Eliminating cockroaches for good is a serious and complicated task, and you’ll gladly welcome any effective solution — including borax — that you can get your hands on. Cockroaches spread diseases, and they’re notoriously difficult to get rid of.
You may have encountered stories claiming the efficiency of borax in the fight against roaches. Thankfully, borax is a really effective method for terminating these stubborn scavengers. Let’s examine why borax is such an effective agent that can help you avoid having to hire a pest control service in your quest to kill roaches. However, if you think your roach infestation may be a bit too overwhelming for you to handle yourself, get an estimate from some of the best pest control companies in the industry below.
4.6
Over 90 years of experience
Nationwide service area
Free retreatments if pests return
4.7
Treats 20 types of pests
Offers instant online quotes
30-day money-back guarantee
What Is Borax?
Borax is a chemical compound of the mineral boron. Its complete chemical name, according to IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry), is sodium tetraborate decahydrate.
Other common names for borax are sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, and disodium tetraborate. Pure borax is in crystal form that can be converted into a powder.
Processing borax yields boric acid, also known as hydrogen borate. Although both borax and boric acid are effective insecticides, the two are different chemicals.
Read More: Click here to learn more about boric acid’s use in pest control
Aside from pest control, borax has several household uses, including:
- Laundry booster
- Tooth whitener
- Food additive
- Fire retardant
Did You Know?
Borax is classified as a cleaner, pesticide, fungicide, and poison at the same time.
Does Borax Work Against Cockroaches?
Roaches dread borax powder because it contains the mineral boron. Borax on its own can kill cockroaches, but it’s more effective when you mix it with roach bait (a food attractant). It can kill a slew of cockroaches when you sprinkle it into crevices and near baseboards.
I recommend mixing borax with a food attractant such as sugar and placing it in areas cockroaches often visit while scavenging. Cockroaches are drawn to the trap and eat the bait along with the borax.
You can also use borax on its own (without mixing it with a bait) and sprinkle the powder in thin traces. The granules will adhere to the pest’s legs and be consumed through the preening process.
When cockroaches ingest borax, it damages the gut lining, eventually killing them out of starvation. Dehydration also kicks in as the abrasive powder damages the insects’ exoskeletons.
Does Borax Work with American and German Cockroaches?
German and American cockroaches are two of the most common species of roaches that infest homes and other human habitations. Thankfully, borax is a great insecticide for both species.
German cockroaches are significantly smaller, growing to about 1.1 to 1.6 centimeters (cm) in length. They’re mostly light brown in color. Over its lifetime, the German cockroach can lay up to 320 eggs.
American cockroaches, on the other hand, are quite large, reaching around 4 cm long. They’re reddish brown in color. These cockroaches sometimes fly and can produce up to 224 eggs over their lifetimes.
Despite the differences in their physical characteristics, American and German cockroaches‘ diets, habitats, and scavenging behaviors are pretty much the same. Both types of cockroaches can easily fall victim to borax insecticide.
What’s good about this natural insecticide is that it doesn’t kill the insect on the spot. Roaches that are exposed to borax return to their nesting grounds, taking the poison along with them, delivering a mortal blow to baby roaches.
To know more about cockroaches and how to get rid of them, check out our comprehensive guide.
Other Effective Cockroach-Killing Methods Using Borax
Mixing borax with sugar and using it without an attractant ( which acts like a dust insecticide) are two of the most common methods of controlling cockroach infestation.
However, the video below suggests some cockroaches may be outsmarting sugar bait.
If you think your unwanted guests are clever enough to avoid borax whether or not it’s mixed with sugar, perhaps it’s time to try a different approach.
Instead of just using sugar as the sole food attractant, you can add liquid milk into the mix — cockroaches are highly attracted to it. Adding it yields a more enticing bait in paste form that sticks effectively to the insects’ legs.
In addition to the sugar and milk mixture, try these borax-based methods:
- Borax and baking soda: Mix equal parts for a dehydrating powder
- Borax and peanut butter: Create an irresistible bait for roaches
- Borax and egg yolk: Provides protein to attract roaches
- Borax and cocoa powder: Another sweet attractant for roaches
Read more: Use the best cockroach repellent to keep roaches away.
Borax Alternatives for Killing Cockroaches
While borax is a great way to remove cockroaches from your home, there are several alternatives worth considering:
- Diatomaceous earth: A natural, abrasive powder that dehydrates insects
- Boric acid: Similar to borax but more potent (use with caution)
- Essential oils: Peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil can repel roaches
- Glue traps: Capture roaches without chemicals
- Gel baits: Highly effective poison that roaches carry back to their nests
Is Borax Safe To Use?
When controlling cockroach infestations with borax, be very careful in handling it — especially if there are pets and children in the house. It’s often indistinguishable from something edible. Although it’s classified as one of the safest and most effective chemical compounds to use against cockroaches, borax can still cause health problems.
When you inhale it, it can cause respiratory irritation. If you eat it, it can cause minor complications in your digestive tract. If you ingest or inhale borax, you should seek medical attention right away.
When To Hire Pest Control
I recommend calling in the experts when your cockroach problem becomes overwhelming. If you’ve been diligently applying DIY methods for several weeks without success, I strongly encourage you to call a pest control company. This is especially true if you’re facing a big infestation or if you spot roaches during daylight hours — this indicates a severe problem.
Professional exterminators have more potent treatments and can develop a comprehensive plan to eliminate the infestation for good.
Final Thoughts on Using Borax
Borox is an effective way to kill cockroaches, but its efficiency in removing your cockroach infestation depends on several factors. Identifying places frequented by the insects and monitoring progress on a daily basis is key to your overall success in your fight against these pests.
For severe cockroach problems, you can use our Trusted Exterminator Search Tool to secure the help of a professional pest control company.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for borax to kill roaches?
Borax typically kills roaches within 24 to 72 hours after they ingest it.
Is borax or boric acid better for killing roaches?
Boric acid is stronger and more effective, but borax is safer for households with pets and children.
How often should I reapply borax for roach control?
I recommend reapplying it every one to two weeks or when you notice the powder has been disturbed or cleaned away.
