If you have pests around your home, it’s time to turn to science to eradicate them. Many pesticide products are designed to eliminate ticks, fleas, roaches, and other parasites from your home. But have you ever heard of people using boric acid to keep bugs away? Boric acid (BA) has been used in the US as a household pesticide since around 1948. Is it safe to sprinkle boric acid around your house? Is there a reason why no one does it anymore?
Is it Safe to Sprinkle Boric Acid Around the House?
Boric Acid – How It Works
After registration with the EPA in 1948, boric acid quickly gained a reputation as the go-to agent for removing bugs from around the home. Boric acid was initially classified as an insecticide for household pest control, including eliminating cockroaches, fleas, fire ants, termites, silverfish, and other nuisance pests and bugs.
BA is an effective pesticide to control bugs. After ingesting the toxin, the chemical stops the bug from feeding by upsetting its digestive system. Insects can also perish from boric acid poisoning if they walk through areas where it’s sprinkled on the floor.
The acid enters its exterior, causing cellular damage, dehydration, and death. The insects will also walk the boric acid back to their nest, where they spread it to the next generation, killing the infestation at the source.
Is Boric Acid Safe for Use Around People and Pets?
The risk to children and pets is low from boric acid, especially compared to other household insecticides. While all pesticides are lethal to an extent, boric acid is nothing like the modern highly toxic formulations.
As with handling all toxins, ensure you wear gloves and a mask, and wash your hands when you finish administering the boric acid around your property. Improper use of boric acid can cause skin irritation, respiratory issues, headaches, and muscle weakness.
Keep your stash of boric acid away from the kids. Boric acid is safe for use around the house, but you don’t want to find your kid(s) playing with it in the kitchen. Boric acid won’t kill you on contact like many other insecticides.
However, it also won’t kill insects and pests on contact. This insecticide needs around 12 to 72 hours to produce effective results. The timeframe depends on the extent of the infestation and the type of pests you’re trying to kill.
In most cases, it can take a few weeks to kill off severe infestations of persistent pests like cockroaches.
Common Uses of Boric Acid in Residential Pest Control
Homeowners can use boric acid for pest control purposes both indoors and outdoors. However, due to the powder-like nature of the acid, most homeowners prefer to limit its use to outdoor applications only.
Boric acid powder solutions are a good alternative to other chemical pesticides for homeowners who value organic gardening. When used in pest control applications, BA will kill:
- termites
- ants
- cockroaches
- bed bugs
- ants
- fleas
- silverfish
Sprinkle some boric acid around ant walkways and watch the ants disappear over a week or so. They’ll take the boric acid back to the nest and kill the queen. This effective pesticide is a great choice for homeowners who want to reduce their environmental impact and prevent cross-contamination of the local environment with their pesticide practices.
Benefits of Using Boric Acid
Boric acid stands out as an exceptional solution for household pest control due to its dual nature as a potent insecticide and relatively low risk to humans and pets. Unlike some chemical alternatives, boric acid poses minimal toxicity concerns, making it a safer option for households with children and animals.
Boric acid also offers a long-lasting effect, providing continuous protection against a range of pests. Its versatility and efficacy make it an attractive choice for those seeking an eco-friendly and sustainable approach to pest management.
Application Methods
Applying boric acid strategically is crucial for optimal results in pest control. To combat common household pests like roaches and ants, create a bait by mixing boric acid with a sweet substance, and placing it in areas frequented by the pests to kill them. For a broader approach, use boric acid dust in cracks, crevices, and behind appliances where pests may hide.
To address silverfish infestations, a boric acid solution sprayed along baseboards and in dark, damp corners proves effective. Regardless of the method chosen, it’s imperative to follow recommended application rates and safety guidelines to maximize efficacy and minimize potential risks.
Where Can I Buy Boric Acid?
Boric acid is readily available from grocery stores and big box retailers. It’s usually much more affordable than buying commercial-grade insecticides.
Apply the boric acid to ants’ nests, around cupboards indoors where you find cockroaches, and in the garage and basement to deter pests from nesting. While Boric acid is still in use, most homeowners traded out its use for other branded pesticide products over the last three decades or so.
Alternative Pest Control Methods
While boric acid boasts numerous advantages, exploring alternative pest control methods can provide a comprehensive approach.
- Essential oils like peppermint, citronella, or tea tree oil can act as natural repellents for certain pests.
- Diatomaceous earth is another non-toxic option that works by dehydrating insects.
- Chemical insecticides may be suitable for severe infestations, but caution should be exercised due to potential health risks.
Integrating these alternatives into your pest control strategy, along with boric acid, allows for a diversified and effective approach tailored to the specific needs of your home.
Additional Reading: Boric Acid – General Facts (National Pesticide Information Center)
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