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Comment by TCLynx on July 9, 2012 at 5:03am

Hum, arugula flavord aphid paste, I suppose if you have the right kind of crackers.

Comment by Tom OBrien on July 8, 2012 at 9:48pm

Thanks for the help. Home Depot had the non-food grade stuff on their website, but I made a stop first at a garden store that's closer to home and their DE was labelled food grade. Woohoo! Looks like I can eat the aphids after all. Good thing, because the arugula seedlings aren't doing so well.

Comment by randy proctor on July 8, 2012 at 7:06pm

thank you

Comment by TCLynx on July 8, 2012 at 7:01pm

The non food grade DE may or may not contain stuff that you don't really want in your food or that might not be so good for fish.  You might not be eating the aphids but the powder is going to be all over everything around your system including on the plants you will be eating.  Some DE powder mixes meant as pesticides might have other thing mixed into them and they certainly are made using lower grades of fossil shell powder that might have more clay and other impurities in them.  The food grade DE is actually literally used in our food since they use it to combat pests in grain that is used for food so if you eat any grain products, you are likely eating some DE with it.

Comment by Converse on July 8, 2012 at 6:52pm

  Yes, Worm casting tea which is brewed will get rid of the aphid problem.  You do not need to worry about "burning" plants with any concentration of worm castings, taking the stress out of using the stuff.  The chitinase (an enzyme that's there naturally) that is in worm castings will attack the chitin of insects.  Chitin is the  major component of the body of most insects. This is why it works.

    You need 2/3 cup fresh worm castings (stuff not from a sealed plastic bag).  One gallon of non-chlorinated water.  An aeration pump from a fish tank.  2-3 Tablespoons of molasses or sugar.  Mix ingredients in a container, and aerate for about 24 hours.  Then spray this all over your plants.  Cover the plants completely. Do not store brewed worm casting tea in a sealed container .  It will build up pressure.   To get the benefit of the increased microbial population the brewing process creates, you need to use the tea within 18 hours of removal from the aeration source.  After that time, the wonderful nutrients are still there, and it can be used for a nutrient boost for your plants anyway.

  Once the tea begins to smell bad, do not use it in conjunction with your AP system.  The "off" odors can be an indication that "bad" bacterial growth (anearobic processes) are taking over.  That stuff is best not introduced to an AP system at that point.  This is why I recommend using  it up within 18 hours of removal from the aeration souces, as the vermiculture research facilities also recommend.

  Hopefully this answer is timely , and of some help to you.

My best to you as you tackle the infestation.

 - Converse

 

Comment by randy proctor on July 8, 2012 at 5:34pm

it will kill your fish

Comment by Tom OBrien on July 8, 2012 at 4:59pm

What's the difference between food grade and not? I don't plan to eat the aphids. Would there be stray chemicals or contaminants in the Safer garden DE stuff that might end up in the fish?

Comment by randy proctor on July 8, 2012 at 11:49am

Diatomaceous earth ( food grade) ! works

Comment by TCLynx on July 8, 2012 at 11:46am

Worm tea might work, search for posts about using aerated worm casting tea.  Converse is a good authority on worms and teas brewed from their castings.

Comment by Tom OBrien on July 8, 2012 at 11:13am

I've got those darn things too. My system is in the basement which limits my IPM options. Releasing lacewings or ladybugs would probably not be popular. Insecticidal soap has had little effect. Manual removal has kept them somewhat in check. But with trout in the tanks, I think my other options are pretty limited. Does worm tea work?

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