Termites can cause serious damage to wood structures, destroying walls, floors, furniture and more if left unchecked. Many homeowners deal with termite infestations every year and want to know – does borax kill termites?

Borax is often recommended as a safe, natural way to eliminate a termite colony in your home. But how exactly does borax work on termites? Is it effective? Here we’ll cover everything you need to know about using borax to kill termites.

What is Borax?

Borax, also known as sodium borate, is a natural mineral powder. The main ingredient in borax is a sodium salt made from boric acid. It’s a white, crystalline powder with a variety of household uses,

Borax powder has been used as a natural cleaning product, laundry booster, and pest control remedy for decades. It’s often touted as a safe, eco-friendly pesticide alternative for getting rid of roaches, ants, and termites.

Some key facts about borax:

• White mineral powder that naturally occurs from evaporated mineral deposits
• Composed of sodium, boron, oxygen, and water
• Available in laundry aisle as 20 Mule Team Borax or generic sodium borate
• Low toxicity to humans and pets
• Used as a pesticide, fungicide, fire retardant, cleaner, and wood preservative

Now let’s look at how effective borax is against termites, and the right way to apply it for termite control.

Borax vs. Boric Acid: Are They the Same for Termite Control?

Borax and boric acid both contain the element boron. However, there are some very important differences:

• Composition: Boric acid is a weak acid (H3BO3), while borax is a natural mineral salt (Na2B4O7•10H2O).
• Look: Boric acid is a fine white powder. Borax crystals are larger and granular.
• Pesticide Power: Borax works better than boric acid against termites and other insects.
• Safety: Both borax and boric acid are low in toxicity to humans, but borax is safer if accidentally ingested.

The bottom line: Borax is more effective than boric acid for killing termites. The rest of this guide will focus specifically on using borax powder properly for termite control.

Does Borax Kill Termites?

Multiple research studies have shown that borax can eliminate entire termite colonies. Field tests found it wiped out close to 100% of termites within a week when applied correctly.

The reason borax works so well is that it’s a slow acting stomach poison for insects. Here’s a closer look at what happens when termites come in contact with borax:

• Termites walk through borax powder applied in their nesting areas. The powder sticks to their bodies.
• As they groom themselves, termites ingest the borax particles.
• The borax acts as a stomach poison when swallowed by the bugs.
• The termites die within 48 hours of ingesting borax.
• Before dying, the termites carry borax back to the colony and queen. Other termites eat the dead carcasses and ingest borax too.
• The cycle continues, eventually wiping out 80-100% of the mature termite colony including larva.

So yes – when applied correctly, borax is extremely effective against all species of termites!

How to Mix Borax to Kill Termites

Using borax powder in its pure form is best for termite extermination. Do not mix borax with water or other liquids for drywood termites as it will be less effective. Here are two ways to apply pure borax:

1. Apply plain borax powder directly into termite activity areas. Powder will stick best to unfinished wood and areas with moisture where termites are active.

2. Coat wood with liquid adhesive such as cornstarch, flour or sugar water. Then sprinkle dry borax powder so it sticks to adhesive. This allows powder to adhere better for maximum termite contact.

Again, it’s vital not to mix borax with water! We’ll go over why in the next section.

Materials Needed for Borax Application

Using borax powder properly requires very few supplies:

• Safety gear – gloves, mask, goggles
• Borax powder
• Small paintbrush
• Flashlight
• Liquid adhesive (optional) – cornstarch, flour or sugar water
• Hand duster bulb (optional)

You don’t need any special “borax products” marketed specifically for termites. Any type of borax powder that is nearly 100% sodium borate will work, such as 20 Mule Team Borax or generic sodium borate.

