Well fuck, it looks like we have carpenter ants

[superhawk996]

11 minutes ago, blackhawkxx said:

It rains here this summer so often, I don't think that would be of use and I wouldn't want that in the grass that I mow.

I've heard/read that once it dries it's effective again.  Some people mix it with water to apply it to plants and other things.  You'd be breathing it when you mow so if you care you'd want to wear a dust mask.  For crawling things, once you kill them off you should be able to keep them out by just treating the perimeter.

 

I don't know how well Talstar P holds up to rain, but that's another option to consider.

[XXitanium]

Food grade

 

"The Food & Drug Administration lists diatomaceous earth as "Generally Recognized as Safe". "Food grade" diatomaceous earth products are purified. They may be used as anticaking materials in feed, or as clarifiers for wine and beer. IMPORTANT: Always follow label instructions and take steps to minimize exposure."

[SwampNut]

2 hours ago, blackhawkxx said:

For some reason as she has gotten older, just walking across the grass to look at a veggie plant will net her multiple bites and it's like she is allergic to them .

 

Exposure allergies are a thing.  A friend had to close his moto shop because he developed a petroleum allergy by not wearing gloves.

 

2 hours ago, superhawk996 said:

I've heard/read that once it dries it's effective again.

 

If the rain doesn't run it off where you need it.

 

2 hours ago, superhawk996 said:

You'd be breathing it when you mow so if you care you'd want to wear a dust mask.

 

COVID taught us that masks don't work.

 

But anyway the size is pretty small so the PPE can't be generic/haphazardly used.

 

[blackhawkxx]

She says that the bites happened when we were at another house walking around in the yard but our yard still needs done.  The Doctor couldn't say what bit her but gave her Doxycycline Hyclate which is an antibiotic.  The worry is Lyme disease, I hope the meds work.

Thanks all for the ideas.

[XXitanium]

8 hours ago, blackhawkxx said:

I wouldn't want that in the grass that I mow.

 

I've used it for years. If Maisie walks in it and licks her paws, NBD, it's non-toxic. 

[blackhawkxx]

5 hours ago, XXitanium said:

 

I've used it for years. If Maisie walks in it and licks her paws, NBD, it's non-toxic. 

Yes but mowing would put it in the air and breathing that stuff is really bad for you and I don't enjoy wearing a mask working in the heat.  Read up about the dangers of inhaling that stuff.

[SwampNut]

13 hours ago, blackhawkxx said:

The worry is Lyme disease

 

Fuck.  

 

5 hours ago, blackhawkxx said:

Yes but mowing would put it in the air and breathing that stuff is really bad for you and I don't enjoy wearing a mask working in the heat.  Read up about the dangers of inhaling that stuff.

 

VERY bad, and why I have decided to stop using it at all.  Another one I noticed is the dogs sniffing on the bushes where I used to apply it.  IMO, far more dangerous than chemical-based insecticides.  I used to be a huge fan.  You definitely do not want to mow without serious PPE (including eyes) if that's on your grass.