Tree Sap That Kills Roaches

Making the Mixture

• Mix equal parts boric acid and tree sap, molasses or maple syrup in a small bowl. The boric acid acts like a poison that slowly kills the roaches. The sticky substance has a sweet taste that appeals to the insects. When you combine the two ingredients, the scent and taste attracts the roaches. The roaches gather the food and carry it to different areas of your house. When the bugs transport the mixture to the nests, other roaches eat the combination. The tree sap and boric acid combination effectively kills the roaches. Use an equal ratio of tree sap to boric acid.

Using Tree Sap Alone

• Even a small amount of tree sap may kill some of the roaches in your home. Use an old coffee can or another tall dish. Rub a small amount of tree sap on the sides of the can, which spreads the scent around, and arrange a thick layer of the liquid on the bottom of the can. The roaches climb inside the can seeking the sweet substance, but once the bugs get inside, they cannot crawl back out. The roaches die inside the can. If you use a thick enough layer, the tree sap even drowns the bugs.

Considerations

• Leave your insect traps in areas of your home where you specifically notice a roach problem. The kitchen and bathroom are common roach hideouts, but the insects may also live in laundry rooms, bedrooms, closets and even living rooms. Place at least one trap in every room. In the kitchens, use traps in areas where you store food, including cabinets, pantries and on top of the refrigerator.

Warning

• Use extreme caution when handling boric acid, as the substance is potentially dangerous to humans. Place the traps in areas away from pets and children. Use the mixture on higher shelves and above the refrigerator. If a pet or animal ingests the substance, then seek medical help as soon as possible and get treatment for the problem.

Tree Sap

• According to the University of Maine, tree sap comes from tapping certain trees, such as maple trees. Drill 2 inches into the tree, creating a hole approximately 7/16 inch thick. Insert a tree spout or "tap" into the hole and attach a bucket underneath. Lightly wiggle the tap, until the sap begins pouring into the bucket. The tap reaches the sap inside the tree and pulls it through a hole. The sap exits from a hole in the bottom of the tap and flows into the bucket. Sap from maple trees works best because it has a slightly sweet taste that attracts the roaches.