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.
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 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.
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!
My first thought would be ant powder.
I remember my parents pouring that stuff around the place. Nippon brand.
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!
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.
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.
Well it’s definitely not common here. Ants are much more likely. Or bedbugs :(:mad:
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.
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.
y’all are giving me nightmares. what is the answer? :eek:
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.
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.