Insecticide dust is used to kill many types of outdoor and indoor bugs. Inside buildings, the dust is applied along the cracks near baseboards and in access spaces that insects use for pathways. It can also be applied in outdoor gardens to protect landscaping and fruit trees.
Pesticide powders are an effective means to repel and kill many types of insects including ants, fleas, bedbugs, and beetles. The insecticide dust can also kill centipedes, various kinds of weevils, mealworms, and moths. Termites, silverfish, and spiders are also susceptible to the pesticide dust.
Silicone and pesticides are mixed together to form the insecticide dust. A dust containing permethrin is reported to be the safest for use around pets and in gardens. The insecticide dust made with deltamethrin is waterproof and used in areas that may collect moisture, such as near plumbing. One form of insecticide dust is made from tree oils. Carbaryl is the active ingredient in a pesticide powder used in gardens and around fruit bearing trees.
Pesticides are not intended to be distributed by hand because direct contact with the poison could cause health issues. People that are using the insecticide dust for extended periods of time may need to wear a respirator mask to prevent inhaling the dust into delicate lung tissue. Precautions should be taken to prevent the dust from getting into the eyes.
When applying the powdered pesticide to the common living areas of a home, care must be taken to avoid spreading it in the air. Air conditioners and heater fans should be turned off as a preventative measure. If the dust is used in kitchen areas, any kitchen utensils and food preparation materials must be covered or put away. The insecticide dust should be carefully applied along the edges of cabinets and along the walls and corners of the floors.
Insecticide dust is designed to be applied through a bulbous bottle. The bottle is gently squeezed to allow the correct amount of dust out of the bottle. Another application method is with a hand-crank duster, and a handle attached to the bottle receptacle is turned with enough speed to propel the dust out at a steady rate.
Bottles of pesticide should only be filled halfway to allow for the proper mix of insecticide and air. This will ensure an even distribution of the bug-killing dust. A bottle that is filled too full will cause too much of the pesticide to be released. It may be helpful to insert a few small stones into the bottle to prevent clumping of the mixture and ensure an even application of the dust.
