Such a scourge as cockroaches is familiar to many. There are enough ways to combat these unpleasant pests. One of them is the use of boric acid. You can find many different crayons, gels and aerosols on the market, but you have to pay for them. And boric acid is almost free.
This means of control is very effective. And due to the fact that boric acid is known as a poison for pests, many recipes based on it have appeared. It is used by several generations of people. And during this period of time, cockroaches have not developed immunity, so boric acid is fatal to them.
The powder can be used in different rooms. It's universal. But it has its pros and cons, so sometimes other methods are more effective. Boric acid appears as white grains and has no odor or taste. Its reserves in the natural environment are limited. The powder is a good antiseptic, so it can be purchased at the pharmacy. The alcohol form is less effective than the powder form. Cockroaches don't like the smell of alcohol, so they won't come close. And they hardly notice the powder, which is fatal for them.
Basic information about boric acid against cockroaches
Many chemicals are used in the fight against cockroaches, but only boric acid has not lost its relevance over many years of use. It has a special effect on insects that are unable to resist it.
Boric acid is defined in chemistry as a weak acid, the chemical formula is H3BO3. It has the appearance of white crystals in the form of scales, tasteless and odorless.
It is poorly soluble in water. The melting point is 1700C, at which the structure of the substance and its chemical composition change.
Boric acid is extracted from hot springs, a special mineral - sassolin, which contains boron. There are not many reserves of pure substances in nature. Widely used:
- in industry;
- nuclear energy;
- jewelry making;
- medicine;
- photos;
- ceramics production;
- as a fertilizer.
In the household it successfully fights cockroaches; in gardens it is effectively used against red ants.
The widespread use of boric acid is due to its properties. Natural origin makes it more popular, since the product is well tolerated and does not cause allergies.
Purchasing the drug
Boric acid is sold in the form of powder, ointment, alcohol solution, liniment (this is a thick mass, reminiscent of jelly, it melts at body temperature).
Depending on the use of boric acid, it can be purchased in hardware stores, pharmacies, online stores, and cosmetics departments.
The price depends on the release form. A package of powder (10 g) costs approximately 35–50 rubles. An alcohol solution (3%) with a volume of 25 ml will cost about 20 rubles.
Tabakov family, Kursk:
We use boric acid against cockroaches. A reliable product that works well against ants. All insects don't like her. Now we’ve read about the solution, let’s try to use it.
Recipes for baits with yolk
Baits for cockroaches using boric acid and egg yolk are prepared in various ways. Here are a few of the most popular recipes.
With sunflower oil
You will need the following ingredients:
- 40 grams of powder (4 standard packages);
- 1 boiled yolk;
- Unrefined sunflower oil. If it is not available, it can be replaced with refined one.
All you need from a boiled egg is the yolk. It should be ground with a fork and mixed with boric acid. Pour a small amount of oil into the resulting mixture so that it can be sculpted. Now the bait mixture is ready! From it you need to make balls about 5 millimeters in diameter.
This amount of ingredients is designed to treat one room in an apartment or house. If you need to carry out a complete treatment of the home, then the portion is increased proportionally, based on the number of rooms in the house.
With granulated sugar
For this recipe you will need the following ingredients:
- 40 grams of boric acid (4 packs);
- 2 tbsp. spoons of granulated sugar;
- 1 yolk.
All components should be mixed and formed into balls. If the mixture is too thick, you can dilute it with water. If the mass, on the contrary, is too liquid, then a little flour should be added to it.
With potatoes
To prepare another widespread bait for cockroaches, you will need:
- 40 grams of boric acid (4 standard packages);
- 1 hard-boiled egg;
- 1 medium potato;
- A small amount of kefir.
Mash the yolk and boiled potatoes with a fork, then mix the mixture with boric acid and kefir. All components should be mixed well. You will get a mass from which you need to make balls.
Effect on cockroaches
The use of boric acid is harmful to pests. What is dangerous for them is the structure of the substance itself.
Acid crystals with their sharp edges cause numerous wounds to insects, which take a long time and heal poorly.
The flakes of the substance stick to the body of the parasites and prick them. The effect intensifies when insects try to clean crystals of the substance from their shells.
In this case, the organs of vision and other functions are damaged, paralysis and death of the pest occurs.
When a toxic substance gets into the cockroach's food, internal organs suffer. Small particles lead to abrasion of the insides and death of the parasite.
