Diatomaceous earth (DE) is an inert powder and a type of rock made up of fossilized diatom skeletons. These diatoms were small, single-celled marine and freshwater plant organisms that are composed primarily of silica, a naturally occurring mineral. When crushed, these skeletons break into small pieces of a glass-like material, so small that the material feels like talcum powder. This is easily picked up by the hairy bodies of most insects, after which it scrapes through their protective waxy coatings; and they also absorb part of this material, which causes the insect to lose water quickly, dry up and die.

DE is mined for use in industrial filtration applications, but its oldest and best known commercial use is as a very mild abrasive in metal polishes and toothpaste. It has also been used as an exfoliant in skin products, a detox source and mineral additive in pet food, and an extremely effective reduced risk pesticide.

Large deposits are found in California, Nevada, Washington, and Oregon, but it is mined from sediments at the bottom of oceans, lakes, and rivers around the world.

There is no evidence that DE or the silica that composes it is toxic to humans or animals, including experiments with cancer research. That being said, there is a particular form of silica that could pose a health hazard, but the amount found in natural ED is so small that any health hazard has been ruled out entirely.

When DE is heated to high temperatures, silica changes chemically into a potentially harmful form, but only if inhaled at high levels for a long time (years) under working conditions only. It should be noted that DE “Pool Filter Grade” is processed differently and is not recommended for use in pest control.

Naturally-sourced DE sold in garden centers and other retail outlets labeled “food grade” does not pose a greater health hazard than general dust inhalation; for most people, nothing more than an unpleasant nuisance. Food grade DE is non-toxic and safe for human consumption. It is also allowed in foods labeled “organic” by the US Department of State of Agriculture. Still, it is recommended that DE be applied with a feather duster and protective gear such as a dust mask.

DE is in no way harmful to rivers, lakes, fish, or other aquatic life. In the water, it’s basically the same as ordinary sand. Remember, it was actually created by living marine organizations.

Natural DE is used as an insecticide, where it acts in a purely physical way and not through any chemical toxicity. The abrasive skeletons of diatoms act like tiny razor blades and poke holes in the soft parts of the insects, causing a loss of body fluids that leads to the death of the insect. All other animals and humans are immune to this effect. It is effective on anything with an exoskeleton; any insect (with six legs) and non-insect arthropods (eight or more legs).

DE is in no way harmful to plants (although it’s probably not good to let plants choke on dust).

The use of bug powders as DE to control insects has been around for thousands of years. Ancient cultures around the world used them to protect stored grains against pantry pests such as moths and beetles. Birds and other animals that take dust baths use the same mode of action: they are getting rid of their parasitic insects.

Another use of DE is in animal production units for the control of external parasites and flies. This control is accomplished by dusting the animals and the bedding or bedding area. It has also been included in the diet (two percent in grain proportion) to control certain internal parasites and this practice is said to reduce fly populations in the resulting dung.

According to Professor Stuart B. Hill of McGill University in Canada “…it is perhaps the safest effective pesticide for use in the home and has a valuable place in the protection of stored food and insect control in storage units.” Animal production”.