Try putting it in a salt 🧂 shaker for easier application! I use DE pretty liberally - it’s in my soil mixes just in case it regains activity after drying, and I also top dress pots and makeup brush dust leaves as needed.
Tip for plants in tents. Get yourself a dedicated cheap fan. Get the air in your tent moving then dust it into your cheap fan as your seal up the tent. Kill the power and let the dust settle. Perfectly dusted plant, remove from tent and do the next one.
@@theresakennedy238 I think you will find it the CFM of the fan is strong enough the diatomaceous earth is fine enough the undersides will be covered. If you have ever spread it before you might have noticed how it's hard to spread thin. For that reason it's often much heavier than needed. We are not making a beach for gnats but we want to dry out their skin.
I’m currently using DE to battle a pretty severe thrips infestation in one of my plant rooms. What I’ve found to be the best way of applying DE to the leaves and stems is to mix a few tablespoons with 4 cups of water in a pump spray bottle, and then spray the entire plant down with the mixture. Once it dries, a nice fine layer of DE will be coating the leaves and stems - so far, this method has been the easiest way to apply DE to the more difficult areas of the plant (undersides & small crevices). Would love to hear your thoughts on this method!
I found a way that instantly gets rid of fungus gnats in the soil. I had a BAD infestation and started testing out random ways to instantly get rid of them. What ended up working was putting an inch layer of sand on top of the soil. I guess it trapped all the fungus gnats that were in the soil and blocked the ones flying around from getting back in. To catch the flyers, I stuck a couple sticky traps in the sand and they were gone in no time. Not only does the sand look nice, but I’ve noticed that I can top-water if needed without having to worry about them coming back. As an extra preventative measure, I sprinkle mosquito bits in the saucer, so that when I water I don’t have to worry about any extra water around attracting bugs, since the mosquito bits are meant to be soaked in water anyway, so it’s a win-win.
I have this and have completely forgotten about it until Harli G's plant care video last month. I started using it again and my md albo and thai cons that always get thrips attack when they put out new leaves are in pristine condition. A real plant-saver. I thought I'd be forever battling with thrips. I also apply it on the leaves.
Some DE come with puffers, and those are great for applying DE. I don't have one with my current bag and filled a squirt bottle (not spray bottle) to use as a puffer. My friend taught me to use a sock for dusting DE. That works really well, too.
I read that DE does not work when wet as you stated, but, when it dries out, DE will begin to work again. . Also, DE remains in the soil forever, you do not have to repeat applications.
I added DE liberally to my plants and soil and found it was difficult to remove when it was no longer necessary. As in, bugs were long gone but many of my leaves looked dusty and so did my soil 🙄 Then I added to just my soil under the top layer but some plants emerged with DE on them 🙄 I’m team Mosquito Bits all.day.long when fungus gnats are an issue. I add it to my water using a tea diffuser to keep the bits out of my substrates and after a few waterings, it does the trick.
@@GoodGrowing I’m pretty good about cleaning my plants regularly. A Bromeliad was the worst with the DE dust. I washed it with water, alcohol, eventually Neem. The DE just kept reappearing. I eventually gifted it to someone because it was driving me crazy (and I was over the plant 😂).
Very interesting video. Will have to invest in some of this. I was also advised to only use food grade hydrogen peroxide. Can’t quite remember why, but looking at the logo on your bag of DE, the bottle I got was from the same company. Thanks for sharing.
Am glad I found this as I literally received my bag of DE this morning. I want to know can I use DE on the soil of my herbs as they are being murdered by gnats the basil looks like it's losing vibrancy.
