Backyard Box Farm

Blegh! Slugs! Found this guy near the garden! I really quite like slugs, I think they're fascinating creatures, it's fun to watch them move so slow. But not in the garden!! They do some serious damage, especially to my tender young baby lettuces and broccolis. I've picked a few out of the beds and fed them to the ducks, who we are trying to teach to be cold-blooded slug killers.

No, we don't have cockroaches, ants or fleas in our gardens. But diatomaceous earth is good for more than just those guys. 

Diatomaceous earth is the fossilized remains of diatoms, a prehistoric hard-shelled algae found in siliceous sedimentary rock. The tiny particles of silica have very sharp pointy edges. When bugs come into contact with the diatomaceous earth, these sharp bits get caught in the joints and cracks of their exoskeletons. With their water-tight protective coat compromised, the bugs lose internal moisture, dehydrate, and die.

The silica particles in diatomaceous earth are small enough that contact with human or animal skin, is not harmful. However if you or an animal breathes in a big cloud of it, it will irritate your lungs as it becomes lodged in your bronchioles, and can do long term damage if breathed often. Diatomaceous earth has several health benefits, including strengthening hair, skin and nails, and acting as a natural dewormer as it passes through the gut. For this reason, in it's food grade form, it is often used as a supplement in livestock feed to help control worms and other internal parasites. Silica is a beneficial supplement for humans as well. Another rich source of silica, commonly used in humans is the horsetail (or shavegrass) plant, often used as teas or in capsules.

Diatomaceous earth is a non-toxic, naturally occurring and chemical free pest control option. Normally, diatomaceous earth is a rather ineffective method of pest control in the garden in the Pacific Northwest region. Frequent rain and high moisture content saturate the diatomaceous earth, turning it into a paste, which does not rub off on pests as effectively as it does when dry.

Because our raised beds are temporarily covered in low tunnel hoop houses, they receive relatively little water from above, except for when I go around with the hose to water them. Because the plants stay reasonably dry, I decided to give the diatomaceous earth a try, in an attempt to keep the crawlies from doing to much damage to the young, tender plants. After watering, I go around with my box of diatomaceous earth and dust all the plants. It's a labor intensive option, but it seems to be somewhat effective , and I have noticed fewer slugs and hard bodied bugs in the beds.