Roaches are far from picky when choosing a place to live and are experts at crawling into your home, regardless of whether it is tidy or not. They can enter your home, hide, contaminate food, and spread disease-causing germs.
A roach invasion can be frustrating, from the odor and scurrying to the crunching in case you step on one.
The good news is that, as much as these bugs are good at hiding and escaping, you can get rid of them. An excellent way to do so is by using boric acid for roaches. When applied correctly, boric acid is among the safest and most effective ways of eliminating roaches.
Keep reading to learn more interesting and helpful facts about using boric acid for pest control.
Table of Contents
What Is Boric Acid?
Boric acid is a naturally occurring water-soluble white compound. It is a mixture of hydrogen, oxygen, and boron and can also be derived from fruits and other plants.
While it is harmless to humans, boric acid is poisonous to American and German cockroaches and effective in eliminating them.
You can buy this pest control mixture from your local store and use it to control cockroaches.
How Effective Is Boric Acid For Roaches?
Boric acid is very effective for roaches. For boric acid to work, roaches have to crawl through it. In the process, the mixture sticks to the roach’s bodies. When grooming itself, the cockroach ingests the mixture. Boric acid then attacks the nervous and digestive system of the roach, eventually killing it.
Boric acid can also be used in traps and baits. Roaches are not picky eaters; they will take the bait to their nests, and other cockroaches will ingest it and die.
Additionally, roaches eat dead roaches. Therefore, when roaches eat a dead cockroach that died due to boric acid poisoning, they will also die. This makes boric acid an ideal solution for killing cockroaches.
Preparing Boric Acid to Control cockroaches
There are various ways to use boric acid for pest control. You can:
- Add it to traps
- Make boric balls
- Scatter the powder
- Make a spray
- Mix it with water
Adding Boric Acid to Traps
Do you have roach traps in your home? Try scattering boric acid powder in or on the trap.
Some traps come with bait to attract cockroaches. As they come near the trap, boric acid will cling to their bodies and consume it later when they return to their hiding places.
Make Boric Acid Balls
A cockroach eats anything. So, why not make something tasty? Prepare boric acid balls to attract cockroaches and ensure they ingest the boric acid. There are a couple of things you’ll need, including:
- A quarter cup of milk
- Half cup of boric acid
- A quarter cup of sugar
- Half a cup of any flour
Mix all the ingredients to make a mixture of pie dough consistency. Cut out small lumps and roll them into balls, and place them in places where you have noticed roach activities and far from children and pets.
Scatter the Boric Acid Powder
Scattering this mixture is very easy. All you need to do is to identify what attracts these bugs to your home and scatter the powder close to water or food sources.
Make Boric Acid Spray
Another excellent way to use boric acid for pest control is by adding it to a spray bottle.
You will need a liter of water and half a cup of boric acid powder. Make sure the blend is well mixed before spraying it in areas with roach activity.
Mix the Acid with Water
You can also make the same mixture to make a trap. Mix a liter of water with half a cup of boric acid powder and divide the mixture into separate trays.
Because roaches enter homes looking for food and water, ensure you also place your trap near water and food sources.
4 Ways to Make Boric Acid Extra Effective Against Roaches
Roaches have adaptive mechanisms, and it can be hard to control that. However, you can do a couple of things to make boric acid more effective in killing cockroaches before they get the chance to adapt.
1. Be Careful Where You Place Your Boric Acid Bait
Improper placement of boric acid for roaches can result in problems for inhabitants.
Boric acid isn’t toxic to people but can irritate when it comes to contact with your eyes. Therefore, avoid placing the mixture in food prep areas.
Roaches are nocturnal creatures, so the best place to place boric acid is in dark areas of your house. Place the mixture under refrigerators, in kitchen and bathroom cabinets, or behind the stove.
2. Use with Other Treatments
Boric acid can kill roaches but won’t repel them. For that reason, try combining it with other treatments.
Additionally, avoid using adhesive traps with boric acid. Remember, the goal is to get the infected roaches to take back the poison to their nests. So, having them stuck on the tape will be counterproductive to your mission.
3. Don’t Scatter Too Much Powder
Roaches are cunning and will probably avoid a heap of boric acid at first sight. So, apply a thin coat enough to draw the roach’s attention.
4. Mix Boric Acid with Food
Food attracts cockroaches more than boric acid. Besides, you want them to come into contact with the powder. So, mix boric acid with food to get better results.
Be Cautious When Using Boric Acid For Pest Control
Boric acid gel, dust, or powder is a naturally occurring compound. It is found in foods like apples, bananas, and peanuts. However, it is not entirely safe. When consumed or inhaled, this compound can cause:
- Headaches
- Respiratory issues
- Nausea
- Skin irritation
- Muscle weakness
Therefore, take extra caution when using boric acid to control German cockroaches. Keep it far from pets, children, and food prep zones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Boric Acid Affect Cockroach Eggs?
No, boric acid does not affect cockroach eggs. It can only kill cockroaches, while the eggs stay safe in tough-to-reach areas. However, they leave their hiding places once they hatch and eventually die after ingesting boric acid.
How Long Does Boric Acid Take To Kill Cockroaches?
Boric acid may take up to three days to kill cockroaches. After a fully matured cockroach has ingested boric acid, it can live up to 72 hours and then die. But for younger roaches and nymphs, it may take 24 to 48 hours for the acid to kill them.
Does Boric Acid Repel Roaches?
No, boric acid does not repel roaches. Roaches will not avoid it. This means there is a high likelihood of roaches coming into contact with it if properly applied.
How Often Should You Apply Boric Acid to Eradicate Roaches?
You should apply boric acid regularly, about once a week. To control cockroaches in your home, change your bait once a week and ensure it’s always fresh and dry. Do this for a few months and continue for an extra month after the cockroach infestation ends.
What Can You Use to Increase the Likelihood of Roaches Ingesting Boric Acid?
To increase the likelihood of roaches ingesting boric acid, you should create a boric acid bait mix.
Boric acid doesn’t attract German cockroaches, but they’re attracted to smells of things they can eat, like garbage, food, and waste. Therefore, you should mix boric acid with something sweet and enticing, like sugar or peanut butter.
Use Boric Acid to Kill Roaches
Cockroaches can enter your home in search of food and water. They are productive breeders and thrive in your home’s dark and damp areas. To get rid of them, use boric acid. It is an excellent natural remedy for eliminating roach infestation and other insects.