# What is this powder in front of my neighbors' doors? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 19, 2013, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-powder-in-front-of-my-neighbors-doors/661330 "2013-06-19T04:48:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-powder-in-front-of-my-neighbors-doors/661330/21 "2013-06-19T13:22:57Z")
If you have access to even a low-power microscope, telling the difference between salt (basically cubes) and diatomaceous earth (irregular bits) should be easy enough. ---
**Author:** ![AnaMen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-powder-in-front-of-my-neighbors-doors/661330/22 "2013-06-19T13:51:45Z")
DE is not white… it’s a light tan color. What you are seeing is probably boric acid, used to get rid of roaches and their ilk. The thin line is easily produced from the plastic squeeze bottle that the powder often comes in. It’s probably in front of two doors because a neighbor saw it in front of one and asked what it was, then wanted to use some too, because who wants roaches? If you’re worried, go get yourself some, it’s only a few dollars, and not nearly as dangerous as a lot of more complicated alternatives. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-powder-in-front-of-my-neighbors-doors/661330/23 "2013-06-19T14:11:02Z")
I **think** boric acid can be used for discouraging ants as well, but yes, it’s often recommended for roaches since they are so persistent and since roaches can’t develop resistance to having their exoskeletons abraded. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-powder-in-front-of-my-neighbors-doors/661330/24 "2013-06-19T14:13:41Z")
> [@AnaMen](#): > > DE is not white… it’s a light tan color. What you are seeing is probably boric acid, used to get rid of roaches and their ilk. The thin line is easily produced from the plastic squeeze bottle that the powder often comes in. > It’s probably in front of two doors because a neighbor saw it in front of one and asked what it was, then wanted to use some too, because who wants roaches? If you’re worried, go get yourself some, it’s only a few dollars, and not nearly as dangerous as a lot of more complicated alternatives. I don’t think it would be roaches. I’ve never heard of anyone having roaches in Seattle. Maybe it happens though. Whatever it is, those bastards better stay out of my apartment! ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-powder-in-front-of-my-neighbors-doors/661330/25 "2013-06-19T16:28:14Z")
My first thought would be ant powder. I remember my parents pouring that stuff around the place. [Nippon brand](http://www.amazon.co.uk/kitchen-home/dp/B004R1N67C#productDetails). ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-powder-in-front-of-my-neighbors-doors/661330/26 "2013-06-19T16:34:15Z")
> [@Blackberry](#): > > … I’ve never heard of anyone having roaches in Seattle. . . And I’ve never heard of a densely populated urban environment being immune to roaches. We provide warmth and shelter in the winter, plus food and water. If it’s true that there are no roaches in Seattle after all, I may consider an interstate move very soon! ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-powder-in-front-of-my-neighbors-doors/661330/27 "2013-06-19T16:45:36Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > My first thought would be ant powder. > > I remember my parents pouring that stuff around the place. [Nippon brand](http://www.amazon.co.uk/kitchen-home/dp/B004R1N67C#productDetails). I was worried about ants until \*\*GFM \*\*mentioned bedbugs, and now I hope it’s just ants! Not that I want those either. Goddamn neighbors, some of them are total slobs. > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > And I’ve never heard of a densely populated urban environment being immune to roaches. We provide warmth and shelter in the winter, plus food and water. > > If it’s true that there are no roaches in Seattle after all, I may consider an interstate move very soon! Maybe there are some, but I’ve really never heard of it once, and I’ve lived in a lot of apartments with a lot of gross neighbors. Anyway, I called the management office and the person I talked to didn’t know what it was and said she’d send someone to check on what my neighbors are doing. Whatever, it’s been there for like two weeks and management had to have seen it, they’re likely the ones who put it there and she just doesn’t know what she’s talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-powder-in-front-of-my-neighbors-doors/661330/28 "2013-06-19T16:50:48Z")
> [@Blackberry](#): > > I don’t think it would be roaches. I’ve never heard of anyone having roaches in Seattle. [Uh-huh](http://www.yelp.com/topic/seattle-cockroaches). ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-powder-in-front-of-my-neighbors-doors/661330/29 "2013-06-19T16:59:48Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > [Uh-huh](http://www.yelp.com/topic/seattle-cockroaches). Well it’s definitely not common here. Ants are much more likely. Or bedbugs :(:mad: ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-powder-in-front-of-my-neighbors-doors/661330/30 "2013-06-19T18:49:48Z")
Does it look like the powder was laid down on purpose? Could it be incidental dust from a remodeling project? Like some new sheet rock being put up? You have to mud it, then sand it, then mud it again. And this all creates chalk dust. Otherwise, I would agree with the insect control as a source. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-powder-in-front-of-my-neighbors-doors/661330/31 "2013-06-19T19:58:46Z")
> [@Blackberry](#): > > I was worried about ants until \*\*GFM \*\*mentioned bedbugs, and now I hope it’s just ants! Not that I want those either. Goddamn neighbors, some of them are total slobs. > . Well they’re not total slobs if they’ve put down some sort of powder to deter ants or bugs or whatever. Total slobs wouldn’t give a shit. And whilst I know little about bedbugs, ant infestations (at least here in Australia) may have nothing to do with total slobdom. When I get them, they avoid my kitchen and tend to hang out in the _bathroom_. Maybe my kitchen level of slob offends their anty-sensibilities or something. ---
**Author:** ![Girl\_From\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3da27b/32.png) [@Girl\_From\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girl_From_Mars)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-powder-in-front-of-my-neighbors-doors/661330/32 "2013-06-19T22:24:38Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > Well they’re not total slobs if they’ve put down some sort of powder to deter ants or bugs or whatever. Total slobs wouldn’t give a shit. > > And whilst I know little about bedbugs, ant infestations (at least here in Australia) may have nothing to do with total slobdom. When I get them, they avoid my kitchen and tend to hang out in the _bathroom_. Maybe my kitchen level of slob offends their anty-sensibilities or something. Yeah, what is that? I’ve assumed in the past they were attracted by toothpaste or something, but it’s not that, and I’ve never found the reason. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-powder-in-front-of-my-neighbors-doors/661330/33 "2013-06-19T23:11:11Z")
y’all are giving me nightmares. _what is the answer?_ :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-powder-in-front-of-my-neighbors-doors/661330/34 "2013-06-20T00:09:21Z")
Your neighbor has teleported through time and space from Victorian London. He thinks he’s supposed to chalk his front steps. Disabuse him of the notion. ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-powder-in-front-of-my-neighbors-doors/661330/35 "2013-06-20T00:28:50Z")
My first guess was boric acid. Then I thought… hmmm… maybe it’s fairy dust. Have you thought about actually sampling it? Or, as has been suggested before, conversing with your neighbor and … I don’t know… _asking_ them. Because if it IS fairy dust then you are in for a serious unicorn infestation problem. And those critters don’t take very kindly to being asked to leave. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-powder-in-front-of-my-neighbors-doors/661330.md?page=1)