AbstractInert dusts such as diatomaceous earth (DE) are being advocated as natural control methods to eliminate insect infestations in stored grain, milling and processing plants, and food storage areas. However, efficacy of DE can be highly variable, depending upon the product, insect species, life stages used in tests, methods of exposure, environmental conditions, and presence of food material. It is important to identify these sources of variation so that controlled laboratory studies are relevant to field applications. In this paper, examples are used to illustrate concepts and ideas for inert dusts used as grain protectants and as residual surface treatments in indoor areas. New research approaches will also be discussed, in which inert dusts are used in combination with other insecticides to control stored product insects.