5 Ways to Kill Roaches With Borax

Cockroaches are some of the most detested pests that can invade your home. Not only are they unsightly, but they also spread harmful bacteria, trigger allergies and asthma attacks, and contaminate food sources. If you’re dealing with a roach infestation, borax can be an effective and relatively inexpensive way to eliminate these vile critters. This mineral-based powder works as a stomach poison and desiccant to kill cockroaches over time. Here are five methods for using borax to get rid of roaches for good.

Method 1: Making a Borax Solution Bait Trap

Borax solution baits attract roaches with sweet ingredients and deliver a lethal dose of the powder once ingested. This method is ideal for heavy infestations.

What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup (200g) white sugar
• 1⁄2 cup (100g) borax powder
• 1 cup (240ml) warm water
• Cotton balls
• Shallow dishes or lids

Step 1: Mix the borax solution In a bowl, combine the white sugar, borax powder, and warm water. Stir thoroughly until all the dry ingredients have dissolved into the liquid.

Step 2: Soak cotton balls Take a handful of cotton balls and submerge them into the borax solution until fully saturated. Squeeze out any excess liquid from the cotton balls.

Step 3: Place baits Tear or pull apart the soaked cotton balls and place the pieces into shallow dishes or jar lids. Distribute these bait stations throughout areas where you’ve seen high roach activity.

Step 4: Monitor and replace baits Check the bait stations every couple of days. Refresh them by soaking new cotton balls in the borax solution once the existing baits have dried out or been consumed.

Method 2: Making a Borax Dust Insecticidal Powder

A fine dusting of borax powder in roach hiding spots makes it impossible for them to avoid contact. The powder lacers their exoskeletons and causes desiccation.

What You’ll Need:

• Borax powder
• Small duster or bulb powder duster
• Vacuum with hose attachment

Step 1: Apply borax dust in roach hotspots Use a small duster or bulb powder dispenser to lightly coat areas with a thin layer of borax powder. Target cracks, crevices, voids under cabinets/appliances, and anywhere else you see roach activity.

Step 2: Vacuum up excess powder After dusting each area, use the hose attachment on your vacuum to carefully remove any excess borax powder that could be kicked up into the air.

Step 3: Reapply every 2 weeks Cockroaches will track through and ingest the borax powder, which kills them slowly. Reapply a fresh dusting every couple of weeks to maintain effectiveness.

Method 3: Mixing Borax with Bait Gel

For targeted elimination, mixing borax into a store-bought roach gel bait takes advantage of its combined attractant and killing properties.

What You’ll Need:

• Roach bait gel (e.g. Advion, Maxforce, Combat)
• Borax powder
• Mixing utensil

Step 1: Add borax to bait gel Scoop out a portion of the roach bait gel into a small cup or container. Mix in an equal amount of borax powder until fully incorporated.

Step 2: Apply the bait mix Use a basting brush or old butter knife to apply pea-sized dollops of the bait/borax mixture in areas of roach activity and near potential nesting sites.

Step 3: Monitor and reapply Check back in 1-2 weeks. If the bait mix has been consumed, re-apply fresh dollops as needed. The roaches will share the borax-laced bait, decimating the colony.

Method 4: Creating Borax Flushing Agents

Flushing out roaches from wall voids and crevices with borax powder makes it effective on hard-to-reach colonies.

What You’ll Need:

• Bulb duster or plastic bottle with holes
• Rubber tubing or masking tape
• Vacuum with hose
• Crevice tool attachment

Step 1: Make a borax duster If using a plastic bottle, poke holes in the sides about 3-4 inches from the bottom. Otherwise, a commercial bulb powder duster works.

Step 2: Flush out the roaches Coat the tip of the rubber tubing or use masking tape to make a funnel. Insert it into holes and crevices, then puff borax powder inside using your duster tool.

Step 3: Vacuum up fleeing roaches After flushing each area, quickly vacuum up any roaches that come scurrying out using the crevice tool on your vacuum’s hose.

Method 5: Baiting With Borax “Cookies”

These doughy borax discs act as an enticing edible bait for roaches that delivers a fatal dose of the powder.

What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 cup (100g) borax powder
• 1⁄3 cup (80ml) water or milk
• Baking sheet or plate
• Butter knife or spoon

Step 1: Make the borax “cookie” dough In a bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour and borax powder. Then stir in the water or milk until a thick, doughy mixture forms.

Step 2: Form dough discs On a baking sheet or plate, scoop out portions of the dough and pat them into flat circular discs or “cookies” about 2-3 inches wide.

Step 3: Place borax baits Arrange the borax “cookie” discs in areas of roach activity, especially near water sources where cockroaches like to congregate.

Step 4: Replace stale baits Check daily and refresh with new borax “cookies” once the existing baits have hardened or been consumed by roaches.

Tips for Using Borax on Roaches

• Borax is minimally toxic to humans and pets when used as directed, but avoid ingesting or inhaling the powder.
• Using borax alone may not fully eliminate a severe roach infestation. Combine with other methods like chemical sprays or baits.
• Never mix borax with other household cleaners or chemicals, as it can release toxic gases.
• Boric acid is another mineral option that works similarly to borax for roach control.
• Use borax products with caution around children and pets to prevent accidental exposure.
• Expect to keep re-applying borax consistently for several weeks before seeing full extermination results.

With some diligence and patience, borax offers an affordable, low-toxicity solution for getting rid of cockroach infestations in your home. Follow the proper safety precautions and incorporate multiple application methods for maximum effectiveness against these unrelenting pests. Stick with it and you can reclaim your home from these unsanitary invaders.

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