Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a useful organic product for control of certain types of insects. It is a flour-like substance made from ground-up diatoms, which are algae.
It’s easy to locate diatomaceous earth in garden centers and online, and is fairly inexpensive.
Here’s how it works: The diatoms have tiny sharp edges that cut into an insect’s skin. That causes the insect to dehydrate and die. We humans cannot feel the sharp edges so it’s safe to handle in that regard. Although I have to admit that I prefer to wear gloves when using it. However, you do NOT want to breathe in the diatomaceous earth!
The insects I’ve controlled with it include slugs, pillbugs and sowbugs, cutworms and earwigs.
How do I use it? I sprinkle a layer of diatomaceous earth around the base of a plant stem. For example, to protect cucumber, melon, broccoli or kale seedlings. It works great at keeping the above critters from crossing it to get to the tender stems.
The only thing I don’t like about diatomaceous earth is that it gets really “gloppy” when it rains. (I’m not sure if “gloppy” is a word but you get the idea.) I figure that decreases its effectiveness so I reapply it afterwards.