Subject: Eco-friendly war on bugs

From: [email-masked] (Michael Drews)
Date: 15 Sep 1993 19:00:50 GMT

A while back there was a discussion about controlling bugs without using 
pesticides.  I believe the suggested method was to use a powder that 
abraded holes in their exoskeleton which caused them to dehydrate.  This 
sounds better to me than spraying diazanon in my house.  Unfortunately, I 
don't remember what the exact substance was, but it was something like 
boric acid or diatomaceous earth.  Could somebody please e-mail to me 
what the suggested method was?  If there appears to be sufficient interest 
interest I will summarize and post.  

				Michael Drews
				([email-masked])

-- 
----------
LPs are preferred by most people for Frisbees(tm),
CDs are preferred by most people for coasters,
but throw or set your drinks on whatever works best for *you*.

---

From: [email-masked] (Marc Ries)
Date: 16 Sep 1993 15:57:07 GMT

In article <[email-masked]>,
Michael Drews <[email-masked]> wrote:
>boric acid or diatomaceous earth.  

  Diatomaceous Earth physically kills the "bugs" by puncturing the 
     exoskeleton. Make sure you DON'T get the kind used for pool/spa
     filters, as this will not have the same effect. DE is also
     used for internal parasite control in animals. 

  Boric Acid chemically kills the bugs by dehydrating them. 

  A new commercial pesticide has just been released that is based
  on garlic extract (there are a variety of "home recipes" for 
  similar spray) at about $20/pint [a gallon will cover 19 acres].

  There is also insecticidal soaps, etc.