So I did a little internet research into ways to cut down on the pillbugs and earwigs, both of which are still swarming like crazy, despite my best efforts. The first crop of strawberries are done, and the pillbugs got about half of them, I'd say. I'm serious when I say pillbugs and not slugs. Any ripe berry that touched the mulch was utterly devoured by pillbugs -- and when I'd pull the berry up to check for damage, thirty or forty pillbugs (again, not exaggerating here) would scurry back under the mulch. I guess they really like decomposing organic matter, which means I've got nice rich soil, but they're really out of control. The earwigs are still causing damage, despite the success of the pit traps, which are collecting victims daily.
Anyway -- as I poked around, I found out about diatomaceous earth:
Diatomaceous Earth is the hard shells of sea creatures. These shells have sharp edges and tend to tear an insect up from the inside out. Diatomaceous Earth is not harmful to humans or other large animals because they can not do enough damage in our mostly liquid bodies to harm us.
I dusted some on the strawberry bed last night, but upon further reading I will have to go and thoroughly hose off the plants themselves -- apparrently it can harm honeybees, and I'd hate to injure those beneficial bugs. I'll be more careful with the main garden bed, and only put small quantities directly onto the soil and not the plants themselves.
Yeah, so. Houseguests, if you see white powder on the berries, don't freak out. It technically is a pesticide, but it's of the mechanical nature, not chemical, and is utterly harmless to mammals. Dig this:
If you're planning to can or bucketize your own [grain], mixing in a cup of Diatomaceous Earth will help keep it pest-free. And it won't hurt you when you ingest it, 'cause the 'sharp pieces' are too small to cut you, you lucky guy. (In fact, many farmers deliberately mix Diatomaceous Earth with animal feed to kill internal parasites in farm animals. The Diatomaceous Earth in the animal feces even kills the fly maggots that invariably appear in the patties.)
Just a note on this... there are two grades of Diatomaceous Earth - garden grade and pool grade. Be sure you buy the garden stuff, because the pool stuff is nowhere near as effective.
I am considering the use of diatomaceous earth to manage fleas for my dog. I purchased the earth from a local garden center (Borden Mercantile in Victoria-recommended garden grade/said ok to dispurse in home and "on my dog", not harmful to people, quantity sold in bulk/weight) Concerned if this is ok. There have are several advertisments on the web promoting food grade verses other grades of earth available. Don't want to risk using the "so called" garden grade until becoming more informed regarding safety of useage. Your site indicates that there are two grades of earth available and want to enure proper usage prior to using as a means of eliminating the fleas. I am a new user of the internet information highway and am reluctent to follow the information that the several companies are promoting for sales regarding earth and other maybe natural remedies. Cruiser (my dog) is fed garlic in his food to assist at this time, am not wanting to use pesticide remedies to elimate fleas. There was a cat in the house for just over a month that has had fleas and have not had a problem until this time. It is imperative that this is resolved soon. Cruiser is a working dog with special needs individuals and unable to work with me within a home/hospital environment until the situation is resolved. Also, if there are other suggestions you have towards elimating fleas, this would be most appreciated. Cruz has never had flea problems within the 8 years we have been together. Your time and consideration is very much appreciated. Thank you, June