• Register  |
  • LoginLogin
Close
Login
 
 
Register
 Advanced search
  • Search
  • Register
  • Login
  • JOIN!
  • View unanswered posts
  • View active topics
  • Gardening
Gardening Forum   VEGETABLE GARDENING  Vegetable Gardening Forum

Please help me identify this pesticide.




Post a new topic
Post a reply
8 posts • Page 1 of 1

Please help me identify this pesticide.

Mon Nov 09, 2015 9:26 pm

I recently purchased a new house. There is a mystery pesticide sprinkled all over the garden area from the previous owner. My two year old son really wants to explore the back yard but I want to make sure he isn't harmed by whatever this is. We live next to a canal so I was thinking it may be something for mosquito abatement. There is a product called Mosquito Bits that looks like it may be what is out there. My questions are:

1. Can anyone help to identify what it might be based on the picture?
2. Do I need to keep my son away from common pesticides that are in the garden?
3. Is it safe to grow vegetables and eat them in the soil where this stuff is?

Thanks for your help!

http://imgur.com/n0HNo25

Image
u0392185
Newly Registered
 
Posts: 2
Joined: Nov 9 '15
Top

Re: Please help me identify this pesticide.

Tue Nov 10, 2015 12:46 am

I'm a little lost. Why should this be pesticide?

To my old eye bones it looks like kat-litter or Oils-cry. (which is about the same thing)

If it will help you sleep better brush it into a dust-pan and discard in the trash.
Think like a tree
© 2016 Invisable Inc.
tomc
Super Green Thumb
 
Posts: 2665
Joined: Apr 10 '11
Location: SE-OH USA Zone 6-A
Top

Re: Please help me identify this pesticide.

Tue Nov 10, 2015 1:00 am

I agree, I don't see pesticide either. It doesn't hurt to play it safe with children. If it bothers you remove and dispose of it. My city does not want soil in the trash. Your other option would be to dig a hole and bury it at least 18 inches deep.
Happy gardening in Hawaii. Gardens are where people grow.
imafan26
Mod
 
Posts: 10603
Joined: Jan 1 '13
Location: hawaii, zone 12a 587 ft elev.
Top

Re: Please help me identify this pesticide.

Tue Nov 10, 2015 1:23 am

It really IS hard to tell from the picture.

I can tell you that Mosquito bits is basically ground up corncobs same as is often used for animal bedding and also turned into cat litter. It's used as carrier for the Bt which is the "active ingredient". Mosquito Bits has been approved by OMRI.

But I can't see anyone scattering that much Mosquito Bits in the concentration I see in the photo, unless they were used to treat a large puddle and they floated to one side then the water drained/evaporated.

Have you tried smelling them? Chemical pesticide/herbicide/fertilizer are typically very strong smelling.

There's no way to tell for sure or give assurances about the soil around your property unless you gather some soil samples and have them tested. There are members here that can help you decipher the results after you get them back.
Learning never ends because we can share what we've learned. And in sharing our collective experiences, we gain deeper understanding of what we learned.
User avatar
applestar
Mod
 
Posts: 26065
Joined: May 1 '08
Location: Zone 6, NJ (3/M)4/E ~ 10/M
Top

Re: Please help me identify this pesticide.

Tue Nov 10, 2015 1:57 am

Thank you all for your replies. It does look like kitty litter but it was the color that made me doubt it. Most of the stuff around here isn't that color.

I'm going to try a mixture of your suggestions. I'll smell it, scoop it up and throw it away, and get a soil sample test to make sure. I'll let you know what I find.


Thanks again.
u0392185
Newly Registered
 
Posts: 2
Joined: Nov 9 '15
Top

Re: Please help me identify this pesticide.

Tue Nov 10, 2015 3:02 am

I think having it tested would be a good idea, for your peace of mind.
I had something sent to the lab once and it didn't cost much.
INFP "The Idealist"
HoneyBerry
Greener Thumb
 
Posts: 1042
Joined: Jul 18 '15
Location: Zone 8A Western Washington State
Top

Re: Please help me identify this pesticide.

Tue Nov 10, 2015 8:20 pm

Sorta looks like aquarium gravel to me. If the previous homeowner moved in a hurry I could see them simply dumping the contents of the tank rather than bringing it with them.

-Rodney
theforgottenone1013
Full Member
 
Posts: 33
Joined: Sep 28 '15
Location: SE Michigan, Zone 5b/6a
Top

Re: Please help me identify this pesticide.

Wed Nov 11, 2015 5:53 pm

Easy enough to see if it is some sort of kitty litter. All of that stuff I've fooled with over the years of being owned by a cat tends to get to be the consistency of drywall mud(joint compound) when wet.

Hard to tell how big these pieces are, but are you sure it's not some sort of fertilizer, especially if it's scattered all over the yard.
gumbo2176
Super Green Thumb
 
Posts: 2972
Joined: Jul 19 '10
Location: New Orleans
Top

Please Share. Thank you!

 
 
Top


Post a reply
8 posts • Page 1 of 1

 

 

  •   Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post
  • Is this a botanical pesticide
    in Organic Gardening Forum
    6
    5516
    by Newt View the latest post
  • pesticide recomendations
    in Vegetable Gardening Forum
    2
    496
    by Dillbert View the latest post
  • dr bonners pesticide recipe
    in Organic Gardening Forum
    6
    1742
    by rainbowgardener View the latest post
  • Pesticide for tender seedlings Attachment(s)
    in Seed Starting
    3
    446
    by rainbowgardener View the latest post
Return to Vegetable Gardening Forum
  • Delete all board cookies • All times are UTC
Privacy Policy | Contact Us
Copyright HelpfulGardener.com 2003-2018 all rights reserved.
All trademarks and copyrights held by respective owners.