Borax is a naturally occurring mineral that occurs in many places around the world. It is used as a cleaning agent, fire retardant, insecticide, and other uses. Boric acid (the active ingredient) is commonly found in laundry detergents and toothpaste. It’s also known as sodium hypochlorite or bleach.
Does Borax Kill Ants?
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The most common use of borax is to kill insects. Some people have been using it as a pesticide since ancient times. However, its main application today is as a household cleaner and insecticide. It kills bugs such as mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, and ants without harming humans or animals.
Borax will turn into a paste when it dries, and ants will leave it alone after coming in contact with it. If ants come in contact with the paste, they will die. You can buy borax at any grocery store or health food store.
How to Make DIY Borax Insecticide
It is very easy to make your own homemade borax insecticide. All you need are some baking soda, water, and salt. Mix them together well, so they don’t clump up. Add enough water to make a thick paste, and then add the sodium hydroxide (baking soda). Let it sit for several hours before using it on ants or other pests. If you don’t want to pay for it, you can make your own homemade borax insecticide from baking soda and water.
Boric Acid vs. Borax for Ants
Borax is frequently confused with the boric acid, but they’re definitely not the same. It’s an organic mineral collected through mining or perhaps from evaporated lake build up.
The boric acid is ready by blending borax with a few mineral acids, for instance, hydrochloric acid. Nevertheless, boric acid and both borax may be utilized as an insecticide for getting rid of the ants. Follow security methods before using them because the boric acid is somewhat more dangerous than the borax powder.
Also Read: How to Control Ants in the Garden Naturally
Does the Borax Damage the Lawn?
Borax is often applied to avoid the ant invasions in some areas or perhaps in backyards. Remember that borax can be poisonous to plants if it is not used properly.
You are able to apply borax liquid or perhaps solid baits both outside and inside but be sure that you can use a lid or perhaps pot whenever you use borax bait in the garden of yours. Be cautious while the immediate bodily touch of borax on your lawn is able to harm the plants of yours as it could also work as a natural herbicide.
How to Get Rid of Ants with Borax
There are several ways to kill ants with borax.
- One way is by spraying them with the solution. Another method is soaking them in the solution overnight.
- A third method involves placing a piece of aluminum foil over their head and covering their body completely while leaving their legs exposed so they won’t sting when they die. It will kill all ants that come in contact with it.
- You can also place sticky notes around your home to direct ants to the mixture, so you don’t need to worry about them spreading it around accidentally.
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Place at least two inches away from all ant trails.
- You can make a paste out of borax and water and place it where the ants are living. Let the ant mounds dry, and the ants will die from dehydration and because they will have a hard time digesting the material in their stomachs.
- You can also just crush up some borax and use that to wipe down anthills. Larger infestations (of more than one ant type) use a broom to apply the paste to all ant trails.
- Crush up some borax and place it in a small Tupperware container. Wet a cotton ball or wipe and dab it on all the surfaces where ants are crawling.
How to Get Rid of Ant Hills With Borax
Ants instinctively follow ant trails, so the areas around where they enter your home are usually the first places they colonize. Anthills should be eliminated by digging them up and cleaning out the soil. If this is not an option, make sure to treat areas around your home that ants commonly travel through. Anthills are important because, without them, they couldn’t produce new generations of ants.
Anthills are often marked by dirt mounds, so if you’re trying to treat an area and you don’t know where the ant hills are, just dig around, and you’ll find them. If you’re going to be treating an area like this yourself, it’s a good idea to wear gloves and an N95 rated mask. You can get these at any hardware store or department store.
