Apply diatomaceous earth along ant trails

What to Do

Apply a thin, barely visible layer of food-grade diatomaceous earth using a bulb duster along ant trails, around cracks, in wall voids, and at entry points. The layer should be so thin it is difficult to see — heavy piles are counterproductive as ants will walk around them.

Why It Works

DE consists of fossilized algae with microscopic sharp edges that damage the waxy coating on insect exoskeletons, causing dehydration and death within 12-24 hours of contact. It is a mechanical killer, not chemical, so ants cannot develop resistance.

Tips

• Contact-kill only — DE does not eliminate the colony. Use as a supplement to baiting, not a replacement
• Must remain dry to be effective — do not use in damp areas
• Use only food-grade DE, never pool-grade (which is heat-treated and dangerous to inhale)
• Wear a dust mask during application to avoid inhaling fine particles