Apply Diatomaceous Earth

Dust food-grade diatomaceous earth around the base of plants and on foliage where crawling pests are active. Apply a thin, even layer to dry plants and dry soil for maximum effectiveness. Target areas where slugs, snails, ants, earwigs, and crawling beetles travel. Wear a dust mask during application to avoid inhaling the fine particles.

Why It Works

Diatomaceous earth consists of fossilized diatom shells with microscopically sharp edges and a highly absorbent structure. When crawling insects contact DE, it damages their protective waxy outer coating and absorbs the lipids from their exoskeleton, leading to dehydration and death. It is a purely mechanical action, so insects cannot develop chemical resistance to it.

Tips

• Use only food-grade DE, never pool-grade which is chemically treated and hazardous
• Reapply after rain or heavy watering since moisture renders it ineffective
• Apply in dry conditions, preferably in the evening when pollinators are less active
• Keep DE away from flowers to protect bees and butterflies
• Store in a sealed, dry container to maintain effectiveness