Ants tend to be a nuisance, especially in the kitchen, where they might creep up on food and even attack. One highly effective way to get rid of ants is by using Borax. Borax is a chemical that has been used for many years as an insecticide, and it is still one of the best methods for killing ants without using harsh chemicals.
Does Borax Kill Ants?
When used correctly, Borax is a very effective ant killer. In fact, it’s so effective that many commercial ant killers contain Borax as their main active ingredient.
The naturally occurring mineral borax, also called sodium tetraborate, has a number of uses. With its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties, it is commonly used as a disinfectant and insecticide.
Borax is very inexpensive and can be found at most hardware stores, big-box stores such as Walmart and Target, as well as online. Because it is an effective laundry detergent booster, it is often located in the laundry supply aisle.
How Does Borax Work?
Borax works by causing dehydration in ants. When the ants consume Borax, it interferes with their digestive system and prevents them from absorbing water.
This leads to dehydration and death. However, it should be noted that Borax is a slow-acting poison. So don’t expect the ants to die immediately after consuming it.
It may take a few hours or even days for the full effect to kick in. But eventually, all of the ants that have consumed the Borax will die.
Is Borax Safe to Use?
Yes, Borax is safe to use around humans and pets. However, it is important to keep it out of reach of children as it can be harmful if consumed in large quantities.
Borax is also safe for the environment and will not harm plants or animals.
How to Use Borax to Kill Ants
There are a few different ways that you can use Borax to kill ants. The most common method is to mix it with sugar and water to create a bait solution. The ants will be attracted to the sugar and then consume the Borax which will eventually kill them.
Another method is to simply sprinkle some Borax near the ants’ nest. The ants will walk through the Borax and consume it, leading to their death.
The type of ants that Borax works best for is the common black ant. Borax is also effective against other types of ants, such as carpenter ants and Argentine ants.
How to Make a DIY Borax Insecticide
To use Borax to get rid of ants, you will need:
Borax Powder
a container for the Borax solution (e.g., a spray bottle, a bucket, or a jar)
water
paper towels or a cloth
Rubber gloves (optional, but recommended)
1. Mix one part Borax with three parts water in the container.
2. Wet down the areas where you have seen ants, or where you think they might be entering your home.
3. Pour the Borax solution over the wet areas.
4. Let the solution sit for about an hour.
5. Wipe up the Borax solution with paper towels or a cloth.
6. Repeat steps 2-5 as necessary until the ants are gone.
You can also make an “ant bait” by combining Borax with sugar. The ants will be attracted to the sugar, and they will ingest the Borax which will kill them.
Borax Ant Bait
To make ant bait:
1/2 cup Powdered sugar
1 1/2 tablespoon Borax
1/2 cup water
Mix together the bait for ants using Borax. To do this:
1. Mix one part sugar with one part Borax. Add the water.
2. Put the mixture on a plate or in a bowl.
3. Place the bait where you have seen ants, or where you think they might be entering your home.
4. Let the bait sit for a few days.
5. Wipe up the bait with paper towels or cloth as necessary.
6. Repeat steps 2-5 until the ants are gone.
Be sure to keep pets and children away from the bait, as it is toxic. Also, do not use this bait near any food areas.
It is important to note that Borax can be harmful if ingested. So, be sure to wear rubber gloves when handling Borax, and keep it out of the reach of children and pets. If you have any concerns, consult with a pest control professional before using Borax to get rid of ants.
If you have pets or small children, you may wish to use the water bottle ant killer method instead.
Boric Acid vs Borax for Ants
Boric acid and Borax are both effective at killing ants, but they work in different ways. Boric acid is a contact poison. This means that the ants have to come into direct contact with it in order to be killed.
Borax, on the other hand, is a stomach poison. This means that the ants will consume it and it will eventually kill them.
So which one is better? It really depends on the situation. If you’re dealing with an outdoor ant nest, Borax is a better option as the ants will consume it as they walk through it.
If you’re dealing with an indoor ant nest, boric acid is a better option as the ants will come into contact with it directly. Both boric acid and Borax are safe to use around humans and pets, but it is important to keep them out of reach of children.
How to Get Rid of Ants with Borax
Can you Get Rid of Ant Hills with Borax
Yes, you can get rid of ant hills with Borax. The ants will consume the Borax and it will eventually kill them. However, it may take a few days for the full effect to kick in.
To use Borax to kill ant hills, simply sprinkle it around the perimeter of the nest. The ants will walk through the Borax and eventually die. Borax is a safe and effective way to get rid of anthills. It’s also environmentally friendly and won’t harm plants or animals.
If you have children or pets, it’s important to keep the Borax out of reach as it can be harmful if consumed in large quantities.
