Use borax/boric acid baits and diatomaceous earth

Combine thorough sanitation with low-toxicity baits and desiccant powders to eliminate ant colonies and cockroach populations at the source, not just the visible pests.

Steps

1. Clean thoroughly: Wipe counters, sweep floors, store food in sealed containers, fix leaks, and empty trash regularly to remove food and water sources.
2. Seal entry points: Caulk cracks and crevices around baseboards, pipes, and window frames where pests enter.
3. Set ant bait: Mix equal parts borax (or boric acid) and powdered sugar with a little water to form a paste. Place small amounts on index cards or bottle caps near ant trails. Ants carry the sweet bait back to the colony, poisoning it from within.
4. Apply desiccant powder: Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth or boric acid lightly where roaches hide — under sinks, behind appliances, along baseboards. These powders abrade insect exoskeletons, causing fatal dehydration within 24-72 hours.
5. Reapply as needed: Moisture renders DE and boric acid ineffective, so reapply after cleaning or in damp areas.

Tips

• Keep borax and boric acid away from pets and children — low toxicity for humans but harmful if ingested in quantity
• Diatomaceous earth must be food grade, not pool grade, which contains crystalline silica
• Results take 1-2 weeks as bait works through the colony; do not kill visible ants carrying bait back to the nest