When you’re dealing with a bed bug problem, you might find yourself looking for a range of solutions to get rid of them fast and without spending a fortune. You might have stumbled upon a common household cleaner and asked yourself, “Will borax kill bed bugs?” It’s an important question, especially if you’re seeking an effective and affordable way to deal with these persistent pests. In this article, you’ll discover whether borax can be effective at killing bed bugs for good!
Key Takeaways
- Borax may suffocate and dehydrate bed bugs when applied correctly.
- Direct contact with borax is necessary for it to impact bed bugs.
- Safe application and proper use are crucial when using borax for pest control.
All About Borax
Before diving into the specifics, let’s ensure you’re up-to-date on what borax is, how it compares to boric acid, and its safety around your home. These key points will lay the foundation for understanding its role in pest control and around the household.
What Is Borax?
Borax, also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate, is a naturally occurring mineral. It’s composed of boron, sodium, and oxygen. You’ll often find it in laundry and cleaning products, thanks to its effectiveness against stains and odors. However, borax can also act as a weapon against pests like algae, fungi, and, more notoriously, insects due to its insecticidal properties.
Borax vs. Boric Acid? – Which Is Best For Bed Bugs?
Boric acid is derived from borax when it reacts with an acid like hydrochloric acid. Both contain the element boron, but they are used differently.
Boric acid is commonly used in insecticides and antiseptics, while you might use borax for cleaning or even as a laundry booster.
When dealing with pests, you must know which compound you’re dealing with, as their effectiveness and applications can vary. So, is borax better than boric to treat bed bugs?
Well, neither borax nor boric acid is considered reliable or effective as a primary method for killing bed bugs. It can help reduce the amount of bed bugs, but it won’t eradicate them completely.
Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to eliminate, and their management usually requires a combination of several methods. These methods include heat treatment, vacuuming, and using mattress covers, and might even require the help of pest control services.
Is It Safe To Use Borax Around Home?
When using borax around the home, you might have some safety concerns, and you are right because who wants to take the risk of getting poisoned?
Borax is generally considered safe if used in small quantities. However, you should keep it away from food areas and out of reach of children and pets, as it can cause some serious health troubles if ingested.
In terms of its impact on the environment, borax is low in toxicity to plants and has no bioaccumulation issues.
However, you need to use borax correctly and store it in a place where children and pets aren’t able to reach it.
How Effective Is Borax on Bed Bugs?
Borax can help in reducing the bed bug population, but this is only effective if the bugs come into direct contact with the powder. However, you shouldn’t expect it to fully eliminate an infestation if used as the sole method. You’ll need to pair Borax with other treatments for a comprehensive approach. Also, keep in mind that Borax won’t have any impact on bed bug eggs.
How does Borax affect bed Bugs?
Borax affects bed bugs by damaging their exoskeletons upon contact and causing dehydration. When you apply borax to areas infested with bed bugs, such as mattresses, the powder can adhere to the pests’ bodies.
As bed bugs move, it abrades their outer shells and can lead to their eventual death. However, since bed bugs do not ingest borax (as they feed exclusively on blood), the contact must be direct for it to be effective, and it can take several days for the bed bugs to die.
Additionally, keep in mind that borax has no effect on bed bug eggs, so they will remain unharmed.
How Is Borax Compared to Other Pesticides?
Borax is a less toxic option when compared with other chemical pesticides. While many insecticides can be hazardous to both your health and the environment, borax tends to be a safer alternative for household use.
Research on the effectiveness of borax in treating bed bugs is somewhat scarce, though. However, the general agreement from the studies says that borax, when applied properly, can help prevent and reduce bed bug infestations but not eliminate them completely.
They also say that Borax tends to be more effective when combined with other treatment options rather than being relied upon as a single solution. However, borax is not toxic as long it is not ingested or inhaled. So, even though it’s safe to use, it’s highly recommended to keep it away from children and pets.
How to Use Borax to Target Bed Bugs
There are two options that you can use to target bed bugs: in powder or in the washing machine. Let’s see all of these options below.
Borax Dusting Method
This is the simplest method; you just apply the powder, and you are good to go!
- Liberally sprinkle the borax powder over areas where bed bugs are suspected, such as the mattress, box spring, and other affected areas in your bedroom.
- Use a dusting brush or your hands (while wearing gloves) to spread the borax into cracks and crevices.
- Allow the borax to sit and do its work for at least 24 hours before vacuuming thoroughly to remove all traces of the powder.
Remember, bed bugs won’t ingest the borax; instead, it affects their exoskeleton and their ability to retain moisture, leading to dehydration.
Borax and Hot Water Treatment
For items like bedding, a borax and hot water treatment in your laundry can help:
- Mix 1/2 cup of borax with hot water in your washing machine.
- Soak your bed linens, curtains, and clothing for a good 30 minutes to let the borax penetrate and work its magic.
- Run a full wash cycle and dry these items on the highest heat setting your fabric can handle to kill any remaining bed bugs.
