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Ant Killer With Borax – Does It Really Kill Ants?
Does borax kill ants?
An ant infestation isn’t an easy thing to manage, so you’ve probably already tried looking up a few home solutions. While reading an article on the topic, you’ve probably found a little home solution that people refer to as borax.
What is Borax?
Odds are that you’ve never even heard of borax, and that’s perfectly fine. This powdery substance used to be popular in many industries, and it was even an essential cleaning product in many people’s homes. But times have changed, and borax isn’t as popular as it once was. It’s been all but replaced in many industries, and there are now tons of better and easier to use cleaning products.
That said, borax isn’t completely gone. This white powder can still be found in plenty of household items. It’s probably in your toothpaste, soap, shampoo, or even in glue!
How Can It Kill Ants?
The idea of using borax to kill ants can seem silly. After all, it’s been used to clean homes. It’s even still being used in things as harmless as toothpaste. That may all be true, but there’s one important factor to keep in mind. That’s the fact that borax is actually a toxic substance While borax doesn’t have any chemicals as dangerous as chlorine, it still has a little compound called sodium tetraborate. This compound is naturally occurring, but it can still be dangerous. Despite its toxicity, borax doesn’t kill many people. That’s because the low toxicity isn’t enough to affect an adult. Ants on the other hand are very small, so even small amounts of the stuff can kill the animal. It works by getting inside an ant’s digestive system. Once there, it wreaks havoc and kills the creature.
How Can You Use it?
It should come as no surprise that ants aren’t naturally attracted to borax. This substance doesn’t have anything that might draw them to it. That’s why spreading the powder around your home won’t actually accomplish anything. Instead, it’s a good idea to combine it with something and turn it into poisonous bait. You have a few different options in this case, but sugar and jam are two of your best choices. You can either mix sugar, water, and borax to get a clumped-up mass. Or do the same by adding some jam to the powder. Then just place this near an ant’s nest and wait for them to die off on their own.
Why is Borax Effective?
Borax is an effective way to get rid of ants because it doesn’t kill an ant immediately. Instead, it gives the ant a chance to go back home where it can share its food with the rest of the colony. By doing so, the ant will poison many of the colony’s workers or even the queen. Thus killing off a large number of them.
Destroying the Ant Nest Yourself
If you’re still dealing with ants after sealing off your home, removing food sources, and using repellents, then your only choice is to destroy the ant nest. It might be hard to get yourself to kill so many ants, but there’s not much else you can do in some cases. Destroying an ant nest is easier than you might think. All you have to do is boil some water and pour it into the anthill. The heat will be enough to kill most of the ants instantly. Yet you’ll have to repeat the process a few times if you want them gone for good.
Safety Tips
While borax isn’t that toxic to adults, it can still cause headaches and irritation. The substance is also particularly dangerous to pets and children, so keep it far away from their reach and use it in a careful and controlled amount.
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