What is diatomaceous earth?
 Diatomaceous earth is composed of the fossilized shells of tiny marine organisms called diatoms. The shells are made mainly of silica sand. Ancient, land-locked, nearly pure deposits of diatomaceous earth are mined for use in manufacturing and agriculture.
Diatomaceous earth has a variety of uses in filtration, adsorbants, a component of dynamite (another name for diatomaceous earth is diatomite), and as a natural insecticide. The insecticidal properties come from its highly absorbant and slightly abrasive properties.
Diatomaceous earth is very effective against a number of crawling insect pests like cockroaches, ants, earwigs, silverfish, sowbugs and pillbugs, and bedbugs. But, it must be kept dry to be effective. When wet the material will clump and become ineffective. For this reason it is more often used indoors as a low toxicity insecticide or in the garden during dry periods.
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