Horticultural grade DE is a broad spectrum pesticide that should be used with great care. It can be very harmful to any insect that comes into contact with the grains. Thus, it should never be broadcast as a prophylactic, but only used to spot treat specific pests, in their specific habitat.

DE won't 'keep off' fleas, but can be helpful in killing adults that are already on the animal. Be sure that you are using food or horticultural grade DE (not pool grade) and that do not create a dust storm when applying this product to your animals. Neither you nor the pets should breathe the dust.

Diamotaceous Earth (food grade) works by cutting into the body of an insect as it crawls over the stuff. Unless one were to broadcast this on flower blossoms, heavily, it is unlikely a bee would make contact with it. Any insect would need to contact DE for it to work, so where that might happen DE would be a broad spectrum insecticide. Used as directed it probably would not be that broad.

Here is a good article.

Here is a link that might be useful: DIATOMACEOUS EARTH

i haven't got any specific pest to deal with at the moment, i was hoping i could use it as a preemptive measure.

Excellent! Then there is no need to do anything!

Dan

if it ain't broke don't fix it :)

DE particles are also taken into the spiracles of any insect coming into contact with it. Pollen and nectar contaminated with DE will be carried off to bee hives.

I think that its best use is in the crooks and crannies of our own homes or garages where critters have been spotted, rather than in the garden where all kinds of arthropods can come into contact with it long after it has been applied.

looks ugly and sounds pretty 'orrible..

I use re-caffeinated coffee grounds that works pretty well..

This Brit company has a caffeine spray as well!

I love my cuppa hot joe, and this stuff is natural and works in controlling my slugs, I can actually grow lettuce now! and hostas look like God meant them to look.. if your bored you can check out their site (below)which shows proof of it working or google them 'slug snub'

Here is a link that might be useful: Slug Snub Proof - Recaffeinated Coffee Slug Repellent