If ants have been plaguing your garden this summer, diatomaceous earth (£14.45, Amazon) is the all-natural solution I’m recommending to gardeners, and it works just as well as white vinegar.
If you’ve been looking to make the most of your garden this summer, it can be a little disheartening to see trails of ants making themselves at home on your patio. While there are many ways to get rid of ants, this pest control-approved method is completely natural and organic.
Diatomaceous earth is an effective pest control measure, but it’s really important to buy the correct type. Here’s everything you need to know and how to use it.
What is diatomaceous earth?
It may have a fancy scientific name, but diatomaceous earth is simply the microscopic remains of ancient aquatic sea life.
‘Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring powder made from the fossilised remains of tiny aquatic organisms called diatoms. It looks and feels like a fine white dust, but under a microscope, it is razor-sharp. It is one of the few natural pest control products that pest professionals genuinely rate, though most consumers buy the wrong type and wonder why it does not work,’ says Mosh Latifi, Co-Owner, EcoCare Pest Management.
‘This is the detail most guides leave out. There are two main grades: food-grade and filter-grade. Food-grade diatomaceous earth is what you want for pest control. Filter-grade, often sold for pool filtration, has been chemically treated and is far less effective as a deterrent and potentially harmful to inhale. Always buy food-grade and check the label before purchasing.’
How does diatomaceous earth work?
It’s really easy to use diatomaceous earth to get rid of ants from a patio, and it won’t get in the way of your garden ideas.
To use diatomaceous earth, you need to apply a thin layer to entry points, windowsills, doorways and basically anywhere you’ve spotted ants congregating. You’ll want to apply a fine layer, as ants will simply avoid walking over too thick a layer. Remember, diatomaceous earth stops working when wet, so you’ll need to reapply when it rains.
‘The microscopic sharp edges of the particles pierce the waxy outer coating of an ant's exoskeleton as it walks through the powder, causing it to dehydrate and die. It is a purely physical process rather than a chemical one, which means ants cannot build resistance to it the way they eventually do to some chemical products,’ adds Mosh.
‘The main limitation is that it kills individual ants rather than addressing the colony, so it works best as part of a broader approach rather than a standalone solution. For outdoor use or as a preventative barrier inside, it is genuinely worth using.’
If you want to reclaim your garden from ants this summer, diatomaceous earth is the all-natural solution that’s safe to use around pets and kids. It’s cheap and will get the job done.
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