Boric acid Boric acid against cockroaches is used in several variations: they sprinkle paths in places where cockroaches are most concentrated, and prepare poisonous baits. Crystalline white powder with a bitter taste is odorless and does not repel insects. It has insecticidal and antiseptic properties. Boric acid occurs naturally, but for household purposes it is obtained by mixing borax with mineral acids, in most cases hydrochloric acid.
Effect on cockroaches
Crystalline powder is used to control insects. If necessary, prepare an aqueous solution. Boric acid is slightly soluble in water and does not lose its toxic properties. The liquid is used for processing furniture, pouring into cracks in floors and walls.
Boric acid against cockroaches is used as an alternative to chemical insecticides. The folk remedy has toxic properties for insects and acts through the contact-intestinal route. Upon contact with a large amount of boron powder, the tissues of the chitinous cover are destroyed, followed by death. If ingested, the substance affects the functioning of the nervous system, causing paralysis and death. The poison acts faster when combined.
Cockroaches become infected when crossing paths of powder, standing on a treated surface, or eating poisonous bait. The dirty insects drag the “treat” into the nest. There they feed the poison to the larvae, and also transfer the powder to other relatives, coming into contact with their bodies. The rate of death depends on the dosage of the poison.
On a note!
The first signs of the action of boric acid appear after 2-3 days. A massive pestilence of cockroaches has been observed for a week. The pests can be completely eliminated within a month.
Content
- Application of boric acid
- Physico-chemical properties of boric acid
- The mechanism of action of boric acid as an insecticide
- The use of boric acid against cockroaches and ants
- a) Use of ready-made insecticides based on boric acid
- b) Independent production of preparations based on boric acid
- BORIC ACID against ants and cockroaches (four basic recipes)
- Security and restrictions
- As a conclusion
Boric acid in preparations for ants and cockroaches has unique insecticidal properties. These inorganic insecticides are recognized not only as one of the most effective means, but also as environmentally friendly and do not harm the environment. In this material we will look at examples of ready-made drugs, as well as basic recipes for making them yourself.
How to poison cockroaches with boric acid
You can use any edible food, but products with a strong aroma are more often used. Insects find treats by smell; after it disappears, the chance of poisoning pests is reduced.
Fresh bait for cockroaches is placed in places where pests are most concentrated - behind furniture, along baseboards, near the trash can, sinks, toilet, washbasin, along the path of movement of insects. Use cardboard, a piece of plywood, a saucer, a sheet of paper, and oilcloth. Boron balls are formed from the solid mixture, and cakes are made from the liquid mixture.
Effective home remedy:
Recipe for boric acid with egg against cockroaches
Boil the egg and remove the white. To make cockroach bombs, only egg yolk is used. Knead with a fork and mix with 1-2 bags of dry boric acid. Proportions must be observed. When a large amount of poison is added, a pronounced bitter taste appears, which repels insects. Small balls are formed from the resulting mixture. This is the most effective remedy for domestic Prussians.
Boric acid and raw yolk
The cooking principle is similar, only in this case you don’t need to boil the egg. A great option for those cases when there is no time to bother with treats for cockroaches. The yolk is ground with boric acid powder. Take 3-4 bags to make a solid mass. Balls with boric acid retain their properties for several days, after which the product deteriorates and dries out. If you add 2 packets of a toxic substance, the mixture will be liquid; you can make cakes from it using a teaspoon. Place on cardboard or oilcloth.
Boric acid with eggs and potatoes
To prepare poisonous bait, you need to boil an egg and potatoes. Crush the ingredients, mix with 2-3 bags of dry powder. If the mixture is too thick or crumbly, add a little milk or warm water. Boric acid with boiled eggs and potatoes has a pronounced odor, so cockroaches quickly crawl towards the poison. It is recommended to place the balls in the evening, since the life of Prussians becomes active at night.
Cheese balls
Poison with boric acid and egg is an excellent substitute for cheese. It is better to use soft varieties. Rub on a fine grater, mix with 1-2 packets of dry boric acid, make small balls.
Boric acid with sugar, flour
You can fight insects with sweets by preparing fragrant cakes for them. Sugar is mixed with flour. The ingredients are taken in equal proportions. In most cases, take 2 tbsp. spoons. Combine with 4 sachets of boric acid powder. Add warm water to make a thick dough. Add a bag of vanilla sugar. Such a treat will not go unnoticed. The cakes should be made using a teaspoon. Leave the bait for 3 days, then it becomes unattractive to cockroaches.
