Boric acid is a common name in the world of pest control. It is versatile and is most effective against insects.
Therefore, people with issues with rodents often wonder if boric acid will be an effective poison.
In short, boric acid will not kill mice. Moreover, they can ingest it without facing serious health issues. Boric acid is best used against insects. So, mice infestations should be dealt with by cleaning away food and using repellents, traps and baits.
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How Does Boric Acid Work?
Boric acid is often marketed as an “all purpose” insecticide. This is a powder that can tackle a range of insect pest issues.
However, there are misconceptions about what household pests you can kill using boric acid.
Uses of Boric Acid
Boric acid is a versatile substance. It is common in insecticides, pesticides as well as antiseptics. It is most used on cockroaches and ants.
Although there are claims boric acid is effective against all insects and pests, this isn’t the case.
Boric acid works against certain insects in two key ways. First, it disrupts the nervous system of insects. Second, it dehydrates and damages their exoskeleton.
Most importantly, the acid tends to be effective against ants and cockroaches. This is because these insects will ingest the powder while cleaning themselves.
Boric acid can also get rid of fleas, as this video discusses:
Effectively Using Boric Acid Against Insects
Sprinkling boric acid directly onto surfaces and pests is the most effective way of using it. After sprinkling it onto surfaces, leave the powder so pests come into contact with it.
You only need a fine layer of boric acid so you shouldn’t be able to see it. You may not be able to see it but it is enough to be effective.
Other Uses
This common compound can also be effective in drying out plants and in stopping mold and other fungi from reproducing.
Although boric acid is often a powder, it can also come in other forms such as a paste or gel. However, the most common for household use is powder.
In addition to those listed above, there are other uses for boric acid. For instance, it has a use in a range of medical situations. It is often an ingredient in eyewash and contact lens solutions too.
In addition to this, it is also used for preserving certain materials such as wood and is a good flame retardant.
It’s important to note that boric acid often gets confused with borax. Although borax is similar it is not the same. Compared to borax, boric acid is more effective for indoor pesticide use.
What is the Formula of Borax and Boric Acid?
Both Boric Acid and Borax are forms of Boron. Boron is an element with the atomic number 5 and the chemical symbol B.
- Borax: Borax is also known as sodium borate and has the chemical formula Na2B408 10H20. Borax is a natural mineral.
- Boric Acid: When borax is purified, it becomes boric acid. Boric Acid is known as hydrogen borate (or trihydroocidoborn). It has the chemical formula BH303.
Can Boric Acid Kill Mice?
No, boric acid cannot kill mice. In fact, it doesn’t even repel them.
As the powder does not have much of a smell and does not have an effect on mice, they aren’t fussed by it.
To clarify, let’s take a look at the common misconceptions regarding boric acid and what the studies show us.
Misconceptions
A common misconception is that boric acid will kill mice. It is often believed that mice will die if they ingest boric acid.
However, this is not true. Boric acid is not lethal to mice, even in larger doses.
Studies
When pregnant mice were administered boric acid, it had an impact on their reproductive system. The boric acid did impact the fetuses and average body weight of the litter.
However, ingesting boric acid did not kill the mice.
Another study gave mice boric acid in their diet over a 9-week period. This affected the sperm and testicles of the mice but did not have any other impact.
This means ingesting the acid, even for many weeks, was not lethal to the mice and did not result in them dying.
Ingredients To Look For In Poison To Kill Mice Instantly
As boric acid is not an effective poison against mice, it is worth considering other options. There is a range of rodent poisons available.
Generally speaking, these poisons take anything from hours to days to work.
Below are the key ingredients necessary for poison to work quickly.
Acute Toxins
The most effective active ingredient in mouse poison is acute toxins. Bromethalin is a common example of this, it is a neurotoxin that damages the nervous systems.
This works quickly and will shut down the vital organs causing death within 1 day.
Cholecalciferol
Cholecalciferol is a form of vitamin D that causes blood calcium levels to rise.
As the blood calcium reaches toxic levels, it results in kidney damage, calcium toxicity, and heart failure. This will cause death within 3 days.
Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants (a.k.a blood thinners) are a chemical substance that is widely used in mouse poison. Poisons containing anticoagulants will cause internal bleeding. This will result in death within a week.
For example, Bromadiolone is an anticoagulant that is seen in some poisons.
Zinc Phosphide
Poisons with zinc phosphide turn acid in the stomach into zinc phosphine. This is toxic.
After that, the toxic gas causes cells to die and kills the mouse.
What Are The Symptoms Of Rat Poison Poisoning In Humans?
Rat poison can be very dangerous if ingested.
Children and pets are particularly vulnerable to the effects of poison.
General Symptoms
- Bleeding gums
- Blood in diarrhea and urine
- Hair loss
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness
- Bruising
- Nosebleeds
- Seizures
- Damage to kidneys
The symptoms may vary depending on the type of poison.
Symptoms Caused By Anticoagulants
- Bleeding from nose, gums, or skin
- Signs of internal bleeding such as shortness of breath, lightheadedness, nausea, pain, vomiting
Symptoms Caused By Bromethalin
- Altered mental state
- Upset stomach
- Signs of cerebral edema including confusion, headaches, lethargy, vomiting and loss of consciousness
Symptoms Caused By Zinc Phosphide
- Vomiting
- Convulsions
- Hyper-excitability
- Shortness of breath
- Chills
- Coma
Symptoms Caused By Cholecalciferol
- Extreme thirst
- Dehydration
- Increased urination
- Kidney and heart damage
- Symptoms Caused By Strychnine
- Seizures
- Muscle spasms
How Do Exterminators Get Rid Of Mice?
Exterminators will use a variety of methods to get rid of mice.
This includes putting out a selection of different traps and baits as well as sealing off access points to prevent reinfestation.
To End
Professional exterminators use several techniques to kill mice but boric acid isn’t one of them. In conclusion, boric acid is effective against insects, namely ants, fleas and cockroaches. In fact, there have been several studies on the impact ingesting boric acid has on mice. As a result of these studies, we know that boric acid does not kill mice. However, ingesting high levels for several weeks did impact their reproductive systems.
References
J. Heindel & C. Price – The Developmental Toxicity of Boric Acid in Mice, Rats, and Rabbits – Environmental Health Perspectives – National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
R.E Chapin, W. W. Ku – The reproductive toxicity of boric acid – Environmental Health Perspectives – U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health
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