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.
Related Post: How To Get Rid Of Slugs In Your Garden Naturally
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.
Jasmine says
I had read that you can cook the egg shells at about 325 degrees for 3-5 minutes to kill off any bacteria. I use the shells as added calcium for my plants as well! Hadn’t thought of using a coffee grinder, thanks for the tip!
Amy Andrychowicz says
You are welcome!
Shelia says
My cats love egg shell water!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Wow, how funny!
Mindy says
Can this be used in vegetable gardens as well? Or around fruit plants such as strawberries?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, absolutely.
sherry guitard says
I have been using broken up eggshells in my garden for years now. I don’t have the beetles, just slugs and earwigs, so I don’t need to ground them up. The eggshells work wonderfully. I haven’t had a bug problem since I started using the shells.
Amy Andrychowicz says
That’s fantastic Sherry, thanks for sharing your experience with using eggshells as organic pest control in your garden!
Keesha Loraine says
I have a major problem with earwigs in my mulch. I’ve tried wet newspaper to no avail. Sherry and/or Amy, how should I use eggshells? Whole or crushed? Should I put them on top of the mulch or underneath? The earwigs are mostly living and multiplying in the mulch under my apple trees.SO many and SO gross!! Will the eggshells harm the trees? Are the earwigs harming anything or just giving me a bad case of the heeby-geebies? :/
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yuck, sounds nasty! Earwigs can be both beneficial and pest insects. They are beneficial in orchards, as they eat aphids and other small insects. You can sprinkle the eggshells right over the top of the mulch where you see the earwigs. Also, try to allow your mulch to dry out a bit if you can, and only water that area in the morning. Earwigs love it moist and they feed at night. So watering at night will only help them thrive. And no, the eggshells won’t harm your trees, they are actually really good for the soil.
Sara says
When you dry out your eggshells, do you rinse them out first and then lay them out to dry?
Amy Andrychowicz says
I used to do that, but now I just toss them into a paper bag (not plastic). That way, I can just leave the bag in the pantry, and don’t have eggshells drying on the counter all the time. As long as they’re not stacked together, they will dry quickly. If they’re stacked or crushed while they’re wet, they could mold.
Civility118 says
I especially want to know if you have any idea if this would get rid of bedbugs?
Or how about along the baseboards for roach control?
And maybe you do or don’t know about this:
What about on the floors, baseboards or porch for flea or tick control?
Could it be directly applied directly to the fur of pets? Seems like the calcium would be good for dogs and cats, but I haven’t a clue how it would affect their digestive tract.
Thanks!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Eggshell powder should work on any type of bug that has a hard outer shell. Please make sure to talk to your veterinarian before you use it on your dog though.
DJ says
Trusted websites promoting a natural raw diet for dogs recommend using ground egg shells mixed with the dogs food to obtain the correct amount of phosphorus. Dogs require a high ratio of phosphorus to calcium ratio.
Renee Music says
Would the egg shells work on water roaches or types cockroaches?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, it will work on any insect that has a hard outer shell.
Amy
Sally says
so – squash bugs? 🙂
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, you could try using eggshells on squash bugs. Also, here’s a post I wrote specifically about those buggers… How to Control Squash Bugs Organically
Anonymous says
Hello. This looks great. Thanks for the tip. One quick question. How about ladybugs? I don't want to harm them… Need them for my basil! So should I just avoid using on my basil?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, eggshell powder would be harmful to ladybugs, or any other types of beneficial beetle. Definitely don't use it on your basil if you know the ladybugs frequent it.
Nichole says
Will this kill honey bees too? I don't want that! 🙂
Amy Andrychowicz says
As far as I understand, it only harms bugs with a hard outer shell, like Japanese beetles. But, it’s best to only use it directly on the pest insect rather than just sprinkling it everywhere.
Kourtney Parent says
Sweet. This will kill the ticks here in Northern, About, Canada. Hopefully I can get a lot fast…want to spread my yard with them….Would it be okay for people to walk on them or would that run the whole process and be a waste of time? Lots of people saying their kids are biten this year
Kourtney Parent says
Alberta. …i hate auto correct
Amy Andrychowicz says
I wouldn’t recommend spreading them around your whole yard. The eggshells can kill beneficial insect in your yard too. Also, the eggshells would be washed away or pushed down into the soil after a heavy rain, so they don’t have a very long lasting effect. Sorry to hear about your tick problems. Keep your grass mowed low to help prevent ticks in your yard.