Recipe with unrefined vegetable oil
You should immediately think about where to pour the composition, since it leaves greasy stains on the floor. If it is not possible to prepare boric acid and an egg, you can get by with aromatic vegetable oil. Mix with dry powder, pour into saucers, lids, and leave on cardboard paper. It is allowed to add yeast to vegetable oil. Such a dish will smell stronger, and the destruction of the Prussians will accelerate.
Liquid bait
Boric acid and egg cockroach repellent can be liquid if you add a little warm water. You can also make poison from sugar. Liquid boric acid is used - boric alcohol or a self-prepared solution. Boric acid can be diluted in water at room temperature. For 20 g of powder, 125 ml is required. Stir, add a tablespoon of honey or sugar. Pour into small containers. The baiting lasts a week, then a new bait is prepared.
On a note!
An alcohol solution of boric acid is used to repel insects from the refrigerator and table. An aqueous solution is poured into the cracks, furniture is treated, and baseboards are wiped. The instructions for using the powder are extremely simple. Sprinkle the product in places where cockroaches have been spotted.
Recipes
For those who want to use borax against cockroaches with maximum effectiveness, there are several easy recipes. By mixing the product with food, the likelihood of attracting insects to the bait increases. The most common recipes for borax for cockroaches:
- Borax with starch and sugar is a sweet mixture for insects. To obtain it, mix 200 grams of borax, 65 grams of corn starch and three tablespoons of vanilla sugar. For a thick sticky texture, add a little water. Roll the resulting dough into balls and place them in places where Prussians often appear. It is convenient to use sheets of paper as bedding.
- Boric acid and eggs are the most famous bait. Raw yolks are mixed with chemical powder at the rate of one yolk per 50 g. The resulting composition is formed into balls and laid out along the places where pests move. Perishable baits must be replaced every 2-3 days.
- A mixture of the chemical with eggs and potatoes is a perishable but effective bait. Mash the boiled egg and boiled potatoes and mix with 30 g of powder. Make lumps from the dough and feed them to the pests.
Efficiency
The folk remedy is an analogue of chemical insecticidal preparations, but is significantly inferior to them in effectiveness. The drug helps with minor contamination of the premises, at the initial stage. Efficiency increases with proper placement of the poison.
If you dilute boric acid with water, the properties do not change, but the effectiveness when treating surfaces decreases. The layer created is extremely thin, so the bullying process slows down and the fight drags on. The best option is poisonous bait. You can kill mature and immature individuals in a few days, but you need to prepare fresh food every 3 days.
On a note!
Boron balls can be placed in homemade traps. They are made from a matchbox. Cockroaches love to climb into houses and crevices, so they will definitely show interest. You can poison insects with any bait prepared according to the above recipes.
Does boric acid really help against cockroaches?
Public opinion differs regarding the effectiveness of boric acid, and I would like to hear reliable scientific facts on this issue. Scientists from the Federal Budgetary Institution of Scientific Research Institute of Disinfectology of Rospotrebnadzor took up this problem and studied how boric acid affects cockroaches. In experiments, biologists used not only sensitive laboratory races, but also resistant cockroaches collected from residential and industrial sites in Moscow, Obninsk and Yekaterinburg.
The study revealed that all represented races of cockroaches are sensitive to boric acid, regardless of resistance to organic chemicals. Experiments have also shown that the effectiveness of boric acid depends on the form in which it is used.
Advantages and disadvantages
Each product has its own disadvantages and advantages, boric acid is no exception.
Pros:
- safety;
- no odor;
- different application options;
- availability;
- low price.
Minuses:
- poor efficiency;
- the need for frequent preparation of baits;
- visibility when applying powder;
- adaptation of insects to the action of poison during long-term use.
Boric acid is often used as an additional means in the fight against Prussians. You can get rid of cockroaches using folk remedies if the infestation of your apartment or house is minor.
Product effectiveness
Borax is not capable of destroying a large colony of cockroaches that have settled inside a living space. The action of the acid is targeted and does not affect the nests and offspring of parasites.
The product does not provide a long-term effect, like modern chemical preparations that have proven themselves in the fight against insects.
