Organic Non-Toxic Pest Control that is safe enough to EAT!

[@diane5845]

I found using an old baby powder bottle to apply the DE is cheap and effective!

[@RainbowGardens]

My favorite pest control are spiders. Personally, I do not like walking into a web, BUT the insects stay away from spiders and their webs. I have observed a lower population of insects around areas in my garden where there are spider webs. Insects watch each other in the garden. It is actually quite amazing to see all the different behaviors. I love to watch them, as long as they don't eat up everything. My garden is like an insect zoo, always something fun going on and I gave up getting rid of the little rascals 2 years ago. I just let nature handle it, and occasionally hand pick them if they get out of control. I get plenty of produce, or else, I would consider other controls.

[@RainbowGardens]

***** Haha, hey, is this what it looked like?Argiope aurantia (The Garden Spider) Produces Swathing Band on Bad Bug

[@utub3aka]

Problem is that spiders don'nt eat those plant mice that suck em dry and does not cover the whole garden........ i will definitely try that DE. Organic, SAFE and multi purpose. Tanx mate for the info

[@RainbowGardens]

***** Umm, the garden spiders do not consume their meal after swathing. They consume it approximately 3 to 4 hours after swathing. Also, did you know they respin the center of the web every night? Pretty cool little spider and they won't hurt you.

[@RainbowGardens]

Keepskatin In the US, the spiders to be especially careful of are the reclusive Black Widow and Brown Recluse. Other countries have different species and can be venomous as well. Most all insect bites, stings, etc. are going to cause inflammation, possibly infection. I do not consider that to be toxic venom, at least not to humans.

[@RainbowGardens]

Anthony Almirall I've got a lot of food grade DE and if you will pay for shipping, you can have it. I used it for many years with poor results (sorry, but the truth). I used it for my garden but it did not work for me, so I was saving it to use on chickens for dusting for mites, but I am not getting chickens, so I have no use for it. It is also used to put into grains for long term storage. It cuts any worms which sometimes hatch in wheat, quinoa, etc. I am not saying it does not cut little insects and dehydrate them, but just try getting it on every little insect and larva in the garden, have it STICK to them, apply during the exact time of day when no rain or wind is around - unfeasible for me, my garden is tooo big.

[@davidmorris1427]

Awesome video John! Food grade DE is available at our local farm and ranch supply for around $40 for 50lbs. Try dissolving some in water with a few drops of any dishwashing soap and spray with a garden sprayer as an alternate to dusting. Very effective for non flowering plants that are not visited by bees.

[@sweetbone96]

Always a pleasure learning new stuff from you, John. The problem with DE is that it will also be hazardous to bees.

[@shiner0724]

I made a cheap duster out of a Gatorade bottle, the one with the sport top (pull up kind). Works almost as good as the second duster john showed. Just pull the top up and squeeze the bottle. You may have to adjust the top and your angle of delivery but it works great!

[@Anamericanhomestead]

We always use Food Grade DE on our gardens and feed it to our sheep on the homestead.

[@tarawebster6797]

Thank you John for this video. I just purchased some DE from the link you listed. They gave me a discount AND free shipping with an $18 purchase of the 10lb container of DE so I'm a happy gardener. I can't wait to get rid of the ants around here. In my garden and in my house!

[@tarawebster6797]

It was delivered today! I will be appying it to my garden tonight or in the morning!

[@bullmasterlyle72]

we also used it on drilling rigs between the drum brakes and the drum to knock off glaze so brakes would work better when the got oil or diesel on them.

[@katclaus7425]

Hi. For those who have a small garden that do not want to buy the machine to coat your plants... I use a powder sugar shaker from an old donut make someone gifted. It works great and the bugs do not eat my plants. You can easily make one with a mason jar with cheescloth,screen or toole. Of course it is a little more work but if your on a budget you still have options. Thank you for the great videos john!

[@jimrenderer6627]

Thanks John. I asked about DE on a different video of yours & you sent me here. What a great resource. I found food grade DE, in my small town, at a farm supply store called Rural King. I'm not sure if they have stores in your area but they do have an online presence.

[@AbideinChristSealed]

I read someone puts 1 cup of DE in a gallon of water and uses a sprayer. The water dries, and you have perfectly coated plants.

