Borax and Boric Acid
Both Borax and Boric acid are good sources to use for getting rid of the pesky ants or fleas that find their way into your home and yard.
While they are both Boron compounds, Borax refers to the natural mineral mined from the ground. It can be found in laundry detergent, hand soaps, and fertilizers.
Boric acid happens when borax is processed, refined, and mixed with other ingredients such as colemanite and boracites. It can be found in pesticides, insecticides, and even eye drops.
They can be used interchangeably, although some ants are more susceptible to Borax while others react to Boric acid – so you may need to adjust your compound depending on your success rate.
It is important to note that Borax and Boric Acid are good in getting rid of your ant problem, but not for humans or pets. You don’t want to use them anywhere around young children or pets – doing so could cause poising.
How to Use Boric acid and Borax
By themselves, neither Boric acid nor Borax will kill ants. They are completely oderless, making them unattractive to ants, so sprinkling some around crevices in which ants come into your home or around your yard will not do the trick.
In order to get the job done, you want to make a compound that attracts ants. Mixing it with some of their favorite things, such as sugar or peanut butter, should do the trick.
It’s important to get the right amount of ingredients. Too little Boric acid or Borax will not kill the ants. While too much will cause them to die too quickly, and they won’t be able to share it with the queen and workers.
Boric Acid or Borax in the home
If you’re looking to use these chemicals in your home, here’s a good recipe;
- Mix 1 teaspoon of Boric acid powder or Borax with 3 tablespoons of table sugar.
- Fill with 1 ¾ warm distilled water and dissolve completely. You can also use syrup, honey, and peanut butter to mix with the boric acid.
- Place in areas you wish to treat ants
Pure Borax
Earthborn Elements Pure Borax
- Borax Powder by Earthborn Elements
- No additives or fillers
- Packaged in the USA
Boric Acid
How Borax and Boric acid kills Ants
Once ants are attracted to your bait and ingest it, it will begin damaging their nervous system, and digestive system and softening their exoskeleton. The entire process takes anywhere between 24-48 hours for the ant to die. This time period gives the ant time to return to the colony and share the bait with the queen and others.
If successful, and depending on the size of the colony, it should take anywhere from a few days to weeks to kill the entire colony.
To note, ants can develop a resistance to your bait. Therefore, if you’re using Boric Acid for one week, you may wish to switch to Borax the next.
Homemade vs Store bought Borax and Boric Acid
There is no arguing that it is perfectly acceptable to make your Borax or Boric acid concoction at home, but truly, why?
Why when you can buy one already made for you? You won’t have to worry about getting your ingredients right or finding a container that will protect your kids and pets.
For outside use, there are many reliable products. We like the Terro Ant Killer Liquid bait. It contains a patented formula that protects the bait from the elements so it won’t dry out.
1. Outside Ant Killer
Terro Outside Ant Killer
- Kills visible ants along with those hiding.
- Ready to use bait stations – no mixing required
- 5.40% Borax
- 94.6 other ingredients
For inside use, we like the Harris Ant killer. Simply spread the trays in areas you wish to treat. The ants will bring the bait to the colony. Problem solved.
Indoor Ant Killer
Harris Indoor Ant Killer
- Includes 9 Bait Trays Per Pack
- Kills sweet eating ants, sugar ants, and many others.
- Active ingredient is Borax
- EPA Registered for indoor and outdoor use
- Kills the Queen and the Colony
Conclusion
Borax and Boric Acid are both Boron compounds and are often used together or interchangeably. It is important to note that they are not the same. Borax is mined from the ground and is a natural mineral, while Boric Acid is the result when Borax is processed and fillers are added. Both are essential for keeping ants at bay and most effective when used together in alternate treatments.