diatomaceous earth and bees

When to check in on an empty hive. I saw ants on the outside of the box so I opened it and found a lot of ants and ant eggs inside. So I took apart the hive and used diatomaceous earth on the ants. I then moved the empty hive inside. My thinking is letting the hive set for a day and clean it and then put it back together. Here is my question. Will the hive be safe for bees to live in? Has anyone used diatomaceous earth around bees without issues? I know I need to do some work around the hive to prevent ants and other unwanted things from coming into the hive.

I have used it around the base of an active hive without any noticeable problem. It didn't solve the ant problem with that particular hive though. Ultimately had to move the hive.

I was talking to a beekeeper today and he told me to use cinnamon powder for ants. I will try this out next time and if it does not work then use diatomaceous earth.

Seem to me that a good washing with plain water could get rid of all the DE if someone pays attention to the joints.  The set it out in the sun to finish.