Even though bees are very important to our environment, especially for pollination, they can be a problem sometimes. This is especially true for species like carpenter bees that can damage wooden structures. Suppose professional help is not an option, and its just between you and the bees. A surprising solution that people are using in this case is sodium carbonate, which is also known as borax. Thats right, although commonly used for cleaning, borax can also be used as an effective insecticide. Advertisement.
You might wonder why you should use borax instead of the tried-and-true chemicals made to kill bees. Well, for starters, borax is a natural insecticide. It comes from a mineral and has properties that, when eaten by insects, mess up their digestive and nervous systems, killing them. Consider this situation: You discover small holes in the wooden sections of your home or garden structures. This could be the work of carpenter bees, which bore tunnels into the wood to make their nests. Applying a borax solution to the wood that has been harmed can help keep these pests away and even get rid of them in just a few days.
What you should know before you do anything, though, is how to use borax to kill your bees while still being safe. To start, get all of your supplies together and make a bait. This is easy: all you need is borax, something sweet like honey, sugar, or fruit syrup, and a bowl to mix it all together. Advertisement.
Bees play a vital role in our ecosystem as pollinators Unfortunately, pesticide use threatens bee populations worldwide Borax is one such pesticide that generates debate over its safety for bees. This article examines whether borax kills bees and if so, to what extent.
What is Borax?
Borax, also known as sodium borate, is a naturally occurring mineral composed of sodium, boron, oxygen and water. In nature, it’s found in evaporate deposits produced by the repeated evaporation of seasonal lakes.
Borax has numerous household and industrial applications It’s commonly used in laundry detergents as a whitener, buffer, and builder Borax also has pesticidal properties against insects like cockroaches and ants. Some argue it’s a natural pesticide, but the EPA regulates it as a synthetic pesticide.
The pesticidal mode of action involves desiccation or drying out the exoskeleton of insects. Borax also causes sterile insect technique, which reduces reproductive capacity. The unique chemical properties of borax give it insecticidal abilities not found with boric acid alone.
Does Borax Kill Bees?
There’s no simple yes or no answer to this question. Here are some key considerations:
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Direct contact can be lethal: Bees are susceptible to the insecticidal properties of borax. Direct contact, especially in high concentrations, often proves fatal. However, bees don’t typically come into direct contact with borax during normal use.
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Toxicity depends on method of exposure: The way bees encounter borax influences toxicity. Contact with abrasives or dusts is more hazardous than diluted solutions. Broadcasting borax dust over bee colonies would likely cause high mortality. Whereas a diluted borax solution as a wood treatment poses little risk.
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Feeding toxicity is relatively low: Ingestion of small amounts via contaminated nectar or pollen is unlikely to kill bees. While borax can negatively impact gut bacteria, bees are not as sensitive to borax ingestion as direct contact.
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Sub-lethal effects are possible: Non-lethal exposure may still impact bees. Small doses can influence bee behavior, suppress their immune systems, and reduce egg-laying of queen bees. The severity depends on the concentration and duration of exposure.
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Vulnerability varies between species: Honeybees are susceptible to borax but less so than other bee species. Bumblebees and solitary bees have exhibited higher sensitivity in laboratory studies.
Borax vs. Bees – The Controversy
Despite having insecticidal properties, the risks borax poses to bees during normal usage are debated:
Arguments it poses a low risk:
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Bees do not typically encounter borax directly. It’s not sprayed over flowers or fields that attract pollinators.
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Any residues that bees ingest are too small to cause lethal effects.
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It has a long history of use as a laundry booster without reports of bee die-offs.
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Regulatory agencies like the EPA approve borax as having minimal toxicity to bees.
Arguments it poses a higher risk:
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It’s highly toxic to bees via direct contact, suggesting intrinsic hazard.
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Sub-lethal effects like impaired reproduction still damage bee colonies over time.
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Approved usage doesn’t guarantee safety. Many pesticides once considered bee-safe were later banned for harming bees.
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Few studies have assessed impacts on wild bee populations which may be more vulnerable.
