Anyone know where I can get some Boric Acid in Japan. Or how to say Boric Acid in Japanese?
Boric Acid is the “secret ingredient” in so many commercial treatments for insect control.
This simple inexpensive, household chemical is deadly to all insects. It has been shown to attack their nervous systems, as well as being a drying agent to their bodies.Boric acid is a wonderful tool for controlling cockroaches in homes, restaurants and other buildings. It is effective in extremely small amounts and retains its potency almost indefinitely provided the deposit remains dry.
Unlike many insecticides, boric acid has no repellency to insects and, consequently, roaches return to treated areas repeatedly until they die. Boric acid (100%) powder is odorless and nonstaining. Boric acid is deadly to cockroaches, but is low in toxicity to people, pets and other nontarget animals.
Not sure where you can buy it but Boric Acid is ホウ酸（ほうさん）in Japanese.
My father-in-law tells me that you can buy this in the pharmacy. He has a stash at home for mouthwash. Does that sound right? I showed him the post by Scott and he said it was for mouthwash. I don’t want to mislead you or cause any embarassment at the pharmacy, but that’s where he buys the stuff. Not sure if it’s 100% though.
Thanks for the pointers!
It’s available over the counter at pharmacies and is known as “housan,” as stated above. As I remember it, there were differing grades/concentrations available at different prices, though. I tried it for cockroach control in a 15 year old Japanese house and it definitely didn’t work as well as fumigation, but was probably a lot less toxic.
I’m not sure how old your house is, or if you live in an apartment building, but the key to getting rid of roaches is cleanliness.
No dirty dishes (food source)
No trash (food source)
No clutter (hiding spots)
NO WATER (roaches need water)
**dry your sink after you wash dishes; plug the drain in the sink; make sure under the sink is clean and dry**
No open windows (use screens), no open doors
Roach motels strategically placed under the sink, in the bathroom, next to the fridge, in the genkan…
Boric acid is merely a tactic that *might* serve as a stopgap. But you have to persuade the roaches that your neighbour has more food and water.