Question about Diatomacious Earth...

20 years ago

I am growing hops in my yard and garden to supply my husband's homebrewing activities. We grow 6 different varieties. My problem is this...aphids LOVE hops. We lost the crop from a couple of varieties entirely last season (our first year harvesting the hop cones). I am considering a dusting of the plants with DE and am curious about the effect DE might actually have on the beer. The hop cones are picked and dried but not washed or rinsed in any way. The part of the hop you are trying to harvest is the papery cone (flower) with the waxy pollen intact. That is what is needed for beer production. The hop cones are picked and dried in a paper sack in a dry, dark location until their moisture content is quite low.

I can't see using any chemical aphid killer on the plants and cones since they don't get washed prior to inclusion in the beer. The good spray of water is somewhat helpful but the aphids get down into the cones. I am hoping that DE is the answer I am looking for. However, I wanted to check about the DE that might remain on the hop cones after harvest. Is that safe for consumption and inclusion in my husband's beer recipes? It seems like it would be since I am reading that DE is included in some livestock and poultry feeds and that it has been used intentionally in those feeds.

Anyone with any guidelines for me?

Thanks from a beerlover!

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Comments (4)

monkeyman_2006
20 years ago
You should get Pure Neem Oil. It's from the Neem tree, is 100% organic, and prevents aphids and other bugs from attacking your plants. You mix some with a drop of soap (emulsifier) and spray it on your plants eveyr once in a while. It's on the internet I'd recommend 100% neem oil and then you can just mix a little of it with water and a drop of soap.
Kimmsr
20 years ago
The food grade Diamotaceous Earth you would want is inert and would have no affect on your hops, often that will be added to organic grain products and you eat it probably without being aware its there. However, control of aphids is relatively simple and all you need do is knock the wee buggers off the plants with a sharp water spray, even Neem Oil sprays would be overkill for aphids although it could work. Neem Oil will not prevent aphids, but it will kill those on the plant that are sprayed.
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seamommy
20 years ago
Lady beetles LOVE aphids. Try them,I think you'll like them. They're cute, they have lots of babies in your garden, they come back year after year, and they eat many times their weight in aphids every day.

Cheryl
brendan_of_bonsai
20 years ago
This thread is kinda old, but I'm going to comment on it anyways. Neem oil is a bad idea, it can lend a slight flavor to the plants, and that will ruin the hops, also I'm not sure how it would effect the brewing yeast. DE should be fine, especially if you aply it before the cones are produced and not afterwords.