Generally, commercial insecticides effectively eliminate roaches fast, helping you create a roach-free home. However, most people today prefer to stay away from chemicals since they can harm living organisms and the environment. Many homeowners resort to natural substances, including borax.
Cockroaches are highly adaptable and resilient to different environments and can develop tolerance to some substances.
Therefore, finding an elimination method that works is vital. In this post, we look at borax for roaches – its effectiveness in killing roaches.
So, keep reading to find out if borax kills roaches, how to use it, and how it kills roaches.
What Is Borax?
Borax, also called sodium borate with a chemical formula Na2B4O7•10H2O. It is a naturally occurring mineral salt commonly used in industrial and household applications, like killing pests. It comprises sodium, boron, oxygen, and water molecules
Sodium borate is typically found in dry lake beds and other arid environments and has been mined and used for thousands of years.
It is commonly used as a cleaning agent, a laundry booster, and an ingredient in cosmetics and personal care products.
Borax can also be used in various industrial applications, such as producing fiberglass, ceramics, and enamel.
In addition, it is a food additive but is now restricted in many countries due to potential health concerns.
While borax is generally considered safe for household and industrial applications, you should handle it with care and store it in a place your children and pets.
Are Borax And Boric Acid The Same?
Although borax and boric acid have similarities and are chemically related, they aren’t the same. Boric acid, which is a white, crystalline, and odorless substance, is derived from borax by purifying it with hydrochloric acid. This weak acid usually functions as a flame retardant, insecticide, and antiseptic.
Boric acid is acidic with a PH of about 5, while borax is alkaline with a PH of around 9. Borax makes a better cleaning agent than boric acid because it is also less soluble in water.
Borax and boric acid have different properties and chemical structures, but both contain boron.
Does Borax Kill Roaches?
Yes, Borax kills roaches and other insects, which is why it has been a popular insecticide for centuries.
Borax works by damaging the roaches’ exoskeleton, dehydrating their bodies, destroying their digestive system, and poisoning their stomach, ultimately leading to their death.
When roaches walk across borax, static electricity makes the substances stick to the cockroach’s legs.
Although borax effectively kills roaches, it is not always effective, especially when dealing with a heavy roach infestation.
Also read:
How Does Borax Kill Roaches
Borax kills roaches by dehydrating them and damaging their exoskeleton. When roaches come into contact with borax, the powder sticks to their body, legs, and antennae via static electricity.
As they groom themselves, they ingest the borax, which can cause damage to their digestive system and internal organs.
Borax also absorbs moisture, which can cause the roaches’ exoskeleton to dry out and become brittle, making it easier for the borax to penetrate their body and cause damage.
Over time, the roaches will weaken and eventually die from dehydration and internal damage.
Also Read: How to Use Diatomaceous Earth for Roaches
How To Use Borax To Kill Roaches
Creating a borax-made roach killer is pretty easy; you just need borax, bait, and proper positioning.
1. Mix Borax With A Sweet Bait
You must entice the cockroaches with something sweet to get them to consume borax for roaches.
Below are the things you can mix with borax to form an effective roach killer.
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Borax and Sugar
Sugar’s sweet taste will attract the roaches, which then die from borax. You can use brown or white sugar, mixing 3 parts sugar with 1 part borax, then add water to create a thick consistent paste.
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Borax and Peanut Butter
You can also bait roaches into consuming borax by mixing peanut butter (3 parts) with borax (one part).
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Borax and Egg Yolk
Egg yolk is another substance you can bait cockroaches into eating borax. Do so by mixing an egg yolk (raw) with borax (1/4 teaspoon).
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Borax and Cocoa Powder
Roaches will not resist eating cocoa powder because it is sweet, and since it combines well with borax, it forms an excellent cockroach killer.
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Borax and Baking Soda
Individually, borax and baking soda are efficient roach killers, so mixing them may not be necessary. However, since they are both affordable and easily accessible, combining them isn’t a problem; in fact, that will make it more potent.
Baking soda kills cockroaches by causing a gas buildup in their digestive systems which eventually causes them to explode. Mix baking soda (1/2 a cup) with borax (1/2 cup).
2. Place the Mixture Strategically
Once you create your roach killer, place it in places you have seen roaches or roach activity, like walls and corners, but make sure your kids and pets cannot reach it.
Also Read: How To Know If Roaches Are In Walls
3. Wait for the Roaches to Eat the Paste.
Roaches may take several days to consume the bait, so be patient. However, closely monitor the areas you placed the bait and replace it as needed.
4. Clean up and Repeat
Clean the affected areas and dispose of dead roaches and leftover bait once the roaches are eliminated. Repeat the process as needed to keep roaches from returning.
Note
You may be tempted to make borax spray to kill roaches, but dissolving borax in water makes it less effective. So, instead of a spray, consider making borax balls which are simple to make using borax and bait. The cockroaches will die after consuming the balls.
How Long Does It Take For Borax To Kill Roaches
Cockroaches will die in around 72 hours after coming into contact with the borax. The dehydrating effect of borax requires some time to be effective, so you must exercise patience.
FAQs
Why Am I Seeing More Roaches After Using Borax?
Since borax isn’t an immediate roach infestation solution, you may not see a reduction in their population for a while. In fact, you may see a rise in their population for a couple of reasons. For instance, borax can disrupt cockroaches’ habitat, making them move around more than usual.
Moreover, an increase in roach population following borax use can happen if you perform the application incorrectly or put it in the wrong places. It’s also possible that the roach population is too large for borax to handle.
Will Borax Kill Cockroach Eggs?
When borax touches cockroach eggs, it interferes with their development, keeping them from hatching.
Is Borax Toxic To Babies?
Consumption of large borax quantities can be harmful, especially to babies and young children. Borax ingestion can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, and dehydration. Generally, consuming tiny amounts of borax is safe, but you are better off keeping it out of reach of your young kids and babies to prevent accidental ingestion.
Exercise caution when using borax around your babies and children because they are more sensitive to borax fumes and dust than adults. Additionally, seek medication attention if you suspect your baby or child ingested borax.
Conclusion
While borax isn’t a one-and-done solution for cockroach infestation, it is still effective in eliminating roaches. Borax for roaches may require more than one application to ensure it effectively handles cockroach infestation in your
I’m Mike Hyle, an exterminator with 7+ years of experience handling all sorts of pests, including mice, cockroaches, bed bugs, and termites. I also write for Pest Solutions DIY blog to share my knowledge and help homeowners keep their homes pest-free. Outside work, I enjoy hunting, snowshoeing, and exploring nature. Check out my blog for helpful pest control tips!