Kills bed bugs. Use a soft paint brush to gently and slowly spread a very thin, nearly invisible, coating of dry food grade diatomaceous earth on top of your mattress so it doesn't puff up into the air. Top it with a Sansbug bed bug tent to sleep inside. Each night some of the little vampires that are hungry will smell you and sneak out of their hiding places for a drink of your blood. After walking over the powder on the bed, they won't be able to get inside the tent to bite you. Hours later they will dry up and die. If they haven't been disturbed, they like to come out of their hiding places to feed every 5 days or so. They will all come out eventually when they feel safe and they are hungry for some blood, which they must have to live, breed, and lay lots of eggs. It could take only a week for all of them to die, or more. They will all come. They will all die. You won't have to do any work, just sleep without getting any bed bug bites! The tiny babies can hatch several weeks after the adults have died. It's important to continue camping inside the tent at night long enough (a month?) to lure all of them to walk across the lethal diatomaceous powder to completely end the bed bug infestation.
Oh that's amazing, i got a sample as a gift when i bought a syngonium wendlandii and i had thrips at the time...i havent seen one since i put this on the plants.
DE is good for getting rid of fleas too 😅 but don’t dust your dog or cat with it! Instead dust DE on floors, cracks and crevices. You can use DE to treat ant infestations as well.
Thank you for making this video! I was using it before, but didn't realize you only want to apply it to dry soil. maybe that's why it wasn't working to well 😅
I use that too 😊😊. I love it, but I hate that it's so messy. I bought a silly sugar duster wand thing that I've been using to use to sprinkle DE on the soil of new plants I get. And I sometimes add it in to the soil mix when repotting, since I read that once it dries out again it's supposed to be back to bug killing status. I also saw an article once suggesting you can mix it in a spray bottle with water to spray onto plants to cut down on air particles, and once it dries the DE will go back to kiling buggies. But I haven't tried that yet so I have no idea if that works or not. 🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴
I don't recommend the water spray method. It's EXTREMELY messy and difficult to spray. I prefer lightly weitting the plant with a contact pesticide I make and then dusting DE over the wet leaves, which helps it stick on and works again when dry :)
@@rozalinkie Oh, Thanks! I had wondered about that. It doesn't really dissolve does it, so trying to mix and spray it sounds like a clog waiting to happen now that you mention it. I like your idea of lightly wetting the plant and then sprinkling. I'll try that next time. Thank you 😍😍💖💖
Thanks for this video, I have wondered if it is capable of cutting the roots, let me know what you think, Love the new video, keep up the great work Emma.
i have the stupidest question. i’m new to plant life. i put DE in my plants tonight but can i also get but a spray on them? like bonide eight? i noticed some of my plants have bugs
Use a spray bottle and mix DE with water. After a few minutes the water dries off leaving DE all over. Works like a charm. But your plants will end up looking like coke addicts :)
Hi! Diatomaceous earth saved a lot of my plants from thrips, and what I suspect may be flat mites. Dusting leaves and stems is quick and easy. Just get a small bowl of d earth, and a small paint brush. Not tiny . . Suitable for the leaf size. And fluffy.. helps. And dip it in the powder, smooth on a think layer on every surface of leaf and stem, all sides. It's faster than is sounds because it does fly around and stick. Then, sprinkle the top of your soil, and bottom water if possible. I have to go out In the cold to get the bag of d earth, and dust mine down. My plants benefit a lot from me doing this regularly. I leave it on for up to five days. It is a bit difficult to get off, but the residue helps. We just want it to photosynthesize and breathe. It can be quite soothing, like painting your plants. If you shake the brush around a little inside the leaf clusters, it coats everything quickly and thoroughly.
I am getting ready to treat my house plants for thrips right now! I have so many old and beautiful plants. I am freaking out about losing them. I have used DE for many years hope it clears up my Thrip problem!!
