How Does Boric Acid Work?
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Properties
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Boric acid is useful because of its relative inert qualities. It does not combust. It is not ruined when combined with liquid. It does not easily change its chemical composition when exposed to outside elements, and it is rarely dangerous to animals or humans upon contact. It is not especially attractive to insects either, but they have a more difficult time avoiding it. When sprinkled on the ground as a powder, boric acid eventually turns into a sediment that is picked up on the insects' shells as they move through the dirt. Boric acid salt especially clings even to the smooth bodies of harmful pests.
Once the powder is on the insects' shells, they will try to remove it through grooming. Some will also come off when communicating and rubbing against other insects. Ingested, boric acid proves deadly to the pests, although scientists are not entirely sure how, and studies on boric acid have not revealed many clues, although it is suspected that some process of the insects' metabolism makes them particularly vulnerable. While it takes time for boric acid to kill bugs this way, it is also more reliable, safer, and much longer lasting than synthetic alternatives.
Other Considerations
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One of the reasons that boric acid is preferred as a pesticide is that it poses little danger to animals. Humans can ingest small quantities of boric acid with no ill effects, and in small quantities it poses few dangers for pets. It is also difficult to inhale them. However, large quantities of boric acid can be dangerous, especially to children, and while the element is actually a common micronutrient for plants, it can poison them through absorption through the roots. Since boric acid stays in the soil for very long periods of time, it should be used with great care around flowers or crops.
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