I got rid of bedbugs with diatomaceous earth. I'm not sure how far it can be tracked. i.e., suppose an ant tracks through diatomaceous earth and then goes into a cave. How much does the ant bring along and leave in the cave for other insects to cross over?
IT is natural and I like it for that fact, but unlike a pesticide that is designed to degrade over time, diatoms can stay in tact for millions of years. Their physical, not chemical, properties make them effective. I don't think Louise was suggesting they be used in or around a cave, but I thought it was probably a worthy subject to touch on. I simply don't know what would happen and I'm curious. On Sat, Aug 24, 2013 at 12:33 PM, Louise Power <power_lou...@hotmail.com>wrote: > Ted, > > I recommended to Julia that she try food grade diatomaceous earth: " in > your home you can use diatomaceous earth to kill ants among other insects. > It's not toxic to humans or pets, but it is to things like ants, weevils > (they use it in grain silos), fleas, silverfish, etc. It abrades the > carapace and they "bleed" to death. I use it at my doors and window sills > along with ground cinnamon. I also stir up ant hills and cover them with > DE. Ants won't cross cinnamon and they just flip over in DE turn their legs > up to the sky and get little Xs in their eyes." If anyone else is > interested, I can recommend a website. > > Louise > ------------------------------ > Date: Sat, 24 Aug 2013 06:35:27 -0500 > From: t.b.sam...@gmail.com > To: texascavers@texascavers.com > > Subject: Re: [Texascavers] New Invasvive Species - Raspberry Ants / aka > Tawny Ants > > "Evil" pesticide? "Toxic" is a bit more science-driven. > > > On Thu, Aug 22, 2013 at 10:33 PM, Julia Germany <germa...@aol.com> wrote: > > At last weekend's TCMA meeting, Matt Turner gave a very interesting report > about the rapid spread of the Tawny Ant, formerly known as the Raspberry > Ant, after the man who identified them. Had Matt not previously asked me > to "like" the Tawny Ant FB page, I would not have known what he was talking > about and why cavers should be concerned. He has been monitoring them > inside and outside of Whirlpool Cave (Austin) as well as other caves in the > area for a long time, and they are starting to have serious effects on the > caves and the crickets. The current solution is an evil pesticide that will > only cause more problems for caves. > > While watching the 10:00 pm Houston ABC local news tonight, they did a > story about these invasive ants. It's worth the few minutes the story > lasts to watch and learn more: > > http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/consumer&id=9215910 > > For even more info, contact Matt Turner. Sorry, I don't have his email > address. > > julia germany - Houston home owner who will vigilantly be on the look out > for these invasive ants in my potted plants, and around my yard! > > >
