Does boric acid corrode ceramic tile and laminated floor ?

[fresh]

i want to get rid of disgusting cockroach. there are some small cockroaches appearing in my kitchen, undoubtedly, mother cockroach laid some eggs .....

insect spray is not the only way to dispose of them.

i want to try boric acid solution to mop the floor, the worry is does boric acid corrode ceramic tile and laminated floor ?

(alkali was once used to mop the ceramic tile, unfortunately the tile was damaged. )

 

thanks in advance

 

[StringJunky]

i want to get rid of disgusting cockroach. there are some small cockroaches appearing in my kitchen, undoubtedly, mother cockroach laid some eggs .....

insect spray is not the only way to dispose of them.

i want to try boric acid solution to mop the floor, the worry is does boric acid corrode ceramic tile and laminated floor ?

(alkali was once used to mop the ceramic tile, unfortunately the tile was damaged. )

 

thanks in advance

 

After some reading: It is a weak alklali and can have a slight bleaching effect if wet. It is best used dry, as this following artilcle link explains, for eradicating them. Part of it's effectiveness lies in its mechanical properties, as a crystal on the cockroaches exoskeleton and also it ingests the poison when the insects preen themselves removing the boric acid dust crystals from their bodies.Given this fact, I would prepare and apply the powder exactly as recommended in the article, or as as closely as you can, to maximise its effectiveness. I wouldn't worry about using it dry on those surfaces; maybe, don't apply it to those surfaces in sunny areas of your kitchen; the solar rays may have an unforeseen effect.

 

https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef614

Edited August 7, 2016 by StringJunky

[John Cuthber]

After some reading: It is a week alklali

 

Boric acid a weak acid.

Concrete is actually quite a strong base (in both senses)

The tiles are likely to be near neutral.

Edited August 7, 2016 by John Cuthber

[StringJunky]

Boric acid a weak acid.

Concrete is actually quite a strong base (in both senses)

The tiles are likely to be near neutral.

Doh! You are right of course. For some reason, I saw and used 9.24 in the wiki without realising that wasn't the pH. Besides, the fact it is an acid and shouldn't have a pH that high!

Edited August 7, 2016 by StringJunky

[fresh]

thank you guys! one more Q is i sprayed the insect spray all over the kitchen floor, if i spray the boric acid on the floor again, will it be any chance the unexpected chemical reaction it will lead ?

[StringJunky]

thank you guys! one more Q is i sprayed the insect spray all over the kitchen floor, if i spray the boric acid on the floor again, will it be any chance the unexpected chemical reaction it will lead ?

Only on the laminate might it possibly be problem and even then I doubt it unless you soaked the laminate where it took ages to dry. Don't worry about it... kill the buggers!

[jimmydasaint]

I always thought Boric acid powder embedded in flour dough and placed as doughballs everywhere would do the trick, unless my heart medicines are making me hallucinate and imagine things which have never existed. Get back to you on this...

 

I didn't imagine it!

 

Here it is:

DIY Mix:

White Flour
Boric Acid
Confectioners Sugar or Brown Sugar
Water

• Mix 50/50 flour and boric acid. Sprinkle in some confectioners sugar (about 1/4 of the amount of flour used). Make a dough by adding in water, don’t make it runny.
• Roll the dough into small marble sized balls and place them in corners, dark cupboards, behind heavy appliances, along floor boards and around the garbage.

Within a month the critters should be gone.

If the infestation is particularly bad:

• Double the effort by making a mix of 50/50 boric acid and brown sugar then pour the mixture in a thick line around the entire room and entrance ways. The roaches will get the stuff on their bodies and carry it back to the nest. Once there is no trace of the pest left (usually within the month), vacuum up the powder.

 

http://tipnut.com/how-to-get-rid-of-cockroaches-roach-ball-recipe/

Edited August 7, 2016 by jimmydasaint