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There is a video about home building/remodeling where it was suggested that before you close off an area with sheet rock, that you sprinkle some boric acid in that area to thwart any passing insect that might happen to be in there.
How long do you think boric acid would be effective for in an enclosed cavity? Would diatomaceous earth be a better substitute or even a combination of the two?
Planning on doing a bathroom remodel and was thinking of placing something under the bath tub area as a form of insurance. Don't really have any bug issues any more than your average southern Mississippi home. Any roaches we have seen are mainly in the bathroom areas due to the moisture.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Yes, diatomaceous earth must remain dry to be effective. I use it in my greenhouse vegetable garden but it has a drip irrigation system so the water is controlled and doesn't contact it. I have had Japanese beetles and ants, both eliminated with it. Boric acid has a more limited use, it must be ingested by the pest, and it's not as safe for children and pets, though that doesn't matter inside a wall cavity.
Diatomaceous earth is a mineral, formed from lava. It doesn't have any active ingedients. It works on killing insects because it has "sharp" edges and cuts the insect when particles of it get on insect. It doesn't dissolve or wear out nor is it toxic. Where as boric acid is toxic to insects and can degrade and dissolve.
A combo of both would probably be good.
I've actually seen some people promote the ingestion (yes eat it) of diatomaceous earth, not that I would do that.
I think diatomaceous earth has been used as insulation.
Diatomaceous earth is a mineral, formed from lava. It doesn't have any active ingedients. It works on killing insects because it has "sharp" edges and cuts the insect when particles of it get on insect. It doesn't dissolve or wear out nor is it toxic. Where as boric acid is toxic to insects and can degrade and dissolve.
A combo of both would probably be good.
I've actually seen some people promote the ingestion (yes eat it) of diatomaceous earth, not that I would do that.
I think diatomaceous earth has been used as insulation.
Diatomaceous earth is the tiny bits of ancient (fossil) marine organisms with silica shell bodies. These organisms are known as diatoms, hence the name of the earth composed of their remains.
I put DE in one of those plastic squirt condominent bottles when we redid out flooring and baseboards. I squirted a line all around the perimeter than we added the baseboard over it. It has seriously helped! This was about 7 years ago and this is the first year we are seeing some spiders that weren’t there before....no roaches, ants or other ickies. Just a few spiders every now and then. I’ll never do another remodel without that!
Yes, diatomaceous earth must remain dry to be effective. I use it in my greenhouse vegetable garden but it has a drip irrigation system so the water is controlled and doesn't contact it. I have had Japanese beetles and ants, both eliminated with it. Boric acid has a more limited use, it must be ingested by the pest, and it's not as safe for children and pets, though that doesn't matter inside a wall cavity.
I was planning to purchase some D/E for my container plants, but that means that I cannot water them, since it must remain dry to be effective?
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,551 posts, read 81,085,957 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sasie123
I was planning to purchase some D/E for my container plants, but that means that I cannot water them, since it must remain dry to be effective?
Correct. The only options I know of are to use it on the leaves, and water only the soil, or re-apply it a day after you water.
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Diatomaceous earth not formed from lava!
sasie 123