[@paulx2777]

Good for pets too. We had a dude ranch and the fly problem was bad around the lodge kitchen. We powdered the horse feed with food grade D.E. and that did the trick! Good for getting rid of parasites, and when the horses pooped and the flies laid eggs in it, the maggots were killed by the DE.

[@Anamericanhomestead]

A Nasal Aspirator or what I call simply a booger sucker like the one they give newborns at the hospital works great at giving a fine powder spray over the area you want.

[@humblehim]

douglas washam check it out

[@yvonnethornton1433]

I've used it too in my bed when the dog had the fleas. Only in the spring did she get them. Once we got rid of them, we didn't have them anymore until the next spring. Also when we lived in the mountains the wood ants wanted to come in. Every year I would spread just a small trail completely encircling the house. They would leave and never come into the house again until the next spring also. Good stuff.

[@nickirhododendron7569]

John, I saw articles that advise not to sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth on flowers or where ever you have flowering plants because they said that it kills bees. That's why I would use it rather underneath the plants or around the plants on the ground.

[@sueeason275]

......I discovered this just this year and I use it in and out of the house ..on my garden , in the planting soil and about to sprinkle the back yard where the dogs play to prevent fleas ...I only use it on the animals in places they can't stick their noses , because I have one cat that has something like asthma already ...wouldn't want her to breathe it in ....We have woods next door , so I use around the foundation and near any entry points to keep the wood roaches at bay ...I LOVE THIS STUFF ..

[@iancaldeian]

Thanks for demonstrating the two products. I actually prefer the first one for my purpose.

[@alexgordonepic]

i used to manage properties and have used this stuff in many apartment units to get rid of all bed bugs. btw, ... for those who live in a coop or dorm or shared living situation just know that using heat (lots of space heaters or just hot sun), UV light (you can use a black light) .. and this stuff (DE) on your space and it will be immune to bed bugs... to this day I sprinkle some around home and even closet corners, bases of furniture etc from time to time just out of precaution. - I had problem once 12 yrs ago when i was investing in pre foreclosures... then learned about this stuff and have been spread de ever since and never had a bug problem again. :) not to mention helped out a lot of folks who they had to pay hundreds of dollars for a pest guy to come :) Thanks again John!!!

[@victoriaallen8271]

Finally a duster that works. I have been looking for years and now I can apply DE properly.

[@ziggy33399]

I’d like to see the front of your bag of DE. I see you show your screw top container, but not the actual bag. (Except the other bag NOT to buy). Thx. Appreciate your sharing SO much over the years . You have a lot of knowledge. 👍🏼

[@ZedzDed311]

Dude, you are hilarious. And you make pretty good videos to boot.

[@spottingnature3123]

DE is a good non-toxic treatment, but it also affects pollinators! Diatoms are algae, found until nowadays in both salt and fresh water. DE is composed of their skeletons, called 'frustule', which are composed mostly of silicium and are not soluble . They thus sediment almost intact in the bottom of sea and lakes and, in some places, have accumulated for millennia. Using it to supplement the soil will only change it's physical properties but not the available nutrients, since they don't really dissolve in these conditions. As for the insecticidal properties, they are correlated with oil and water absorption capacity of the amorphous(not crystalized) silica composing the frustule powder. Arthropod mortality is due to desiccation and inversely correlated with relative humidity (less bugs die when atmosphere is humid). DE dries de bugs to death but there is no proof that it physically harms them though. For oral use in humans, there's no serious study of it's effects and mechanism of action, all the claims regarding health improvement by eating diatomite are to be taken with caution.

[@freedomdove]

Great video. I love my food-grade DE. I use it with my cat, in the house to ward off ants, and in my garden. For a cheap applicator I filled an opaque squeeze bottle with the DE. If it's full enough, you can use it to apply the DE to the underside of leaves by just holding the bottle under the leaf and squeezing it to create a puff. It doesn't work extremely well, but it works in a pinch. My new raised beds were infested by earwigs the first year (they thought they'd found a new home!). I used my squeeze bottle applicator to squirt DE into the cracks of the beds (where two boards meet) and the problem was gone within a couple days. I found that getting rid of the ants really helps to keep the aphid population down. For ant problems I use grits. It works pretty much every time, but from what I understand it doesn't work on every type of ant. I just sprinkle lots of grits on the ground where they are building homes. The ants eat the grits and later explode (?) when the grits expand in their stomachs. Or maybe it's the GM-corn that's killing them, so don't use organic. :P It does take a few days for the entire grit process. It's one of those old remedies that really does work (though perhaps not on fire ants). If that didn't work, I'd definitely use the DE next, and possibly something with orange in it.

