These are insecticidal dusts that can be used for ant control. Diatomaceous earth is made from fossilized diatoms, and silica gel is produced from sand. Diatomaceous earth and silica aerogel are especially useful in wall voids and similar closed spaces. During construction and remodeling these dusts can be blown into such spaces, and in finished buildings they can be applied by drilling tiny holes in the walls. These dusts are also useful in crack and crevice treatments.
Some products combine diatomaceous earth or silica gel with pyrethrins.
Ant Baits Baits greatly reduce the amount of pesticide that must be used to kill ants. Foraging ants take the bait back to the nest to feed to other members of the colony resulting in colony death. Even if the queen is not killed, baits will usually stop an ant invasion. If a colony has been starved by effective sanitation measures, baits will be more readily accepted. Always place baits out of sight and reach of children, or, if this is not possible, use baits at night or on weekends and remove when children are in school.