Thread: Diatomacious Earth in DWC hydro, how do I use it correctly?

I have developed some gnats and white flies, damn pests! I picked up a Hot Shot No Pest Strip at Lowes and was gonna kick the butts of these little flying fuckers with the strips and diatomacious earth.

I am growing in DWC bubblers using Hydroton as my medium... how should I apply the DE? From what I read I should put a layer on top of my medium and that should help get rid of them. Is that right?

I am also using the Dutch Master Zone product in my res... will that take care of the gnats that could end up in the roots? Never had probs with pests like this before, I can use help here peeps!

Thanks in advance for your input.

diatomaceous earth aint gonna help ya with hydro pests, I don't think ... I could be wrong, naturally ... I understand the DE works, by having microscopically-small sharp edges (it's decomposed seashells, etc) that slices the bellies of some bugs that crawl thru it (ouch) it wouldn't do anything to flying insects ... when exposed to moisture, it turns to a fine mud. pretty messy ... usually used as a filtering agent, and to make 'latex' paint ...

I noticed that the damn little gnats are constantly darting in and out of the hydroton pebbles. I was thinking to cover the top of them with the DE and kill them as they try to escape into their former hiding places. Comments?

I think your pest strips will wipe them out after a day or two ... good luck

Covering your media with plastic could also help. I use panda film, cut to the same size as the top of the net pot. Cut a slit from the middle of the plastic to the outside to accommodate the stem and tape the gap. This keeps pests out and also keeps light from hitting your media (which can cause algae growth).

If you can seal up your plants and turn off the ventilation, the pest strip will kill them all in one night, except perhaps for the eggs. Not sure. I would do it for one week to be absolutely certain, but that's probably way overkill. It will even kill them if you can't get the place completely sealed.