Borax is suitable for killing cockroaches that crawl around the apartment in search of food.
Sodium salt is ideal for destroying a small group of parasites, preventing their further reproduction, and is also an effective prophylactic agent.
In other cases, when the problem has become large-scale and you have to fight not with a few individuals, but with an entire colony of Prussians, borax will not be a salvation. Acid can be used as an additional agent.
To eliminate a massive infestation of parasites, it is better to seek help from professional exterminators.
Effect on the human body
Boric acid is harmless to humans, which is its main advantage. The product for controlling cockroaches can be used indoors where there are small children and pets, but in compliance with safety rules. The insecticidal substance is harmful if ingested uncontrollably. The lethal dose for an adult is 20 g, for children – 4 g.
When working with the drug, you should wear rubber gloves; the use of a respirator or masks is not mandatory. After contact with boric acid, you should wash your hands well with soap.
On a note!
A mixture of boric alcohol, salicylic acid, and chloramphenicol is used to combat pimples and acne. A powerful antiseptic kills harmful microorganisms and increases the skin's protective reaction. Therefore, if the insecticide gets on the skin, you should not be afraid of an allergic rash or irritation.
How does boric acid act on cockroaches: features and results of scientific research
To ensure the proper use of a poisonous drug and the development of the most effective insecticides, experts have long studied how boric acid acts on cockroaches. Many years of observations and analysis of experiments made it possible to find a number of universal solutions to create an effective formula in the fight against the Prussians.
Baits based on the use of boric acid have long been successful in exterminating synanthropic cockroaches. The toxic substance is characterized by an intestinal effect. Borax accumulates in many tissues: testicles, hemolymph, ovarioles, epithelium. Inorganic compounds of boric acid penetrate the digestive tract, begin to destroy the walls of the anterior part of the intestine, enter the stomach and disrupt the water balance. Dehydration occurs when boric acid crystals scratch the parasites' epicuticle.
If the chemical affects the cockroach for a long time, the female individual will experience deep damage to the reproductive organs. Under similar conditions, borax causes almost 100% suppression of spermatogenesis in males. As a result of the use of a chemical drug, two effects occur (lethal and sterilizing), which help to quickly destroy cockroaches in the house. Boric acid reduces the number of adults and reduces the number of their offspring.
The chemical component is popular not only in Russia. In other countries, boric acid is used to produce insecticide formulations containing an active toxic substance of 40-98%.
Research results
showed that:
- pure boric acid copes more effectively with synanthropic insect pests than its salts: borax and tetrahydrate;
- to increase the effectiveness of boric acid against red cockroaches, glucose, fructose or other sugars should be added to the bait;
- dry baits with 50% boric acid were effective only against male red cockroaches, and females often survived;
- the effectiveness of liquid baits with boric acid is several times higher than dry ones;
- To kill cockroaches, it is better to use water-based boric acid baits.
The effect of using boric acid has a delayed effect. The chemical does not immediately have a toxic effect on red cockroaches. From the moment of consumption of the bait until the death of the parasite, up to 10 days pass. During this time, the cockroach manages to spread boric acid on its legs and infect other relatives.
Other effective folk remedies - analogues
Borax is used to control cockroaches. The substance in powder form is obtained by mixing boric acid with baking soda. It is actively used in everyday life, cosmetology, medicine, and the food industry as a preservative. The application against cockroaches is similar - they are scattered in the form of paths, sprayed on furniture, and poisonous baits are prepared.
The mixture with glycerin is used to treat baseboards, furniture on the back side, legs, water pipes, pipes, sink counters, washbasins, and toilets. The properties of borax are not reduced, glycerin holds the substance in the desired position and does not allow it to crumble. Sticky glycerin with borax powder clings better to the legs and body of the cockroach, increasing the effectiveness of the poison.
Safety and precautions
In general, the product does not quite correspond to the ideas to which we are accustomed when hearing the word “acid”. It does not corrode the skin and does not leave chemical burns .
If there are children or pets in the house, you can use boric acid to fight cockroaches. It is low-hazard , unlike such “thermonuclear” poisons as Karbofos and Executioner, and at one time it was even used as an antiseptic. But it was soon replaced by other means. However, boric acid often causes allergies .
