Boric Acid

What is boric acid?

Boric Acid is an odorless, non-volatile powder that is considered a safer alternative than more hazardous synthetic chemical pesticides. It is generally considered to be not much more toxic than ordinary table salt. While it is relatively non-toxic to people and their pets, it is absolutely fatal to cockroaches, ants, termites, silverfish and other common household insects.

Boric Acid Formulations

Boric acid is available as an insecticide in almost endless formulations to match any circumstance, including boric acid dust, boric acid powder, emulsifiable concentrates, tablets, pellets, pastes, boric acid bait, and crack and crevice treatments.

How does boric acid work to control pests?

Boric acid acts as a “stomach poison” for roaches, ants, silverfish, and other insects listed on the product label. The most common forms of boric acid used in pest control are boric acid bait and dry boric acid powder.

• Baits are placed in zones of high-travel for the target-pest, usually kitchens and bathrooms, and include a feeding attractant to draw the insect in. Once the insect seizes the bait, the boric acid is ingested and begins poisoning the insect until it has died.
   
• Boric acid powder or boric acid dust is applied to cracks and crevices in a thin layer where insects travel. When the insect crawls over the treated area, their legs become coated in the powder, which is then absorbed through their outer body or ingested when the insect grooms itself.

What makes boric acid different from other active ingredients?

• Boric acid keeps working when other ingredients don’t; sometimes for up to a year. One of the unique properties of boric acid is that it gets the job done effectively even in small amounts and retains potency indefinitely as long as it is dry. In some products, the active ingredient may even continue killing the target pest for up to a year.

• Boric acid has no repellency to insects, assuring that target pests return to treated areas repeatedly until they die.