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RE: Miraculous insecticidal chalk

Nan, I'd be real careful how you go about handling that "chalk"
we have lots of problems in Australia with these sort of products
that do not comply with pesticide regulations imported from China, 
or for that matter all over Asia, India and sometimes Africa.

My guess is that it has an insecticide impregnated into the chalk
what the insecticide is is anyones guess but if ants avoid it then it is
most likely
a fairly nasty one, use gloves please when handling.

Ants are EXTREMELY tolerant to insecticides and if they avoid it for
more than a few days
then it may well be deildrin, heptachlor, DDT or some other potent
insecticide.
Remember anything that an ant would avoid so should you, the claim not
toxic to animals and humans
is terribly missleading, flyspray may kill flys but ingest enough

If the active ingredient is not listed on the packaging then it may well
be illegal
as any pesticide formulation needs to be registered and have full
instructions for use
for both the users safety and the environment.

We have a full time inspector in this state who does nothing but look
out for 
these sort of products and chalk like this would be removed immediately
as the dangers to children are pretty obvious.  Mothballs now need to be
packed
in small cages that cannot be opened as too many kids were swallowing
the balls
as lollies, I don't think any died but it would have been just a matter
of time.
We recently confiscated a huge load of loose mothballs sold in bags by
the 
kilogram, sourced from China or India? can't remember.

Remember anything that an ant would avoid so should you, 
the claim of "not toxic to animals and humans"  
is terribly missleading, flyspray may kill flys but ingest enough and
you will die also,
it effects your nervous system the same as it does a fly, the dose is
just much smaller
in your case, usually.

Take care.

regards, Rod

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Rod Randall
Weed Risk Assessment
Weed Science Group, Agriculture Western Australia

                 "I weed..." 

Weed Risk Assessment Home Page:
http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/progserv/plants/weeds/Weedsci.htm

Weed Activity Calender
http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/progserv/plants/weeds/calendar.htm

WeedBusters Home page:
http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/progserv/plants/weeds/buster/buster.htm

Plant Protection Society & Western Weeds Homepage
http://www.wantree.com.au/~weeds/

 ph: 08 9368 3443
fax: 08 9474 3814
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> ----------
> From: 	Nan Sterman
> Reply To: 	nsterman@mindsovermatter.com
> Sent: 	Thursday, 10 September 1998 3:21 AM
> To: 	seeds-list@eskimo.com; medit-plants@ucdavis.edu;
> perennials@mallorn.com
> Subject: 	Miraculous insecticidal chalk
> 
> Anyone know anything about " Miraculous Insecticidal Chalk" from
> China?
> Someone gave me a stick to use on my ants and the darn stuff worked
> great!
> The insert says that it is not toxic to humans or animals, but it
> doesn't
> say what it contains.  Looks just like a stick of chalk.  You simply
> draw a
> few lines perpendicular to an ant trail and the ants go away!  No
> kidding!
> I really want to know what the active ingredient is.  Can anyone help?
> 
> Nan
> 
> Nan Sterman, Master Composter in residency
> San Diego County, California
> Sunset zone 24, USDA zone 10b or 11
>
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