Gnats are annoying and can be tricky to get rid of once they’ve infested your kitchen or home. Borax is an effective insecticide that can quickly eliminate ants, roaches, and other pests. So, it’s logical to ask, does Borax kill gnats?
The answer is yes, but it comes with a few caveats. Borax is absolutely toxic to gnats, but it might not be the best method to get rid of them. Below, we talk about what Borax is and give you methods for using it. We’ll also list out the top borax alternatives so you can decide what gnat-elimination method is best for your situation.
Does Borax Kill Gnats? What is Borax?
Borax comes from Boron, a naturally occurring mineral found in the earth’s crust. It’s the 51st most common element, and you can find it in everything from fruits and vegetables to cosmetics. It’s even in many sources of drinking water.
Boron combines with oxygen to create borates such as Borax, also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, and disodium borate.
Because Borax is so widespread and easy to obtain, it’s in many everyday household items, like detergent, cleaning solutions, weed killers, and even some play doughs! It also happens to be very good at killing bugs, including gnats, ants, and roaches.
Is Borax Dangerous?
Given that Borax is naturally in many things we consume, like produce and even some of our water, you’d think it’d be inherently safe. And, in small quantities, it is.
On average, adults in the U.S. consume about 1 mg of Borax per day through the foods they eat, the water they drink, and the items they put on their skin. At concentrations that low, there are no known side effects.
However, Borax is toxic in higher amounts. Adults working in factories where Borax powder is prevalent have reported symptoms such as nausea, skin rashes, and nasal irritation. And, though it’s rare, Borax can be fatal in large doses. 15-20 grams of Borax given in one dose could kill a full-grown adult.
Reaching those types of levels from cleaning, plant fertilizers, or even cosmetics isn’t feasible for adults. However, children and infants are far more susceptible to borax toxicity. A fatal dose for an infant is only 2-3 grams of Borax, and for children, it’s 5-6 grams.
Children and infants won’t consume those levels of Borax from fresh produce or water, but if you’re using Borax as an insecticide in your garden, and a child decides to eat a handful of dirt, you could have a problem.
The same goes for using Borax in your home to keep out gnats and other bugs. Children tend to play on the floor where you would need to leave a borax bait trap.
Killing Gnats With Borax
If you don’t have small children playing on the floor of your home, using Borax to kill gnats and other bugs can work. And, even if you do have children, there are ways to create childproof borax bait traps, though we still don’t recommend them.
However, killing gnats with Borax isn’t always the most efficient strategy. It might be ideal if you have issues with roaches and ants at the same time, so we’ll explain how to build a borax trap below. But, it’s important to note that there may be better ways to get rid of gnats.
To understand why Borax isn’t the best choice for killing gnats, you need to understand what gnats are.
Gnats vs Fruit Flies
Gnats refer to a variety of flying insects, including whiteflies and fungus gnats. But, the most common type of gnat in homes is the fruit fly.
Fruit flies are very fertile creatures. Females lay about 500 eggs at a time! So, they’re hard to get rid of once they enter your home. In general, they’re attracted to sugar and moisture, which explains why they love the bowl of apples or bananas on your countertop.
Borax traps usually contain dissolved Borax and some sort of sweet solution, like sugar or corn syrup, to attract insects. A trap like this is very effective for ants, who will carry the sweet solution back to their nest and effectively poison an entire colony at once.
With gnats, though, the process is slow because the gnats will probably reproduce faster than the trap can catch them. Plus, many borax traps don’t use moisture at all. Instead, they use powdered Borax and dry sugar, which won’t attract many fruit flies, though it may be more effective for other gnat varieties.
That said, if you also have issues with ants, roaches, or other bugs, Borax might be the easiest catch-all fix, especially if you don’t have small children or pets to worry about.
Building a Borax Bait Trap
Building a borax bait trap is exceptionally simple, and there are many ways to do it. Some homeowners simply sprinkle Borax mixed with sugar along cracks and crevices in their homes to keep pests away.
For killing fruit flies specifically, though, you should include a little liquid. We like to mix a teaspoon of Borax with about a ¼ cup of liquid corn syrup. You can lay this solution out on a piece of wax paper, then place it on your countertop. Gnats will be attracted to it and will eventually die off.
If you’re dealing with a gnat problem outside, you can place Borax with a bit of sugar in a glass jar, leaving the lid off. Place it anywhere you notice a gnat or insect problem, and over time you’ll see a decrease in pests.
Gnat Killing Alternatives
Again, though, the above methods aren’t the best if you have children or pets running around. Luckily, there are natural alternatives for killing gnats that don’t include Borax but are highly effective.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Mixing apple cider vinegar, water, and sugar is a highly effective way to trap and kill gnats. It’s also very safe. So even if a child were to ingest the solution, they’d be okay. To use it, mix a few tablespoons of each ingredient in a small bowl, and set it out on the counter or wherever gnats are congregating.
Wine
Mixing wine and dish soap is another great way to catch gnats. Of course, you wouldn’t want your children to ingest this one accidentally, but it’s still safer than using Borax.
Mix a few teaspoons of dish soap into a small, shallow bowl or glass filled with red or white wine. The sugar in the wine will attract the gnats, while the dish soap prevents them from flying, forcing them to drown.
Honey
Honey in a bowl will also attract and trap gnats. They love the sweet smell of honey, but once they land in it, they’re trapped!
Remove Their Food Source
The best way to get rid of gnats, though, is to eliminate their food source. Place ripe fruit in the fridge and wipe down counters regularly. Doing so will prevent gnats from populating your home to begin with.
Does Borax Kill Gnats? – Final Thoughts
Gnats are annoying, and they reproduce quickly, making them tough to get rid of. You can kill gnats with Borax, but it’s not the most effective route, and it raises concerns if you have small children in the house.
Using a natural alternative such as honey or wine is usually a better option for getting rid of pesky gnats, especially fruit flies. Better yet, keep ripe fruit off the counter and clean up any sweet-smelling messes right away. Eliminating the gnat’s food source is the best way to keep them away.
CLICK HERE to shop our complete line of organic pest control solutions!