[@amstudio56]

First, I want to tell you that I am a subscriber and I don't even have a garden. But you're so informative so I keep watching and hopefully one day I'll begin my garden. But what I am soooooo greatfull for is you introducing me to Diatomaceous Earth. I have 7 pitbulls and we are all suffering from these damn fleas. and they are so bad this year. So when you mention DE, I did a little more research and then went back to this video to get the link to where to buy it from. I bought the 10 lbs. and in one hour, my yard, my house, and my furry friends are FLEALESS!!! I am sooooo happppyyyy! you have no idea. I just had to let you know.

[@xiripatola]

Super cool! I am so happy to find your videos today!

[@KassMeierable]

PPE is a must. I applied diatomaceos earth the other day. Throat is still sore.

[@Praxxus55712]

Ok so I crushed up some glass bottles and rolled around in them as John suggested. My aphid problem is still there. Possibly I need to rewatch this.....and get more band aides. :(

[@MichelLaine]

Maybe you should have your coffee before you watch it the next time?

[@bswitza]

But wait! Do you have aphids on your body anywhere? I bet not!

[@punk3r12]

Ray just let thats like rolling in seed and letting your chickens feed.....wait that may work too....

[@lopezrizo3030]

Praxxus55712 hahaha this made me laugh.

[@lopezrizo3030]

Praxxus55712 I watch the videos of both of you guys. You both are great inspiration.

[@cacamal13]

Another very informative video!! Thank you for your videos and time spent educating us

[@TradChadFarm]

try getting your diatomaceous earth from feed stores they sell it for livestock

[@craftfarms901]

Thanks for the tips on Organic Non-Toxic Pest Control!! We've been seeing some caterpillars and ants on our tomatoes and greens! This video was right on time!!!

[@blondizsmilz]

I love all your great advice! I bought DE for my chickens and now I use it in the house to fight fleas. I never thought to use it in the garden! Am going to buy some Neem oil and try it this year! :)

[@garychynne1377]

i'm in legal canada and had my garden destroyed by spider mights so i've just ordered some. high hopes. thank you

[@babamary1]

I believe they say to spray a water and soap mix all over before you spray with medications.. it sticks better to leaves etc.. Wonderful video.. thanks again.. you are the best.. too bad i am in Canada.. pretty cold.. x0x

[@Growyourheirlooms]

Well John, you're awfully brave to eat that stuff. However, you're now worm free!

[@cgsmile]

would this be beneficial in soil for root knot nematodes? Or would it not be worth sacrificing the beneficials?

[@MIXMAXCRAFT]

John GREAT video as always. Thank you for shearing all your knowledge!

[@kath2096]

The only (!) time I had cockroaches I mixed Borax and brown sugar and placed in the lids of yogurt/cottage cheese-type containers and it worked well, but ultimately drew ants. I think DE sounds like the perfect solution, thanks so much, John :)

[@memeyout]

John I had no luck with the D-E or neem oil in a fogger sprayer,I did have a lot of luck with Terro liquid ant traps there 98.8 boric acid base,the D-E might kill your earth worms if you let the soil dry out,the ant traps are self contained and cheep and you can see a change in a day,I like your videos keep up the good work.

[@CpAj1]

Diatamaceous Earth has 20 trace minerals. Do you think it could make a good rock dust substitute?

[@bluerose6859]

My friend waters her plants in the morning and then use the dustin-mizer thing. She said the water helps adhere the DE to the plants.

[@MelRiversL7]

Used it for the past 35 years...Great Stuff!!!

[@MelRiversL7]

I always used an old sock, filled it up, shook it and it dusted perfectly with an even fine coat...I use it through out the house... every nook and kranny...in Florida that says a lot!!

[@yvonnethornton1433]

That last applicator you used reminds me of the fly spray sprayer I saw my aunt use when I was a child. Not good for humans, but it got rid of the flies for a while.