Boric acid has a sterilizing effect. The next generations of pests cannot reproduce with the same fertility.
With regular use of boron-containing toxic substances, domestic insects can be successfully removed.
Effective use of the solution
Success in using a toxic substance depends on correct application. A popular technique is to make bait from boric acid products and powder, as well as distribute the powder in places where pests accumulate.
But domestic parasites can live without food for quite a long time, and it is difficult for them to live without water. A poisoned cockroach only needs a drop of water to restore its health.
Based on this feature, methods have been developed to get rid of uninvited guests using a solution of boric acid.
The powder is good to use if the owners leave home for a long time, for example, on vacation, and do not have the opportunity to often change the poisonous agent.
In such cases, the poisonous drug is scattered in corners, under the sink, in the bathroom, behind the toilet. Cockroaches, even running over particles of powder, will grab it on their paws.
It will be more effective to use an aqueous solution, since water is more important for these insects. They cannot live without it for more than two days.
It is preferable to use an aqueous solution if necessary to get rid of domestic parasites faster.
It should be possible to change the water with the poisonous agent more often, and all individuals should drink the poisonous water.
Poison in its purest form
If you don’t have enough time to prepare the balls, you can simplify the task and use the product in its pure form. Insects are unlikely to eat the tasteless powder, but the particles will stick to their legs. When the cockroach begins to clean them with its jaws, it will swallow the poison. You need to scatter boric acid where insects go, namely:
- near the sink, toilet, bathtub;
- along the baseboards;
- under cabinets, bedside tables, tables (especially in the kitchen);
- next to the refrigerator, stove;
- near pipelines;
- around the trash can.
To ensure that as many insects as possible come into contact with the poison, you need to scatter the powder in thin paths. If you sprinkle the substance in a heap, most cockroaches will remain unharmed.
Making the solution
Preparing a boric acid solution to remove cockroaches is not an easy task. Firstly, this substance is poorly soluble.
Secondly, it is advisable to make the solution saturated so that as much of the toxic composition as possible gets into the insects.
Typically, for therapeutic procedures, dilute one small spoon per 200 ml of water. To remove domestic parasites, you need to dissolve 2 large heaped spoons in 200 ml of water.
It is better to take warm water to speed up the dissolution of acid crystals. Since boric acid is odorless, to attract pests you need to mix honey or broth in water.
Alena, Krasnoyarsk:
I tried the boric acid solution on the advice of my neighbors. Surprisingly very successful. I fill it with hot water. It dissolves faster this way, almost with boiling water.
Room treatment
Before exterminating household pests, the premises are prepared. Necessary:
- close the water taps;
- remove access to all products;
- check the joints of water pipes for leaks;
- wipe the sinks in the kitchen and bathroom dry to prevent cockroaches from accessing the water;
- remove wet wipes and sponges;
- Move vases and pots with indoor plants to other rooms or cover them with plastic bags, since domestic parasites are able to take water from the soil.
When using an aqueous solution of boric acid, it is important to block access to water other than poisoned water. Cockroaches should have no choice.
An aqueous solution of boric acid must be poured into small containers, such as jar lids. Place in places that are often visited by insects - parasites.
This is not difficult to determine by the presence of feces that they leave behind.
Be sure to leave poisoned water next to the trash can, under the kitchen sink, behind food cabinets, and behind the refrigerator.
In the room, water poison is placed in the corners, behind the cabinets. The aqueous solution must be changed after 2–3 days. The powder may settle because it is poorly soluble.
During this time, cockroaches can drink all the water. The fragrant bait will lose its attractiveness, insects will not approach the water.
Recipes
Sometimes the classic method does not help, since the pest simply does not eat the poison. In this case, aromatic baits are made, which include boric acid and some food.
Boric acid with egg against cockroaches
One of the most common methods. The bait is obtained in the form of small yellow balls. You can cook it from both raw and boiled chicken eggs. Bait with raw egg:
- Separate the white from the yolk.
- Place the yolk and a small amount of boric acid powder into a container.
- Mix the ingredients to a thick paste.
- Roll the mixture into balls about 10mm in diameter.
- Place the resulting bait on disposable cardboard stands and place it in cockroach habitats.
Bait with boiled egg:
- Boil the egg hard.
- Cool and remove the yolk.
- Mix 10 g of borax powder, mashed yolk with a fork and a little sunflower oil.
- Make small pieces of any shape.
- Distribute the bait throughout the kitchen.
