Ingredients
- 1 tsp powdered boric acid
- 10 teaspoons sugar
- 2 cups of water
- cotton balls
Directions
- Dissolve boric acid and sugar into two cups of water.
- Dip cotton balls into the mixture and leave them near ant trails.
- This will be carried back into the ant's nest, and will decimate or wipe out the colony.
Glenn G. says:
Most posts I read say one tablespoon of Boric Acid to one teaspoon of sugar - very different ratio than yours - which is right?
Thanks,
Glenn
Marjorie L. says:
Is this safe for pets??
David K. says:
Boric acid is about as toxic as table salt. It acts by dessication. Unless sugar is irresistible enough for them to eat the cottonballs, your pets will be perfectly safe around the substance.
Marjorie L. says:
Thanks David K.
Shahla A. says:
can Boric acid be used for killing roaches as well?
Thanks, Sheila
D. Harmon A. says:
Boric acid is toxic. Check the MSDS. Yes it will kill roaches. Here is the recipe: Mix a half teaspoon of boric acid with about one-eighth cup of pancake mix. Blend in enough maple syrup to make a thick paste that barely flows. Cut several 4 inch by 4 inch pieces of printer paper and place about one-half teaspoon of the mix on each paper. Place the papers where you suspect roaches. Slide them under your washer or drier or under places where they are invisible and pets cannot reach them. When roaches finish eating the mix, they will eat a spot out of the paper where the mix was! You soon won't have any roaches.
Harmon A.
Amy P. says:
Would it be all right to use something else that's sticky and sweet? I can't get behind the idea of giving ants real maple syrup!
D. Harmon A. says:
Amy, you can use corn syrup. It really only takes a teaspoon full to make the mix. I've not tried it but honey is a possibility. But you're on track. It does have to be sticky or it runs all over. Sugar water won't do. The recipe I gave was for roaches, so try it for ants if you wish.
I didn't mention it but another way to get the roaches is to lay down 2-inch-wide vinyl tape sticky side up right next to the wall where roaches run. Use a 12 to 15 inch strip. They are attracted to the glue but you can also sweeten a tiny spot or two in the center and they will walk out there and get stuck. I've caught huge ones this way. Sometimes 5 or 6 in one night. Did that in a rented house where, ah, the folks weren't too clean! This method is a little more organic in that no poison is used.
Harmon