When it comes to pest control treatment, most people use borax or Boric Acid. These substances are known to be harmful to some types of insects, so it may seem easier to just try to control the pests on your own than to call a professional. However, there is a lot of misinformation out there about what borax and boric acid are and what they can do, information that can be dangerous to the health of people in your household.

Borax vs Boric Acid

Both are two different formulations of the same compound. Borax is a mineral that is taken directly from the ground (a form of the element boron) and used in cleaning products. Boric acid is its extracted, processed and refined form, which is found in a variety of chemical products.

Some common uses of borax include:

• Washing Soap
• Hand soap
• Fertilizer

Some common uses of boric acid include:

• Eye medicine
• Insecticide/pesticide

Borax and boric acid are toxic only when ingested. Products containing them will be labeled for outdoor use only but may be dangerous to children and pets.

How Boric Acid Works

Boric acid is often used in insecticides and can be found in tablet form, liquid form, powder form, and in a variety of traps. It kills insects by absorbing them, dissolving venom in their stomachs, affecting their metabolism, and destroying their exoskeleton. Because of its finer grain, it is more likely to kill insects than borax, which is harder for pests to detect and easier for them to ingest. When insects come into contact with it, whether moving through a net or through a thin layer of it, it sticks to them, and they swallow it while self-cleaning.

Most baits containing this compound typically only constitute 5 percent boric acid, as its high amounts can repel insects. However, fine powder or dust that is spread in a thin layer contains 98–99 percent boric acid.

What will kill and what will not kill boric acid

Homeowners purchase boric acid to kill many types of insects. However, there are only a few that will actually be affected, namely insects that prepare themselves and will therefore ingest it, such as ants and cockroaches. Pests that it won’t kill include:

• Ticks
• Bed bugs
• Lice
• Spiders
• Beetles
• Flies
• Fleas
• Moths

Pest control at home

If you wish to purchase boric acid for use in insecticides and traps, please note that it must be handled carefully, as it is also a hazardous substance for human consumption. If children or pets are present in the home, it is best to either store these products in high and hidden locations or not to have them at all.

Also, do-it-yourself pest control may work for some time, but it will not get to the root of the pest problem. If you have a pest problem in your home, the best thing to do is to call in the professionals. Pest control technicians have access to advanced techniques and training that make the process much safer and easier. At 24x7Pest Control, we have over 10  years of experience in the industry, so you can count on us to do the right thing. Contact us today for a free inquiry!