Safety First: Following Safe Handling Procedures with Borax

Borax has low toxicity for humans. However, you should still take precautions during handling:

• Work in a well-ventilated area
• Avoid breathing in borax dust by wearing an N95 mask
• Wear gloves and goggles to prevent skin and eye irritation
• Carefully sprinkle powder – don’t create big clouds of dust
• Keep kids and pets away from application areas until powder is cleaned up
• Thoroughly wash hands after use

It’s also crucial to never mix borax powder with water for termite treatment. Here’s why:

• Wet borax doesn’t work as quickly or effectively against drywood termites. The powder form is best.
• Wet borax can encourage termite colony growth. Termites need moisture, and will be attracted to the moisture from wet borax.
• If borax water mixes with electrical wiring, it can short circuits and increase fire risk.

So remember – always apply borax as a dry powder only for termite infestations. Follow safety procedures, and never get it wet or inhale/ingest the powder.

Next we’ll look at where exactly to apply borax powder for termites.

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How to Use Boric Acid to Kill Termites

Boric acid is another popular treatment used to get rid of termites. It works very similarly to borax powder but is considered less effective:

• Boric acid powder also acts as a stomach poison when ingested by termites.
• Research shows boric acid has a 50-70% mortality rate against drywood termites at best, compared to 80-100% for borax.
• Boric acid solutions or gels can be injected into walls. However this localized treatment often doesn’t get carried back to the entire colony as well as borax powder.

Most pest control experts recommend using borax instead of boric acid for more reliable termite extermination. If you do choose boric acid, again apply it in a powder form only – not mixed with any liquids.

Applying Borax Powder: Targeting Termite Activity Areas (With Caution)

For best results, borax powder must come into direct contact with termites in infested areas. This allows them to ingest it so it spreads to the entire colony.

Here are the key areas to focus borax treatment:

Wood with visible termite damage – Apply powder directly into entry/exit holes, and damaged wood surfaces where termites are active.

Wall voids and wood framing – Drill small holes into walls near termite mud tubes or damage. Inject powder carefully into wall voids using a hand duster bulb.

Attics, crawl spaces, unfinished basements – Sprinkle powder along wood beams, joists, subfloors, etc. Use up to 2 cups per 100 sq ft of space.

A professional termite inspection can help identify exactly where termites may have “nested” inside voids and walls. Use a moisture meter to find damp areas they prefer.

Focus on applying borax thoroughly yet carefully along infested wood structures and hidden voids. But use caution and keep safety gear on at all times when sprinkling powder.

How Effective is Borax Powder Treatment Against Termites

Multiple field studies have shown borax bait/dust systems have an extremely high kill rate against a termite colony:

• Over 95% mortality rate after 1 week
• 100% elimination after 4 weeks in many cases

However, the powder only works when termites come into direct contact with it in infested area. This means proper application is key for getting borax results.

If termites can avoid treated areas, or the treatment wasn’t thorough enough, they may survive. This is why careful inspection paired with very precise application matters.

It also often takes at least 2-3 weeks for borax powder to effectively spread through a termite colony’s systems. So have patience – borax may work more slowly than liquid treatments, but is highly effective when applied correctly.

Is the Borax Treatment Safe and Environmentally Friendly?

Borax powder is considered a safe, natural pesticide that’s non-toxic to humans, pets, and the environment:

• Low acute oral toxicity – LD50 rating over 2,000 mg/kg in rats
• Not a known carcinogen or irritant
• No toxic chemical fumes released
• Derived from a natural mineral source

The small amounts of borax used for termite treatment are very unlikely to harm people or pets. It’s also harmless to plants and soil. Just use basic precautions to prevent skin/eye contact until powder dissipates.

So borax can provide an effective “green” solution for getting rid of termites naturally without toxic chemicals.

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Borax or Boric Acid for Termites? Which is Better?

Both borax and boric acid can be used against termites, but borax is the most highly recommended. Here’s why pest control pros prefer borax over boric acid:

• Borax has a faster mortality rate – 100% kill in as little as 1 week (vs. 2-3 weeks for boric acid)
• Borax bait/dust treatments more reliably impact the entire termite colony
• Boric acid is less effective against drywood termites in particular
• Borax powder is safer and easier for homeowners to apply

Field studies have repeatedly shown borax bait/dust systems wipe out Termite populations better than other treatment options:

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So while boric acid also has some pesticide qualities, borax is faster, more effective, and easier for DIY application. Go with borax for the best results when using powder treatments.