The disagreement stems from uncertainty around indirect effects and sub-lethal impacts. There’s evidence supporting both minimal and heightened risks. Most agree borax directly kills bees through contact exposure, but debate surrounds the real-world risks from approved usage.
Minimizing Borax Risks to Bees
While the controversy continues, you can take precautions to minimize any potential impacts to bee populations:
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Avoid broadcasting borax dust in areas frequented by bees. Carefully target any power applications.
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Prevent borax from contaminating open water sources. Bees drink from puddles, ponds, and lakes.
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Use alternative pesticides like diatomaceous earth for crawling insects. Reserve borax for closed spaces bee can’t access.
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Mix individual laundry borax doses right before washing. Don’t leave large amounts dissolve in open laundry tubs.
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Support apiculture practices that strengthen bee colony health. This reduces susceptibility to pesticide exposures.
With thoughtful use, borax can be an effective pesticide for home use without posing a significant risk to our precious pollinators. But it’s smart to minimize exposure pathways as a precaution. While borax may not decisively kill all bees, protecting their populations from any potential harm is always the right decision. We need bees just as much as they need us.
How to use borax against carpenter bees while taking precaution
To begin the mixture, pour into the bowl a ratio of half borax and half sugary substance. Once prepared, place the bait mixture near the areas where you suspect carpenter bee activity. If you put it outside, keep it out of the rain or water to keep it working, and make sure pets and kids can’t easily get to the borax. Though natural, borax is not entirely benign. Ingesting it in significant amounts can be toxic. Also, if you use borax on bees in your backyard, make sure that high concentrations of it don’t get on plants, as it can hurt them. Advertisement.
Then, all that’s left is to keep an eye on the bait and keep adding to it. Over time, the bees should be less active as the mixture gets on their legs and bodies and follows them back to their hive. This, of course, spreads amongst the bees as they are social insects and eventually kills all of them. Please use it with caution, as borax can also kill other living things when ingested.
In addition to the bait, borax powder can be directly applied to the tunnels carpenter bees have created. You need to be careful because they may be deep inside, but they fly out quickly. You should wear protective clothing and avoid applying it during busy times. Once you’re sure the bees are gone for good, use wooden dowels, wood filler, or caulk to seal their holes and stop future infestations. Advertisement.
Does Borax Kill Bees?
FAQ
What is the best homemade bee killer?
What insect does borax kill?
How fast does 20 Mule Team borax kill wasps?
Does borax kill bees?
Borax is commonly used to kill ants and other pests, but it is harmful to bees as well if they come into direct contact with it. Will Ammonia Kill Bees? Yes, ammonia can kill bees on contact. If bees come into contact with surfaces treated with ammonia, it can be deadly.
How to get rid of Bees naturally?
Make sure you check again the next morning to make sure they are all gone. Boric acid or borax powder is an effective way of getting rid of bees the natural way. Borax dust is also good in case the bees have made their nest in a place where it is difficult to reach and spray. Borax works as effectively on bees as it does on ants.
Does borax kill pests?
Borax can kill pests, though it is not nearly as effective as boric acid. You will often find boric acid used in pesticides. You should be able to find it as a tablet, liquid, or powder or in a trap. Boric acid kills certain insects by absorbing into their bodies and poisoning them. Once absorbed, it will affect their metabolism and exoskeletons.
Can borax be used as a pesticide?
Borax should not be used as a pesticide, though some people confuse the two or think they are the same. Borax can kill pests, though it is not nearly as effective as boric acid. You will often find boric acid used in pesticides. You should be able to find it as a tablet, liquid, or powder or in a trap.
Can borax kill carpenter bees?
Consider this situation: You discover small holes in the wooden sections of your home or garden structures. This could be the work of carpenter bees, which bore tunnels into the wood to make their nests. Using a borax solution on the affected wood can help repel and even get rid of these pests in no longer than a few days’ time.
Does borax kill ants?
Borax powder works as a fungicide by drying out and stopping mold growth. Boric acid and borax also kill plants by drying them out. Other borate-derived salts can kill plants by stopping them from producing the energy they need to survive. Some of the insects that borax kills include ants, flies, and other insect larvae.