this post was submitted on 19 Jul 2025
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I thought these were aphids the other day and finally decided to do an image search. I clipped some leaves that had eggs and newly hatched larvae, threw that specific zucchini away, and squished a bunch more. I also used some dead bug brew.

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[–] MysteriousSophon21@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Actually diatomaceous earth isn't silica - it's fossilized diatom skeletons that works by physically cutting insects' exoskeletons causing them to dehydrate, not by affecting thier lungs.

[–] Semester3383@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

{Diatomaceous earth (/ˌdaɪ.ətəˈmeɪʃəs/ DY-ə-tə-MAY-shəs), also known as diatomite (/daɪˈætəmaɪt/ dy-AT-ə-myte), celite, or kieselguhr, is a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that can be crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth)

If you inhale it in significant quantity, you'll end up with silicosis.