Rat Control: Answering Boric Acid For Rats Facts And Myths

Previously you learn ways to use bleach to repel rats, use water bucket rat trap, and other homemade rat poison. Now is there a less toxic way to reel and control the presence of rats in your homes? Have you heard of boric acids? Many households believe that you can use boric acid for rats. Boric is a common substance used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.

Know how boric acids can be used as a rat killer or not. First, understand what this compound is. 

Boric and Borax

Boric acid or BA and Borax are two different substances that claim to stop pests and insects from infecting a home. 

There is, however, a distinction between their formulation. At first, these two terms are used interchangeably. They are compounds formed from the element Boron, which is naturally present in animals and plants. When plants dried and animals decomposed in the ground, the chemical element boron comes out. 

Now borax is just a salt component of Boric acid, and borax is the salt part of the BA. 

Borax is a compound that is common among pesticides, fungicides, and insecticides. And it often comes as a powder and is mixed into solutions for eradicating insects in plants, animals, and the soil.

Misconceptions of Boric Acids and Rats

It is a common misconception that boric acids can kill rats and mice. The truth about boric acid for rats is that it is not sufficient to kill larger pests. Boric acid is toxic against small insects like roaches and flies.

For that reason, it had become a household name that boric acid can kill rats. But now you know that truth and must be wiser in choosing rat exterminator products. There are experts you can inquire about effective ways to kill pests. 

• Boric acid does not “kill” large pests like rats, mice, and snakes.
• Boric acid can kill insects.

How do boric acid and borax work against pests?

Boric acid has low efficiency. However, there are other ways to use it to control rat’s harmful impact.

• Harm rat’s development
• Irritate rat’s digestive system
• Desiccant for rats
• Dehydrate rats
• Hamper reproductive ability

An update to a 1980 study revealed that boric acid harms mice’s gestation period. Although the rats didn’t die, their offspring come out weaker and with reduced weight. The presence of BA altered the natal development of the mice. The rats’ water intake increases suggesting that they become dehydrated faster than the regular rate. 

Before, people widely use borax for multiple purposes. And in terms of poisoning, borax is much effective for larger pests. The substance is used in the form of powder. Places with frequent visits from pests are covered with borax powder.

When the animal crawls over the surface with borax, the substance will cover its feet and body. They’ll potentially ingest the substance as they eat and clean their body.

Borax is the primary component that makes the rats or pests dehydrated. The element can drain the fluid in an organism causing them to weaken and reduce its capabilities to develop and grow.

Warnings Before Using Boric Acid and Borax

Even if boron compounds have low toxicity and only works for tiny insects like ants, you must still observe safety when using them. Heed the following warnings so that you can ensure safety in your properties when using boric acid and/or borax for rats and other pests control.

• Boric acid can expose your body through your eyes, skin, or through inhaling it.
• Borax, in particular, can irritate skin and the eye.
• An extreme amount of boric acid and borax can cause nausea, stomach ache, and diarrhea.
• Children may be more sensitive to boric acid, so make sure to keep the products away from children.

What Boric Acid and Borax Won’t Kill

And finally, here is a list of pests that boric acid will not kill. Borax and BA are often most effective in killing ants and cockroaches. But you can mix amounts of the compounds to control large pests and other insects, but it does not guarantee effective elimination of:

• Beetles
• Ticks
• Bed Bugs
• Fleas
• Moths
• Flies
• Lice
• Spiders 
• Rodents

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