Description
What are Diatomaceous Earth?
Diatomaceous Earth is a Fossil Flour, derived from a sedimentary siliceous rock of organic origin, composed of fossil residues of microscopic algae. Diatomaceous Earth is rich in Silicon and also contains Iron Oxide and Aluminum Oxide.
What are Diatomaceous Earth used for in Agriculture?
Diatomaceous Earth is used in Agriculture for its insecticidal properties. This fossil flour is not a chemical substance but its insecticidal effect is purely contact-based.
The insecticidal action is purely physical: the irregular particles penetrate the folds and spaces of the exoskeleton, resulting in sharp and annoying for insects. Their ability to absorb lipids from the insects' cuticle causes death by dehydration, while the wounds accelerate the process.
Being a physical rather than chemical action, insects and pests cannot develop resistance.
The effect of Silicol does not dissipate over time and has a long persistence: it remains active until it is removed from the vegetation.
Which insects can Diatomaceous Earth be used on?
Considering their mode of action, Diatomaceous Earth cannot be considered a broad-spectrum insecticide. It is mainly effective on insects with exoskeletons, as the microscopic blades penetrate their folds.
Which insects are these?
Aphids, mites, thrips, scale insects, cockroaches.
How to use Diatomaceous Earth?
Silicol can be used through dry dusting or water treatments.
- Dry dusting allows for better effectiveness and distribution on vegetation (10-30 kg/ha)
- When applied with water, the dosage varies from 2-4 kg/ha. Since it is not soluble, it is recommended to keep the suspension agitated to avoid deposits.
Once applied to the plant, Silicol remains active until hypothetical washing away. When used at the right time, it will have long-term effectiveness.
To increase the adhesiveness of the product, we recommend a natural surfactant-adhesive based on Pinolene, the Base Gold.
This very interesting video shows the effect of Diatomaceous Earth on Aphids!
Read the detailed page on Diatomaceous Earth as a natural insecticide on our blog.
Dosage
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As a natural insecticide in agriculture |
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Use 10-30 Kg/ha of product, both in powder and in solution to be sprayed. |
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On the walls of mills and/or empty silos |
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Use a dosage of 10-20 g/m2, to be applied with a duster. |
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Mixed with cereals before storage |
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Silicol can be added to the incoming cereals manually or with mechanical methods (dosers, equipment suitable for the distribution of powdery formulations). The dosages range from 1 to 2 kg/ton. |
