Boric Acid for Roaches: How Effective Is It Really?

Most of us would like to use a home remedy before spending lots of money or calling professionals. Using boric acid for roaches is one of those that might be an effective treatment in your home for dealing with one of the most common pests! You may be thinking that the poisonous substance is a bit extreme, but using boric acid for roaches can potentially get the job done right.

Cockroaches and revulsion go together like fireworks and apple pie. For many, the sight of a cockroach in their home or business is enough to bring about an instantaneous feeling of disgust and fear. Roaches in the home are a bad sign, and seeing even one cockroach usually means there are more that you can’t see. Even roaches outside the home can lead to problems inside; all they need is a single scent of food to invade your home.

Here, we’ll learn more about just what type of bug a cockroach is and how to tell it apart from other insects. Then, we’ll dive into the big question: does boric acid really work to kill cockroaches? We’ll take a closer look at just how boric acid works against roaches, and how you can use it against the roaches in your home.

Then, we’ll analyze all the potential dangers of using boric acid, including whether or not it’s harmful to pets. Finally, we’ll examine alternative methods for eliminating roaches from your home.

Does Boric Acid Really Work?

Boric acid for roaches is no folk remedy when it comes to killing them; it really works. In fact, it’s one of the most popular, and cost-effective, means of dealing with infestations.

Like many roach poisons, boric acid works by first sticking to the outside of the cockroach because of its positive electrostatic charge. The roach brings the boric acid back to the nest, where it gets on even more cockroaches. Then, when the roaches groom themselves, they ingest the poison and die.

What Do You Mix With Boric Acid to Kill Cockroaches?

Boric acid by itself doesn’t attract cockroaches. Roaches are attracted to the smells of things they can eat , like food, waste, debris, and garbage. So, in order to make the boric acid appealing enough to eat, you have to mix it with something sweet.

The best mix-in is either powdered or table sugar. Mix one part of the sugar with three parts of boric acid. Then, you can sprinkle the mixture directly in places you’ve seen roaches, or you can place it on something like a paper plate. Either way, you’ll want to make sure it’s in a place the cockroach can get to.

How Long Does it Take Boric Acid to Kill Roaches?

Unfortunately, the only real way to instantly kill a roach is by crushing it under your shoe. But, you don’t need to kill cockroaches instantaneously to get rid of infestations . Boric acid takes about 72 hours to kill a roach, but, when used effectively, it will kill every cockroach in your home. It’s important to take care of infestations promptly; roaches spread pathogens and diseases.

Is Boric Acid Dangerous to Humans?

Boric acid is a common ingredient in many applications, all the way from flame retardants to antiseptics. Though it has its uses, it should never be ingested, or inhaled. Ingesting boric acid is toxic to both adults and children.

If you suspect that you, or someone you know, has ingested boric acid, you should call poison control immediately.

Despite its toxicity when ingested, boric acid is still considered a relatively safe method for killing cockroaches. It’s especially effective when roaches get it on their bodies, go back to their nest, and then die. This is because no cockroach will say no to an easy meal, and a boric acid-laden roach is no exception. The other roaches consume the dead cockroach, and in so doing, poison themselves as well.

Is Boric Acid Harmful to Pets?

Boric acid should not be used in areas that pets have access to. It is toxic when ingested; if you think your pet may have ingested boric acid, you should seek immediate veterinary attention.

Rather than placing the boric acid in places frequented by pets or children, try using it in places they can’t get to. These might include the space beneath your refrigerator, closed under-the-sink cabinets, and the spaces under furniture.

Alternatives to Boric Acid

Boric acid for cockroaches isn’t the only effective method for getting rid of their infestations. You can also use insecticide sprays, baited roach traps, baking soda, or borax.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to deal with the problem on your own, you can hire a professional pest control expert. Before going this route and letting strangers into your home, you want to make sure that you vet an exterminator or exterminator company and ask for referrals. As we have mentioned, the treatments are nothing to take lightly and need to proceed with safety.

If you do decide to deal with the roaches yourself, it’s extremely important to use proper precautions. Minimize contact with any chemicals by wearing appropriate PPE, like rubber gloves, protective glasses, and even masks. It’s important to limit opportunities for both ingestion and inhalation. Remember—you want the boric acid to hurt the cockroach, not you.

Up Next:

• Does Baking Soda Kill Roaches? 5 Important Things to Know Before Using It
• How To Get Rid Of Roaches Overnight
• How To Get Rid Of Roaches Overnight

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