Are these bugs bad?

P

P10p

Well-Known Member
PadawanWarrior said:
It sounded like you were saying it didn't harm beneficial insects, but maybe you're just talking about the soil microbes. No it's not gonna hurt my bacteria or fungi. And I know what they say about the worms, but there's actually mixed thoughts on that one.

I'm sure they don't like it at all. But I think they can live through it if you don't overdo it. I know my worms get pissed when certain dry amendments touch them.

It will definitely hurt some beneficial insects.
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I've found both my reds and my euros to be completely impartial to not just DE, but even things like eggshell powder and oyster flour as well.

And as far as beneficial insects, only real risk is in an outdoor veggie garden where you would be hurting pollinators. Indoors, even in my living soil, its completely fine. I'd rather protect against thrips and gnats, as opposed to worrying about the environment for mites that are doing the job that the soil and worms can do anyways (decomposition)
 
P

P10p

Well-Known Member
And on top of that all, the silica over time helps even further with pest control via tougher plants.
 
PadawanWarrior

PadawanWarrior

Well-Known Member
P10p said:
I've found both my reds and my euros to be completely impartial to not just DE, but even things like eggshell powder and oyster flour as well.

And as far as beneficial insects, only real risk is in an outdoor veggie garden where you would be hurting pollinators. Indoors, even in my living soil, its completely fine. I'd rather protect against thrips and gnats, as opposed to worrying about the environment for mites that are doing the job that the soil and worms can do anyways (decomposition)
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Bottom line is D.E. can harm and kill beneficial insects.

I don't have to worry about gnats. My predators take care of them all. In fact I haven't seen one since I first started with fresh soil.

I'm taking care of my predators. They're my buddies.
predator.jpg
 
P

P10p

Well-Known Member
PadawanWarrior said:
Bottom line is D.E. can harm and kill beneficial insects.

I don't have to worry about gnats. My predators take care of them all. In fact I haven't seen one since I first started with fresh soil.

I'm taking care of my predators. They're my buddies.
View attachment 4782559
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Bottom line is DE is safe for indoor organic grows and is a great option to use for pest control.... as I originally said..
 
PadawanWarrior

PadawanWarrior

Well-Known Member
P10p said:
Unless you have butterflies,bees, and ladybugs in your grow room I dont see how your statement is relevant.
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It's right in that link I provided earlier. But do whatever you want man to your own plants.

It says right there on the Farmers Almanac site:

The downside to DE is that it does not discriminate between pests and beneficial insects. Ladybugs, green lacewings, butterflies, bees, and other “good guys” will also be affected by DE.

Case Closed!
 
hillbill

hillbill

Well-Known Member
Exoskeletons are vulnerable to DE in a “mechanical” way and do not build up resistance and when used in conjunction with other safe organic controls can multiply the effect of both,
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DE does not care how beneficial the insect is that it kills. Been using it fo about 10 years.
 
Gtjoker420

Gtjoker420

Well-Known Member
So I am definitely gonna try and get this whole bug situation under control. Topdressed some diatomaceous earth and did a watering with a diluted version of cannacontrol. Without knowing 100% what kind of bugs I have, it worries me.
 
N

Northwood

Well-Known Member
Gtjoker420 said:
So I am definitely gonna try and get this whole bug situation under control. Topdressed some diatomaceous earth and did a watering with a diluted version of cannacontrol. Without knowing 100% what kind of bugs I have, it worries me.
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You watered while trying to use DE as a pest control? Did you read the directions? DE loses its effectiveness once it gets damp. Worms in your pot might find it a good source of fine grit, and it will add silica to your grow medium at least.

I've never had any luck with using DE as a pest control unless I made it so thick that it formed a barrier over my soil so that adult gnats couldn't lay their eggs. I guess fine sand or something would have worked just as well. The issue with DE for horticultural use in pots is that you need to water someday because we're growing plants. I've had better luck with DE outdoors during the drier period in midsummer, except that's when I least needed it.

Edit: What kind of cannabis pests do you have? Perhaps a more targeted approach would prove more effective.
 
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hillbill

hillbill

Well-Known Member
Diatomaceous Earth applied to lower stem/branches was a big help beating The Borg. When the DE dries, it is effective again, can be applied as a spray.
 
N

Northwood

Well-Known Member
hillbill said:
Diatomaceous Earth applied to lower stem/branches was a big help beating The Borg. When the DE dries, it is effective again, can be applied as a spray.
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What is this "Borg" you speak of, other than from STNG ? Yeah it can be applied as a spray, and at least will dry out quickly on stems and foliage. However it does not dry out on soil we keep moist indoors. Heck if we dried out the top of our soil we wouldn't need it to begin with, because letting the top couple inches of soil dry out completely is likely a much better deterrent to fungus gnats than DE. Also I still question how good it is as a control for most of the issues we might have on leaves, such as spider mites. If it was a magic solution, commercial growers would be using it and wouldn't need anything else. Even outdoors, I found it more of a deterrent to insects (during dry weather) rather than something that outright kills them.

Also DE is very fine, and will wash into your soil upon top watering. Even if you do let it dry out after watering, the DE will have washing into your soil. I just think there's much easier ways to deal with fungus gnats (if that's what we're talking about). I have no idea now on this thread. lol
 
hillbill

hillbill

Well-Known Member
Northwood said:
What is this "Borg" you speak of, other than from STNG ? Yeah it can be applied as a spray, and at least will dry out quickly on stems and foliage. However it does not dry out on soil we keep moist indoors. Heck if we dried out the top of our soil we wouldn't need it to begin with, because letting the top couple inches of soil dry out completely is likely a much better deterrent to fungus gnats than DE. Also I still question how good it is as a control for most of the issues we might have on leaves, such as spider mites. If it was a magic solution, commercial growers would be using it and wouldn't need anything else. Even outdoors, I found it more of a deterrent to insects (during dry weather) rather than something that outright kills them.

Also DE is very fine, and will wash into your soil upon top watering. Even if you do let it dry out after watering, the DE will have washing into your soil. I just think there's much easier ways to deal with fungus gnats (if that's what we're talking about). I have no idea now on this thread. lol
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Borg =Spider Mites
GNATROL
 
Gtjoker420

Gtjoker420

Well-Known Member
So everyone, I was looking at my soil this am and did infact see the little skinny guys jumping around so guessing they are spring tails.

I even saw one of the white bubble lookong mites eat a spring tail. It was kinda savage
 
Gtjoker420

Gtjoker420

Well-Known Member
I just hate how many soil mites i have in my soil. I havent seen any bugs on leaves or gnats flying around though so theres that
 
N

Northwood

Well-Known Member
Gtjoker420 said:
I just hate how many soil mites i have in my soil. I havent seen any bugs on leaves or gnats flying around though so theres that
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I suggest mulching the top of your soil with a good thick layer of straw or something. That way you don't have to look at those soil bugs, plus it will help the soil surface retain more moisture and lesson any shock of uneven water availability. You likely don't see gnats because of those soil mites you hate.
 
Gtjoker420

Gtjoker420

Well-Known Member
Northwood said:
I suggest mulching the top of your soil with a good thick layer of straw or something. That way you don't have to look at those soil bugs, plus it will help the soil surface retain more moisture and lesson any shock of uneven water availability. You likely don't see gnats because of those soil mites you hate.
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I don't hate them. It's just kinda odd sleeping next to a tent with bugs in the soil every night ha
 
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