Using borax in the laundry also has the bonus of cleaning and refreshing your items while targeting those pesky bugs.
What to Combine With Borax?
As you’re waging the war against bed bugs, know that you’re not limited to borax. There are natural alternatives and complementary methods that can aid in your quest for a bug-free home. These solutions often involve common household items and natural substances that act as desiccants, which eventually kill bed bugs. So let’s see what they are below:
Home Remedies and Non-Toxic Options
Home remedies and non-toxic options combined with borax can surely help in tackling bed bug infestations. Consider these methods:
- Steam Treatment: Use a steam cleaner to heat treat your bedding and furniture, as bed bugs cannot survive extreme heat.
- Vacuuming: Regularly vacuum your home to suck up any bed bugs and their eggs. Ensure you dispose of the vacuum bag in a sealed container outside your home.
- Detergent With Hot Water: Washing your bedding with hot water and detergent can kill bed bugs on fabrics due to the high temperatures.
- Heat Treatment: Heat treatment for bed bugs involves raising the temperature of an infested area to a lethal level for the insects (typically between 117-122°F) for a period long enough to kill adult bed bugs as well as their eggs. This method is the most effective and can be done using specialized equipment or by hiring professional exterminators.
- Freezing treatment: This method involves placing infested items in a freezer at 0°F (-18°C) for a minimum of four days to effectively eliminate the insects at all life stages.
- Freezing technology: This is a special technique that uses temperatures of 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius) or lower. This method utilizes equipment that can rapidly cool infested areas, causing the cells of the bed bugs to crystallize and resulting in their death. This is usually done by professional pest control services in the infested house.
- Diatomaceous Earth: A strategic approach includes using borax alongside diatomaceous earth, another natural substance that is detrimental to bed bugs, although it doesn’t kill either bed bug eggs.
- Essential Oils: Certain essential oils are known to be effective against bed bugs due to their insecticidal and repellent properties. Oils such as lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, and compounds like carvacrol and eugenol are particularly toxic to bed bugs and can disrupt their activity.
How Safe Is Borax For You and The Environment?
Before diving into the use of borax for bed bug treatment, it’s important to be aware of the safety concerns. You’ll need to know about the health risks, how to handle borax safely, and the impact on the environment this substance may have.
Are There Health Risks Using Borax?
Borax, while a common household product, can be toxic if ingested. If someone eats borax by accident, It can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In extreme cases or when exposed in large quantities, borax can lead to more serious health complications. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines borax as a mild skin irritant. So, always wear gloves when using Borax, especially if you have sensitive skin.
How to Properly Handle Borax?
When using borax, always wear gloves to protect your skin from irritations. Keep the room well-ventilated to avoid respiratory issues, as borax dust can suffocate you if inhaled in large quantities. Never apply borax directly to mattresses unless you cover your bed with a bed bug-proof cover. Otherwise, focus on treating furniture or linens that can be thoroughly washed after application.
How Safe Is Borax For The Environment?
You should be aware that while borax is a naturally occurring mineral commonly used in household products, its environmental safety has sparked some debate.
While borax is considered an eco-friendly powder, it can be toxic to children and pets if ingested. Also, borax is known to have a low acute toxicity to aquatic life, but if used in high concentrations, it can harm plants.
So, you must be careful not to overuse it, particularly in areas of your garden or any places where children and pets have access.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many questions that come to mind when using borax, and knowing more about it will help you use it more wisely to get rid of bed bugs. So, let’s dive into the questions and answers.
Q: Will boric acid kill bed bug eggs?
Boric acid, similar to borax, is often mentioned in discussions about pest control. Although boric acid can be effective against adult bed bugs, it’s not effective at eliminating their eggs.
Q: What is the most efficient way to set up traps to catch bed bugs?
Setting up traps effectively involves placing them in areas where bed bugs are likely to travel or hide, such as under bed legs or furniture close to the bed. These traps can help monitor the presence of bed bugs and gauge the success of your extermination efforts.
Q: How effective is diatomaceous earth compared to borax in dealing with bed bug infestations?
Both diatomaceous earth and borax act as desiccants to dehydrate bed bugs. Diatomaceous earth might have a slight edge in effectiveness due to its unique microscopic sharp edges that can puncture the exoskeleton of the bugs.
Q: Can I sprinkle borax on my bed?
Sprinkling borax directly on your bed isn’t recommended because it can cause skin irritations, but as mentioned previously, using a mattress cover will prevent this from happening and will keep the bed bugs away. However, if you don’t plan to use a cover, it’s better to target areas around the bed and other hotspots where bed bugs might be hiding or traveling.
Final Words!
In conclusion, borax, when used alone, may help reduce the amount of bed bugs, but it won’t eradicate them completely.
To effectively eliminate bed bugs, you should consider combining borax with other proven methods, such as the ones listed above.
However, if you have tried borax along with other methods and nothing worked, don’t wait until you get a severe infestation. Act fast, and speak with a professional pest control service. They know how to handle bed bug infestations, and they use specific tools to kill these pests.
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