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Diatomaceous earth to manage aphids

mandyroberts99mandyroberts99 Posts: 235
in Problem solving
My lupins are being damaged by aphids. I also have chickens so I can't use anything toxic to chickens (I do try to keep them of the plants!). Has anyone used DE as a natural insecticide?
I know if it rains you need to reapply and apparently you can powder on or put in water and spray (providing the weather is good enough to dry it out quickly). I'm not sure of the dilution rate?

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I would use a blast from the hosepipe to shift the aphids and then wait for the ladybirds, lacewings, hoverflies and their larvae to come and scoff any that survive or return.

    Might be a bit late for this summer but try hanging bird feeders nearby and then any sparrows and tits that are feeding their young with juicy morsels will also take the aphids.

    Finally, aphids are often brought in on purpose by ants who farm them for their sugary excretions which they, in turn, use to feed their young.  Keep the soil moist and use some hen proof ant traps with poison or else deter them with smells they don't like such as essential oil of cloves or peppermint - one small bottle diluted in 5 litres of water and poured all round the lupins.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • mandyroberts99mandyroberts99 Posts: 235
    @Obelixx I've done the hosepipe blast a couple of hours ago and there are some back already. I can't tempt the birds as I have cats. Did you mean deter the chickens or aphids with essential oils?
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    edited August 2020
    Ants, which farm the aphids.

    Sorry, I have no experience with other remedies as I don't use pesticides.  I also have cats but feed the birds and they and the predators I mentioned deal with my aphids.  If the bird feeders are well situated, there is no cover for cats to pounce.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Plants can cope with a few aphids, it's when the stems are covered in them that they start to suffer - so the hosepipe trick is fine if you keep at it. If the lupins are done flowering, and are thoroughly infested and all sticky / mildewy, cut them down and throw them to the chickens. This will encourage fresh new growth.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • mandyroberts99mandyroberts99 Posts: 235
    @Loxley the lupins just keep flowering but I have cut down the worst affected parts and will give a daily hose
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