Food Grade Diatomacious Earth?

[CosmicGiggle]

..... is it as effective as regular DE?

I'm getting a new batch of soil together and always add DE to prevent fungus gnats, which has proven to be successful in the past.

Anyhow, this latest bag of DE I got from the hydro shop is labeled 'food grade'.

I originally got this to solve a problem I had with house fleas (dog, cat) reproducing prolifically in one of my small 24/7 grow closets.

I removed the young plants, put an inch of this food grade DE on the surface of the soil, spayed the closet and later returned the plants.

Everything is thriving including the new batch of fleas happily reproducing in/on the DE - it has had no effect on them.

So should I get some regular DE to prevent fungus gnats?

Has the process of making the DE 'food grade' eliminated the abrasive quality that kills insects?

The last thing I need is fleas AND fungus gnats.

Please help!!!

 

[_tessarecting]

It should be the exact same product just purified of any contaminants for human consumption. Its the structure of the diatoms, when dried, eviscerates exoskeletons, food grade or not

 

[Vanilla Phoenix]

I had fleas at my grow spot and used DE sprinkled all over the flooring and it got rid of em. Took a week or so before it interrupted their life cycle.

Back to the topic, lol....the food grade DE is just like tes just stated....its just cleaner for consumption. Might be a little better really.

 

[Weird]

I use food grade

 

[Dropped Cat]

Food grade DE, where to source, besides the dreaded hydro shop,
I wonder.

I use the NAPA spill absorbent stuff.

Rinse and rinse some more, I reuse it.