Boric acid is a naturally occurring substance that has many great uses. It is used for (1) medicinal purposes in humans, (2) to control insects, and (3) to aid industry in manufacturing.
Boric Acid for Treating Humans
It is used as an eyewash. In fact, some of the contact lens solutions have it in them. This is because it is known for being anti bacterial. It is also used to treat cuts and burns because of the same anti microbial nature. Many medicine products contain it in them.
It is also known to make things dehydrate. The white powder is very dry. That makes it an ideal solution to help remove acne. It is great for acne because of the anti microbial Pest Control Depot powers and the ability to dehydrate or remove excess skin oils. Along the same lines, it is used as a vaginal suppository to eliminate yeast infections and jock itch.
Finally, it is used to prevent athletes foot and has been used to treat ear infections.
It is important to note that the product is typically used in a solution format. It is often the active ingredient, but direct application of boric acid dust is not a great idea. You need the right amount to make it effective.
How dangerous is it? The EPA claims it is about as dangerous as table salt. Apparently, you can die from eating too much salt or too much boric acid. The product is not something you should eat, but it is known to be pretty benign. If you are around the dust, you should avoid breathing it in. The great part about it is that it is pretty benign to humans, but toxic to insects.
Insect Control
It is most often used as a bait or a dust to control roaches, ants, termites, fleas, and more. The product is a natural pest control killer. The awesome part is that the insects can’t build up immunity because the product works through dehydration. Insects will get boric acid dust or bait on them and then clean themselves. They will get small amounts of it into their system. The insect will not realize it, but they are going to get dehydrated.
One of the reasons that it is so effective, for pest control, is that the insects take it back to the nest. This is especially true with a bait. The bait is taken back to the nest and then the nest will get eliminated and that will solve the real problem. Roaches and many other insects populate so quickly that nest elimination is paramount.
Most pest control companies know the effectiveness of it. It is a powerful and safe tool to control insect populations.
Industrial Manufacturing Biological Pest Control
It is a great flame retardant. You can actually wash your shirt in boric acid solution and it will become flame retardant. This might be useful for someone that is a welder or firefighter. Nuclear reactors use it to cool down reactions and to stop the fission process.
The most popular use, in manufacturing, is to create fiberglass. The fiberglass is used in all kinds of products.
It is also used to create highly a highly effective lubricant for industrial machinery. The big bonus point is that boric acid does not pollute the environment like the competing products do.
Final Thought
Don’t eat it, but realize that it is a safe product. It has been used for thousands of years and is a great blessing to humans. A favorite use of it is to control roaches without harming humans.
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