[@phormoore3631]

reminded me of the God Father... oh no he died when using his....:)

[@bperra9217]

You can also use de by mixing it with water and applying it with a pump sprayer. It'll have to be reapplied after a rain if needed just as dusting would as it'll just get washed off the foliage. I use to spray brush around lawns and so on to keep ticks away from peoples properties. Yes, it will unfortunately kill any bees or beneficial insects that come in contact with it too though

[@notaras1985]

good sir i have a question. do we use ingestible d.e. as a pesticide or another type of d.e.? also. does the combination of d.e. with zeolite give more effective results?

[@Mindfularttherapy]

i gottta correct you bro, home depot has the best DE. its food grade, 100% DE and freshwater.its called Harris food grade DE. very affordable and its not jn the pool section, its where bird food and feeders are.. Also, I am certified vampire slayer and wooden stake always, for thousands of years has worked on killing vampires.

[@WH6FQE]

Yeah, everyone knows silver bullets are for werewolves, not vampires, lol

[@DaddyOsInk]

The Safer brand yellow bag stuff is available at Lowe's for about $8 per bag.... at least in the southeast. It's in the "pest control" section.

[@MoranisToboggan]

John I have a meiwa kumquat tree, Meyer lemon, red lime in my yard in south Florida . The recommended Bayer citrus fruit and vegetable pest control and liquid copper . Can I substitute this stuff with the bayer ? And why about the liquid copper is that ok ?

[@l.skipallen9080]

The dust mask is a must but you need to have eye protection, too!!! I use a small duster, or applicator, made for D E powder - on animals and plants. The puffer [my name for it] is available online for $10 (+ or -) and worth the cost because it does not waste the powder. Hope this helps. Skip :})

[@anonymousstudent8254]

Hello I just came across your channels and I’m new too gardening. I was wondering if you can make a video how do you know when your garden is safe to eat? Any bugs ? Anything will really help

[@thorhale]

have you used DE before? It seems to never quite wash off the plants, and has a negative effect on the leaves its on.

[@MelanieRuefli]

In another video, they misted the garden before blowing the diatomaceous earth onto the plants so that it sticks to the leaves! THought that was a good trick to use.

[@Nobody-11B]

That is a fantastic idea!!! Thank you. Link by chance?

[@brookd007]

You can actually mix with water to make a spray. It's effective once it dries.

[@gregbrooks9546]

John, I thought I read that DE powder that falls to the ground will kill your worms around your plants, Is that true.

[@KeikoBushnell]

Oooh! I just read you can use a sock and fill it with DE to make a duster

[@Gravely5059]

Love the vampire reference and the 104 mention. Good stuff bro. Gotta 86 these fleas fer sure.

[@lukehanlon9965]

Thanks man! I learned a lot today!!

[@markflores7419]

John, fantastic video. Thank you very much!

[@LewieMac858]

Will DE work on cutworms?

[@rainbowneal4603]

Hi ... what about after spraying your garden plants &/or veggies with the DE product, won't it also kill the good bugs, like bees, or those helpful small wasps ?!! ... maybe that might not be so good, right ?!! ... or should l put a large bag over the affected plant, & just spray it? ... thanks ... Rain ... (-_-)

[@abduljakulkalakisal-salini9409]

wood ashes are also used to get rid of fleas from chickens... would they work the same as DE?

[@TBR_LLC]

That’s some good information there

[@Vintage_Recreations]

A 50 pound bag of food grade DE is available at most feed stores and is not expensive at all.

[@richierivera2438]

I BOUGHT A KETCHUP LIKE SQUEEZE BOTTLE AND YOU JUST SQUEEZE IT OUT WORKS PRETTY GOOD!!!

[@walnutcreekjg1385]

MAN I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS! GOD BLESS!

[@cable489]

Will the DE kill the worms in the garden soil?

[@allglad]

Does anyone know if wheat can be done hydroponicalllllaally...&/or aquaponically? Thanks for the videos...love organic but I only know what a or is...not to be confused with a ganic is....the process must not be processed even though everything is processed but not in the Wild.... that must be what a ganic is. ...but you can’t add an ore..cuz the ganic is wild and even if you beat it with an ore it won’t be organic....but then again maybe not.

