White powder on insulation in attic

[Bob Hayes]

Can anyone explain this white powder on the insulation?
It is very light and spread throughout the attic333613336233363

[Garry Sorrells]

Borax ?

[Alton Darty]

Yep, quite possibly boric acid, a ton of folks use this as a pesticide.

Yet another reason to wear a good quality respirator when entering attics.

[Bob Hayes]

Thanks for the feedback

[John Kogel]

Borax and icing sugar is ant poison.

Check for Carpenter ant nests, piles of sawdust and debris. In the piles, check for dead ant body parts to confirm.

[Garry Sorrells]

Another idea.

Naphthalene or it's substitute (mothballs,flakes) that had been used as a fumigant or repellent.

[ROBERT YOUNG]

What part of the country you in Bob?

1: The insulation is a single batt. <4" = ><R12.
Poor R for any part of the country if the home is conditioned.
2: An even pattern of staining on the exposed batts.
3: Stains on the ceiling joists.
Suspect water intrusion at one point in time.
33364


White powder, likely borax.