What kind of insecticidal dust is applied by an electric duster?

Research and experience both show the best way to deal with insect infestations in the home is by applying insecticidal dust with an electric duster. Dusting with an electric duster is the optimal control option for dealing with a range of common household pests, including bed bugs, cockroaches, silverfish, ants and spiders.

But what's in the dust? How does it work, and what precautions have to be taken when applying insecticide dust with an electric duster?

Dust is the common pest-control industry term for a range of insecticides applied in a fine, granular form. Although it is an effective treatment for bed-bug issues and insect-control problems, it's correct to assume that any insecticide dust used improperly and without professional application can be harmful to adults, children and pets. That's why we cannot stress enough how important it is that insecticide dusters, and all pest-control products, be applied by a professional with the proper training and equipment.

Dust has become the standard form for pest elimination in households because of several advantages over liquid sprays:

• Insecticide dust remains in place over time. Some can be effective for up to eight months after application.
• Dust can be applied with an electric duster in difficult-to-reach places where pests hide, hibernate or nest. For example, ladybugs hibernate in the space between wallboards that is out of reach of liquid sprays. An electric duster can push dust into wall voids, cracks and crevices behind light-switch wall plates, electrical outlets or the spaces where door frames and window frames meet walls.
• Dust can be applied in places where children and pets do not go yet bugs will go, such as behind baseboards, in attics and under furniture and appliances.

What's in dusts?

Insecticide dusts are sold under a wide range of trade names and formulations such as Drione, DeltaDust, Tempo and others. Yet most are based on a few different types of chemicals.

Many dusts contain chemicals that belong to the pyrethrin family. Pyrethrins, such as permethrin, are considered organic chemicals because they are derived from chrysanthemum flowers, whose insect-repellent properties have been known for centuries.

Pyrethrins work by targeting the nervous systems of insects. They're often combined with piperonyl butoxide, which enhances the potency of the insecticide.

Deltamethrin is one of the most commonly used pyrethroid insecticides. Odorless, it can be used on plants and will kill insects for up to months at a time. Deltamethrin does not absorb water, so unlike some other dusts, water does not destroy it. Deltamethrin will not clump. It provides fast and effective control of ants, boxelder bugs, ladybugs, carpenter bees, cockroaches, fleas, silverfish and ticks.

Deltamethrin is highly toxic to fish and other aquatic life, so it must be used carefully around water. Although Deltamethrin-based dusts are generally considered safe for use around humans, in high concentrations it is neurotoxic and causes allergic reactions in some people. Studies have shown women can pass the chemical into breast milk.

Another pyrethroid often used in brands of insecticide dust is cyfluthrin. It's often used as a spray insecticide on agricultural crops because, while it's deadly to insects, it's safe around people in low concentrations.

Boric acid dusts also are used for application in cracks and crevices and between walls and baseboards. These are considered most effective against roaches, ants and silverfish.

Professional use only

Every type of dust has its advantages and disadvantages and its best uses. Selecting the right dust to use depends on the type of pest in question, the environment where it's found and the presence of other animals, pets and children.

Eliminating pests, whether bed bugs, ladybugs, ants or silverfish, requires the choice of the right dust and application with an electric duster by a trained, qualified and experienced professional.

Here at Technicide, we have the electric duster and applicator accessories that any pest-control professional needs. Contact us today to talk about the right professional tools.

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