Since we don't have a Lowes in our area and the stores around here don't carry DE I was so happy when DH pulled into a WalMart in Virginia and right next door was a Lowes.I found a 4lb bag of DE made by Safer but after bringing it home and reading it I'm not sure if it is the right thing that everyone is using for fungus knats.The bag says it's an ant & crawling insect killer.Up in the corner of the bag it says DE Plus "DE and patented baits". It says when the insect comes in contact with it they will dry up and die. It just gives directions for outside use and inside use for silverfish cockroaches etc. There is no mention of plant use at all. Is this what you sprinkle on the soil to kill fungus knats or do I have the wrong kind?
DE question
that's it!
Whew! Thanks tiG. I thought for sure I bought the wrong thing when I didn't see any mention of plants on the bag. Feel better now.
I do have to tell you, when I used DE dry, it crusted the soil and I had a hard time keeping them watered after that. Try mixing it with water, per Cala's instructions and spray it.
I wonder what the other ingredient is? boric acid? I have found it's much easier to mix with water, one caution though, I burned a few leaves by using mine that has pyrethrum in it.
Wonder if that would work on fire ants. Seems everytime we put out fireant killer, they just move to a different spot, only bigger mound. I have used my grandmother's method--boiling water.
Its tiny pieces are suppose to have very sharp edges,that cut the ants,aphids etc...when it cuts their bodies it dehydrates them and they eventually die....
Roz, on the outside of my package it says it is for ants. I don't know why it wouldn't work on fire ants. It isn't expensive, so I'd give it a shot.
I have a question too....It says on the package that this stuff is harmful to humans and pets. If I water this stuff into the ground, will it still harm my dog to walk over the ground where it is? I wanted to use it in my asparagus patch to help kill the beetles.
This message was edited Friday, Feb 22nd 4:22 PM
Brugie
It's harmful to humans if you breathe it. Is it only DE, or does it have something else in it?
What's the whole name for DE...gonna get some tomorrow and try it on fire ants.
Cala, I have a kind that has an added insecticide right now, but have some plain stuff ordered. I didn't notice when I bought this the other day that it had an insecticide added or I wouldn't have bought it. This kind is to be used in kitchen cabinets, around mop boards, etc. Now, I understand that it is the insecticide to be careful of with the pets. I was thinking that maybe if they walked in the DE and then licked their feet that it might create a problem for them.
Brugie, sounds like they may have added boric acid. i don't know what it would do to your pets.
Glory, DE--Diatomaceous Earth
Just checked the package and it is Safer brand, but other than the DE, it just lists the remaining percentage of ingredients as "Other Ingredients". On the back of the package, it says DE and other baits, so I guess I just won't know.
Thanks Cala!! You are such a good resource person.
Thanks again Cala.
Been gone all day but had to check here before going to bed. It sounds like I have the same thing that Brugie has. Mine also says "other ingredients". Funny they don't say what else is in it.
tig, is this the same thing that you used on your plants. I want to make sure it doesn't have anything in it that will harm the plants.
I use Concern from Necessary Organics, and it doesn't have any other baits. I got it at Lowes
i am curious, was told that DE only works as long as it is dry. Roz, it's no better at fire ants than other stuff. i used something by orthene for fire ants, chased them too but the hills seemed to get smaller.
Has anyone here actually used this DE plus with the added baits on their Brugs???? Just want to be very sure it won't harm the plant before I use it on all my babies.