How to Choose the Right Dust for Your Application

When it comes to pest control products, there are many options available. Dusts are an effective solution that can provide long-lasting control, making them a valuable tool for PMPs. With dusts and other insecticide formulations, having the right product makes all the difference. It’s important to choose the right dust for the right application.

Repellent vs. Non-Repellent Dusts

There are two types of insecticide dusts: repellent and non-repellent. Repellent dusts can contain botanical actives as well as pyrethroids or pyrethrin. These dusts kill on contact and provide residual repellency, and longer-term control from their carriers. Dusts with botanical actives are considered true repellents, which means that they repel pests even if the insects don’t make contact with the dust. This is different from excito repellents, like synthetic pyrethroid dusts, which require insects to touch the dust to be repelled. Botanical actives provide quick knockdown.

Non-repellent dusts are also effective. With non-repellent dusts, you have a few options to choose from. Desiccant dusts kill pests as they walk through the dust. These dusts include silicone dioxide and diatomaceous earth. They kill by dehydrating insects. Borate dusts kill pests when they are ingested. Boric acid dusts are more effective than dusts containing borate salts because they stick to pests better. Pests can’t detect non-repellent dusts, which means they will crawl right through them. Rockwell Labs offers several dust insecticides including a repellent dust and two non-repellent dusts.

Repellent Dust: EcoVia WD

EcoVia WD is a highly effective, broad-spectrum botanical dust. It provides quick control and residual repellency and protection. It is effective against many pests including larger, hard-bodied, and difficult to control pests like beetles, ticks, pill bugs, and scorpions. EcoVia WD is a versatile product and can be used as a dust, wettable powder, or foam. When the botanical oils volatilize off the dust carrier, the carrier will continue to provide long term control as a desiccant.

Advantages of Using EcoVia WD

Quick control and residual protection
EPA Exempt 25(b) product
No pyrethroid or neonicotinoid use restrictions
Suitable for green service programs

When to Use EcoVia WD

Indoor Applications: EcoVia WD can be applied as a coarse, low-pressure liquid spray or dust application. You’ll want to apply to areas where pests are active, hide, or enter the home or structure. This includes cracks, crevices, voids, attics, behind or under appliances, and other areas where pests are likely to be found.
Outdoor Applications: You can apply EcoVia WD as a wettable dust spray to the exterior of buildings. Dust can be applied in cracks and crevices where pests hide. Foam application can be used in voids, insect galleries, and hard-to-reach areas. EcoVia WD can be sprayed on boat docks (and other sensitive areas), eaves, and other areas for spider control.

Perimeter Applications: EcoVia WD can also be used as a perimeter treatment. You can spray entry points. Apply as a spray in a band around the structure’s foundation and near doors and windows to repel pests from entering the structure.
Stinging Insect Nests: EcoVia WD works fast, making it an effective treatment for stinging insect nests.

Non-Repellent Dust: CimeXa

CimeXa is a non-repellent, desiccant dust. It is effective against a broad spectrum of pests including bed bugs, cockroaches, ants, spiders, fleas, drywood termites, silverfish, and stored product pests. When pests walk through the dust it clings to their exoskeleton. The engineered silica destroys the waxy cuticle, which leads to rapid dehydration and death. Pests are killed within 12 to 24 hours of exposure, much faster than diatomaceous earth. CimeXa is odorless, non-clumping, non-staining, and has low toxicity. It is also versatile and can be used as a dust or wettable powder.

Advantages of Using CimeXa

Engineered silica for rapid and long-lasting control
Effective for up to 10 years when undisturbed
Not affected by heat
Suitable for green service programs

When to Use CimeXa

Dry Interior Applications: CimeXa works best in dry interior areas. Dust can be applied to attics, crawl spaces, wall voids, closets, behind or under appliances, in cracks and crevices, and other areas where pests or signs of their activity have been spotted.
Bed Bug Treatment: CimeXa is effective against bed bugs including those resistant to pyrethroids and neonicotinoids. You can use CimeXa to treat bedframes, box springs, mattresses, head boards, picture frames, molding, rugs, and carpet.

Stored Product Pest Treatment: CimeXa can also control stored product pests. Treat cracks, crevices, and the edges of cabinets, closets, pantries, and shelving units. You’ll also want to treat voids beneath drawers, shelving units, and cabinets. To control carpet beetles, apply CimeXa under rugs and along the edges of carpets and baseboards.

Non-Repellent Dust: BorActin

BorActin is a non-repellent, superfine, 99% boric acid dust. Because it’s superfine, it effectively sticks to pests and fills voids. It controls a wide range of insects including cockroaches, palmetto bugs, water bugs, ants, silverfish, small flies, and darkling beetles. Unlike CimeXa, BorActin needs to be ingested to kill pests. It is ideal for self-grooming pests like cockroaches. BorActin is odorless, non-clumping, and moisture resistant. It can be used as a liquid spray, foam, or mop solution, but it’s most effective when used as a dust.

Advantages of Using BorActin

Superfine non-clumping powder for superior dustability
Remains active until removed
Doesn’t break down in heat or UV light
Suitable for green service programs

When to Use BorActin

Commercial Kitchen Applications: BorActin works well in chronically damp areas like commercial kitchens. When the dust is applied to organic build-up, it turns the scum into toxic bait that pests will eat and be killed. When used as a liquid, you can mop or spray floors and other non-food contact surfaces.

Drain Treatment: BorActin is also effective against drain flies. 1 oz of dust can be applied to each floor drain. If using as a mop solution, mix 1 cup of dust per gallon of mop water. After mopping, up to 1 quart of mop solution can be poured into each floor drain.

New Construction: BorActin can be used as a preventative treatment for cockroaches and drywood termites in new construction sites. It can be applied around the edges of attics, along baseplates, and in plumbing voids.

Dusts are a great tool for PMPs because they are effective, long-lasting, and versatile. Knowing which dust to use and when to use it will provide you with the best results. Whether you’re looking for a repellent or non-repellent dust, Rockwell Labs has you covered.