Gravel driveway dust

beenthere · Jan 6, 2003

Now be good to those kids' cats.

Cover it with gravel that the cats can't dig in. The gravel I have down doesn't allow a cat to get into. Your gravel must be close to sand or have real loose fines. Anything like oil would seem to make a mess, as does calcium chloride. It will track into your car and to your house. It keeps the dust down by attracting moisture. Also, consider a sand box that has sand in it which the cats will prefer over the "gravel" that you have now.

Your post (duplicated in CBN) has changed from "dusty driveway" to "gravel carport" to ".22 to kill cats" to "kids pets". I'm really not sure where this treasure hunt is taking us next. But it is interesting.

beenthere · Jan 6, 2003

Re: Gravel driveway dust(cat poison)

Yeah, I've heard this before. Is there some substantiating resource information you can come up with to support the "up the food chain" claim? I would like to know, but I really don't believe it. I expect in sufficient doses, it is a toxin. What doses? Citing some research would be helpful. I am looking too. Sorry, but I don't mean to be calous. I do respect your concern, I just don't share it.

Mosey · Jan 6, 2003

Franz - What is dirtcrete?

beenthere - "consider a sand box that has sand in it which the cats will prefer over the gravel"

I wish it were that simple. The cats refuse to cooperate with anything I try to do. If you have time, go to CBN and read this post: <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.countrybynet.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=pets&Number=1015&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=all>Cats, I'm trying to make this work out, but ...</A>

I think the reason the cats are using the gravel (#53 limestone) under the carport is because it's dry. The sand at the edge of the woods has been wet from the rain and snow.

Anonymous Poster · Jan 6, 2003

Re: Gravel driveway dust(cat poison)

Research, not much beyond a cat named Trouble who used to mouse the neighborhood, paying particular attention to the feed room in the neighbor's horse barn.
Brilliant neighbor decided Trouble wasn't doing a good enough job protecting his oats, witch he was too stupid to store in metal, so he borrowed some rat/mouse bait/poison from the school where he worked, and put it in the feed room. He eliminated his mouse problem.
I took Trouble to the vet, vet said the cat had eaten a poisoned mouse, and was bleeding to death internally. I paid the vet to put the cat down, and buried the cat.
How much more proof do you need?

Anonymous Poster · Jan 6, 2003

Dirtcrete is a combination of Portland Cement and the dirt or whatever you have there now. Spread Portalnd on the existing dirt, rototill it up, pack it back down, and let the moisture in the soil do the rest. Farmers have been doing it in barns for years.

Egon · Jan 6, 2003

Re: Gravel driveway dust(cat poison)

Beenthere:

Beleive it.

Egon

cowboydoc · Jan 6, 2003

Re: Gravel driveway dust(cat poison)

Calcium Cloride is a dangerous way to go too, especially if you have a well

Franz,

Do you have some literature on this? According to the county there is absolutely no harm to the environment or water using this. Only it and tree sap are approved for use in our county to put on roads.

Anonymous Poster · Jan 6, 2003

Re: Gravel driveway dust(cat poison)

Bout 40 years of experience is all the research I need.
Countys assuming the roll of repository of information are a frightening thing, especially if you consider the quality of professional the county hires because of what they pay.
Calcium KILLS vegitation, how many postings have you read where people are afraid to fill their tires because if it leaks it will kill vegitation.
Calcium also migrates in ground water, you can see it in the dead ground alongside a lane or road that has been treated with calcium.
You get Calcium in your well, the well is DEAD.
There are currently about 3 systems in use for dust supression, Calcium is the least favored.
Soy oil emulsion is highly favored, yielding a near asphalt surface, but subject to rutting. Used frier grease performs almost like the virgin soy emulsion.
Tree sap products are running a close second to soy products, but also exibiting the problems relevant to rutting.
Either Soy or sap are favored in arena operations because they do not cause corrosion or hoof problems like soy does.
Do a google search for soy dust control and you'll find a few hundred references.

beenthere · Jan 6, 2003

Re: Gravel driveway dust(cat poison)

I found a site that discusses the three "antifreezes" and their effects on cats and dogs.

http://www.wvma.org/news.asp

Now I need to figure out how much 1.4ml/kg is, as I don't translate that directly into quantity per cat. Note: I don't recommend this treatment.

Anonymous Poster · Jan 6, 2003

Re: Gravel driveway dust(cat poison)

For years on our highway dep't, and people consistently complained why we DIDN'T use calcium chloride. We mixed salt, six to one ratio, and that's it. Well our town is loaded with waterways, ponds and a 500 acre reservoir that feeds another, and another finally arriving at Quinsigamond reservoir. The highway supervisor at this time frame was dead set against calcium use. One day he showed me a letter from the federal housing group. There were two homes financed by them across from the hwy barn. they saw 50 years of sand/salt mixing, not to mention the huge pile. They had water tests done each year just waiting to come back on the town. Nothing showed other than we finally were approved for a grant to erect a salt shed. Calcium near any water is dangerous and once deep in the acquifer, it can ruin many a persons day.