Tina says
How long can you keep this stored? I am just starting to build raised garden beds for the spring. We can't plant anything right now with the snow and cold (we live in CO). If I keep these in an airtight container, can I start stocking up now?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Eggshells don't have an expiration date. I save mine though the winter and use them throughout the summer. Just make sure they are completely dry before putting them in a sealed container or they could get moldy.Amy
Anonymous says
Eggshells also adds calcium to the soil.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, all kinds of benefits for using eggshells in the garden! Love it!
Heather says
I've used crushed eggshells to deter bugs before. Works great!! Bonus: the birds eat some of the eggshell bits in nesting season, too.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Oh cool, I didn't know the birds would eat the eggshells too. Another benefit of using eggshells in the garden! I will have to make sure to put extras out this spring for them. 🙂
misty says
Birds eat eggshells to strengthen thier shells 🙂 i raise chickens and we feed them eggshells
Marcia Pummel says
My parents have a cockatiels and my mom always puts an egg shell in the cage for than to peck, they love thet!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Ha, ha, that’s cool! Extra calcium I guess.
Roy Dekoke ( Ausralia ) says
From the local pet shop or even if you live near the ocean you could get shell grit and that is good
Andrew says
Seems to work about like diatomaceous earth…
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, exactly!
Joy says
I'm definitely going to try this! I always just toss egg shells in the compost and they are so slow to break down. I did effective rid my apple tree of Japanese Beetles with a homemade pepper spray, but that stuff was potent!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, eggshells are very slow to break down when they're whole. Good for you for being diligent enough to rid your apple tree of those pesky beetles using pepper spray. Wow, you must have had to wear a mask for that job. I've touched my eyes after cutting up peppers, and it is very painful!
kate says
Can you share your DIY recipe for the pepper spray?
Janet QueenofSeaford says
I think this is brilliant!! We eat eggs a lot too. Think this will be my new pest control. I used to put them into the compost bin, but have a lot of eggshells sticking out.
:-/
Amy Andrychowicz says
Awesome! I always used to put the eggshells into my compost bin too, but they really stick around a long time. Then I started crushing the eggshells I put into the compost bin. Now I just use them as pest control and add the eggshell powder to the soil of my raised beds directly rather than put them whole into the compost bin. I feel like they are more beneficial this way.
Carlee McTavish says
Yeah, we do this in our garden, but I never thought to throw the eggshells on the bug itself. We use it around the base of our plants (though this year we've been lacking in keeping up with this).
Amy Andrychowicz says
Cool! I know, it's hard to keep up on all the garden chores. Especially if it rains a lot, and you need to keep reapplying the eggshell powder.
UNITEDisLIFE says
Awesome tip! Thanks so much. Now where did I put them eggshells? 🙂
Amy Andrychowicz says
You're welcome! Start saving those eggshells! 🙂
Kathy says
Could I use egg shells to control spiders?
I live by Lake Erie and I’m innendated with them. I don’t like using pesticides to control the problem.
I can’t walk outside, or get into my car without walking through a web!
Amy Andrychowicz says
I would not recommend using eggshells for any type of broad application, because they can kill other beneficial bugs too. You could try sprinkling the eggshell powder directly on the spiders, but it sounds like that would be a lot of work given the amount of spiders you have.
Kathy says
Ok, thank you Amy!
Pat Wells says
Hi Kathy, I just saw a post that if you make a mint solution and spray it around the outside of your house and it’s safe to spray inside your house as well, that it repells spiders, crickets and ants. I haven’t tried it yet, but plan on doing so.
How to: It didn’t really say, but I think you would get some mint leaves and make a slurry with water. You’d have to get the leave really tiny in order to use a spray bottle.
It’s a thought….and mint smells good!
Darlene says
Try peppermint or peppermint oil you can find diy recipes online ..tspiders will stay aeay
Claudia says
I want to try it. Do you rince or wash the eggshells with water?
Amy Andrychowicz says
I don’t usually need to rinse mine. But if yours are really dirty or have a lot of yolk or egg whites in them, then I would recommend rinsing them.
Amy
Jennyp says
Amy,
Thank you for the info. Does it matter if the shells are from hard boiled eggs?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Nope, any type of eggshells will work just fine.
Teri says
I dry mine in the toaster oven on the lowest temp for 10-15 minutes and let it sit in the toaster oven to cool. Grind then sprinkle the eggshell powder from an empty, clean parmesan cheese sprinkle type container.