[Arid_gardener] Diatomaceous Earth - Fresh Water VS Salt Water

[Dick Gross]

To contribute to the confusion, I believe diatomaceous earth is comprised of the skeletons of microscopic organisms (diatoms) deposited for millions of years in ancient sea beds. .

The sharp skeletal structure scratches the undersides of crawling insects allowing body fluids to leak out. Cockaroaches aren't exactly crawling creatures. The effective control of the critter from my own yard using DE may be a figment of my imagination. They might have been eaten be geckos or field mice. Eroneous conclusions from observed phenonena is a hazard of back yard horticulture. But, if the results are to my liking, the truth is of little importance to me personally. To expound upon falacious conclusions to my contemporaries might, however, be sinful.

Since the damage to insects is strictly physical rather than chemical, I doubt the purity of the water diatomaceous organisms lived in is terribly important. Much of the present supply is mined from deposits in Arkansas. These were deposited over millions of years in early geological periods while virtually the entire continent was a shallow dead sea unlikely to be very fresh.

But whatever! Diatomaceous earth is a fairly effective natural (if cruel), non-chemical insect control that is probably under-used in the home and garden. Buy your DE at any nursery outlet on or off-line packaged for agricultural use, follow the directions and warnings on the package and forget about its origin. We can use it without any significance harm to the environment without debating its history.

I believe DE is relatively safe but I have read that breathing a lot of it can make one uncomfortable.

Dick Gross

PS: An experts opinion might help clarify the discussion on this subject.

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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Suzanne Vilardi" <suz at vilardi.com>
To: <arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu>
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 5:43 PM
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Diatomaceous Earth - Fresh Water VS Salt Water


> Yesterday someone recommended buying Diatomaceous Earth (DE) at pool stores
> for use in the garden.  I am not a master gardener and have just started
> using DE in my garden but have been told numerous times NOT to use the pool
> store type.  According to the Website:
> http://www.reade.com/Products/Minerals_and_Ores/diatomaceous_earth.html,
> 
> There are 2 types of DE, salt water and fresh water.  I am pretty sure the
> type sold in pool stores is salt water and the type sold at Berridge
> Nurseries and Baker Nursery is fresh water.  I also think the salt water DE
> may be more toxic to dogs and cats. Perhaps an expert Master Gardener can
> set us straight?
> 
> FYI, I just saw garden suitable DE at Berridge Nurseries yesterday.  They
> are located at 4647 E. Camelback, phone is 602.952.8080.  They were well
> stocked with packaged seed too, unlike Baker's and Summer Winds, who don't
> seem to have restocked yet.  Rgds, Suzanne Vilardi
> 
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