Diatomaceous Earth in the Garden

Diatomaceous Earth from Perma-guard has a wide range of applications and uses in the garden as a natural tool in your arsenal against pest and parasites. DE can be applied wet or dry.  Application can be as simple a hand spread or choose from one of our DE tailored applicators. Alternatively mixed with water at a rate of 20gms per 5 litres you can apply via a pump up type sprayer or simply brush on items at a higher concentration.

Vegetable Garden

Spray DE wet via a pump up sprayer all over vegetables. Try to maintain an even and thorough application. Additionally, use the wand upside down at ground level and up the full height of the plants to achieve underside leaf coverage.  Choosing from our range of DE tailored applicators can also make application and dispersion simple and efficient.

Spread DE by hand or with a shaker applicator to discourage entry by slugs and snails into the area you want to control. Creating a border of DE around the zone to be protected will greatly assist to prevent these foliage eaters from entering this area.

Fruit Trees

Create a solution of DE in a bucket of water and brush paint tree trunks to assist to prevent ants from gaining access up the trunk of the tree. Stir the solution regularly as the DE will tend to settle.

Additionally, spray the foliage of trees to discourage other pests as per vege garden style application. Exercise caution around flowering / fruiting season as DE has the potential to adversely affect pollinating insects such as bees which is obviously to be avoided.

DE can also be applied dry on still days with any of our applicators available on the DE Accessories page.

DE has no withholding period when sprayed on fruit and vegetables destined for human consumption. It is harmless and you could spray, pick and eat it all in the same day!

Ornamentals

Wet - Apply as per spray method coating foliage to assist with mealy bug and other sucking insect control.

Dry - Apply with the Pest Pistol, The Spritzer or a simple shaker applicator.

General

Spread, blow, brush or spray anywhere you want to control insects, ant invasions around composting areas, rubbish and recycling bins, ant trails or anywhere you want to maintain insect free. Insects and ants particularly do not like travelling through areas with DE present. If they get any on them it will ultimately lead to their demise – they recognise this and re-locate themselves very quickly.

Earthworms

DE will not harm earthworms unless you completely coat them it. Used by worm-farmers in the USA, they spread sparingly over the surface of the soil. The worms will take it in and work it into the soil through the course of their natural action. It can actually be quite beneficial to the worms and the soil as long as it is not over-applied directly to the worms themselves.

Outdoor insects

Diatomaceous Earth has been known to cause a debilitating and/or fatal effect on the following outdoor insects and parasites …

Ants, fleas, ticks, house flies, white fly, fruit flies, blow flies, caterpillars, cockroaches, snails, slugs, spiders, termites, silverfish, lice, mites, centipedes, earwigs, aphids, thrips, borer, mealy bug, grub stage of Japanese beetles, corn earworm, corn borer, cucumber beetles, mealworms, hoppers, bed bugs, brown mites, red spider mites, twig borers, oriental fruit moths, codling moths, chalcid weevils, grain borer, red flour beetle, pea weevil, rice weevil, gypsy moth, pink boll weevil, lygus bug, nematodes, tomato hornworm, bean beetles, cabbage loopers and many others not mentioned here.

Note: DE will not affect the egg stage of most insects and may need to be re-applied to control the next generation or hatch.

Application rates of sprayer

• Weigh 20gms or measure 60mls and apply in a 5 litre pump up hand sprayer.
• Alternatively weigh 60gms / 180mls in a 15 litre backpack sprayer.

Application rates for brushing application

Mix 1 cup or 250ml of Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth with 2 litres of water creates an effective solution. Maintain regular stirring or agitation during use to prevent the DE settling on the bottom.

With careful observation of your garden you will discover the perfect times and volumes to apply Diatomaceous Earth to gain the most benefits.