How Do You Use Kaolin Clay To Battle Japanese And Cucumber Beetles, Grasshoppers And More?
Kaolin clay is a mineral used in toothpaste, cosmetics, medicine and a variety of other products. Fruit orchards have used this product to prevent insect damage and sun scald, but it has not been well-marketed to the home gardener. I consider it a staple in my garden, and the organic gardener’s best-kept secret. It doesn’t hurt or kill beneficial insects, but it coats plants with a sticky barrier that repels and confuses them. I have used it successfully for three years against a gardener’s worst enemies: Japanese beetles, cucumber beetles (my worst foe) and more. Research has shown that kaolin clay is an effective repellent for over 100 types of insects. Kaolin clay for horticulture is marketed under the brand name Surround WP and typically comes in 25-pound bags. This is much more than a gardener needs, but there are a few places online that sell it in smaller bags. I have a five-pound bag that has lasted three years, and will probably last another two or three years. Read the mixing
