Using eggshells in your garden as organic pest control is inexpensive and easy. In this post, I’ll tell you how to do it.
I will also show you exactly how to prepare them – including tips for cleaning and drying them, grinding them into powder, and storing them for later use.
Using Eggshells As Organic Pest Control
There is a well-known organic pesticide called diatomaceous earth, which is basically the fossilized remains of creatures that are ground into a fine powder.
This works to kill bugs because it gets under the shells of beetles and acts like bits of glass to cut them up and kill them.
Soft-bodied insects will also die if they slink across it. Well guess what, ground eggshell powder can work the same way.
Related Post: How To Control Garden Pests Naturally
How To Make Eggshell Powder For Your Garden
Whether you want to try using eggshells as organic pest control in your garden, or you plan to use it in other ways, the steps for making them into powder are the same.
Below I’ll walk you through how to clean, dry, and grind them, give you tips for using the powder in your garden, and properly storing the leftovers for later.
How To Clean Eggshells
I get asked about the steps I use for cleaning eggshells before crushing them all the time. But the truth is, I don’t really fuss too much about this.
If there is yolk or a lot of egg whites left in the shells, I will give them a quick rinse with water before drying them.
But if they’re already fairly clean, I don’t bother taking the time to wash them. I’ve never had a problem with my eggshell powder getting stinky.
If yours are really dirty, then I recommend rinsing them before you dry and crush them. You can simply use your fingers to scrub them, or soak them for a little while to soften up the residue and make it easier to clean it off.
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Methods Of Drying Eggshells
You should definitely let the eggshells dry out completely before crushing them, so don’t skip this step. To do this, I simply lay them out on a paper towel and leave them sitting on the counter.
But if I don’t want to clutter up my counters, then I’ll toss them into a paper bag and put them in my pantry, where they dry out in a few days.
Either way, just make sure you don’t stack the eggshells, otherwise they won’t dry as fast, and they might even start to mold or stink.
How To Grind Eggshells Into Powder
Once the eggshells are completely dry they will be very brittle and break easily. To make them into a powder, you can use a mini food processor or a coffee grinder.
In my experience, a coffee grinder works best for making a fine powder. If you use a food chopper instead, the shell pieces will be slightly larger, but you can still use them in your garden.
You’ll probably need to crush them up a bit first, so you can fit more into the grinder at once. I simply smash mine by hand in the paper towel or bag. Don’t use your bare hands though, because they are sharp.
Related Post: How To Control Flea Beetles In Your Garden
How To Use Eggshells In The Garden
To use your DIY eggshell powder as organic pest control, you’ll need to sprinkle it directly onto the bugs.
They really don’t like it, and will start to squirm and move around. It won’t kill them right away, and sometimes they will fly away, but they’ll die in time.
I do not recommend sprinkling it all over your garden, or you could end up killing the good bugs by accident. It’s best to only sprinkle it directly on the specific insect you are trying to control.
Related Post: How To Control Japanese Beetles Organically
Just be careful if you’re wearing dark pants, and don’t wipe your hands on them as you’re spreading the eggshell powder. It can be a messy job.
Yes, I made a mess with it the first time I used it, and got the white powder all over my pants (oops!). But I learned that a mini powder duster works great to avoid the mess – awesome!
How To Store Eggshells For Garden Use
You can easily store your leftover eggshell powder for later, which means you can keep making it all winter to stock up for the busy gardening season. Simply put it into any container that you have, and keep it in a dry location.
I store mine on a shelf in my garage, it doesn’t matter if it freezes in the winter. But you could put yours in a pantry or even the fridge or freezer if you would rather.
Related Post: Grapevine Beetle Information & Organic Control Tips
Eggshells are great for the health of your garden, and they add calcium to the soil. Simply toss them into the compost bin, or add the powder directly to your garden beds. Be sure to try using eggshells as organic pest control in your garden too, and see if it works for you.
Have you tried using eggshells as organic pest control in your garden? Share your tips and experience in the comments below.
Pam says
You can use a slice of bread to clean your coffee grinder.
Sue says
I crush mine in a small pestle and mortar, then simply rinse it under the tap.
Trevor says
I’ve been using a coffee grinder for over a year to grind eggshells before adding them to my compost pile because they take longer than everything but nut shells to break down. So my question is: How do you clean the accumulated eggshell powder out of the grinder?
Amy Andrychowicz says
I have one that I only use for grinding eggshells, so I just brush out the excess powder rather than cleaning it. But you could clean it just like you would after grinding coffee beans.
Trevor says
Thanks for your comment, Amy. I use mine strictly for eggshells, too. But (presumably) because I don’t dry the eggshell before grinding — they just sit there in the open grinder all day and I run it before I go to bed — there is a bit of build-up after a few weeks. I do scrape it out with a small rubber spatula every time, but that doesn’t get everything. I’ve been scrubbing it out with a green scrubby thing recently, but I didn’t want there to be any water or scratch damage. Mostly, I just decided that it’s worth it even if I end up getting a new one every few years.