The product, in comparison with specialized insecticides for cockroaches, is generally safe for children , but contact with boric acid is strictly contraindicated for children under 3 years of age. If a cat or dog finds the bait you have prepared and eats it, it will not be fatal. But it’s better not to allow this.
It is recommended to avoid contact with the product for pregnant and nursing mothers, patients with chronic renal failure, and acute inflammatory skin diseases. Side effects when acid gets ingested include nausea, headache, vomiting, and rash. You should always remember that when choosing a means for baiting insects in an apartment, first of all you need to take care of everyone’s safety. If we talk about proven, safe, odorless products, then you should pay attention to Global and Forsyth in the form of a gel.
Hector is absolutely safe for people and pets
Hector does not lead to the development of any undesirable effects when people or pets come into contact with it. It does not cause skin irritation, does not cause allergies, and does not lead to poisoning, even if it enters the respiratory system or the digestive tract.
In experiments, our volunteer tasted it and did not experience any unpleasant sensations.
Therefore, Hector is safe in all cases in which contact with him may occur:
- The drug got into my hands while treating the apartment with it;
- A child or pet gets dirty in the powder after touching the treated surface;
- A person (including a child) or a pet licked the product from their finger or hair;
- The powder was accidentally inhaled during handling;
- The cockroach ran over the powder, and then managed to run across the table or food before dying - even if such food is eaten by a person, the powder particles on them will not harm him in any way.
In all cases of such involuntary contacts, less active components of the product enter the human body than, for example, enters with tablets or toothpaste. Or, for example, using Polysorb powder or tablets for medical reasons, a person consumes significantly more silicon dioxide than will enter his digestive tract with Hector if his hands or dishes are unintentionally stained.
Hector contains neither main nor auxiliary components that could have a toxic effect on humans or domestic animals.
However, for maximum reliability, it is advisable to use the product in a medical mask so that the powder does not settle on the mucous membranes of the respiratory system. After treatment, you need to wash your hands and face with soap.
Advantages and disadvantages of the method
The positive aspect of using boric acid as a basis for cockroach repellent is that it is much cheaper than store-bought drugs. Even if we take into account that one portion will clearly not be enough to protect the entire apartment, the benefits are still obvious.
The next plus is that balls with boric acid as a poison against cockroaches do not emit an unpleasant odor. They just lie there and gradually kill those insects that were careless enough to eat the bait.
It is also good that during and after treatment, including with pure acid powder, you do not need to leave your home. The product is relatively safe for people. When choosing how to poison cockroaches in an apartment, if there are only a few of them, it is better to start with something less toxic.
Poison with boric acid also has negative sides:
- Inability to predict the outcome.
- Insects become addicted to this poison. If neighbors use this method constantly, cockroaches that have run away from them may not react to the drug at all.
- Boric acid only affects adults. The hatched larvae continue to bother the apartment owners for some time.
Another “disadvantage” of this method is that if there are children and animals in the house, the coverage of the territory is significantly narrowed. It will be possible to place the poison only where the baby’s hands cannot reach and where the pet cannot climb: on a closet or high shelf. But the bulk of cockroaches go in completely different places, so the effectiveness of such placement is low.
Instructions for use
- Of course, the first thing to do is buy a bag of acid at the pharmacy. Then carefully prepare for the expulsion of the mustachioed guests. Dry the sink, limiting the cockroaches' access to water. Close the taps tightly enough to avoid the slightest possibility of leakage. Hide all wet wipes and sponges. Next, spread the bait in places where Prussians mainly live.
There are many recipes for its preparation. A mixture of boric acid and yolk is very often used - it helps against cockroaches. To prepare the bait, it is customary to use only the yolk. It helps remove the smell of acid and stimulates the appetite of pests. Although it seems to a person that the drug does not smell of anything, thanks to its subtle sense of smell, the cockroach will smell it. Let's look at some simple ways to prepare deadly treats for unwanted neighbors.
The active ingredients of the product are a component of toothpastes and a medical antiseptic.
Hector against cockroaches contains two active ingredients:
- Purified fine silicon dioxide – 75%. This substance is chemically inert and does not cause allergies, poisoning or damage to the external integument or internal organs in humans or warm-blooded animals. It is used in the food industry as an E551 additive; in medicine and cosmetology it is used to add to tablets, toothpastes and creams;
- Boric acid, previously widely used as an antiseptic for treating wounds and scratches. Today it has been replaced by more powerful antibacterial drugs, but continues to be used in regions with a poor supply of drugs.