See Also:
How to Kill Fire ants Naturally
How to Kill Carpenter Ants
Easy Non-Toxic Solution to Kill Ants
How to Get Rid of Ants Using Borax
Equipment
- piece of cardboard (optional)
Materials
- ½ cup Powdered sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoon Borax
- 2 tablespoon water
Instructions
How to Make Bait:
- Mix one part sugar with one part Borax. Add warm water, mixing well.½ cup Powdered sugar1 ½ tablespoon Borax2 tablespoon water
- Put the mixture on a plate or in a bowl.
- Place the bait where you have seen ants, or where you think they might be entering your home.
- Let the bait sit for a few days.
- Wipe up the bait with paper towels or cloth as necessary. Alternatively, the bait can be places on small squares of cardboard to make clean up faster.
- Repeat steps 2-5 until the ants are gone.
Equipment & Materials
The information on this DIY site is for general informational purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy or effectiveness of the content shared. The site owner and authors are not liable for any damages or injuries. Use the information at your own risk and seek professional advice when needed.
Can’t wait to try this, thanks for sharing the recipe and the info. I’m so tired of ants taking over my kitchen!
This is great information! Borax is an incredibly effective way to keep ants at bay – I’ve been using it for a while now. Not only does it kill adult ants and their eggs, but it also prevents them from coming back by reducing the scent trails that they use to find food. Plus, borax is non-toxic to humans and animals and won’t harm the environment.
It’s also very easy to make a borax solution – simply mix one part borax with three parts sugar water or syrup and then place the solution in areas where you have experienced ant problems before. You can even put the mixture inside shallow containers such as small Tupperware or margarine tubs, which will help prevent pets and children from coming into contact with the solution.
Just remember to replace old solutions every few days since ants quickly adapt to any type of bait and may require more frequent treatments over time. This method is definitely worth a try – good luck!
Great article! I’ve been dealing with an ant infestation in my home for a while now and have heard of borax being a good, natural way to get rid of them. After seeing your post, I decided to give it a try! I mixed 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 tablespoon of borax and 2 tablespoons of water in a jar and put it near the ant trails. Sure enough, the ants were drawn to it, drank up the mixture and then carried some back to their nest. Within 48 hours my ant problem was gone!
I was really impressed by how effective the borax solution was and am grateful that there are natural remedies out there that can help us get rid of pests without harsh chemicals. It’s also nice to know that it’s not too expensive either since borax is pretty affordable. Thanks again for sharing this tip – it’s definitely something I’ll be recommending to all my friends who have pesky pests around their homes!
I’m so glad I found this blog post about how to get rid of ants with borax! I’ve been dealing with an ant problem in my home for a while and haven’t had any luck getting rid of them. After reading your post, I went out and purchased some borax and followed your instructions. So far, it seems to be working really well, which is great news!
Not only is borax a great way to get rid of ants, but it’s also an environmentally friendly option as well. Borax is a natural mineral that can be found in soil and plants. It’s non-toxic when used correctly and won’t harm the environment. Plus, it’s much cheaper than chemical ant killers, so you save money in the long run too!
I also think that using borax as an ant repellent is a much safer option than using chemical pesticides. These products can often contain harsh toxins that can be dangerous if inhaled or ingested by humans or pets. With borax, you don’t have to worry about those concerns because it’s all-natural and doesn’t contain any hazardous ingredients.
Thanks again for posting this blog post about how to get rid of ants with borax! I’m so glad I tried this method; it was fast, easy and effective!
Thanks for the great post! Borax is an excellent way to get rid of ants and it’s really easy to use. I have used it myself before and have seen amazing results in just a few days. It works by killing the ants, as well as disrupting their communication so that they don’t come back. Additionally, borax has a low toxic profile and is less likely to disturb other beneficial creatures like ladybugs or spiders than harsher chemical insecticides. All you need to do is mix some borax with sugar water or honey in equal parts and then put small amounts of the mixture around your house where you’ve seen ant activity. Don’t worry about your pets – borax is safe for them too, meaning your furry friends can stay indoors while you work on getting rid of those pesky ants!
Thanks for the great tutorial on how to get rid of ants with borax! I’ve had trouble with ant infestations in my home for years and this solution sounds like it could be a game-changer. I was wondering if there were any additional tips that you could give that would help make sure this method works as effectively as possible? For example, does the borax need to be placed directly on the ant trails, or is sprinkling it around areas where you suspect the ants congregate enough to do the trick? Also, what types of surfaces can the borax not be used on? Is it safe for use around children and pets?
Additionally, are there any other methods of pest control that you would recommend in combination with using borax to get rid of ants? Are there any signs that people should look out for to determine whether or not their problem is getting better or worse so they know when it’s time to reapply the borax or switch up their strategy? Finally, how long does the borax typically take to work once it has been applied correctly?
Thanks again for all your advice!
This tip is a game-changer! I followed the recipe here and had results within a couple of days. I even noticed that the ants seem to disappear completely after about a week. I used cotton balls soaked in the mixture, which made it easy to place around problem areas. Has anyone tried this outdoors as well? I’d like to tackle the source near our garden.