Are you also irritated with rodents damaging your house? I guess so you are.. Do you want to get rid of them for good? Who doesn’t want to!! Let me give you a homemade recipe.
As a common household product, borax has gained attention as a potential rat control solution. Is it actually true or is is a myth?
Does borax really kill rats? From its uses as a laundry booster to a pest control remedy, there are claims and counterclaims about the effectiveness of borax against mice.
This article examines the truth about borax as a rat killer, to help you make an informed decision about using borax.
Let’s uncover the facts and dispel the myths about borax and rats once and for all.
What is Borax?
Borax, also known as sodium borate or sodium tetraborate, is a naturally occurring mineral found in dry lake beds and geothermal springs.
Imagine a white, powdery mineral found in dried lake beds – that’s borax. This versatile substance boasts various applications:
- Cleaning Prowess: Borax tackles stains, grease, and mildew, making it a common ingredient in detergents and all-purpose cleaners.
- Pest Control (with limitations): While effective against some insects like cockroaches and ants, its impact on rats requires closer examination, that we will do in the article further.
- Slime Fun: Mix borax with glue, and voila! Stretchy, playful slime emerges, a favorite among kids (and adults!).
- Fire Protection: Borax contributes to fire retardant materials.
- Cosmetics (though rarely): Trace amounts might be found in some lotions and creams.
Does Borax Kill Rats?
The idea of using a readily available, seemingly harmless household product like borax to tackle a pest problem is certainly appealing. However, this appeal often stems from misinformation and a lack of understanding about both borax and rat behavior.
Scientific investigations have demonstrated that borax exhibits potent rat poison properties.
The truth is, borax is not an effective way to control rats. Here’s why:
- Limited Impact: Studies show borax primarily affects a rat’s reproductive system, not causing immediate death. Even if they ingest enough, it might not be lethal.
- Baiting Challenges: Creating a lethal bait requires precise amounts, and even then, rats might develop “bait shyness” after non-lethal doses, avoiding it altogether.
- Unethical and Inhumane: A slow, agonizing death caused by borax poisoning is unethical and inflicts unnecessary suffering on the these rodents.
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Furthermore, it is revealed that a combination of borax and sugar was exceptionally effective in luring rats, surpassing other bait options like peanut butter or cheese and making the rat-killing easy.
The findings indicated that homemade rat poison borax and cornmeal proved remarkably effective in eliminating rats, with a significantly lower lethal dose compared to other rat poisons available on the market.
Using Borax to Kill Rats: Homemade Borax Rat Poison Recipes
A Mixture of Borax and Sugar
Mix equal parts of borax and sugar in a bowl or container.
Place the mixture in areas where mice are known to frequent, such as along their pathways, near burrows, or in corners of the house.
Rats are attracted to the sugar and will consume the borax along with it.
Borax acts as a poison, disrupting the rat’s digestive system and eventually leading to death.
Borax and Cornmeal
Mix equal parts of borax and cornmeal in a bowl or container.
Place the mixture in small, shallow dishes or containers near rat activity areas.
Rats are attracted to the cornmeal and will consume the borax along with it.
Borax disrupts the rat’s internal organs, causing fatal damage.
Borax and Peanut Butter
Mix equal parts of borax and peanut butter in a bowl or container.
Spread the mixture onto small pieces of bread or crackers.
Place the baited bread or crackers in areas where rats are known to frequent.
Mice are attracted to peanut butter and will consume the borax along with it.
Borax acts as a rat poison, causing internal damage to them and leading to death.
What Does Borax Do to Rats?
Borax affects rats by disrupting their cellular functions, enzyme activity, and digestive system, leading to toxic effects and eventual death.
In addition to causing gastrointestinal distress, hormonal imbalances, and neurological damage, the borax contains boron, which is toxic to rats. Dehydration, lethargy, and loss of appetite are some of the symptoms.
When using borax, proper safety precautions should be taken to avoid toxic effects on humans and pets.
Consulting with a pest control professional is recommended for safe and effective rat control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Borax Keep Mice Away?
Yes, borax can help repel mice and keep them away from your home. You can sprinkle borax along pathways and anywhere you see signs of mice to deter them.
Additionally, you can sprinkle borax around gaps, cracks, eaves, rooftops, and other potential entry points to prevent mice from entering your home.
It’s important to choose a different method if you have children or pets, as borax can be harmful.
How Long Does Borax Take to Kill Rats?
Generally, rats may perish within a few hours of ingesting borax, although the timeline may be extended if water is accessible.
It’s crucial to understand that borax is not a quick fix for rat infestations, and noticeable results in reducing the rat population may take several days or even weeks to manifest.
Conclusion
Using borax to kill rats and mice in your home is one of the easiest and cheapest methods since you can purchase borax pretty much anywhere.
The process is also straightforward since you just need a small amount of it mixed with food, and it can solve your problem.
However, there are a few precautions and drawbacks if you decide on using this method. We have talked about them above.
Remember that borax is toxic and poisonous for all living organisms, including humans. Be very careful when using it; otherwise, it will be hazardous for anyone to ingest it.