@@terryannsweeney4428 I'm so relieved to hear that! 🤗🤗☘☘🌿🌿🌾🌾 Did you dilute DA with water or did you dust everything manually? I have a veery big ivy that got targeted by thrips, and I think I will lose my mind if I have to dust every leaf 😅
Any suggestions on how to use this on moss poles? (Since I assume fungus gnats can live in there too?). I’m having trouble with fungus gnats in my ikea cabinet, and I have one plant on a moss pole in there. And mosquito dunk water + sticky traps just isn’t cutting it. 😓
I used it in every plant and it worked perfectly, you should try to use it in the soil and check in 2 weeks if the situation it improves. I also read that diatomaceus earth becomes nutrients for the plants.
you could probably dust the moss pole with a salt shaker filled with DE or you could get a powder puffer (idk if that's what they're called lol) I've not tried it personally but it should work.. might just have issues with it staying too moist in the moss pole to actually kill the pests
Try putting it in a salt 🧂 shaker for easier application! I use DE pretty liberally - it’s in my soil mixes just in case it regains activity after drying, and I also top dress pots and makeup brush dust leaves as needed.
I use a flour/coco powder sifter for my DE application! Works a treat :)
@@rozalinkie another great idea!
omg that would be wayyyy easier!!
or a cotton pad, you know DE loose by flicking it wit your finger. Soft thin layer, no rubbing
My DE came with a puffer duster thing that you use to apply it.
Tip for plants in tents. Get yourself a dedicated cheap fan. Get the air in your tent moving then dust it into your cheap fan as your seal up the tent. Kill the power and let the dust settle. Perfectly dusted plant, remove from tent and do the next one.
ooooohhh that's a smart idea!!
Super!! How do you get the undersides of the leaves in the tent?
@@theresakennedy238 I think you will find it the CFM of the fan is strong enough the diatomaceous earth is fine enough the undersides will be covered. If you have ever spread it before you might have noticed how it's hard to spread thin. For that reason it's often much heavier than needed. We are not making a beach for gnats but we want to dry out their skin.
I’m currently using DE to battle a pretty severe thrips infestation in one of my plant rooms. What I’ve found to be the best way of applying DE to the leaves and stems is to mix a few tablespoons with 4 cups of water in a pump spray bottle, and then spray the entire plant down with the mixture. Once it dries, a nice fine layer of DE will be coating the leaves and stems - so far, this method has been the easiest way to apply DE to the more difficult areas of the plant (undersides & small crevices). Would love to hear your thoughts on this method!
Efficient and time saving method so as it does not clog the sprayer nozzle.
I found a way that instantly gets rid of fungus gnats in the soil. I had a BAD infestation and started testing out random ways to instantly get rid of them. What ended up working was putting an inch layer of sand on top of the soil. I guess it trapped all the fungus gnats that were in the soil and blocked the ones flying around from getting back in. To catch the flyers, I stuck a couple sticky traps in the sand and they were gone in no time. Not only does the sand look nice, but I’ve noticed that I can top-water if needed without having to worry about them coming back. As an extra preventative measure, I sprinkle mosquito bits in the saucer, so that when I water I don’t have to worry about any extra water around attracting bugs, since the mosquito bits are meant to be soaked in water anyway, so it’s a win-win.
It’s also used at an internal digestive aid. In some hippy dippy alternative health remedies. Big fan of the multi use factor of this product!
Just need to make sure it's food grade if you are going to consume it
Also great for your pets with skin conditions cats and dogs can put it on their skin or in their food
I love this product. I use it on plants that have been outside all summer and I have to bring them in for winter. :)
I have this and have completely forgotten about it until Harli G's plant care video last month. I started using it again and my md albo and thai cons that always get thrips attack when they put out new leaves are in pristine condition. A real plant-saver. I thought I'd be forever battling with thrips. I also apply it on the leaves.
I put DE in the saucer/cover pot too as lots of fungal gnat pupa crawls about in there.
Some DE come with puffers, and those are great for applying DE. I don't have one with my current bag and filled a squirt bottle (not spray bottle) to use as a puffer. My friend taught me to use a sock for dusting DE. That works really well, too.
I read that DE does not work when wet as you stated, but, when it dries out, DE will begin to work again. . Also, DE remains in the soil forever, you do not have to repeat applications.
