Borax to Kill Ants and Roaches

Borax, or boric acid, will kill insects like roaches and ants. When they eat it, either as food or when grooming the powder off their legs, it destroys their digestive systems. You can make your own insect killer using borax and items from your kitchen.

Roaches

To kill roaches with borax, combine one cup each of borax, flour and sugar. Add water until the mixture becomes a paste. Roll it into small balls and place them in areas where you have seen roaches. Check the area every few days so you can sweep up the carcasses of roaches that consumed the poison treats.

Ants

You can spread borax in problem areas to repel ants. To kill them, combine a teaspoon of borax with a half cup of honey. Heat the mixture to dissolve the powder then add a half cup of water to it. Place a few drops of the solution in areas where you have seen ants. They eat it or bring it back to the nest, killing themselves and any other ants that consume it.

Considerations

While borax has low toxicity levels, it can make children and pets ill if they eat enough of it. Place borax only in areas where you know a child or pet cannot get into it. Storing food in pest-proof containers and caulking any holes in your home helps prevent roaches and ants from returning.

References

• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Pest Control, Roaches and Ants
• "When Changing a Lightbulb Just Isn't Enough"; Emily Anderson; 2009