How to spread diatomaceous earth on the garden?

[QChickieMama]

I've heard that DE is good for natural pest control, so I've been sprinkling the powder around my squash plants.

Can I leave it on the leaves? Will a dusting of it on the leaves prevent photosynthesis and kill the plant? There are squash bug eggs on the leaves that I'd like to kill.

Is it OK if it gets on the flowers of the plants? Will this harm the pollinating insects?

Seems so difficult to actually kill the squash bugs that are EVERYWHERE in my garden without harming the plants themselves.

Anyway, thanks for any ideas!

 

[HeritageGoose13]

DE is basically tiny, tiny sharp things. It kills insects by cutting them up. It will kill pollinators, so keep it away from the flowers. Make sure you don't breathe any DE in. Also it stops working after it gets wet because it turns soft.

 

[shortgrass]

DE is basically tiny, tiny sharp things. It kills insects by cutting them up. It will kill pollinators, so keep it away from the flowers. Make sure you don't breathe any DE in. Also it stops working after it gets wet because it turns soft.

Pretty much yep.

It will dry back out, but its likely to wash away with heavy rain... Squash bugs, you could try beneficial insects or nematodes too... I am organic, so I use beneficials and Neem if I get desperate... The DE also has trace elements in it so it's a win/win with DE, but for backup, I would opt for beneficial insects/ predators. The Tachnid fly would be what you would benefit from, or companion planting to attract them.

I trust Neem oil. It's safe (don't drink it) and effective, systemic so it lasts, and doesn't harm beneficials. And OMRI so I can relax about not harming the bees or earthworms.

I don't like squash bugs, I might add ha-ha

Oh PS... If you go with Neem, MAKE SURE ITS COLD PRESSED, not clarified hydrophobic extract... They work in different ways, and the cold pressed still has the active ingredient in it, the clarified has had the azadirachtin removed... If you understood that at all lol, I make no sense sometimes