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which is better for an ant barrier, baby powder or talcum powder


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9 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted May 30 2020 - 3:45 PM

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Talcum powder might not even be an ant barrier. I feel like I heard it once though.


And, do you need rubbing alcohol for baby powder or talcum powder?


Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

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#2 Offline Thunder_Birds - Posted May 31 2020 - 4:23 AM

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Well, nobody is replying to this, so I thought I would bring this back to the top:)

Sorry I’m not very educated at ant barrier stuff :D


Edited by Thunder_Birds, May 31 2020 - 4:25 AM.

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#3 Offline ANTdrew - Posted May 31 2020 - 4:37 AM

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Isn’t that two names for the same thing?
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#4 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted May 31 2020 - 5:59 AM

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Isn’t that two names for the same thing?

i actually found out that it is. do you need rubbing alcohol to maximize the ant barrier, though?


Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

My South Dakotan Shop Here

Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)


#5 Offline AntsDakota - Posted May 31 2020 - 6:30 AM

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Isn’t that two names for the same thing?

i actually found out that it is. do you need rubbing alcohol to maximize the ant barrier, though?
I have found plain baby powder works better.
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"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. (including ants) And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version


#6 Offline Nogbert - Posted May 31 2020 - 7:01 AM

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Isn’t that two names for the same thing?

i actually found out that it is. do you need rubbing alcohol to maximize the ant barrier, though?

 

i'm 99% sure the alcohol only acts as a fluid that lets you transfer it and apply it in a controlled manner. the alcohol will evaporate quickly from it just leaving behind essentially caked on powder. I believe that the powder just crumbles (on a very micro scale) when an ant grips it, causing them to fall.


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#7 Offline SuperFrank - Posted June 2 2020 - 9:18 AM

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When most people refer to a baby powder barrier they are referring to a talc based powder. Up until a year or two ago most baby powder was talc based. However recently it was discovered that talc was carcinogenic and as such all manufacturers switched to corn starch. Talc works significantly better than corn starch according to everyone I have talked to who uses both
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#8 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted June 5 2020 - 7:31 AM

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I luckily found a baby powder that was pure talc powder. I will use rubbing alcohol in the future, though.

Edited by Ants_Dakota, June 5 2020 - 5:38 PM.

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

My South Dakotan Shop Here

Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)


#9 Offline Nogbert - Posted June 5 2020 - 2:16 PM

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I luckily found a baby powder that was pore talc powder. I will use rubbing alcohol in the future, though.

 

if you can, you should try to avoid "denatured" alcohols. they contain additives that will not evaporate away that may/may not be harmful to insects. Better to err on the side of caution imo.


Edited by Nogbert, June 5 2020 - 2:17 PM.

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#10 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted June 5 2020 - 5:37 PM

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I luckily found a baby powder that was pore talc powder. I will use rubbing alcohol in the future, though.


if you can, you should try to avoid "denatured" alcohols. they contain additives that will not evaporate away that may/may not be harmful to insects. Better to err on the side of caution imo.
I will make sure of that. Thanks!

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

My South Dakotan Shop Here

Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)





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