Bait with boric acid for cockroaches with boiled potatoes
To make potato poison, follow these steps:
- Boil 1 small potato.
- Cool, peel and mash it with a fork.
- Mix with acid, adding a little sunflower oil for viscosity.
- Make balls and place them in secluded corners.
You can also add boiled egg yolk to the poisonous mixture if desired.
Boric solution
Mix boric acid with water. Fill small open containers with the resulting poison and leave them under the sink, near taps and drains. For a more attractive aroma, add a little sugar or vegetable oil to the solution.
Poisonous agent with flour
To prevent the pest from smelling the boron, flour is added to the powder. Just mix boric acid with flour in equal quantities and sprinkle it in secluded places.
Powder
Sprinkle boron powder around the perimeter of the kitchen and cabinets, paying special attention to the insect's paths to damp areas. Please note that it is not recommended to sprinkle poison in heaps
Cockroaches will simply bypass the mounds of poison.
Traps
Cockroaches love bright objects, so grated crayons added to the mixture will enhance the effect of the bulk poison. When using balloons, place something bright near the bait, such as a candy wrapper.
Liquid bait with sugar
The product will help get rid of not only cockroaches, but also ants. To make bait:
- Start cooking sugar syrup at the rate of 5 tbsp. spoons of sugar per glass of water.
- When the sugar dissolves, add a packet of boric acid to the liquid and stir.
- The output is a thick mass, which is distributed into containers and placed in insect habitats.
With sunflower oil
Sunflower oil is added to the mixture for a brighter aroma. Therefore, unrefined oil made from roasted seeds is better. Add a little aromatic oil to the yolk and potato bait.
Precautionary measures
Boric acid is dangerous if ingested in large quantities. For children, 4 g is enough, for an adult – from 15 to 20 g.
The substance has the ability to quickly penetrate the skin and mucous membranes, so boric acid should only be used with gloves.
Do not spill acid solution on yourself. If this happens, rinse skin with plenty of water. Getting boric acid into your eyes is also dangerous.
They are also washed with running water; it is advisable to visit an ophthalmologist to prevent damage to the eyeball.
In the human body, acid accumulates in the internal organs, which is why treatment with this remedy is never long-term.
When using the drug, you need to make sure that it is not eaten by pets or small children.
Required safety precautions
The word "acid" usually raises red flags. Although the product does not corrode the skin and does not leave burns, before scattering it around the kitchen or placing balls of egg and boric acid in the corners, you must consider that:
- Children under 3 years of age should not come into contact with the powder. At this age, they tend to put everything in their mouth; therefore, after spreading the poison, you need to carefully monitor the child and not let him near the place where the poison lies;
- It is advisable for pregnant women, people suffering from kidney failure or inflammation of the skin to avoid contact with the powder.
If ingested, boric acid can cause:
- attacks of headache;
- painful nausea;
- severe vomiting;
- serious allergic reaction.
If a pet accidentally eats boric acid pellets, nothing bad will happen. Animals are less susceptible to this substance, but it is better to try to prevent this.
You need to wear rubber gloves when preparing the poison and placing it in places where “redheads” regularly visit. Although the acid is considered relatively safe and does not cause significant harm to the human body, it is advisable to protect the skin from contact with the chemical. You also need to avoid getting the poison on the mucous membrane.
Advantages and disadvantages of the product
The effectiveness of the effect on domestic parasites will depend on the positive and negative qualities of the chemical.
Based on these properties, the best drugs for killing cockroaches are selected. The “pros” and “cons” of a boric acid solution are clearly presented in the table.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Effective for adults. | The toxic substance does not have a harmful effect on cockroach eggs. |
| Safe for people, pets | With prolonged use, it can be addictive to insects. |
| It has no odor, so you don’t have to leave the room while the room is being treated. | It does not have an attractive smell for insects; you have to add a tasty, aromatic bait. It needs to be changed over time, as it loses its attractiveness to parasites. |
| Has a low cost. | |
| Easy to prepare and use at home. |
Boric acid solution has been used for many years, which proves its effectiveness.
Svetlana I., Yakutsk:
I don't feel comfortable fiddling with solutions. I use powder out of habit. I clean out the trash can and tidy up the kitchen.
The effect of boric acid on humans and animals
When using many poisonous substances for cockroaches, people and pets must leave their homes for a while, ventilate the premises, and then carry out general cleaning.
After all, chemicals are often dangerous for all living beings, not only for insects - parasites.
