📋 Key Facts
🎯 Primary Uses
Boric acid is used for: ant control (Terro liquid bait), cockroach control (powder in voids, tablets), silverfish control (Dekko paks), wood preservation against termites and wood-boring beetles (Boracare), and stored product pest management. Extremely effective as a dust applied in thin layers in cockroach harborage areas.
🛡️ Safety Summary
Boric acid has very low acute mammalian toxicity — roughly similar to table salt. Small amounts (as in Terro ant bait) are not a significant pet risk. Large amounts can cause gastrointestinal irritation. Dust application should use appropriate respiratory protection. Generally considered one of the safest pest control options for homes with pets and children.
🔬 Resistance Status
No resistance to boric acid documented despite decades of use — the dual mode of action (stomach poison + desiccant) and low selection pressure prevent resistance development. This makes boric acid permanently effective even in populations resistant to pyrethroids and neonicotinoids.
