Diatomaceous earth is used as an insecticide.
Sometimes it is mixed with other natural or synthetic insecticides to increase efficiency. Diatomaceous earth is registered as a stored grain protectant or for structural treatment in Australia, Canada, USA, Croatia, Germany, China and some other Asian countries. In Australia, diatomaceous earth is used principally as a treatment for empty silos. Black and white scale line is in 10 micron increments. The diatomaceous earth is thought to absorb the waxes on the skin of the insect, and the insects die from desiccation.