Can I Use 20 Mule Team Borax to Kill Termites?

20 Mule Team Borax is about 99% pure sodium tetraborate decahydrate. This popular laundry booster sold in most stores contains borax powder that can certainly be used to kill termites.

Some pest control operators actually include 20 Mule Team Borax along with other active ingredients in their professional termite treatment regimens.

The advantage of this household borax product is that it’s inexpensive and widely available. Just make sure to carefully follow safe handling procedures outlined above when applying it for termite control.

Borax Spray for Termites

We’ve stressed not to use borax mixed with water or applied as a liquid spray. So why do some products advertise “borax sprays” for termites?

There are a few borax solutions that can potentially kill termites. However these are specialized commercial products, not water-based liquids you mix at home.

Examples include Tim-Bor and Bora-Care which contain sodium borate (borax) plus a glycol base that helps penetrate wood. Even still, their effectiveness is generally less than dry borax powder treatments.

We recommend avoiding any type of homemade borax spray. It likely won’t be as effective, and risks attracting more termites with moisture. Instead use borax as a dry powder only.

After the Borax Treatment: Results and Next Steps

It takes at least 1-2 weeks for borax powder to infiltrate termite nesting areas and reach the colony. You need patience to allow the powder to work.

Check for the following signs of success:

• Dying termites near treated areas
• Less termite activity/damage
• Dry insect cadavers in infested spaces

To ensure thorough elimination, a second treatment 2-3 weeks after the first may be best. Continue periodic monitoring for future activity.

If termites return or appear unaffected after 30+ days, trying liquid treatments such as Termidor or Premise may be the next step.

In some cases calling a professional exterminator for whole-structure fumigation is needed to fully eradicate large termite infestations.

But applied properly, borax offers an relatively inexpensive, effective and eco-friendly first line of defense in protecting your home from these invasive pests!

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Homemade Termite Killer Recipe

It’s simple to make an all-natural termite killer spray using borax powder:

Basic Borax Termite Killer Recipe

• 1 cup borax powder
• 5 cups hot water – stir to fully dissolve powder
• 2 gallons cold water – helps solution absorb into wood
• Spray bottle or garden sprayer

Mix the borax and hot water until fully dissolved. Pour into spray bottle, add cold water and shake vigorously.

Spray onto infested wood surfaces, termite trails in walls, and into entry holes. Soak areas with spraying solution. The water helps borax penetrate wood while the powder poisons termites.

This DIY homemade spray can eliminate visible termites. However it may not eradicate the entire nest since it doesn’t spread through to the colony as well as dry dust. Use as supplemental treatment only.

Where Can I Buy Borax Powder for Termites?

Borax is widely available at most supermarkets and hardware stores. Look for it in the laundry or cleaning aisle under brand names like 20 Mule Team Borax or lesser expensive generic sodium borate.

You can also easily purchase borax powder online from Amazon or hardware retailers if local stores don’t carry it.

A 2-4 lb container of borax powder will provide plenty to treat a standard termite infestation. Though always defer to the product label or SDS for precise safety and usage guidance.

Key Takeaways on Killing Termites With Borax

To summarize the key points on using borax for termite control:

• Borax (or sodium borate) applied as a powder is extremely effective against termites. It works as a fatal stomach poison when ingested.
• Mix borax with flour paste or apply directly inside termite nesting areas for best results. Never mix into a liquid solution.
• Ensure borax makes direct contact with termites in infested wood for high mortality rates. Proper thorough application is crucial.
• Monitor for 1-2 weeks to allow borax powder to work through the colony after treatment. Retreat if termites return.
• Follow all safety precautions like gloves and mask during borax handling to prevent inhalation or skin irritation.
• Borax provides an affordable, natural pest control treatment for protecting homes from destructive termite damage and infestation.

So in summary – yes, borax certainly can kill termites, and help safely rid your home of these wood-eating pests when applied properly!

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