Borax Ant Killer.-- Cheap and Effective

[TenOC]

For a number of years I have been using Terro Ant Killer to control the ants around and inside my RV. I think it does a very good job, but it is somewhat expensive $5.00 (?) for a 1 oz bottle. The other day I read the ingredients on the small bottle and much to my surprise I found that Borax was the active ingredient. When in FL I use Borax as a very effective control of roaches. One can purchase a very large box of Borax for about $10.00 in the laundry area of most stores Amazon 20 Mule Team Borax. So I decide to make my own ant killer.

The recipe for homemade ant killer is three parts sugar to one part borax. This means that one cup of sugar can be used with 1/3 cup of borax. Mix these ingredients in a bowl to be sure all lumps are crushed and loosened. Add enough tap water to make the mixture thick and pasty, without being runny. Around 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water should be sufficient to attain this consistency. Using a fork or whisk, stir the water into the mix and then add approximately 1/4 cup of syrup to the mix to make it sticky. As added flavor, I add some bacon drippings. This should create a thick goo which will be irresistible to any household ant.

This will give you enough ant killer to last a year or so. Spread the ant killer around the outside of your RV. Inside the RV, I place some on paper towels or cotton balls.

[TenOC]

CavemanCharlie wrote:
I don't like the Boarax idea because of it's danger to pets and children. Some of the other ideas are interesting. Although some of them may be dangerous for your pet that is often only when eaten in large quantities.

Putting 5 to 10 DROPS (the amount a 100 ants will eat) is not going to harm pets.

[CavemanCharlie]

I don't like the Boarax idea because of it's danger to pets and children. Some of the other ideas are interesting. Although some of them may be dangerous for your pet that is often only when eaten in large quantities.

[Dog_Folks]

wa8yxm wrote:

minnow wrote:
That sounds like a lot of mixing and farting around to create a sticky mess.

Well, it is not 10 steps. it is 10 different ways.

I used one of them and it worked.. I had some things I wanted to make ant free but without toxins of any kind.. Dusted with baking soda.. Ants gone Soda is .. An ingredient in many things you eat already so it's not in the least harmful.

Some of the suggestions are very pet safe.. I have cats. (Baking soda is top of that list too).

Might want to check some new info here RE : Baking Soda

Dangerous foods

[wa8yxm]

minnow wrote:
That sounds like a lot of mixing and farting around to create a sticky mess.

Well, it is not 10 steps. it is 10 different ways.

I used one of them and it worked.. I had some things I wanted to make ant free but without toxins of any kind.. Dusted with baking soda.. Ants gone Soda is .. An ingredient in many things you eat already so it's not in the least harmful.

Some of the suggestions are very pet safe.. I have cats. (Baking soda is top of that list too).

[Dog_Folks]

IAMICHABOD wrote:

Dog Folks wrote:


DE is solid, proven pesticide. Just spread it very thin, otherwise the bisects will walk around it and not be exposed.

It must also be kept dry. Worthless when wet.

Yep....here in Calif. we are very dry..:B unlike Florida
What is a bisect?

Bisect = A typographic error caused by old age and fat fingers. 🙂

Should have read "insect."

Rooting for you with the fires, droughts and all. Hold on

[RV_daytrader]

IAMICHABOD wrote:
I have used Diatomaceous Earth for many years, on ants,fleas,and carpet bugs with great success and you can eat it,non toxic to kids and pets alike.

Just sprinkle it around anything that you don't want pests into,or in the carpet to get rid of fleas or carpet bugs.

You can get it at Amazon among other places.

wow...I just red up about it and it seems to be super GOOD for humans to eat...link
http://www.earthworkshealth.com/human-use.php

[IAMICHABOD]

Dog Folks wrote:


DE is solid, proven pesticide. Just spread it very thin, otherwise the bisects will walk around it and not be exposed.

It must also be kept dry. Worthless when wet.

Yep....here in Calif. we are very dry..:B unlike Florida
What is a bisect?

[Dog_Folks]

westend wrote:

Why do people always think they can do it better than a manufacturer, be it pesticides, autos or RV's?

The topic was not necessarily on doing it "better" but to attain the same result. As to your statement, some folks CAN do it better. Just because a product is bought off a shelf doesn't make it the ultimate solution.

Aren't you a retired pesticide applicator and business owner?

Yes I am and proud of it, thank you. Never hid that fact.

As result, I have a lot more knowledge than most people about pesticides and insects. I don't often post about the area of my expertise as I do not wish to debate with the uneducated.

Have I ever mixed my own? Nope, too many suitable, inexpensive and effective products on the market to be fooling around in my kitchen.

My labor is worth many times more than that.

Never said that off the shelf was the "ultimate" solution, but chances are overwhelming that it is better than what the average person is going to concoct in his kitchen for many reasons.

Effective pest control is comprised of MANY factors, not just the pesticide which the average person places way too much emphasis on.

Being able to ID the species, know it's biology and habits, properly apply in the right locations, knowing the properties, toxicity, are just as important, if not more so than the pesticide chosen.

So, excuse me while I go into the garage and build my own car.

[westend]

Why do people always think they can do it better than a manufacturer, be it pesticides, autos or RV's?

The topic was not necessarily on doing it "better" but to attain the same result. As to your statement, some folks CAN do it better. Just because a product is bought off a shelf doesn't make it the ultimate solution.

Aren't you a retired pesticide applicator and business owner?

[Dog_Folks]

IAMICHABOD wrote:
I have used Diatomaceous Earth for many years, on ants,fleas,and carpet bugs with great success and you can eat it,non toxic to kids and pets alike.

Just sprinkle it around anything that you don't want pests into,or in the carpet to get rid of fleas or carpet bugs.

You can get it at Amazon among other places.

DE is solid, proven pesticide. Just spread it very thin, otherwise the bisects will walk around it and not be exposed.

It must also be kept dry. Worthless when wet.

[IAMICHABOD]

I have used Diatomaceous Earth for many years, on ants,fleas,and carpet bugs with great success and you can eat it,non toxic to kids and pets alike.

Just sprinkle it around anything that you don't want pests into,or in the carpet to get rid of fleas or carpet bugs.

You can get it at Amazon among other places.

[Dog_Folks]

Fizz wrote:

Dog Folks wrote:

minnow wrote:
That sounds like a lot of mixing and farting around to create a sticky mess.

I agree. I also wonder just how money is being saved, when you consider your own labor.

Are you that lazy?

Yes I admit I am lazy, and as a result, I value my labor.

I am not going to spend 1/2 hour or better gathering the supplies and mixing a concoction when I can buy a proven formula in 10 seconds. And probably save money in the long run.

Why do people always think they can do it better than a manufacturer, be it pesticides, autos or RV's?

A pesticide takes roughly 10 years and 11 million dollars to develop, but I can do better in my kitchen? I don't think so.

There are at least two or three things that are wrong here besides laziness, but I prefer not to discuss them publically. You may PM me.

[Fizz]

Dog Folks wrote:

minnow wrote:
That sounds like a lot of mixing and farting around to create a sticky mess.

I agree. I also wonder just how money is being saved, when you consider your own labor.

Are you that lazy?

[Dog_Folks]

minnow wrote:
That sounds like a lot of mixing and farting around to create a sticky mess.

I agree. I also wonder just how money is being saved, when you consider your own labor.

[TenOC]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
With that mess spread all around doesn't RV get sticky :B

5 to 10 drops around the jacks, hose, cable etc. Remember even a few 100 ants will not eat much.