Question

Are diatoms used for pest control?

Answer 1

Pests:

1. It is a term used for organisms that destroy cultivated plants or plant products.
2. Pests make them unsuitable for human consumption.
3. They are capable of causing diseases.
4. Examples-rodents, locusts, mosquitoes, etc.

Diatoms:

1. They are single-celled, microscopic organisms, with a silica cell wall.
2. Due to the presence of a high amount of silica, they cannot be destroyed easily, even after dying.
3. They belong to the kingdom Protista.
4. They are autotrophic and are the chief producers in the oceans.
5. Habitat- marine and fresh water.
6. Uses of diatoms- for medicinal purposes, in toothpaste, in oil filtration, and potential insect repellant, etc.