Does Borax Kill Termites? How To Use Effectively?

If termites have entered your house, then your trouble is justified. Because this tiny insect can shake the foundation of your entire house.

Today we are going to talk about Borax powder which is used in termite control. It is a natural pesticide that people have many questions about.

Since it is a natural method, it is also very affordable and can save you from breaking your bank for termite control.

People who have not yet used borax have many questions in their minds like does borax really kill termites? which borax powder is best for termites? and how to use it effectively on different types of termites?

In this article, you will get to know the answer to the following questions step by step and I will make sure you leave the article without having any doubt.

What is Borax?
Does borax actually kill termites?
Where Borax Effectively Works and where it does not work?
What kind of borax kill termites?
How to kiLL termites effectively with Borax?
Does borax kill drywood, subterrenean and flying termites?
How long does it take borax to kill termites?

Let us first understand what exactly is borax?

What is Borax?

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Borax is the mineral form of the element Boron. It is used for household cleaning and as a laundry booster.

Borax is obtained naturally. It is obtained from the accumulated debris from the repeated evaporation of seasonal lakes.

Borax appears as a white powder consisting of many colorless crystals, which is a type of solid mineral form that is soluble in water.

Note: If borax powder comes in contact with the skin or eyes, it can cause problems like eye irritation or skin rash. It can cause vomiting, nausea, oral irritation, and respiratory problems if you accidentally swallow it or if it enters your body through your breath. It is like a short-term irritant. You should strictly keep it away from children and pets.

Does Borax Actually Kill Termites?

Yes, borax can kill termites. It is a natural “on contact” pesticide. Like vinegar or baking soda, It can only kill visible termites. It enters the termite’s body and dehydrates it, which causes the death of termites.

No natural method works on termites alone. Each natural method has a different recipe.

For example, we can make a great natural pesticide by mixing lemon juice in vinegar. In the same way, baking soda also has a different pesticide recipe, which works effectively on termites.

Borax has its own recipe and a method to apply on termites which I will share with your further in this article.

Before that let me tell you, on which termite infestations borax do wonder and where it has zero effect.

Where Borax Effectively Works and Where It Does Not Work?

Borax can effectively treat termites on furniture, doors, or windows even on clothing or bedding.

It is not effective on termites found in walls, ceilings, plants even it is not an effective treatment for termites in soil.

On walls or ceiling infestations, termites are mostly hidden so borax spray won’t kill them no matter how many times you spray, they will come back. But there are two tricks that can even kill hidden termites with borax, I will further tell you about that as well.

Now let me tell you, which type of borax powder works effectively on termites?

What Kind of Borax Kill Termites?

I have used milliard so I know it works on termites up to 100%. Although I haven’t tried 20 Mule Team Borax on termites yet, as many people have mentioned in their reviews on Amazon, it works on termites.

Both borax powders are purely organic and also very affordable so you do not have to break your bank to kill termites with borax.

Now, you know what borax powder is best for termites. It’s time to know how you can kill termites effectively with borax.

How to KiLL Termites Effectively with Borax?

There are three methods that can effectively kill termites with borax.

Borax Spray
Borax Marble Balls Bait
Cardboard Bait with Borax

Let me explain each method step by step!

Borax Spray:

This is the most commonly used method to kill termites. This method can only get rid of visible termites and is only effective if the termite infestation is not too severe.

Let me explain to you step by step, how can make Borax Termite Killer Spray:

Step 1: Take 1 and 1/2 cups of borax powder, 1 gallon of hot water, and a pump sprayer.

Step 2: Mix Borax powder into hot water and stir it until the powder completely dissolves. As it is soluble and does not take much time to dissolve.

Step 3: You have to apply the spray to the infested area in three coats. Let each coat dry before you apply the next coat.

Must Note: The spray will not work on finished wood and soil. Use the spray with a mask and gloves on and keep children and pets away from it.

This method works well on furniture, doors, windows, clothing, and bedding infestations. It also works on walls or ceiling infestation but is not that effective there.

Borax Marble Balls Bait:

This method is also very effective, which probably no one tells you. You can also easily kill hidden termites in this way.

Let us know step by step how to make and use it.

Step 1: First of all you need Borax Powder, a bowl, hot water, 1/2 cup of flour, 1/8 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of cooking oil, and a pump sprayer.

Step 2: You have to take a bowl and mix 8 oz. of Borax with flour and sugar. Now, add oil to it and mix all the ingredients well. You can add more oil to the mixture (if needed) until the mixture changes into a soft dough.

Step 3: Now, you have to make small marble-sized balls out of the dough. It’s time to place these balls exactly over the suspected termite infestation. And leave them until they get as hard as a brick and once they get hard replace them immediately.

Termites come out of the infested area to eat these balls and as soon as they ingest they die after a short time.

This method is very effective for killing small amounts of hidden termites. And it takes at least 5-7 days to kill the termites completely.

Cardboard Bait With Borax:

I personally like this method because it is great for killing hidden termites on a broader level. This method can kill termites in walls, ceilings, and even your roof.

Let’s get to know how you can make a termite bait station with borax and cardboard.

Step 1: First, you’ll need virgin cardboard, it is available on Amazon at a very cheap price. Now you have to identify the level of infestation. The more the infestation the more cardboard roll you will need.

Step 2: You have to open this cardboard roll and damp it well with Borax spray (the above-mentioned borax spray). Once it is fully damp, just roll it again the way it was and cover it with a plastic cover, leaving only the bottom part.

Step 3: Now stick this roll wherever you see termite infestation. And leave it for 48 hours but keep in mind that it should not dry and keep on wetting it with borax spray. Within 48 hours a lot of termites will settle on these cardboard baits and will die by sucking the liquid out of them. You have to take the accumulated termites away from the house and burn them.

The higher the infestation the more cardboard baits you will need. But this method works up to 100%.

Does borax kill drywood, subterrenean and flying termites?

Borax can easily kill whether it is dry wood termite, subterranean termite, damp wood termite, or even flying termites (adult termites coming out of old colonies also called swarmers). It is just you need to apply the right borax method according to the termite’s type.

For example, subterranean termites are found in walls or ceilings and the foundational structures of your house. The borax spray won’t reach their hidden colonies, in this case, you can use borax with cardboard baits as a natural method.

You can kill dry wood and flying termites with the help of borax spray whenever you see any swarmer coming out of the holes of walls or any wooden object, just spray borax solution to that particular area in three coats. You can also use the Borax marble balls bait method for dry wood termites.

How Long Does It Take Borax to Kill Termites?

Although borax acts a little slower than vinegar, it is 100% effective. Borax starts working in 48 hours and takes a total of 5-7 days to kill termites completely.

It acts as slow as baking soda but is more effective than baking soda. Baking soda is a bit mild in nature but despite the harsh nature of borax, it works slow.

Conclusion:

So the conclusion is that borax is 100% helpful in killing termites. Before using borax, you should understand the level of termite infestation.

If the infection is very high, then you can use the borax with cardboard bait method mentioned above, but if the infestation has not spread much yet then using borax marble balls or Borax spray method will be the best.

The two most effective borax powders are Milliard and 20 Mule Team. Both work on all types of termites.

Whenever you use borax, keep in mind that wear a mask and glove and keep it away from children and pets.