A few years ago, the pest control company we use for our house decided to use "tracking powder". (They did that one visit only.)

Anyone have an idea how I can safely remove it? It'd be nice to just use a vacuum, but I'm worried that would spread the powder.

On Tue, 16 Jul 2013 08:19:24 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:

It'd be nice to just use a vacuum, but I'm worried that would spread the powder.

What makes you think the powder is harmful?

If he used flour to track pests, there is harm to be done.

On 07/16/2013 11:19 AM, wrote:
A few years ago, the pest control company we use for our house decided to use "tracking powder". (They did that one visit only.)

Anyone have an idea how I can safely remove it? It'd be nice to just use a vacuum, but I'm worried that would spread the powder.


If your vacuum has a HEPA filter, it'll probably pick it up without
spreading it around.

nate

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On Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:06:33 -0400, Nate Nagel
wrote:


If your vacuum has a HEPA filter, it'll probably pick it up without
spreading it around.


I'm curious of the powder. Boric acid to kill insects is safe to
vacuum.

"Tracking" a mouse, it may be ordinary flour.

OP- sound off

On Tuesday, July 16, 2013 1:02:36 PM UTC-4, Oren wrote:
On Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:06:33 -0400, Nate Nagel
snip
I'm curious of the powder. Boric acid to kill insects is safe to
snip

No, it's neither something inert like flour, nor something relatively less toxic like boric acid. It's one of those "superwarfarins", like most rodenticides.

They call it "tracking powder" because the stuff sticks to the rodent (hence "tracks" it, I guess), then the rodent later licks it off.

My gut feeling is the amounts present aren't that dangerous to humans, because we're so much larger than a mouse, but in principle the stuff is pretty nasty.

On Tuesday, July 16, 2013 10:19:24 AM UTC-5, wrote:
A few years ago, the pest control company we use for our house decided to use "tracking powder". (They did that one visit only.) Anyone have an idea how I can safely remove it? It'd be nice to just use a vacuum, but I'm worried that would spread the powder.

I would try wet-mopping it with a disposable mop head, or just some rags on a stick.

On Tue, 16 Jul 2013 16:18:17 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:

They call it "tracking powder" because the stuff sticks to the rodent (hence "tracks" it, I guess), then the rodent later licks it off.

My gut feeling is the amounts present aren't that dangerous to humans, because we're so much larger than a mouse, but in principle the stuff is pretty nasty.

It may not even be active now, after a few years.

The suggestion to wet mop and clean it is a good idea.

Let us know how it turns out.

Contrary to what most of these replies stated, tracking powered can indeed be harmful. At least one type (ZP tracking powder) contains phosphine which is released as phosphine gas when it hits water or acid (in a stomach or mouth). It is not intended to track where rodents go, but for them to track through it and then ingest it during grooming.

On Fri, 14 Nov 2014 14:25:59 -0800 (PST),
wrote:

Contrary to what most of these replies stated, tracking powered can indeed be harmful. At least one type (ZP tracking powder) contains phosphine which is released as phosphine gas when it hits water or acid (in a stomach or mouth). It is not intended to track where rodents go, but for them to track through it and then ingest it during grooming.

Hornswoggle.

Tracking powder is a simple as using ordinary flour from your pantry.
Locating the traffic pattern, where "they go". Be it a rodent, a
lizard, a snake (sidewinder), it does not need to be "harmful".

Fluorescent Powders and a UV back light will find the trail to the
hide out, sanctuary, rodent bunker...too.