As part of a greener approach to gardening,
diatomaceous earth is an effective form of non-toxic
pest control. Diatomaceous earth is the fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of algae. Diatomaceous earth is not poisonous and it does not have to be eaten in order to be effective. It is great for pest control because it causes insects to dry out and die by absorbing the oils and fats from the cuticle of the insect's exoskeleton. Its sharp edges are abrasive, speeding up the process. FYI - The reason why diatoms are so sharp is because they encase themselves in silica as a form of protection. In other words they literally live in glass houses
In addition to pest control, diatomaceous earth is used to create filters for hot tubs, pools, aquariums and even drinking water.
While most diatoms are single-celled organisms, they are far from simple! I recently came across this fascinating video about a man who actually
collects diatoms and organizes them into beautiful arrangements!
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