While analyzing pest control you may have noticed boron or boron-based elements listed there. As boron is known for its versatility and low toxicity, you may wonder whether boron is used for pest control.

The answer is yes, Boron is used in many pest controls to make it an environment-friendly option to tackle pest infestations. But are boron-based pest controls effective?

In this article, we will show you what types of pest control use boron and explore its effectiveness, benefits, and limitations. Let’s get started!

Is Boron Used in Pest Control to Kill Pests?

Yes, boron is used in pest controls which are generally designed to kill pests like ants and cockroaches. Boron has the ability to disrupt the growth, development, and reproduction of insects and other pests. This element can easily be found and is cheap in price. 

How Does It Work?

Boron-based compounds typically target the exoskeletons of insects and make their digestive systems poisonous. As a result, it affects their metabolism which leads to reduced fitness and survival rates of them.

Which Type of Pest Control Is Boron Used?

Boron compounds can be found in three types of pest controls – liquids, powder, and granules. 

1. Liquid Pest Control: Some liquid or spray pest controls contain boron which is used by spraying the pest-affected areas where pests hide, travel, or feed.
2. Powder Pest Control: Another common boron compound is boric acid which is often used in bait formulation. It is mixed with foods to bait insects like cockroaches, ants, and termites. 
3. Granules Pest Control: Boron also contains boric acid granules. It is often used to treat soil that contains plants. It easily mixes with the soil and eliminates any pests living within it.

So, what type of boron-based pest control you need depends on which purpose you’re going to use it.

Why Boron Is Used for Pest Control?

There are many environmental benefits of using boron in pest control and that’s why it is used in many eco-friendly pest controls. Here are the reasons:

1. Low Toxicity: Boron compounds are generally considered low in toxicity to humans, pets, and wildlife when used as directed. For this, boron-based pest controls are a safer alternative to some chemical pesticides.
2. Reduced Resistance: Boron-based pest control mechanisms prevent pets from developing resistance as they directly affect the digestion system of the pests. It can be a more sustained pest management than traditional pesticides over time.
3. Long-Lasting Effectiveness: Boron compounds can remain active for an extended period and can provide long-lasting protection against pests.
4. Break Down Easily: Boron can be found in soil naturally as it is one of the elements of soil. For this, it can mix and break down into the soil easily and don’t make the soil poisonous forever.

Limitations of Using Boron for Pest Control

Though there are a lot of benefits to using boron in pest control, there are some limitations too. The boron-contained pest control is only effective for some specific insects including ants and cockroaches.

Here is the list of insects that won’t be affected by boron:

• Ticks
• Bugs in beds
• Flies
• Moths
• Beetles
• Centipedes
• Spiders
• Hornets and Wasps

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQs)

What Is Boron as a Pesticide?

Boron is an odorless, white solid element that is common in the environment. Though it is used in some pesticides, they don’t contain in there in singular form; rather, it is used as the compound of borax or boric acid.

Does Borax Keep Pests Away?

Yes, borax keeps pests away. It is a poisonous element for some insects, especially for ants. Insects die by absorbing this element into their body. It can control flies around manure piles and can prevent larvae from growing. It can also interfere with the reproduction of fungi, rot, and mold.

Conclusion

All the information including whether boron is used for pest control, in which form it is used, why it is used, and what are the limitations of using it are explained in this article. Hopefully, you have got your answer from reading it. If you have any other thing to learn regarding this topic, tell us in our comment section below and we’ll reach you as soon as we can.