Diatomaceous earth and compost beasties

[elizajay]

I use diatomaceous earth in my chicken coop to guard against red mites. I put the used bedding - mixture of shredded rape stalks, poo and DE - into the compost heap. While emptying the last lot I looked at the brandling worms that live in the compost and wondered whether I am killing them and other compost beasties off.

[Scarlet]

I don't "think" it does. I remember reading that the diatom only affects bugs that are exoskeletons, shells on the outside. The dust particles work under their shells and between their joints and gets rubbed around. It cuts them, it doesn't work instantly.

http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/degen.html