I just got some DE - However I am not sure of the best way to apply it. I got it to control slugs and earwigs in the garden. Do I apply it directly to the plant or do I just put it on the earth around the plant? How thick should it be applied? How often do I re-apply? And lastly when is a good time to start using it? Thanks in advance.

Put it on the earth. If you got garden DE there should be instructions on the package. Did you get the stuff for pools?

Do not apply on a windy day. Reapply after rain. I filled a shaker with big holes to apply it. It worked well, but I had to fence the area because of the dogs.

I did get the kind for the garden....not pool grade. The instructions weren't very clear and didn't include much info.

Thanks for the info....I might go out today and apply it.

Here is detailed information.

http://www.naturesfarmacy.com/...

Do you find it really works???

Thanks for the link....

I worked very well while I was using it, but I gave up because of the dogs. Everything new gets the sniff test and I didn't want them sniffing the DE. If I didn't have a dog it would already be around the plants. I saw that you can spray it on. I might do that when it gets warm and the earwigs come out. Right now we are still having frosty nights. You probably are too.

Let me know what are you trying to kill, slugs, sow bugs? It's too soon for earwigs. I would apply the DE, then apply it again in 7-10 days. It's only effective if the bugs crawl over it when dry, so it might take time. You could more all mulch away from the base of the plants allowing the surface of the soil to dry out, then sprinkle the DE. Might help.

I pulled all the wood mulch away from the clematis and topped the soil with crushed gravel. I did this about a week ago, but I haven't check if there are less bugs now. I always have millipedes sow bugs at the base of the clematis, as well as earwigs when it warms up. I'm hoping the stone helps. I will also be adding crushed oyster shell to the stone. I should put DE on it too for a double wammy.

I am using it for earwigs and slugs mainly. When do you figure the earwigs come out to play? I don't use mulch around my plants really.....I know I probably should but I haven't had any trouble not doing so. Yup our nights are still frosty too!

Sounds like you have been busy in your gardens! How much growth do you have now? Things are just now slowly coming up for me. The Daylilies are up about 5-6 inches now. Growth on the clematis is slow but I have seen some new baby shoots just peeking out of the ground.

Thanks again for all the info.....I figured it was worth a try with the DE.

You will start seeing earwigs or at least their damage after the evenings are consistently warm for a few nights. Maybe mid May?

Most of the group 2 clems are 2-3 feet tall already. Madame Julia Correvon is 2 feet high. I put the little babies that I bought last year into big pots. We were suppose to have a bad storm that night so I moved them into the garage. I left them in the garage because the nights have been so cold and I'm too lazy to move them back out. The garage is pretty bright during the day, and it gets warm during the day. The clemais are growing like crazy even thought they were transplanted and I really disturbed the roots before planting them. Only one of the babies isn't growing as robustly, the only one that wasn't put into a different pot because I ran out of potting soil Interesting.