Sprouts and Sprigs

By Mary LaFrance

It's strawberry picking season and my strawberry patch has been producing very well. Although I am getting a lot of strawberries, I notice that just about every other one is chewed on. Not like a bite from an animal, but more like a trail chewed by something smaller. I think I found the culprit, carpenter ants! They have invaded my strawberry patch and are eating into my strawberries the moment they turn ripe. I started looking for solutions and I came across a familiar product, diatomaceous earth.

It is a mouthful to say for sure, but what exactly is diatomaceous earth? I was told that it was shells crushed up into a fine powder, which I guess is somewhat true. Diatomaceous earth is made from fossilized remains of tiny, aquatic organisms called diatoms. They settle in riverbeds and ocean floor and then are mined and crushed into a very fine powder. It is rich in calcium and has a dry, abrasive consistency. On its own, it is non-toxic making it a safer alternative to many household chemicals, like pesticides.

Because diatomaceous earth is a natural product, it is safe to use around pets or live poultry. I first heard about diatomaceous earth being used a natural pesticide for backyard chickens. Chickens can get fleas and ticks, and they clean themselves by rolling around in a dust bath. Adding diatomaceous earth to their dust bath and around their coop can prevent flea and tick infestations. And, because it is high in calcium, diatomaceous earth can also be used as a supplement to chicken diets.

Along with being used in the chicken coop, diatomaceous earth can also be a good natural pesticide in the garden. This is what I intend to use around my strawberry plants to keep the ants away. I just sprinkled some around the base of the strawberry plants and the outside border of their patch. This should help keep the ants away long enough so I can harvest the ripe strawberries. If this works, I intend to keep using it around other plants in the garden having issues with pests. If you also intend to try to use diatomaceous earth, there are some important things to consider.

Before using diatomaceous earth around pets or the garden, there are some things you should know. Look for 'food grade' on the label which is better to use around poultry and the garden. Diatomaceous earth is non-discriminatory when it comes to its use as a pesticide, which means it will kill the unwanted insects as well as the 'good guys' the pollinators, so use it responsibly. Also, when distributing diatomaceous earth, it is a good idea to wear eye protection and gloves since it is highly abrasive by nature and you want to avoid getting it in your eyes or mouth. Diatomaceous earth is only effective if kept dry and undisturbed, so it will have to be reapplied after rain. Keep these things in mind when considering using diatomaceous earth at home.

Diatomaceous earth might be challenging to say but is easy and safe to use. Use it in the chicken coop as a natural pesticide or a dietary supplement, or in the garden to protect vulnerable vegetables from being eaten by insects. Always be safe and considerate with using this product around your home.