Both components are harmless in contact with human skin and the mucous membranes of internal organs. The powder will not lead to poisoning or undesirable consequences not only if it comes into contact with the skin, but also if accidentally swallowed.
There are no other substances in the drug.
This is what the powder itself looks like:
By purifying the silicon dioxide, the entire mixture is very finely dispersed. When you open the can and press on it, the powder pours out through the spout in the form of a stream of white dust, making it convenient for them to treat various crevices and surfaces.
What to do if boron balls against cockroaches do not work
If you notice that the boric acid roach balls have been eaten but the roaches are not completely gone, make another batch and repeat the process.
Remember that it takes about a month to kill the pests.
But when controlling pests with boron balls, don't make common mistakes.
Boron balls are too big for cockroaches
The optimal size of boron balls, the recipe for which we described above, is no more than 1-2 centimeters. Poisoned bait should be placed in places that are difficult to reach for people, but not for cockroaches. The space under household appliances, under the stove, under the microwave oven is usually small, and insects often hide precisely where it is warm and there is access to food (various crumbs). It is important to place the boron balls exactly there, which means they should be small in size.
Using boron balls in the wrong places
Equally important is where you place the boron balls against cockroaches. If insects do not live in the areas where the bait is placed, control will not be effective.
Most cockroaches like dark places, so areas such as under stoves, refrigerators, and voids under cabinets are excellent places to lay out bait. Also look for any cracks or holes in the walls and place boron balls near these areas.
To find out where cockroaches are hiding, turn off the lights for a few hours, then enter the infested room, turn on the lights and see where they are and where they scatter. Let them show you where they are hiding, and place balls of boric acid there.
The only hope is a miracle powder
You should not hope that the result will be immediately guaranteed after laying out the baits. Let's say you learned how to make boron balls against cockroaches, mixed the bait, and spread it out. But a positive effect will be achieved only if preventive rules are followed. Keep cockroaches away from water and other food. It is very important. Do not use boron beads for cockroaches with sticky traps.
It is necessary that insects have the opportunity to spread the poisonous bait to other individuals. To speed up the process, you can use boron balls against cockroaches along with gel insecticides. They have an effect similar to that of boric acid. Another advantage of the integrated approach is that the gel can be applied where boron balls cannot be placed.
All you need to do is learn how to make boron balls against cockroaches, prepare them, place them in the right places. It will take some time to completely kill the insects, but the results are worth it, because boric acid balls are safe for use in homes with small children and pets.
Depending on the extent of the infestation, it may take several months for them to completely disappear. You will notice a reduction in pests within the first 4 weeks of using boron beads. Also, do not forget about preventive measures and the rules for using poisonous bait. Get rid of cockroaches as quickly as possible, because pests are the cause of many dangerous diseases.
Preparatory work and preventive measures
Before poisoning cockroaches with boric acid, it is recommended to carry out general cleaning in the apartment:
- Throw out all the old rags from under the sink, sort out the deposits in the pantry. Get rid of old newspapers.
- Since water neutralizes the effect of the toxic component, it is very important to block all access to it, even to the point of temporarily removing indoor plants from the apartment. Moistened soil can also be used by a cockroach to quench its thirst.
- Sink drains should be plugged overnight. Remove drinking bowls for animals. Kettles with spouts without filters should either be emptied or packed in plastic bags.
- After washing and taking a shower, droplets of water remain on the sink and bathtub. This is enough for a cockroach to get drunk. Therefore, after each use of water, you need to wipe the sinks dry.
Once the apartment is cleared of cockroaches, you should not relax either. Make sure that insects cannot get to you from your neighbors. To do this, equip the ventilation openings with grilles and periodically spread the poison with boric acid, or at least add the powder where insects are most likely to appear.
The lifestyle of cockroaches and the characteristics of the drug make it possible to use pure powder. It is scattered in places where insects accumulate and where they are guaranteed to move.
In any case, the poison will work. Insects will definitely walk along it, and then clean their paws. Some of the boric acid will get inside.
This method is not as effective as poison with bait, but it is not as troublesome. You can sprinkle the powder once along the baseboards, under the sink, under the radiator and wait for the result. The cockroach repellent, which includes boric acid and egg, will have to be periodically replaced with a fresh one.
