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compavalanche · 05-27-2009, 05:13 AM

I'm moving into a new house this month. Was over there today and saw 10-20 roaches in the driveway cracks as I was hosing down the driveway.

I was thinking of just buying the raid outdoor roach killer and spraying. But if the boric acid worked well I'll give that a shot.

--
Chris

Thurman · 05-27-2009, 10:08 AM

This made me think of what my Dad used to do. He used a sprayer made for spraying powdered material, I believe it was a "Black Flag" brand. You put the powder material in a canister in the front, and used the plunger to spray the powder. IF I wanted to find one nowdays I would guess a real hardware store. Thanks, David

dc4nomore · 05-27-2009, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compavalanche

So did it work?

I'm not sure yet. I only put it out that first night, and it's been raining or at least wet ever since. I have to wait until it's dry before I put it out again. I'm guessing that this will take a couple weeks before I don't see any outside, but I'm confident it will work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thurman

This made me think of what my Dad used to do. He used a sprayer made for spraying powdered material.

Ahh that's a good idea. I'm going to check my local hardware store to see if they have anything like that, because trying to squirt the powder out of the bottle that the boric acid came in can be difficult and very inconsistent.

dc4nomore · 06-08-2009, 12:10 AM

Ok for all who were interested...let me just say that this stuff works!

With rain and my busy schedule, I actually only put out the boric acid that one initial night. In that night, I probably dumped the boric acid directly on 75 to 100 roaches. So in theory, every one of them would die, as well as any other roach that touched them.

Well I went out the other night to put out some more acid, and they were nowhere to be found. I REALLY had to search for them, and was able to find maybe 5. So I doused them and went inside.

From hundreds to a handful in week or so, I think it's safe to say that this stuff does it's job. Double thumbs up to the guy who recommended it!

gma2rjc · 06-08-2009, 12:25 AM

Yay! That's great. I'll bet your girlfriend is happy too.

Did you happen to look around in your neighbors yards? I'm just curious if it took care of their problem too.

dc4nomore · 06-08-2009, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gma2rjc

Yay! That's great. I'll bet your girlfriend is happy too.

Did you happen to look around in your neighbors yards? I'm just curious if it took care of their problem too.

I checked the areas that I initially applied the stuff (front sidewalk and street area in front of my house and a house or two on either side of me), and they were wiped out. There were a few, but their numbers have DEFINITELY gone down at least in the areas I checked.

And yes, the girlfriend is happy.

anna38 · 06-08-2009, 01:54 PM

Where do you get the boric acid from? Is it dangerous to humans and animals? Sounds alot cheaper than getting a professional company.

Rehabber · 06-08-2009, 02:23 PM

Boric acid is available at any drugstore without a prescription. It has a very low toxicicity level to pets and humans.

Jacques · 06-09-2009, 06:05 AM

glad your B.americanas population is down. had the same problem. totaly freaky on hot summer nights. Terminix solved inside population but outside was massive. called the city-large 8'[?] sewer line runs down middle of street. they flushed it and end of problem. they're still around, but very few...boric acid has to be picked up under their bodies-sufacates them- little is better. if you do a search there's alot of good sciencetific info.

dc4nomore · 06-09-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anna38

Where do you get the boric acid from? Is it dangerous to humans and animals? Sounds alot cheaper than getting a professional company.

I got mine at Walgreens, for $4 a bottle. It is in the "bugspray" section.

dc4nomore · 06-18-2009, 11:06 PM

They're back!

I haven't really been outside late at night lately, nor have I really been looking for the roaches, but I made a thorough sweep tonight and they are definitely back. I sprayed some more boric acid on them, of course, and probably nailed 2 to 3 dozen.

Now they are definitely in smaller numbers than before (there were probably at least a hundred out at any given time before), but they are still here. So it looks like I'm going to have to continue monitoring the situation and hope things get better.

Just an FYI for those who were originally following this post...

gma2rjc · 06-18-2009, 11:29 PM

Thanks for the update.

For the price, it's worth checking up on those little stinkers once in a while. Even if you have to go out with the boric acid a few more times throughout the summer, it's still cheaper and much more effective than hiring someone else to do it.

I'm sure your neighbors appreciate it too.

dc4nomore · 06-18-2009, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gma2rjc

Thanks for the update.

For the price, it's worth checking up on those little stinkers once in a while. Even if you have to go out with the boric acid a few more times throughout the summer, it's still cheaper and much more effective than hiring someone else to do it.

I'm sure your neighbors appreciate it too.

I agree 100%. Now if only I could convince my girlfriend to let me try this stuff inside the house as well, then maybe I could save the $100 quarterly Orkin bill!

Eh, I doubt the neighbors even noticed actually. My nearest neighbors are both elderly and are never out at night. I'd imagine they have them inside their houses but maybe they are used to them and just don't care/don't think anything can be done?

gma2rjc · 06-19-2009, 12:09 AM

I saw a diy show one time (Holmes on Homes, I think). They were talking about some insulation in the walls in a new house. The insulation was made of blue jean fabric.

They said bugs won't bother it because there was so much boric acid in it.

The guy also said that boric acid is the same stuff doctor's put in a newborn baby's eyes after they're born. Although, probably at a much much lower strength than what's used for roaches, of course.

The reason I'm mentioning this is that if it's used in a newborn baby's eyes, it's most likely safe to use inside the house.

The label would probably tell.

dc4nomore · 06-19-2009, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gma2rjc

I saw a diy show one time (Holmes on Homes, I think). They were talking about some insulation in the walls in a new house. The insulation was made of blue jean fabric.

They said bugs won't bother it because there was so much boric acid in it.

The guy also said that boric acid is the same stuff doctor's put in a newborn baby's eyes after they're born. Although, probably at a much much lower strength than what's used for roaches, of course.

The reason I'm mentioning this is that if it's used in a newborn baby's eyes, it's most likely safe to use inside the house.

The label would probably tell.

She doesn't not want me to use it in the house because she's concerned about safety. She is concerned about the roaches, period. And she doesn't believe that the acid will work as well as Orkin, and isn't even willing to let me try.

I'll just call the guy and tell him we don't need him anymore, and try my luck with the acid. As long as she doesn't see a roach, she won't even notice.