Dusting is a popular method used by pest control professionals. It essentially involves the application of a toxic dust directly on a nest or into areas of potential infestation. The 2 most common insecticide dusts are Drione dust and Delta Dust. So what are the differences?
Drione Dust to Kill Carpenter Ants
Drione dust is a mechanical and chemical insecticide. The mechanical component is diatomaceous earth (DE) or a similar silica based powder. Under a microscope, you will see that the powder is essentially microscopic glass shards which will cut up and dry out insects that crawl over them. In addition to DE, Drione dust contains pyrethrins which are natural chemicals from chrysanthemum flowers. Pyrethrins have a nerotoxin effect on insects, causing paralysis leading to death. However it is widely considered the safest of all insecticides and the Environmental Protection Agency’s October 2011 Pyrethrins/Pyrethroid Cumulative Risk Assessment indicates that exposures from the many current uses of pyrethrins and pyrethroid insecticides do not pose risk concerns for children or adults.
Delta Dust to Kill Carpenter Ants
Delta dust is actually a brand name that has become synonymous with a type of insecticidal dust (like Kleenex is to tissue and Pampers to diapers!). Delta is short for deltamethrin which is a synthetic form of pyrethrin. Delta dust is also generally cheaper than drione dust!
Delta (Synthetic Deltamethrin) vs Natural Pyrethrin
There are several differences between synthetic deltamethrin over natural pyrethrin. Pyrethrin in Drione dust is biodegradable and will disintegrate quickly when exposed to sunlight, air and water. Synthetic Delta lasts longer and is effective for 6-8 months.
So which should you use? It depends.
If killing the carpenter ants or other insects is your top priority and you do not have to consider the safety of pets, a pregnant wife or infant then go for Delta dust.
If you are concerned about safety, then use a dust that contains pyrethrin as the only active chemical ingredient such as Evergreen 1% Pyrethrin Dust Insecticide.
Diatomaceous Earth to Kill Carpenter Ants and Other Bugs
If you are really concerned about child and pet safety, then use diatomaceous earth by itself which is a purely mechanical insecticide with zero chemicals.
Don’t Forget a DUSTER!
Finally, whether you get Delta, Drione, Pyrethrin or Diatomaceous Earth, don’t forget to get a duster together with it. The B&G Bulb Dust-R Model M1150 Hand Duster
| Category | Natural. Zero toxicity. | Low toxicity to humans. | Chemical toxin | Chemical toxin |
| Active Ingredients | Diatomaceous Earth aka DE is a type of amorphous silica gel. | 1% Pyrethrin, a natural insecticidal neurotoxin from chrysanthemum flowers. 15% Amorphous Silica Gel | 1% Pyrethrin 10% Piperonyl Butoxide (PBO) 40% Amorphous Silica Gel | 0.05% Deltamethrin, a synthetic pyrethrin which lasts longer than biodegradable drione dust. |
| Remarks | Non-toxic. Natural, slower acting, mechanical killing action only. | Moderate neurotoxin combined with some mechanical killing action. | Highly effective neurotoxin combined with mechanical killing action. Can pose health risk to unborn and young children under 36 months old. | Similar to Drione but is a synthetic insecticidal dust that has longer lasting effect (6-8 months). |
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Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an incredibly long comment
but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear.
Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway,
just wanted to say excellent blog!