Toby,

I hope your treatment proves to be effective. I can see it reducing/eliminating mites, therefore the spread of Fig Mosaic Virus by them from virus infected trees to clean trees, infecting them, but by what means does diatomaceous earth cure or reduce the FMV on an infected tree?

Moses

Thanks for the question. Here's one description I got online: Diatomaceous earth causes insects to dry out and die by absorbing the oils and fats from the cuticle of the insect's exoskeleton. Its sharp edges are abrasive, speeding up the process. It remains effective as long as it is kept dry and undisturbed.

I use it to get rid if gnats on indoor plants and have used it for a moth problem we had. In those cases, I mixed the DE in to the soil and with the moth, sprinkled the powder in certain areas of the carpet. I know ppl using them for bed bugs too.

For the figs, once the DE is sprayed on the plant, it dries up. I'm guessing that it contacts the mites and does its job.

I actually have 2 Chicago's that I put in a shed that are still dormant. I sprayed them again the other day.

I am really in an experimental stage at this point with the Diatomaceous earth on the figs. But if my analysis holds true, I am hoping that it will be effective in controlling the FMV mites.

I approached this with the attitude that it can't hurt to try it. Nothing else seems to work.

I use ORGANIC IRON TONE for FMV. I buy lacewings eggs to control the spider mites .I am a organic minded person,

Diatomaceous earth is an organic substance. It is made from the fossilized remains of tiny, aquatic organisms called diatoms. Their skeletons are made of a natural substance called silica.

FMV reveals its blotchy leaf symptoms on its own erratic schedule.

DE won't get rid of the virus. Nothing will.

Burning/destroying the tree gets rid of the virus -- for that tree, only.