It's a completely different matter when using boric acid. This product is used in rooms where there are small children and pets.
It is harmless to humans and even helps fight some problems. Boric acid is used for facial peeling, as part of a whitening mask, and successfully fights acne. Acid solution is used to treat diaper rash, eczema, and colpitis.
But you need to make sure that the animals do not drink the sweet solution of boric acid or eat poisoned bait. Boric acid accumulates in tissues and in large quantities negatively affects the functioning of the body.
Prevention of re-infection
The best prevention is keeping the room clean. Mustachioed visitors will never disturb you with their presence if you put food in the refrigerator on time, do not leave dirty dishes “overnight” in the sink, and regularly take out the trash. Do not allow faucets to leak, periodically inspect the walls and flooring for cracks and holes where there may be pest eggs, carry out wet cleaning of surfaces, this way you will protect yourself and your loved ones as much as possible from uninvited guests.
Common mistakes when using boric acid against cockroaches
Many people mistakenly poison cockroaches, greatly reducing or completely eliminating the effectiveness of the substance. Now let's talk about the most common mistakes that people make when baiting insects with boric acid.
Freely available sources of fluids
As mentioned above, the cockroach can cleanse the body with water, so you need to carefully insulate it. Many people forget to wipe up spills from the sink or bathtub or fix a leaky faucet, creating an opening for mistakes.
Incorrect placement of poison
Cockroaches are not stupid at all - they do not climb onto a pile of powder that is poured into the corner of the room. For the poison to work, it must be evenly distributed throughout the room, paying special attention to the paths of movement of insects.
Incorrect drug concentration
If the acid concentration is too low, it will hardly harm the insect, but too high will simply scare it away from the bait. Carefully follow the dosage indicated in the recipes.
Killer balls
Boric acid has no taste or smell, which is why the cockroach will not pay attention to it and will not eat it. It is advisable to add the product to products whose aroma attracts insects. Along with food, poison will also enter the cockroach’s body.
It doesn't matter what you use as the basis for your bait. The main thing is that insects “like” it and have a sticky texture.
Classic egg
Peculiarities. This is the most common means by which residents of communal apartments and dormitories were saved in Soviet times. If you react in time to the appearance of “uninvited guests,” you can quickly get rid of an unpleasant problem.
You will need:
- 50 g boric acid;
- egg yolk.
How to do
- Mix the yolk with the powder.
- If the mass turns out to be liquid, add more boric acid or thicken the mixture with flour.
- Form balls and place them around the room.
You can use boiled yolk to make balls. You need to add a few drops of vegetable oil or kefir to the composition, which will allow the balls to remain soft longer.
Alternative Recipes
Boric acid with eggs is not the only poison option. You can prepare the product at your own discretion, or you can use ready-made recipes. The table shows tested product combinations. Each recipe uses 50 g of a toxic substance.
Table - Recipes for boric acid balls against cockroaches
| Name | Additional components |
| Sugar | - 50 g sugar; - 50 g flour; - water (to bring the composition to the consistency of dough) |
| Potato | - Boiled potatoes; - boiled yolk |
| Yeast | 50 g natural yeast |
| Cereals | - A tablespoon of any porridge; - raw yolk |
| Dairy | - 50 g cookies; - milk (to soak cookies) |
| Curd | Tablespoon of cottage cheese |
| Meat | Tablespoon of any minced meat |
| Honey | — A tablespoon of honey or jam; - 30 g white bread pulp |
*** Each recipe uses 50 g of boric acid.
Pharmacies sell borax, a salt of boric acid. It is also destructive to insects, which makes it possible to use it to prepare cockroach repellents. The proportions remain unchanged.
Summarizing
Exterminating domestic parasites is not an easy task, especially if it happens in apartment buildings or the neighbors do not share the desire to get rid of cockroaches.
House parasites have not been able to adapt to boric acid for many years; humans have successfully used this to exterminate them.
A solution of boric acid is not as convenient to use compared to powder. After all, in a dry form, the drug does not need to be changed so often, and you do not need to monitor the contents of the drinkers. But cockroaches will become infected faster and more readily through water.
They cannot do without water, so they will be forced to drink it even if it is poisoned. But instead of bait with a poisonous agent, insects are able to feed on other even inedible objects - paper, dirt, hair.
The only things they don't eat are glass and some types of plastic. To effectively combat cockroaches, all methods must be used simultaneously.
