Boric Acid Termite Control

Boric acid termite control is an organic alternative to chemical options for treating the infestation of termites in a home. It is a highly effective treatment option in many different situations, gaining some of the same results as chemical treatments but in a completely non toxic way. Boric acid is what you would call a natural insecticide. Most boric acid is produced in the United States. Much borate is mined in California's Death Valley.

Non Toxic Termite Treatment

Boric acid is a popular choice among homeowners who wish to avoid chemical applications in their battles against termite populations in the home. Many people are still wary of chemicals for preventing termites given what happened due to the use of chlordane for termite treatments all those years. Since the late 1980s chlordane has been off the market, but some people continue to get sick from it. Thus many folks take a better safe than sorry approach to their efforts to eliminate this pest from the home.

Boric acid is non toxic, but it must be pointed out that any service or do it yourselfer using this method for treating termites needs to be aware that some danger does exist and caution still must be used in its application. Boric acid should never be inhaled or ingested, and it should never be injected into the bloodstream. Aside from these scenarios, there are no major concerns with its use in termite control efforts.

How Boric Acid is Created

Boric acid is made by taking the borate mineral and reacting it with sulfuric acid. The borate turns acidic due to this chemical reaction and it turns into boric acid. Termite control has used boric acid in its elimination efforts since at least the 1920s. It is one of the best natural options homeowners have to effectively fight termites when they are not interested in using chemicals in their eradication treatments.

Lumber treated with boric acid is extremely resistant to termites. Lumber yards began using this method for treating their wood for use in termite infested areas in the 1950s. Ever since its introduction in wood treatment, no home ever built with this lumber treatment has ever had a termite infestation or experienced wood decay. It is quite a testament to the effectiveness of the treatment.

Boric acid is relatively inexpensive. Its low cost might be surprising to some given its effectiveness as a termite control method of treatment. It is also easy to find. Homeowners who would like to take a crack at killing termites invading their homes or yards can get boric acid most any drug store or home improvement chain. It comes in the form of an odorless white powder in bottles of different sizes. Boric acid is actually the main insecticide ingredient in most store bought and commercial termiticides and baits.

How Boric Acid Kills Termites

Boric acid works in a specific way to kill termites. It is definitely not a merciful killer of these pests. The way it works is by shutting down the insect's entire nervous system. The affected termite goes into shock while also becoming dehydrated by the physical effects of the insecticide.

Generally bait stations are the most effective way to use boric acid for termite control. Get wood or other cellulose heavy material and treat it with boric acid, and bury it in the ground near the infestation. As the bait pile disappears repeat the process with new bait. If the termites take the bait, workers will bring the boric acid termite control product back to the colony and eventually kill it off over some period of time.