I posted this question on Countryside but never saw the answers and now can't find it in the archives. Do any of you guys know if diatomaceous earth is dangerous to earth worms. I want to put some on a few plants in the garden. David is afraid it will get in the soil and harm the precious worms he has worked so hard to encourage in our rocky Ozark soil. What we don't understand is since it is used as a natural wormer for livestock, then either 1) it doesn't work, or 2) it should also kill earthworms. Can someone help?

Kim

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001

Answers

Kim, We use alot of it in our Arkansas garden amd we have lots of worms. I've always heard it was safe for earthworms. I agree it seems like it would get them to. Go figure Sherry

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001

Kim, here is what was on countryside:

Hi Rogo, Thanks for your input on DE. I am still unclear as to why you are certain it does not kill earthworms. It seems to me that if it cuts open insects it will also cut the worms who are even softer bodied. I understand that DE is simply diatoms, small marine organisms who make a calcium carbonate skeleton which remains after the plankton have died. I'm not trying to argue or anything, I just am reluctant to do anything that will hurt the worms. I've been real tempted to try DE on my potatoe beatle larvae but hate to introduce something detrimental to the garden.

Thanks for your help. Kim

-- kim (fleece@eritter.net), June 09, 2001.

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DE is used in earthworm beds by many worm growers, I use it as well it is less effective went wet, an earthworms skin is different than other kinds of worms which are larvae, earthworms craw through and over many kinds of soil even sand, if it has food and moisture.

-- Thumper (slrldr@aol.com), June 10, 2001.

There have been DE conversations on some of the goat threads also and everyone says the same thing........safe for earthworms. Why not e- mail Jay Blair.........seems like he would know for sure but I feel pretty confident it is ok.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001

Thanks you guys are the BEST! Diane I can't believe you found that post I looked and looked. I'll be out there sprinkling tomorrow!!!

Kim

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001