Boric acid is available in powder, paste, aerosol, tablet, and liquid forms for use against cockroaches, ants, and other insects. Professional pest control professionals can use boric acid products to control wood-infesting beetles and to spot treat wood to protect it from termites. Silica gel is an inert, nonabrasive material that is very effective in absorbing moisture. It absorbs the waxy coating on the insect's body and causes death by dehydration. Silica gel products are often used by professional pest control operators to control cockroaches, silverfish, and other pests.
Diatomaceous earth is the fossilized remains of tiny, one-celled organisms called diatoms.
It kills insects by scratching their waxing outer covering and causing them to dehydrate. The diatomaceous earth sold for use in swimming pool filters is not suitable for pest control. Diatomaceous earth is used to control cockroaches, ants, silverfish, and fleas. Other Types of Less Toxic Insecticides Other types of less toxic insecticides include insecticidal soaps and insect growth regulators. Soaps penetrate the waxy covering on the insect s body and cause death by dehydration.