[@meatsteak6053]

Just thought I would share a tip I use for BT application that im going to use with this stuff: Get yourself a confection sugar sprinkler (you probably already have one) and just sprinkle like your sugaring your pastrys! Those dust things are expensive IMHO.

[@XxFRSHBSxXGaming]

Nice video John very helpful.

[@bubbabear289]

John thanks for all of your videos I'm having a big problem with stink bugs in my garden on all of my plants PLEASE HELP

[@wandarmanwanabdullah7735]

Can it effectively control beatles?

[@grabmike]

I thought of a way that works really well and cheap and easy to use to apply the D.E. Go to the Dollar Store and buy one of those old fashion ketchup or mustard bottles with the little caps. You just pump and squeeze, it's just that simple.

[@OCCatholic]

Des it affect the pollinators?

[@arimonL]

Yes, any bugs with an exoskeleton ... don't place near flowers or plants for bees.

[@putneyfarm64]

John, while DE is non toxic to us, it does harm any insect with an exoskeleton, so it will harm beneficial insects as well as pests, so it is best to use it judiciously. A water spray will knock off the aphids and they will not come back up. It could be sprayed in the early morning when it is cooler. PS: De is said not to harm earth worms.

[@shivashakti6212]

jealous much dotty

[@alex1982ander]

would the diatomaceous earth work well with aquaponics in your opinion or is there a chance of hurting the fish?

[@PeterSAyala]

Would you recommend using DE with cannabis plants?

[@elaineaustin7740]

We have used it successfully for years on cannabis.

[@southerncomfort48503]

I HAVE SEEN MOST PEOPLE USE D.E. IN LIQUID FORM TO AVIOD POSSIBLY BOTHERING BEES BY GETTING A BOTTLE WITH A SPRAYER THAT CAN SPRAY EVEN UPSIDE DOWN SO THEY CAN SPRAY THE UNDER BOTTOM OF THE LEAVES AND DOWN AT THE GROUND AND ROOTS OF THE VEGETATION.. THEY WOULD ALSO SPRAY EITHER IN THE MORNING OR IN THE EVENING AT WHAREVER TIME YOU NOTICE BEES AND SUCH ARE OUT AND ABOUT...

[@1972macaisme]

another name i read for that is diatomite, will have to keep eye on ph of soil

[@Jefferdaughter]

Viewers might be interested in exploring the research done showing that vibrantly healthy plants are much less attractive to insect pests than those either stressed (perhaps by the high heat John mentions, OR lacking in certain micro-trace elements). DE is yet another tool. Used wisely and appropriately, it can be very helpful. It is indiscriminate in it's action, of course, and can harm beneficial insects and organisms as easily as 'pests'. Creating a situation in which a natural balance between pests and their predators is reached is another useful approach.

[@MrPhlip17]

Best organic ant killer: Lay out traps made with baking soda and powdered sugar. Mix (well) equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar. Place small amounts in areas you expect ants to congregate, including suspected points of entry or frequented hangouts. The powdered sugar is used to bait the ants, as many species of ants are attracted to sweet food sources. The baking soda is what kills the ants. Ants have an acidic substance inside their bodies, and this substance reacts with the baking soda once the ants ingest it. It causes a gas to form inside, that they cant release (ants cant fart) and basically they pop! While this tactic is not instantaneous, it can be highly beneficial. Ants carry the food source back to their nest (they can't separate the sugar particles from the baking soda), where the queen and other ants consume it. As a result, you may succeed in killing off a larger portion of the ants. Should work for any hard bodied (exoskeleton) bug that eats sugar. Good luck!

[@MatthewCorrigan]

On the Gilmore, I just threw away the end hose. I find that it doesn't work as well when it gets wet. so after a heavy rain, I needed to reapply. I slowed the use of DE because I figured it would hurt the bees. I seem to have a lot of bees in my garden which is a good thing considering my neighbors are Sevin dust advocates. I ordered a 50# food grade bag from Amazon three years ago and I still have half a bag.

[@punk3r12]

Reviews on the gilmour state seal breakage... did you notice any dust out the back? Im going to purchase and was hoping for a response soon.

[@ARTISTCHD1]

Good ideas....

