Boric acid

mod hazard

Also: boracic acid

PestFirst aid

A long-used insecticide dust for cockroaches in cracks they travel, and a listed ingredient in some old first-aid recipes. Treat it as a pesticide first, medicine second.

Shelf life: Indefinite
Container: Sealed; not metal if it might get wet with acids
Grade: USP for any skin or eye folklore — and still, modern sterile saline is better for eyes

What it does

▸Roach and silverfish dust in wall voids and under appliances
▸Some antifungal foot powders (commercial products are safer than kitchen mixing)

Store

▸Away from food, kids, pets. Not airborne in living rooms.

Hazards

▸Toxic if eaten, especially to children and pets.
▸Do not make homemade eye washes — contamination risk is real.

Never mix

White vinegar Citric acid

Gear

Gloves · Dust mask

In the field

Roaches: a light dust in cracks, not piles. Piles get walked around; a film gets walked through.

Source

Pharmacy USP powder or hardware insecticide-grade. Do not confuse with borax.