Heloise's Boric Acid Roach Exterminating Formula

8 ounces powdered boric acid
1/2 cup flour
1/8 cup sugar
1/2 small onion, chopped (optional)
1/4 cup cooking oil or bacon drippings
(or more to form a soft dough).

Cream shortening and sugar, mix boric acid, flour and onion. Add to sugar, and oil. Blend well, then add more oil as needed to form a soft dough. Shape into small balls the size of marbles. (If balls are placed in opened, plastic sandwich bags, the dough will stay softer longer.) Place balls throughout the house in places normally inhabited by roaches (any dark, damp corner). Caution: Make sure no children or pet can come in contact with these balls, as it is toxic and keep out of direct contact with any food. When dough becomes brick hard, replace with a fresh batch.

Note from Leilani: I clipped this effective recipe from the local paper in 1982, and it has since been kept in my recipe file for easy reference. I looked it up today after having lunch with my young friend, Tara, who is soon to be in Hawai`i for an extended vacation. She mentioned her terror of roaches to the right person. Just now, as I was making a copy for her, I thought, "Why not share it with you at the website?"

So here it is, for Tara…and anyone else who lacks affinity for roaches.

A bit of trivia: the original Heloise started her household tips in Hawai`i before her column was nationally syndicated. She had personal experience with these pesky island pests. These days, her daughter writes the column, continuing a tradition of Aloha, for as Hal Kop says, " Sharing information is an expression of Aloha Spirit."