[@adamgonzales6178]

what are the lbs/sqft recomendations cause i would like to order some but not sure how much coverage it gets. im sure its a matter of how its applied and im thinking airborne like the dusting devices. my garden is 500 sq ft but not a square foot garden style like johns. them aphids have taken over two years in a row. and ladybugs cant get it done at this point but in nor cal we got a few good months left. any help is great

[@Zolem-i7o]

You could probably get by with 10lbs but it really depends on how generously you apply it. Keep in mind though that DE is fossilized remains of diatoms and has been around for quite a while. If you get a 50lb bag it will last forever as long as u keep it dry. I still have some in my garage from 3 years ago and it keeps working just fine every year. Also you will have some on hand whenever you need to reapply if necessary.

[@marcdespard1011]

I got a 50 pound sack of food grade DE from a local feed store and it was only $22. Call around to get the best deal.

[@echosquest]

holy thats alot trying to find it.

[@randyvincent6791]

Is the 50lb bag of diatomaceous earth the same as the permanent guard from the same company?

[@buck19]

i am going to try a media blaster gun. with a pressure regulator set to just a few psi, i think it would work well.

[@misslix70]

Hi John I am in south FL and I am gathering info and equipment to start a small raised garden, but I am now reconsidering. I have noticed that this little white beetle (Sri Lankan weevil) is devouring my roses, and I did not want to start the garden until this pest was under control. I searched our extension and local organic forums and found that this little monster is resistant to almost everything except the "search and squish method". Neither organic nor chemical methods have been successful. It eats everything (citrus, mangos, lychee, roses). Have you encountered this beetle also known as the Asian grey weevil. When seeking them out to squish them they hide and will fall to the ground and play dead (Yes, play dead!!). I have poured undiluted dawn dishwashing liquid directly unto them and that killed the first batch but not the second. I will try diatomaceous earth on the roses...any other suggestions?

[@ruffiantilian]

I am worried that the DE will kill honeybees. I sprinkle it on, while shielding the blossoms. But, I still wonder if that will prevent hurting the bees. If I had a larger garden, I don't think that will work. I still cannot kill the baby grasshopers that have hatched on my basil. So, I don't know if it works on them.

[@doctrinedoomsday6953]

Is this kaolin clay in that bag? ''this stuff'' I'd like to know what it is please.

[@TheMusachioedBrony]

Oops-forgot to ask this. If DE cuts up bugs, what does it do to the worms in the soil?? If you mix it I to your soil and a beneficial earthworm slithers right next to it or ingests a little clump of it, aren't they going to get all cut up and give up their life??

[@eriksurbanfarming5924]

I also understand that if you mix it in water and then spray it on your plants it leaves a nice powdery film not sure the ratio probably a tablespoon for quart/gallon?

[@ter450]

In my experience, local (Florida) hardware stores and "big box" stores have no idea what I am talking about when I ask for DE. I have used in in garden, on dogs, and in home for insect control. Works great. I have mail ordered it in past. Some of the local "feed stores" carry it.

[@allenronaldson4381]

I like this guy. Maybe he mentioned it, but can you sprinkle this on weed during veg? I’m assuming not for flower though.

[@noone3216]

Had to laugh at "Just like we would never be immune , PROBABLY, to shards of glass.." XD haha classic

[@ejmelectrical4600]

Will it kill worms once it is in the soil?

[@felixhenson9926]

Does it suck the moisture from the plant also? Also I'd rather not kill worms or ladybirds for example...

[@Loveyko10]

I used this DE always in my garden and soil and I even drink it also... For better and effective way, the leaves are supposed to be wet, it's better to use it early morning because there's a morning dew or the leaves are wet and use the DE... Hope this help.

[@frombeetoyou3044]

does D.E harm the worms in our soil ?

[@hhenley7457]

Thanks for the excellent information, as always! Quick question: Is the mechanical pesticide property of DE still effective when it is damp and wet, or only when it is dry?

[@brookd007]

It's effective again once it dries. However, a hard rain might displace it.

[@anoldmannameddave7455]

Would this work for baby grasshoppers ?

[@jeffwolf8018]

what are your thought and view of Bonide 20610 Sulfur Plant Fungicide, RTU, 25 Lbs for mold and some insects?