How to Use Boric Acid to Naturally Get Rid of Cockroaches
Boric-acid treatment is an extremely effective way to naturally get rid of cockroaches. Keeping your house clean will help deter roaches; however, they can survive on a diet of furniture glue and condensation. If you have a cockroach infestation, you can fight back and win without putting your family in danger. Just puff a fine dusting of boric-acid powder out of the container. Sweep the powder into cracks and crevices, wiping away any excess from surfaces, and soon your home will be cockroach-free for good. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Annual Treatment
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1
Unscrew light and electrical outlet covers and dust inside the outlets with boric acid. Replace covers.
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2
Sprinkle boric acid behind and under large kitchen appliances. Dust any cracks around windows, walls or baseboards.
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3
Sprinkle boric acid behind toilets, bathtubs and bathroom vanities. Apply powder around plumbing fixtures.
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4
Peel up and discard any loose contact paper or drawer liners that might be a food source for cockroaches. Correct any leaky plumbing or moisture issues, which are an invitation for roaches.
Spot Treatment
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5
Unplug small, roach-infested electronics items and put them in a plastic trash bag. Dust the outer surfaces of these devices, then seal the bag.
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6
Remove electronic devices from the bag after about one week; use damp paper towels to remove powder residue. For large electronics, sprinkle some dust on or near the item; keep children and pets away until the cockroaches are dead. Wipe away dust with damp paper towels.
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7
Sprinkle boric-acid powder at points of entry where you have seen roaches. Common problem areas are counters, cupboards, dining areas and coffee tables; however, dust only those surfaces that have zero chance of contaminating food or poisoning pets and children.
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8
Spread powder around outdoor infestations. Well houses, woodpiles and storage areas are common places for larger types of roaches to hide.
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Tips & Warnings
Seal any gaps and cracks with caulking after applying boric-acid powder.
Groups of cockroaches instinctively find a suitable hidden location to congregate, live and breed. They usually only venture out to forage when it is quiet and dark. If you can reach those locations, you may be able to get away with simply doing spot treatments to get rid of infestations. If even one roach walks through the boric acid and survives long enough to carry the residue back to the colony, it can wipe out the whole nest in one fell swoop. Within three weeks of using boric acid to naturally get rid of cockroaches, you can breathe a big sigh of relief. You are unlikely to see another live roach for many months or even years.
Boric acid is a natural mineral and far safer than most chemical pesticides. However, it is harmful if swallowed or inhaled. It will also cause skin irritations, so use cautiously.
Keep powder out of reach of children or pets.
Avoid contamination of food-preparation surfaces.
If swallowed, call poison control: 1-800-222-1222 or 911.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit jumping roach image by Adrian Hillman from Fotolia.com
