Boric Acid Roach Killer – Baits and Common Mistakes in Using Boric Acid

Boric acid is a popular ingredient that’s used in a lot of household products. It’s used in making glass, laundry soaps and toothpaste. But recently, this white powder has found a nice place in the pest control industry. 

While not as potent as commercial roach baits, Boric Acid has been proven to be fairly effective against troublesome insects like termites and ants, a lot of homeowners are using the boric acid roach killer to rid their homes of roaches. Boric acid also works for termites, and it’s great for baiting roaches.

So just how effective is this powder? And why is it so popular in the internet? Let’s find out.

How Boric Acid Kills Roaches

With all this talk on boric acid and roaches, you may wonder how this powder works.

According to Pest Off, boric acid’s damage on roaches is twofold. First, the powder’s crystal-like particles cling to the insect’s body and pierce its hard exoskeleton, giving it tiny microscopic wounds. It’s used in the same way diatomaceous earth is used for roach prevention.

Second, roaches have a habit of cleaning after themselves. They wipe their limbs and antennae with their mouth. The boric acid particles attached to their bodies will get eaten and wreak havoc. Once inside, the powder then destroys a roach’s stomach and shuts down its nervous system. The powder can also suck all the moisture inside and eventually dehydrate the cockroach.

Fully matured roaches accordingly have 72 hours to live after eating boric acid. For nymphs or younger roaches, it only takes 24 to 48 hours for the powder to kill them.

How to Make a Boric Acid Roach Killer

The boric acid roach killer works just like store-bought baits. In fact, most commercial baits are made with boric acid as one of their core components. So if you’re thinking of putting up baits made from this powder, here are some recipes you can try out.

Wet Recipe

For the first bait recipe, mix boric acid with something moist to hold the bait together. The most common ingredient for this would be peanut butter.

Just mix equal parts of the powder and peanut butter using a spoon and a small plate. Don’t forget that boric acid is also toxic to humans, so make sure that the utensils you’re using are not the ones you use for eating.

Here’s a video from Sicilian Prince that demonstrates how to make this simple bait.

Note that you can use other kinds of food for this bait. You can substitute peanut butter for caramel sauce or any type of jelly. However, keep in mind that your bait’s success depends on the type of roach you have around your house. There are some types of roaches that have adapted to actually dislike, and therefore not be attracted to, glucose-rich food like jelly.

Here’s a video from Alexander Holladay that compares peanut butter and jelly baits’ effectiveness against glucose-averse roaches.

Dry Recipe

If some ingredients aren’t available, then try this simple method from Mother Nature Network. Mix one part powdered sugar and three parts boric acid. The great thing about this recipe is that you can either choose to put it in a container or just sprinkle it in roach infested areas. Since it’s made from dry ingredients, it won’t stain or do anything messy to your house.

Egg Recipe

This variation of the boric acid roach killer is from David Wolfe. It’s a cross between wet and dry, as you can put it anywhere in the house without needing containers, and it’s moist enough to attract roaches.

First, boil some eggs for 12-15 minutes. Peel them; remove the yolks, and discard the whites. Place the egg yolks in a bowl that you don’t use for eating, and pour in 1 cup of sugar and 2.5 oz of boric acid. Mix everything until you form a thick paste that feels like play dough. Finally, roll the egg baits into small balls, and place them anywhere in the house. Just make sure that no pets and kids can get to them.

6 Common Mistakes in Using Boric Acid

Only knowing how to make boric acid baits won’t automatically make your cockroach problems go away. In fact, you have to know how to correctly handle boric acid as a full cockroach pest treatment.

To help you on your quest to eradicate roaches, below are 6 things you must never do when using boric acid.

1. ​Putting baits in the wrong places. The key to this treatment is proper placement. Only pick areas inside the house that roaches frequent. Study what kind of roaches you have. This way, you’ll know where they will usually stay.
2. Not using other treatments. The boric acid roach killer is not a one-step solution. To produce stellar results, you have to pair it with other known treatments like diatomaceous earth.
3. Using adhesive traps with boric acid. While you’re completely allowed to use other treatments to deal with pesky roaches, steer clear from adhesive traps. These will make everything counterproductive. What you’re after is infecting the nest by using boric acid poisoned roaches. You can’t do that if those roaches can’t go back to their nests because they’re stuck on the adhesive traps.
4. Applying too much. For dry recipes, don’t sprinkle too much of the bait in one place. Roaches will avoid this since it’s like trudging through thick snow for them. Instead, apply a thin layer, just enough to keep the roaches interested.
5. Ignoring safety issues. Remember that boric acid is also toxic to humans, pets and plants. Never dust the powder on top of tables and countertops. Use gloves, and never use utensils for eating when you’re mixing baits. And lastly, absolutely never leave baits where pets and kids can get to them.
6. Being impatient. This treatment is not a pop song. It’s not going to be an instant hit. It really starts slow. So just keep replacing baits, and you’re going to see results after a week or so.

The boric acid roach killer will always be a popular option for homeowners. That’s because it’s cheap, effective and flexible. So if you’re ever looking for ways to eradicate roaches in your house, give this method a good try.