Foundation Insect Control
BCorreia615
This is for preventative purposes in applying in the Spring, as opposed to
dealing with an existing insect problem.
Various products on the market, such as Ortho Home Defense Perimeter & Indoor
Insect Killer, I am told are very nasty chemicals.
A couple of suggestions given me, to which I would appreciate any observations,
are as follows:
Spread around the perimeter of your foundation equal parts borax and sugar…
The one question I have regarding this method is that the sugar will attract
insects. The response I received was that of course it would, that is what you
want. Well, actually I don't desire this; I simply want to control what is
potentially there from entering through the foundation. My thinking is that if
you deliberately attract insects, some may eventually make their way in.
The other suggestion I received is a mixture of grits and baking soda; insects
eat and basically explode.
Any help, suggestions appreciated.
Paul Onstad
Why are you interested in establishing some moat around your house? Thoughts
of less dangerous remedies are one thing but the mentality of creating a
"no-insect's-land" in the near outdoors seems linked to the whole problem of
pesticides.
They're crawling in through your foundation? What is? ..Or are you thinking
of making a first strike?
I don't see you expressing any interest in selectivity nor have you really
indicated a problem.
-Paul
BCorreia615
>of less dangerous remedies are one thing but the mentality of creating a
>"no-insect's-land" in the near outdoors seems linked to the whole problem of
>pesticides.
If you had read my inquiry more carefully you would have noted that there was
no mention of a moat. Thank you for determining my intentions from one inquiry;
now that's quite a "mentality."
>They're crawling in through your foundation? What is? ..Or are you thinking
>of making a first strike?
Barney the dinosaur!
>I don't see you expressing any interest in selectivity nor have you really
>indicated a problem.
I don't see you expressing any interest in addressing my questions nor have you
any real knowledge or insight. Take your diatribe elsewhere, son.
LarFlu
@aol.com says...
> I am looking for a less chemical oriented foundation insect control remedy.
> This is for preventative purposes in applying in the Spring, as opposed to
> dealing with an existing insect problem.
will find some who will swear by it, but I don't think I have ever met
any in person.
>
> Various products on the market, such as Ortho Home Defense Perimeter & Indoor
> Insect Killer, I am told are very nasty chemicals.
Yet I bet you can use gasoline, charcoal starter, and bleach around the
home with confidence, which are much harsher chemicals. Most products can
be found in a ready to use mixture if you don't feel good about having
the concentrate around. But they really aren't very good to use as a
preventative. You may get up to 10 days of effectiveness with them when
used on the outside.
Try to make sure you have a clear view of your foundation. Don't let
the grass against the house grow high. Try not to have mulch in the
flower beds to thick where is covers the foundation. And keep debris from
the side of the house. Keeping the conditions away that might invite the
pests is the best preventative.
>
>
>
--
Lar
Paul Onstad
Yes, daddy.
I wondered where people were getting the idea they should (or even could)
form an impenetrable insect barrier around their house (castles) but then
saw your mention of "Ortho Home Defense Perimeter & Indoor
Insect Killer." That juxtaposition is irresponsible, IMO, just because there
are impressionable people who take the first part as some matter of course.
You are not the first one who has done so. Last year we were treated to an
individual who every few days would renew a zone, several feet wide, of
diazinon around her house--and recommended that others do the same.
Now, is she (or are you) prepared to carry out this stratagem every few days
over the course of seasons one occupies a home? Why? Is it just a preventive
measure or do you have real problems with indoor insects? If the latter,
your time would be far better spent caulking cracks and other entranceways.
If they're the little sugar ants, borax baits _placed inside_ will be far
more effective than trying to combat each and every outdoor insect.
Insects (unless the screen door is left open) don't come inside that often.
I fear then that people who rely on "perimeter defense" take it as feedback
that their "system" is working.
If you do have insects coming inside, a common sense starting point would be
identification. You make no mention of that.
-Paul