Yes! I do believe that is the case. But I do find if I’m top watering it’ll start to run through the soil and no longer be on the plant
I love DE. I sprinkle it in my window sills and it kills stink bugs.
A confectionary duster works PERFECT for DE. You're welcome 😊
I added DE liberally to my plants and soil and found it was difficult to remove when it was no longer necessary. As in, bugs were long gone but many of my leaves looked dusty and so did my soil 🙄
Then I added to just my soil under the top layer but some plants emerged with DE on them 🙄
I’m team Mosquito Bits all.day.long when fungus gnats are an issue. I add it to my water using a tea diffuser to keep the bits out of my substrates and after a few waterings, it does the trick.
Did you shower the plants off after all the pests were gone?
@@GoodGrowing I’m pretty good about cleaning my plants regularly. A Bromeliad was the worst with the DE dust. I washed it with water, alcohol, eventually Neem. The DE just kept reappearing. I eventually gifted it to someone because it was driving me crazy (and I was over the plant 😂).
You can use a fan paintbrush to apply DE
I'm such a fan of your work, and it inspires me a lot.. Congratulations
Very interesting video. Will have to invest in some of this. I was also advised to only use food grade hydrogen peroxide. Can’t quite remember why, but looking at the logo on your bag of DE, the bottle I got was from the same company. Thanks for sharing.
Am glad I found this as I literally received my bag of DE this morning. I want to know can I use DE on the soil of my herbs as they are being murdered by gnats the basil looks like it's losing vibrancy.
I thought this was a great question, can't believe she didn't bother to answer.
Kills bed bugs. Use a soft paint brush to gently and slowly spread a very thin, nearly invisible, coating of dry food grade diatomaceous earth on top of your mattress so it doesn't puff up into the air. Top it with a Sansbug bed bug tent to sleep inside.
Each night some of the little vampires that are hungry will smell you and sneak out of their hiding places for a drink of your blood. After walking over the powder on the bed, they won't be able to get inside the tent to bite you. Hours later they will dry up and die.
If they haven't been disturbed, they like to come out of their hiding places to feed every 5 days or so. They will all come out eventually when they feel safe and they are hungry for some blood, which they must have to live, breed, and lay lots of eggs. It could take only a week for all of them to die, or more. They will all come. They will all die. You won't have to do any work, just sleep without getting any bed bug bites!
The tiny babies can hatch several weeks after the adults have died. It's important to continue camping inside the tent at night long enough (a month?) to lure all of them to walk across the lethal diatomaceous powder to completely end the bed bug infestation.
Oh that's amazing, i got a sample as a gift when i bought a syngonium wendlandii and i had thrips at the time...i havent seen one since i put this on the plants.
I have thrips 😣 on some of my house plants and I’m getting ready to treat everything today. Hoping it works.
So glad you’ve done this!! I’ve literally just bought some this week!!
I thought it reactivates once it dries?
DE is good for getting rid of fleas too 😅 but don’t dust your dog or cat with it! Instead dust DE on floors, cracks and crevices. You can use DE to treat ant infestations as well.
Yes, I sprinkle a little in my cats 🐈 litter box to help prevent fleas. She has never had them. Hope she never gets them.
