Diatomaceous earth can be used as a household insecticide, for animals, in the garden and some other uses. This product is quite useful and versatile in many aspects, as we will see below, and best of all, it is a fairly effective ecological product.
One of its great advantages is that it does not affect animals or people and has numerous other applications beyond the garden. What applications and uses does diatomaceous earth have?
Index
- 1 diatomaceous earth
- 2 Uses of diatomaceous earth
- 2.1 Use of diatomaceous earth as a pest controller
- 2.2 Use of diatomaceous earth as a fertilizer
- 2.3 Use of diatomaceous earth to prevent diseases
- 2.4 Use of diatomaceous earth to deworm dogs and cats
- 2.5 Use of diatomaceous earth as a deodorizer
diatomaceous earth
First, in order to explain the uses of diatomaceous earth, I have to explain what it is. Diatoms are fossilized unicellular algae that have a coating of silica. What the diatom helps us with is that by having this silica cover, when it comes into contact with the insect that tries to attack our crops, it perforates the keratin layer that covers them and causes their death by dehydration.
To recognize it, diatomaceous earth is a white powder very similar to talcum powder, which is generally applied by dusting. It can also be diluted in water to make certain applications easier.
Diatomaceous Earth Uses
We have already mentioned that it is a good insecticide for all kinds of insects. Being an insecticide that acts mechanically, since it breaks the keratin shield, insects cannot adapt and generate resistance to it. This does happen with other chemical insecticides, which over time become less effective.
One of the great advantages of using diatomaceous earth as an insecticide is that, being made up of algae, it is completely biodegradable, does not leave any type of toxic residue, so it can be used perfectly in urban gardens, public and areas of passage of people and animals, since it is an innocuous insecticide.
It can also be used to deworm some animals.
Using diatomaceous earth as a pest controller
One positive thing I have found about diatomaceous earth is that it fights pests that many other insecticides have trouble with, such as snails or nematodes. Not only does it act almost immediately, but by sprinkling it around the growing area, you get a long-lasting and preventive effect.
It is very effective against certain insects such as aphids, mealybugs, red spiders, whiteflies, snails and slugs, ants, nematodes and caterpillars.
Using diatomaceous earth as a fertilizer
Another great advantage of using diatomaceous earth is that, being composed of algae, it acts as a good fertilizer. It has many nutrients and minerals that are found in other fertilizers and are based on nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. This is the food base for many plants.
Using Diatomaceous Earth to Prevent Disease
In seedbed greenhouses, diseases caused by humidity and temperature conditions can be prevented by dusting diatomaceous earth in the seedbeds. High temperatures and humidity can be a great focus for fungi and bacteria.
Use of diatomaceous earth to deworm dogs and cats
To deworm your cat or dog, you must dilute a tablespoon of diatomaceous earth in a liter of water and apply it to the animal’s skin. This helps prevent the presence of fleas without putting the animal’s health at risk since it is harmless.
Using diatomaceous earth as a deodorizer
It is used to remove bad odors from places such as a cat litter box. It will keep the sand clean for longer and will keep bacteria away.
Finally, it can be used for other uses such as the prevention of pests in chicken coops and stables, against lice and for the control of fleas. In this way we can maintain the good health of our hens. In addition, against lice it is only necessary to add 1% of the shampoo bottle in diatomaceous earth to have an effective treatment against lice.
As you can see, diatomaceous earth is an ecological product of great utility and for many areas.
