Diatomaceous instructions

[MeEasy]

Hi guys/gals the other day I saw somebody saying that diatomaceous was a great organic way of fighting DAMN bugs. I'm trying for the first time to grow organic, live soil, or super soil whatever it is called that I'm doing lol. I bought some to give it a try because I'm worried that my old way of using peroxide and alcohol would harm my soil..... my question is on what is the best way of applying it like how heavy and do I work it into the soil? The instructions I found is telling me to put a teaspoon in a glass of OJ every morning and I don't see how the fuck that's gonna kill gnats in my garden hahaha.

[Smerft85]

I've never seen it in a bottle like that, but it is the same brand as I use. I get mine in a big bag and literally just throw it all over the plants by the handful. It should still be a powder out of the bottle. You can dust your plants pretty heavy and never harm them, no real need to work it into the soil. DE relies on insects to be walking through it and working itself into the areas between exoskeletons,it will cause abrasions and eventually cause the bugs to dry out. Only thing I can see with the glass of juice is to get fruit flies and such to ingest it to work from the inside out. Hope that helps out, go powder your babies, itll help make them a little more bug free after about a week.

[Smerft85]

Thought I'd add, wear a dust mask and sunglasses, try not to breath it in or let it in your eyes! It is safe enough you could eat it, but you will hate life if you get a bunch in your eyes or lungs.

[growell]

i dont know mate but i used apple cider vinegar in a bowl next to plants and dry sand on top and in drip tray at bottom and let my soil dry right out they didnt lay soil was dry they couldnt hack thickness of soil suppose to be like glass to them let me know what it like growing with that soil molasses really good for live soil hope this helps mate thickness of sand i meant just a thought maybe just a liberal sprinkling on top then they cant get in maybe it to do with pots plastic holes drilled in they get in fabric holes might be to small just thinking aloud not sure seems logical let me know mate

[Smerft85]

You can sprinkle it over the soil, but just let it sit on top. I'd add the DE after watering and the plant itself is dry, it starts losing its effects after it gets wet but will do its job after drying out again. As long as you have dry white powder and they walk through it, its working.

[MeEasy]

KO.. thanks allot that was the plan to just spread it all over, was the logical approach anyway I was just checking if there was a certain trick or something. The OJ comment was mostly a joke because some people drink it to help with stomach problems, hair and nail growth.. I bought the smallest size available is why it's in a bottle instead of a bag so I'm not left with10lbs if it didn't work.... I didn't want to use the sand method because I'm top dressing and would end up working the sand down into the soil...
Thanks again, stay safe out there

[Smerft85]

Only tip or trick to it is make sure you coat the bottom of the leaves too. Aphids and such hang out on the underside a lot.

[AccidentalGardener]

When I transplanted my gnatty 4" into 1-gal, I was instructed to add half a cup DE per 5 gallons of dirt into the soil I was using, and also sprinkle on the top of the medium. Done a week ago and the gnats are totally gone. For now. I did have trouble getting a good "sprinkle" as it tends to stick to anything even microscopically damp - i.e. little bug bodies. I tried an old sock, a nylon stocking, my skirt, 2 layers of cheesecloth, 1 layer of cheesecloth. No joy. Also, if you're gonna sprinkle and you have a circulation fan going, wear something over your face (a mask perhaps? lol) because it goes everywhere. I had excellent luck with DE. The only thing sticking to the yellow cards these days is my face and the occasional hairs that get away.

[crucialbunny]

It's very important to note that DE does not kill bugs when it is wet. Once it has dried out again it will be effective again. I use it in my potting soil but as a source of calcium. The bottle you have is designed so that you can puff it under leaves. When I had a fungus gnat problem last year I used it as a top dressing for my soil. Also it is important to realize it is not a contact killer. It takes a bit of time for them to dry up from the injuries the powder inflicts.

[AccidentalGardener]

Another question answered that I didn't have to ask. Was wondering about having to reapply after watering and the answer is yes and no, lol.

[MeEasy]

Thanks allot... I actually believe it was you crucialbunny I read telling someone else about DE and thought I'd give it a shot... I'm glad that I found this forum I've learned more in the past couple months than I did in the past couple years reading articles online. I know the articles are written by growers but for whatever reason everything is controversial and the articles contradict each other... Here everyone gives their opinion and tips, yes some still contradict but at least you don't have to read 10 full articles to get the different views...
Thanks again everyone, be good or good at it so you're not caught 😎