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The Ultimate Guide to Rodent Control
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Roaches pop up fast in the DC metro area. I’ve spent four years as a registered technician, working in a third-generation family business. We’ve handled German, Oriental, and American roach problems in homes just like yours. This guide shows when boric acid for roaches works, its limits, and what pest pros usually recommend.
Three species dominate homes here:
Boric acid (H₃BO₃) comes from mined borate ores and is milled to 99–99.5% purity for pest control. The EPA re-registered it as a general-use pesticide in 2008, listing it as **Category III** for oral toxicity and **Category IV** for dermal exposure according to the EPA RED.
Boric acid kills roaches in two ways:
According to the NPIC fact sheet, roaches must ingest dust or bait for the fastest kill.
You’ll find boric acid in these forms:
Sprinkle a very thin, almost invisible layer in voids, behind appliances, and around pipes. Too much dust repels roaches. Keep it dry—steam and leaks cut effectiveness. Reapply after flooding or big plumbing fixes.
Laboratory tests show 100% mortality with ≥400 mg/m² dust and 0.4% sugar-borate baits achieving LT₉₀ ≤3 days in lab assays.
Virginia Tech Extension calls boric acid dust “highly effective” when paired with sanitation, per their report. However, moisture or grease cuts performance sharply.
Retail boric acid roach products here carry EPA registration. Multi-unit buildings may require applicator notification. Avoid washing it into wells or storm drains—borates dissolve at 4–5 g/L. Always follow label instructions.
When boric acid alone won’t cut it, pros add or switch to:
An Integrated Pest Management plan combines boric acid with other tactics. Reinspect after storms or summer humidity spikes. In apartments, coordinate building-wide treatments to stop reinfestation through shared plumbing chases.
Boric acid dust costs under $20, but labor, follow-ups, and inspection time add up. For a clear price breakdown, check our 2025 Service Price Guide. Our pros offer unlimited callbacks at no extra charge.
If you spot roaches despite using boric acid, it’s time to call in licensed technicians. We serve Arlington, Alexandria, and Bethesda with tailored plans that blend dusts, baits, sprays, and exclusion. Our research team vets every product we use, so they’re ones we’d feel comfortable using in our own homes.
Ready to stop roaches? Call 703-683-2000 or email info@bettertermite.com for a free estimate.
Boric acid works on German, Oriental, and American roaches if they ingest enough dust or bait. It’s less effective on eggs and in very humid or wet areas.
Expect a **2–10 day** kill time. Factors like dust dose, humidity, and roach species affect how quickly they die.
Use a thin, invisible film in voids, under appliances, and behind baseboards. Avoid piles. Keep dust dry and reapply after leaks or flooding.
Keep dust out of reach. Store applicators locked up. Follow label instructions strictly to reduce the chance of accidental ingestion.
Pros add gel baits (indoxacarb, fipronil), desiccant dusts (DE, silica), growth regulators, residual sprays, and non-chemical traps. A combined IPM plan often solves tough infestations.
Resistance to boric acid is rare because it works by digestion and cuticle damage. However, poor application or wet conditions can make it seem ineffective.
If roaches persist after DIY dusting, or you have heavy infestations in kitchens and basements, call licensed technicians. We offer expert plans for any home.
With five years of hands-on experience in the pest control industry, George Schulz is a registered technician with the Virginia Pest Management Association and a proud third-generation professional in a family business that’s been protecting homes for over 57 years. He manages and trains a team of service pros while also leading internal research efforts—recently spearheading a deep-dive review of thousands of documents on pest control materials to hand-pick the most kid and pet friendly, most effective solutions tailored specifically for homes in the DC metro area. Read his bio.
