Borax is a solution for ants and cockroaches in the house. But know these things for sure!

A line of ants in the kitchen, a cockroach in the corner of the bathroom... These are not uncommon in our homes. You may have tried many things to get rid of these insect problems. You may have heard of the name 'Borax'. Many people use it as an insecticide. But just buying it from the store and using it at home can be very dangerous. So today, let's see what this borax is, how it works, and what we need to be careful about when using it.

What is Borax?

Simply put, borax is a compound of the element boron. Its chemical name is boric acid. It can be found naturally in small amounts in fruits, vegetables , and even the water we drink. But the borax powder we use as an insecticide is much different and more potent than the one that occurs naturally.

If you have young children, you've probably heard of borax being used to make slime. It's also found in a number of other consumer products. It acts as an insecticide, fungicide , and herbicide. That means it can help control not only insects, spiders , and mites , but also mold and some weeds.

Is it really safe to use borax?

Even though borax is a natural product, we need to be very careful when using it, especially the powder we use at home.

If this gets on the skin and eyes, it can cause allergies such as burning and itching . Also, if this powder gets into the air and we inhale it, it can damage the respiratory system.

It is very important that we are aware of the symptoms that can occur if we accidentally ingest borax.

Most importantly: If you or someone in your household accidentally ingests borax, do not panic and immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital. Also, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) as soon as possible. It will be very helpful for the doctors if you take the borax packet you used with you.

How does borax kill insects?

It's very simple. When insects eat this borax powder, it damages their intestinal system. It also affects their nervous system, making them lose control. In other words, borax powder damages the outer covering of the insect's body, dehydrating them and killing them.

This is the same process that happens to fungi and weeds. Borax dries them out. For plants, it stops the process that produces the energy they need, called photosynthesis.

This is especially effective against insects like ants, flies, mites, and termites . It affects termites in several ways. It is toxic upon contact, destroys the digestive system if eaten, and repels termites from areas where it is present.

How to use borax safely

This is the most important part of the article. If you decide to use borax, you should definitely follow these safety precautions.

A few more important points:

• Use in a well-ventilated area. If using indoors, keep the windows open and a fan running to keep the air circulating.
• Avoid breathing the powder completely. Wear a mask if necessary.
• If it gets on your body or clothes, change clothes immediately and wash your skin thoroughly with soap.
• Keep Borax powder out of reach of children and pets. This is extremely important. Do not allow children or pets like dogs or cats to go into areas where Borax powder has been applied. When you are finished using it, keep the remaining powder tightly closed and away from children.
• Do not store near food items. If using borax in the kitchen, keep all food, drinks, and dishes well covered and away from it.