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Boric Acid Carpenter Ant
Some products for carpenter ant control that are available in stores contain boric acid, an odorless, non-straining powder that kills ants and other pests. However, boric acid solutions must be carefully formulated and there is no guarantee that over-the-counter solutions will kill a colony. If the risk of property damage is severe, consult a pest control professional before treatment.
The active mineral in boric acid has herbicidal, fungicidal and insecticidal properties. Unlike other products used in the management of carpenter ants, borax does not evaporate into the air and does not yield the health problems associated with chemical-based pesticides.
In controlling carpenter ants, boric acid can be a dry powder or a liquid insect bait solution that contains a food attractant. Boric acid acts as a stomach poison for carpenter ants and other insects, affecting metabolism and protoplasm. The dry powder is intended to adhere to an insect's exoskeleton. The insect would ingest the powder when it grooms its legs to clean off the powder. The powder form of boric acid is injected into crevices and cracks, where it forms a layer of dust. When carpenter ant travel through boric acid dust, borax adheres to their legs. They ingest the poison while grooming, leading to death within two to twelve days.
If boric acid powder remains dry, it is an effective means of controlling adult carpenter ant infestations. Proper boric acid treatments can be effective for over a year. , The challenge with dry boric acid applications is that it is seldom passed around the colony to kill eggs and larvae. Pest control professionals can select a formulation of boric acid that will be most effective in controlling an infestation of carpenter ants.
Carpenter Ant Identification: How to Identify a Carpenter Ant
What Does a Carpenter Ant Look Like?
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