Borax, Baking Soda, and More: Are Household Cleaners a Safe Option for Pest Control?

When faced with a pest problem, many homeowners immediately turn to common household products like Borax, baking soda, or even vinegar. These natural remedies are cheap and accessible, but are they safe, and—more importantly—are they effective?

This guide dives into the science of popular home remedies and compares their questionable results against the proven dangers of professional chemical sprays. We will show you the smarter, safer solution that offers maximum efficacy without the trade-offs.

The Risks of Home Remedies: Borax and Baking Soda

Home remedies can be a dangerous gamble. While baking soda is generally harmless, Borax presents several significant risks, especially when misused for pest control:

• Toxicity: Borax (sodium borate) is toxic if ingested. When applied as a powder for ant control, it creates the same inhalation hazard as DE, but with chemical toxicity risks.
• Misapplication: Applying these powders requires precise placement, often near baseboards or food areas. If pets or children are exposed to the powder (by sniffing, licking, or tracking it through the house), it can lead to health issues.
• Inconsistent Results: The effectiveness of these remedies is highly unreliable. Pests must consume them or be exposed in specific ways that are difficult to control in a household environment.

As a common DIY example using borax and baking soda, some people may attempt to mix borax with sugar and water to create an insect lure/bait. While this may be effective to a degree, it’s an immediate danger to any household pets that may be tempted to try the sugar water/borax mixture too.

The True Danger: Comparing Home Remedies to Chemical Poisons

The biggest threat to household safety is not usually the home remedy, but the harsh, neurotoxic chemicals found in many common professional and over-the-counter pest sprays.

• Common Chemicals: Major professional-grade and retail pesticides (like those sold by Raid, Target, etc.) often contain chemicals such as Pyrethrins or Permethrin. These are neurotoxins designed to disable the insect’s central nervous system—and they come with serious warnings for humans and pets.
• The Exposure Problem: Misapplication or overspray of these chemicals can result in acute symptoms (headache, dizziness, nausea) and long-term health concerns, leading many homeowners to avoid them entirely.

There is a massive gap between unproven home remedies and dangerous chemical poisons.

The Safer Professional Solution: Powerful and Non-Toxic

BLITZ was engineered to fill that exact safety gap. It is the definitive solution for homeowners who refuse to use harsh chemicals but demand professional-grade killing power.

• Guaranteed Safer: While we utilize the power of DE, our formula is designed to be safer than common chemicals and active ingredients found in competing retail products. You get the peace of mind of a non-toxic, water-based solution.
• Effective on Contact: You don’t have to wait for pests to consume a powder, and you don’t have to rely on a weak repellent oil. BLITZ kills on contact via desiccation, providing immediate control where you need it most.
• No Particulates: Because it is a spray, you eliminate the risk of tracking chemicals or powders across your home, protecting your children and pets from accidental exposure.

Knowledge is Your Best Defense

Knowing the risks of both extremes—unreliable home remedies and dangerous neurotoxins—allows you to choose a product that protects your family while eliminating pests quickly.

Click here to read our full guide on the hazards of powder-based solutions like Borax and Diatomaceous Earth.

Ready for a solution that’s safe AND effective? Pick up DE! BLITZ Now!