Diatomaceous earth against ants?

Question from a customer

Sometimes I get questions that I don’t know the answer to myself. For example, a customer asked me if l volcanic ash is the same as diatomaceous earth, and if she could use it to control ants. I really had never heard of diatomaceous earth. So I went looking for what I could find online about it.

What is diatomaceous earth?

Diatomaceous earth is quite different from volcanic ash. It is a natural powder made from the fossilized remains of algae (diatoms). This powder has microscopic, sharp edges that damage the outer wax layer of insects, causing them to dry out and eventually die.

Effectiveness against ants

Ants avoid surfaces with diatomaceous earth because it dries out their bodies. Therefore, you can sprinkle the powder around nest openings or along ants’ walkways. When doing so, note that diatomaceous earth is effective only in dry conditions – when it rains or damp, it loses its effect and you have to sprinkle again.

Other applications: blood lice in chickens and bedbugs

In addition to ant control, diatomaceous earth is also widely used against blood lice in chickens and bedbugs:

• Blood lice in chickens: Chicken keepers sprinkle the powder in the coop, on the perches and sometimes even over the chickens’ feathers to control blood lice.
• Bed bugs: For bed bug control, diatomaceous earth can be sprinkled in seams and cracks around the bed. Once the bedbugs come into contact with it, they dry out and die.

Diatomaceous earth in your worm composter against ants?

I wouldn’t. Because there are other ways to keep ants out of your worm composter. And although diatomaceous earth when damp probably won’t give too much damage to your worms, again, it’s not recommended. Moreover, the lethal effect on ants only works when the diatomaceous earth is dry.

Where to buy diatomaceous earth in small quantities

At Balkonton you can’t buy it. Because as mentioned, it has no use in a worm composter. But I can refer you to bol.com. If you order through this link, I get a small fee, you pay the same.