep the room as open as possible to avoid powder in the air.
I'll take any tips you guys have, guys.
So far I'm dealing with fungus gnats, definitely, and I *suspect* there might be spider mites too, but I haven't seen one yet. I'm keeping a close eye and it's nothing gigantic, but I really didn't want it to become a problem.
I'll take any tips you guys have, guys.
So far I'm dealing with fungus gnats, definitely, and I *suspect* there might be spider mites too, but I haven't seen one yet. I'm keeping a close eye and it's nothing gigantic, but I really didn't want it to become a problem.
@FabRubbercup I will take it under consideration. 😂 but maybe I will wait a bit. I feel crazy enough already today.
@MusicalRedmint fair dealing with pest and your day to day life is mentally and physically draining
@FabRubbercup lol!!! It’s my first time dealing with pests so I’m super nervous hahahaha but yeah, it’s gonna snow over here 😂
@FabRubbercup Oh, a question. Should I remove anything that covers the soil - for example if I had moss covering it to protect it, should I remove before applying? (Just an example)
@FabRubbercup I mentioned moss because I don’t know how it’s called in English what I actually do use right now - is it rice husk? I use it on my aglaonemas generally to cover the soil. No moss over here.
Got the general idea, then. Now I’ll wait and see. Will update! Thanks!
Got the general idea, then. Now I’ll wait and see. Will update! Thanks!
@Gustavo How are you using the husks? As mulch to retain water? Then that might be part of the fungus gnats problem. It could help to let the top of the soil dry out regularly, since that is where the gnats lay their eggs and they need a moist environment/fungus to feed upon. I guess it is great for water conservation and also less work because you need to water less, but at least during an active infection I would try to bottom water and to let the top dry out in between. As for the DE, it also works on touch and since the critters have to come out one way or the other I don't think the effectiveness is very much reduced if you put in on the husks, if you manage to cover them well. But I don't know for certain since I've obviously not tried it yet.
@MusicalRedmint for aglaonemas, the husks are useful to prevent gnats - or so I was told. The fungus appeared in two plants: in my Begonia Maculata and *apparently* (can’t quite make it yet) in my Neon Robusta Syngonium. Both had very wet soil for a while - different reasons, all dealt with right before.
However, I’m definitely taking your comment into consideration. I usually just use a layer of the husks over the soil, as you would with pinus.
Thank you again for your time!
However, I’m definitely taking your comment into consideration. I usually just use a layer of the husks over the soil, as you would with pinus.
Thank you again for your time!
No thanks needed. Right now my life consists of thinking about plants and pests 24/7 anyways. Have fun and good luck