Thank you for making this video! I was using it before, but didn't realize you only want to apply it to dry soil. maybe that's why it wasn't working to well 😅
I use that too 😊😊. I love it, but I hate that it's so messy. I bought a silly sugar duster wand thing that I've been using to use to sprinkle DE on the soil of new plants I get. And I sometimes add it in to the soil mix when repotting, since I read that once it dries out again it's supposed to be back to bug killing status. I also saw an article once suggesting you can mix it in a spray bottle with water to spray onto plants to cut down on air particles, and once it dries the DE will go back to kiling buggies. But I haven't tried that yet so I have no idea if that works or not. 🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴
I don't recommend the water spray method. It's EXTREMELY messy and difficult to spray. I prefer lightly weitting the plant with a contact pesticide I make and then dusting DE over the wet leaves, which helps it stick on and works again when dry :)
@@rozalinkie Oh, Thanks! I had wondered about that. It doesn't really dissolve does it, so trying to mix and spray it sounds like a clog waiting to happen now that you mention it. I like your idea of lightly wetting the plant and then sprinkling. I'll try that next time. Thank you 😍😍💖💖
Thanks for this video, I have wondered if it is capable of cutting the roots, let me know what you think, Love the new video, keep up the great work Emma.
I don't think it would be unless you're rubbing the roots with DE roughly
Tried it. Quickly decided it is way too much work. It Might have helped before I started systemic. Definitely need multiple products.
i have the stupidest question. i’m new to plant life. i put DE in my plants tonight but can i also get but a spray on them? like bonide eight? i noticed some of my plants have bugs
Fungus gnats what are they, as I remove a couple from my cup of tea as I’m watching this 😂
Can u mix it in your soil before you plant ur plant's
Use a spray bottle and mix DE with water. After a few minutes the water dries off leaving DE all over. Works like a charm. But your plants will end up looking like coke addicts :)
Hi! Diatomaceous earth saved a lot of my plants from thrips, and what I suspect may be flat mites. Dusting leaves and stems is quick and easy. Just get a small bowl of d earth, and a small paint brush. Not tiny . . Suitable for the leaf size. And fluffy.. helps. And dip it in the powder, smooth on a think layer on every surface of leaf and stem, all sides. It's faster than is sounds because it does fly around and stick. Then, sprinkle the top of your soil, and bottom water if possible. I have to go out In the cold to get the bag of d earth, and dust mine down. My plants benefit a lot from me doing this regularly. I leave it on for up to five days. It is a bit difficult to get off, but the residue helps. We just want it to photosynthesize and breathe.
It can be quite soothing, like painting your plants. If you shake the brush around a little inside the leaf clusters, it coats everything quickly and thoroughly.
I am getting ready to treat my house plants for thrips right now! I have so many old and beautiful plants. I am freaking out about losing them. I have used DE for many years hope it clears up my Thrip problem!!
@@terryannsweeney4428 any updates? I hope you were able to save your beautiful collection 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
@@Li_Tobler. Yes! I treated all my plants with the DE and did not lose any plants! So, I dust them with DE twice a year as a preventative! 😊
@@Li_Tobler I also use it outside to kill ants and other insects and I sprinkle it inside my house along the perimeter of every room. No bugs!!
@@terryannsweeney4428 I'm so relieved to hear that! 🤗🤗☘☘🌿🌿🌾🌾 Did you dilute DA with water or did you dust everything manually? I have a veery big ivy that got targeted by thrips, and I think I will lose my mind if I have to dust every leaf 😅
Any suggestions on how to use this on moss poles? (Since I assume fungus gnats can live in there too?). I’m having trouble with fungus gnats in my ikea cabinet, and I have one plant on a moss pole in there. And mosquito dunk water + sticky traps just isn’t cutting it. 😓
I used it in every plant and it worked perfectly, you should try to use it in the soil and check in 2 weeks if the situation it improves. I also read that diatomaceus earth becomes nutrients for the plants.
you could probably dust the moss pole with a salt shaker filled with DE or you could get a powder puffer (idk if that's what they're called lol) I've not tried it personally but it should work.. might just have issues with it staying too moist in the moss pole to actually kill the pests
I thought if it was wet and dries it was still effective once dried is that not true?
No you’re correct. Once it dries again it’s effective, but some will run when watered
DE will continue working if it gets wet… After it has dried out again.
If only you, over in the UK could get Mosquito Bits.
We can get them online!
It does not kill thrips.
Safe for isopod or springtails?
Cute girl pretty eyes too